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User’s Guide
Part Number 34970-90002
October 1997
For Safety information, Warranties, and Regulatory information,
see the pages behind the Index.
© Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 1997
All Rights Reserved.
HP 34970A
Data Acquisition / Switch Unit
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The HP 34970A combines precision measurement capability with flexible signal connections for your production and development test systems. Three module slots are built into the rear of the instrument to accept any combination of data acquisition or switching modules. The combination of data logging and data acquisition features makes this instrument a versatile solution for your testing requirements now and in the future. Convenient Data Logging Features • Direct measurement of thermocouples,
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The Front Panel at a Glance Denotes a menu key. See the next page for details on menu operation. 1 State Storage / Remote Interface Menus 8 Advanced Measurement / Utility Menus 2 Scan Start / Stop Key 9 Low-Level Module Control Keys 3 Measurement Configuration Menu 10 Single-Channel Monitor On / Off Key 4 Scaling Configuration Menu 11 View Scanned Data, Alarms, Errors Menu 5 Alarm / Alarm Output Configuration Menu 12 Shift / Local Key 6 Scan-to-Scan Interval Menu 13 Knob 7 Scan List Singl
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The Front-Panel Menus at a Glance Several of the front-panel keys guide you through menus to configure various parameters of the instrument (see previous page). The following steps demonstrate the menu structure using the key. 1 Press the menu key. You are automatically guided to the first level of the menu. Rotate the knob to view the other choices on the first level of the menu. The menu will automatically timeout after about 20 seconds of inactivity. You will be
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Display Annunciators SCAN Scan is in progress or enabled. Press and hold again to turn off. MON Monitor mode is enabled. Press again to turn off. VIEW Scanned readings, alarms, errors, or relay cycles are being viewed. CONFIG Channel configuration is in progress on displayed channel. Measurement is in progress. ADRS Instrument is addressed to listen or talk over the remote interface. RMT Instrument is in remote mode (remote interface). ERROR Hardware or remote interface errors are
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The Rear Panel at a Glance 1 Slot Identifier (100, 200, 300) 4 Power-Line Fuse-Holder Assembly 2 Ext Trig Input / Alarm Outputs / Channel 5 Power-Line Voltage Setting Advance Input / Channel Closed Output 6 Chassis Ground Screw 3 RS-232 Interface Connector 7 HP-IB (IEEE-488) Interface Connector Use the Menu to: • Select the HP-IB or RS-232 interface (see chapter 2). • Set the HP-IB address (see chapter 2). • Set the RS-232 baud rate, parity, and flow control mode (see chapter
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HP BenchLink Data Logger Software at a Glance HP BenchLink Data Logger is a Windows-based application designed to make it easy to use the HP 34970A with your PC for gathering and analyzing measurements. Use the software to set up your test, acquire and archive measurement data, and perform real-time display and analysis of your incoming measurements. HP BenchLink Data Logger’s key functions include the following: • Configure measurements on the spreadsheet-like Scan Setup page. • Display measure
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The Plug-In Modules at a Glance For complete specifications on each plug-in module, refer to the module sections in chapter 9. HP 34901A 20-Channel Armature Multiplexer • 20 channels of 300 V switching • Two channels for DC or AC current measurements (100 nA to 1A) • Built-in thermocouple reference junction • Switching speed of up to 60 channels per second • Connects to the internal multimeter • For detailed information and a module diagram, see page 164. Each of the 20 channels switches bot
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HP 34903A 20-Channel Actuator / General-Purpose Switch • 300 V, 1 A actuation and switching • SPDT (Form C) latching relays • Breadboard area for custom circuits • For detailed information and a module diagram, see page 168. Use this module for those applications that require high-integrity contacts or quality connections of non-multiplexed signals. This module can switch 300 V, 1 A (50 W maximum switch power) to your device under test or to actuate external devices. Screw terminals on t
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HP 34907A Multifunction Module • Two 8-bit Digital Input/Output ports, 400 mA sink, 42 V open collector • 100 kHz Totalize input with 1 Vpp sensitivity • Two ±12 V Calibrated Analog Outputs • For detailed information and module block diagrams, see page 174. Use this module to sense status and control external devices such as solenoids, power relays, and microwave switches. For greater flexibility, you can read digital inputs and the count on the totalizer during a scan. HP 34908A 4
