MCS260B
CORNERSTONE 260B MONOCHROMATORS
62
•
Read Event Status Register (use *ESR? query); if bit 0 is not set, read it again. Continue
until bit 0 is set.
•
Read detector.
The fourth synchronization operation, also adopted from IEEE488, is only for synchronizing
CS260B internal operations. The *WAI command tells the CS260B to store and not process any
further commands until all currently pending operations are finished. In essence, when it follows an
overlapped command, the *WAI command makes the overlapped command sequential.
It doesn’t necessarily help with synchronizing a separate instrument with the CS260B, but it can be
used for example to set a wavelength, wait for the wavelength to settle, then open the shutter:
•
Send wavelength command (e.g. “gowave 587.1”);
•
Send *wai command;
•
Send
shutter command (e.g. “shutter o”).
The *WAI command may be more useful for instruments that can perform operations that are
dissimilar, for example, a meter that can measure current or voltage.
It should be noted that incoming commands are queued in the input buffer while the CS260B is
waiting. This buffer can store up to about 20 commands.
15.9 ERROR CODES
The Error Code is set to a value that c
orresponds to the latest error. Query it using the “ERROR?”
query. The CS260B sends the value of the Error Code and then resets the value to 0.
Error code
Cause
0
No error.
1
Command not understood.
2
Bad parameter used in command.
3
Destination position for wavelength motion not allowed.
6
Accessory not present (usually filter wheel).
8
Could not home wavelength drive.
9
Label too long (e.g. “filter1label chartreuse”).
10
System error.
The CS260B also contains a Status Byte. It is cleared to 0 at power-up and whenever any error is
encountered it is set to the value 32. It is cleared again when the CS260B receives and responds
to
a “STB?” query.
The Error Code is included for reverse compatibility with older Cornerstone products. The
preferred error-
detect query is “system:error?”. When the CS260B encounters an error, it places
an error code and an error description in a queue. Up to ten errors can be stored in the queue.
Only one error is reported at a time, even though there may be several in the queue. To read all
the errors, send the “system:error?” query until the response is “0, No Error”.
The CS260B
responds to the “system:error?” query by sending a string containing two comma-
separated fields. The first field is a decimal number representing the code for the oldest error. The
second field is a string containing a short description of the error. Here are some examples of error
responses. The full list is on the next page.
Command
Response to “system:error?” query Explanation
gowav 765
-113, Undefined Header
CS260B doesn’t understand
“gowav” (should be “gowave”)
