Tabor Electronics 5251, User Manual, Page: 34 / 298

1
Getting Started
Output State
1-17
Output State
The main outputs can be turned on or off. The internal circuit is
disconnected from the output connector by a mechanical switch
(relay). This feature is useful for connecting the main outputs to an
analog bus. For safety reasons, when power is first applied to the
chassis, the main output is always off.
Filters
Two filters are built into the 5251. These filters are available for use
in various applications such as the creation of high frequency sine
waves and removing the staircase effect from waveforms that are
generated with high frequency clock rates. The filters are also used
for reconstructing the standard sine waveform.
Programming The
5251
The 5251 does not have front panel control capability. Also,
waveform data and sequence tables must be loaded to the 5251
from a host computer before it can be output arbitrary or
sequenced waveforms. There are a number of ways to “talk” to the
instrument. They all require that an appropriate software driver be
installed in the host computer. The rest is a matter of practice and
knowledge of the language in use. These topics are discussed in
later chapters.
Low level programming of the 5251 is accomplished using SCPI
(Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) language.
Programming aspects are covered in Chapter 4.
Supplied with the 5251 is a PC software package called
ArbConnection. This software provides a user interface that allows
interacting with and controlling the 5251 directly. Details on how to
use ArbConnection are given in Chapter 3.