User manual

3152B User Manual Publication No. 980935 Rev. M
3-36 Operation Astronics Test Systems
• Pulse Width
• Totalize (counts the number of trigger events)
Use one of the following commands to select the measurement
function:
coun:func freq Selects
the frequency measurement function.
The 3152B takes r
eadings continuously and
places them in the output queue,
waiting for a
read operation
to clear the queue for the next
reading.
coun:func per Selects the period measurement function.
coun:func aper Selects
the averaged period measurement
function.
coun:func puls Selects
the pulse width measurement
function.
coun:func tot Selects
the totalize function. The counter will
detect and count all trigger events from
the
trigger input.
You may adjust the gate ti
me and display mode. If you want to take
continuous counter readings,
use the default display mode as
follows:
coun:disp:mod norm Enables
continuous measurements and
read cycles.
coun:disp:mod hold Stops
the measurement cycle and
performs a single measurem
ent when
triggered by a read operation
. The next
measurement cycle may
be performed
after you clear the counter buffer using the
following command:
coun:res Resets the counter, clears
the output
queue, and arms
the counter for its next
measurement event.
Chapter 5 contains
programming references that will allow you to
program all of the counter/timer parameters.
Counter/Timer
Limitations
A summary of counter/timer limitations is given below.
1. Measurement speed
The rate at which the counter performs its mea
surements depends
upon the display mode setting. The Normal setting
simulates the
display of a bench-top instrument, where the user sees the result of
each measurement as it completes
. The display time is roughly
300 ms, allowing enough time to check the r
esult after each gate
time cycle. The maximum rate is three measurements per
second
when using low-
period gate times. The Hold display mode allows
one reading at a time. The reading starts when the input senses a