Specifications

Measurement automation

Agilent’s PNA network analyzers provide several interface methods for automating

antenna measurements. Applications can be run using external computers or con-

trollers. User loaded applications can be executed directly from the PNA’s internal

Microsoft Operating System. Measurement automation allows the user to quickly and

easily control the PNA for operations such as frequency sweeps and making antenna

pattern measurements.

The PNA Series network analyzers have two connections for communicating with

externalsoftware,GPIBandLAN.Theprotocolusedtocommunicatewiththeanalyzer

determines which physical connection will be used.

There are two methods available to remotely control the PNA: Component object model

(COM) and Standard Commands for Programmable Instrumentation (SCPI). The COM

protocolrequiresaLANconnection.SCPIprotocolcanbeuseddirectlyoverGPIBoryoucan

usetheStandardInstrumentControlLibrary(SICL)I/OlibrarieswithaLANconnection.

COM uses a binary protocol, allowing the user to directly invoke a PNA feature. This

is more efficient than SCPI, a text based instrument language. COM typically executes

faster than SCPI and is generally easier to use.

With SCPI a text string is sent to the PNA, the PNA SCPI parser must first decode the

text string to determine that the user has asked for specific information, then the parser

calls the routine to get the information.

With either COM or SCPI, the best throughput is attained by using the PNA’s internal

PC to execute your test code. However, if your test code uses too much of the system

resources (CPU cycles and/or memory), it will slow the PNA’s performance.

For additional information refer to the PNA internal help file, or download the file from

www.agilent.com/find/pna. Additional COM/DCOM information can be found in

Application Note 1408-13, Agilent literature number 5980-2666EN.

Customers can either develop their own software or work with one of Agilent

Technologies’ channel partners to develop the code. Agilent channel partners have

software available for PNA drivers.