DH Instruments COMPASS FOR MOLBOX, User Manual

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COMPASS

for molbox™ User’s Manual
© 1998-2003 DH Instruments, Inc .
Page 110
FEATURE DESCRIPTION
Output Units
(drop down
selection list)
For a DMM, indicates whether the <Read Commands> are for reading voltage
(V) or current (A). DMMs save both voltage and current commands in a single
DMM profile.
For a frequency, pressure or temperature device, specifies the unit of measure
in which the device output is returned. These setups only store one set of
commands for the units selected.
The <Initialization Commands> and/or <Read Commands> specified
are the commands for reading the device output in the specified
output units. COMPASS always reads in these units and performs
the necessary calculations to convert to the units required by the
DUT or Test Definition when necessary.
Initialization
Commands
(action button)
Click this button to display the <Remote Command Editor> form (see Section
13.2.1). Enter the desired commands then close the form. These commands are
issued during the initialization process if required by the selected device. Each device
may or may not require a specific initialization. Refer to the device’s remote interface
manual to determine whether initialization commands are necessary. Some devices
may require a unit of measure and range selection before being used. If this is the
case, and the device has the necessary commands to complete this task, enter the
commands in the remote command Editor.
Read
Commands
(action button)
Click this button to display the <Remote Command Editor> form (see Section
13.2.2). Enter the desired read commands then close the form. These commands
are continuously sent to the device in all run modes if selected in the System
Configuration and required by the DUT or Test Definition. Up to 10 commands can
be issued as part of the reading process, however, only one of the commands can be
specified as the “actual read command”. The “actual read command” is identified by
the arrow, “
”, to the left of the command. All commands entered appear in the
appropriate list box. Each device has it’s own unique set of remote interface
commands. Refer to the device manual for details on how to interface with it. See
Section 13.2 for information related to remote interfaces in
COMPASS .
I
n a DMM Definition there are separate read commands for voltage (V) and
current (A) so that COMPASS can use the DMM to read either when required.
Unlike other device setups, both voltage and current commands (two different
measurement units) can be stored in one DMM profile.
Communications
Test
(action button)
Press this button to send the <Initialization Commands> and <Read Commands>
to the device. A <Spy Window> will display with the command response
information used (see Section 6.7.7). This feature is designed to provide on the
spot troubleshooting of the remote commands setup. If a command is not
properly entered or the response format is not correct, the problem should be
visible in the spy window. Use the
<Remote Communications> option for
further troubleshooting (see Section 13).