16
General
Initial Operation
This section is a general introduction to the organisation of the instrument and is intended to be
read before using the generator for the first time. Detailed operation is covered in later sections
starting with
Continuous Carrier Waveform Operation.
In this manual front panel keys and sockets are shown in capitals, e.g. SWEEP, SYNC OUT; all
soft
−
key labels, entry fields and messages displayed on the LCD are shown in a different type
−
font,
e.g.
Offset
,
Sine
.
Where, for example,
ARB-
Load
-
BuiltIn2
-
Square
appears it means press the specified
keys in order. In this case press the ARB key then the
Load
soft-key then the
BuiltIn2
soft-key then the
Square
soft-key
Switching On
The power switch is located at the bottom left of the front panel. To fully disconnect from the AC
supply unplug the mains cord from the back of the instrument or switch off at the AC supply outlet;
make sure that the means of disconnection is readily accessible. Disconnect from the AC supply
when not in use.
At power up the generator displays a start-up message whilst initialising the application; if an error
is encountered the message
Firmware Update / Battery Fail. Initialised to factory default
state.
will be displayed, see the Warnings and Error Messages section.
Loading takes a few seconds, after which the carrier waveform set-up screen is displayed, showing
the generator parameters set to their default values, with the MAIN OUT output set off. Refer to the
Utility Operations section for how to change the power up settings to either those at power down or
to the defaults.
Change the basic generator parameters as described in the Continuous Carrier Waveform
Operation section and switch the output on with the OUTPUT key; the key will glow green to show
that the output is on.
Keyboard
The front panel contains the liquid crystal display (LCD) and the keyboard which are used together
to control all instrument functions.
The keys are grouped as follows:
•
Six soft keys under the display. The function of these keys change as the instrument is operated.
The current function is shown on the LCD in a box above each key. An empty box means that
the key currently has no function.
•
Numeric keys permit direct entry of a value for the parameter currently selected.
•
Six keys under the soft keys select the carrier waveform from SINE, SQUARE, RAMP, PULSE,
NOISE/PRBS and ARB. The selected key glows green. Selecting any of these waveforms will
cancel the previously selected waveform.
•
Three keys to select the operating mode from MOD (modulation), SWEEP and BURST. The
selected key glows yellow. If all keys are unlit the mode will be continuous carrier wave.
•
The OUTPUT key(s) open the Output Settings menu which allows the parameters for the
selected channel to be edited. Subsequent presses of the key simply switch the selected MAIN
OUT on or off. The key glows green when the output is on. A two channel instrument has two
OUTPUT keys, one for each channel and an additional key between these marked CH1/2 which
is used to select between the channels for parameter editing; the selected channel is indicated at
the top left of the Status Line. See the Display section for a description of the Status Line.