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In This Book Quick Start Chapter 1 helps you get familiar with a few of the instrument’s front-panel features. This chapter also shows how to install the HP BenchLink Data Logger software. Front-Panel Overview Chapter 2 introduces you to the front-panel menus and describes some of the instrument’s menu features. System Overview Chapter 3 gives an overview of a data acquisition system and describes how parts of a system work together. Features and Functions Chapter 4 gives a detailed descriptio
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Contents Contents Chapter 1 Quick Start To Prepare the Instrument for Use 17 Installing HP BenchLink Data Logger Software 18 To Connect Wiring to a Module 20 To Set the Time and Date 22 To Configure a Channel for Scanning 23 To Copy a Channel Configuration 25 To Close a Channel 26 If the Instrument Does Not Turn On 27 To Adjust the Carrying Handle 29 To Rack Mount the Instrument 30 Chapter 2 Front-Panel Overview Front-Panel Menu Reference 35 To Monitor a Single Channel 37 To Set a Scan Interval
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Contents Chapter 4 Features and Functions SCPI Language Conventions 73 Scanning 74 Single-Channel Monitoring 93 Scanning With External Instruments 95 General Measurement Configuration 98 Temperature Measurement Configuration 106 Voltage Measurement Configuration 113 Resistance Measurement Configuration 115 Current Measurement Configuration 116 Frequency Measurement Configuration 118 Mx+B Scaling 119 Alarm Limits 122 Digital Input Operations 133 Totalizer Operations 135 Digital Output Operations
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Contents Contents Chapter 5 Remote Interface Reference SCPI Command Summary 181 Simplified Programming Overview 201 The MEASure? and CONFigure Commands 207 Setting the Function, Range, and Resolution 214 Temperature Configuration Commands 219 Voltage Configuration Commands 223 Resistance Configuration Commands 224 Current Configuration Commands 224 Frequency Configuration Commands 225 Scanning Overview 226 Single-Channel Monitoring Overview 237 Scanning With an External Instrument 239 Mx+B Sc
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Contents Chapter 7 Application Programs Example Programs for Excel 7.0 321 Example Programs for C and C++ 328 Chapter 8 Tutorial System Cabling and Connections 335 Measurement Fundamentals 343 Low-Level Signal Multiplexing 378 Actuators and General-Purpose Switching 384 Matrix Switching 388 RF Signal Multiplexing 390 Multifunction Module 392 Relay Life and Preventative Maintenance 399 Chapter 9 Specifications DC, Resistance, and Temperature Accuracy Specifications 404 DC Measurement and Operatin
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1 1 Quick Start
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Quick Start One of the first things you will want to do with your instrument is to become acquainted with the front panel. We have written the exercises in this chapter to prepare the instrument for use and help you get familiar with some of its front-panel operations. The front panel has several groups of keys to select various functions and operations. A few keys have a shifted function printed in blue below the key. To perform a shifted function, press (the SHIFT annunciator will turn on).
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Chapter 1 Quick Start To Prepare the Instrument for Use 1 To Prepare the Instrument for Use 1 Check the list of supplied items. Verify that you have received the following items with your instrument. If anything is missing, contact your nearest Hewlett-Packard Sales Office. One power cord. This User’s Guide. One Service Guide. One Quick Reference Guide. Certificate of Calibration (if you ordered the internal DMM). Quick Start Package (if you ordered the internal DMM): • One RS-232 cable. • H
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Chapter 1 Quick Start Installing HP BenchLink Data Logger Software Installing HP BenchLink Data Logger Software If you ordered the HP 34970A with the internal DMM, then the HP BenchLink Data Logger software is included. The software is shipped on one CD-ROM, but includes a utility to build installation floppy disks. To install the software on your PC, you will need a minimum of 12 MB of free disk space. For system requirements and additional details on the features of the software, refer to the
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Chapter 1 Quick Start Installing HP BenchLink Data Logger Software 1 Creating Installation Floppy Disks You have the option to create an installation on floppy disks from the CD-ROM installation utility. This utility is provided so that you can install HP BenchLink Data Logger on a computer that does not have a CD-ROM drive. Note: You will need a total of five (5) formatted floppy disks to create an installation. 1. Go to a computer that is equipped with a CD-ROM drive. 2. Start the instal
