Agilent Technologies 86100A, Programmer'S Manual, Page: 10 / 366

1-6
Introduction
Multiple Databases
Multiple Databases
Eye/Mask measurements are based on statistical data that is acquired and stored in the color
grade/gray scale database. The color grade/gray scale database consists of all data samples
displayed on the display graticule. The measurement algorithms are dependent upon histo-
grams derived from the database. This database is internal to the instrument’s applications.
The color grade/gray scale database
cannot be imported into an external database applica-
tion.
If you want to perform an eye measurement, it is necessary that you first produce an eye dia-
gram by triggering the instrument with a synchronous clock signal. Measurements made on a
pulse waveform while in Eye/Mask mode will fail.
Firmware revision A.03.00 and later allows for multiple color grade/gray scale databases to be
acquired and displayed simultaneously, including
• all four instrument channels
• all four math functions
• one saved color grade/gray scale file
The ability to use multiple databases allows for the comparison of
• channels to each other
• channels to a saved color grade/gray scale file
• functions to the channel data on which it is based
The advantage of acquiring and displaying channels and functions simultaneously is test
times are greatly reduced. For example, the time taken to acquire two channels in parallel is
approximately the same time taken to acquire a single channel.
Using Multiple
Databases in
Remote Programs Most commands that control histograms, mask tests, or color grade data have additional
optional parameters that were not available in firmware revisions prior to A.03.00. You can
use the commands to control a single channel or add the argument APPend to enable more
than one channel. The following example illustrates two uses of the CHANnel<n>:DISPlay
command.
SYSTem:MODE EYE
CHANnel1:DISPlay ON
CHANnel2:DISPlay ON
The result using the above set of commands, is Channel 1 cleared and disabled while Channel
2 is enabled and displayed. However, by adding the argument APPend to the last command of
the set, both Channels 1 and 2 will be enabled and displayed .
SYSTem:MODE EYE
CHANnel1:DISPlay ON