Using IC-CAP with the HP 5250A Matrix Driver
This section describes the transforms implemented for the HP 5250A Switching Matrix.
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Note
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The old switching box transforms that were implemented for the HP 40XX series are not compatible with the new ones. The instruments have different commands for switching and the 5250A has new features such as BIAS and COUPLE modes, which were not available for the old 40XX series.
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List of the transforms:
The following sections describe these transforms. For more details about the HP 5250A, see its User Guide.
Utility Functions
HP5250_debug
This transform is only for debugging. When the debug flag is set to 1, all the functions print out all the command strings that are sent to the instruments. Set flag using the values 1 or 0, or use YES or NO.
HP5250_debug(<flag>)
HP5250_compensate_cap
This transform is the equivalent IC-CAP C routine for the HP BASIC capacitance compensation routine called Ccompen_5250 supplied with the HP 5250A. It returns a 2 by 1 matrix (2 rows, 1 column) defined as follows:
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output.11 represents compensated capacitance data [F]. |
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output.21 represents compensated conductance data [S]. |
HP5250_compensate_cap (RawCap, RawCond, Freq, HPTriaxLenght,
UserTriaxLenghtHigh, UserTriaxLenghtLow, UserCoaxLenghtHigh,
UserCoaxLenghtLow)
where:
- RawCap is Input Dataset containing raw capacitance data [F]
- RawCond is the Input Dataset containing raw conductance data [S]
- Freq is the measured frequency [Hz]
- HPTriaxLenght is the HP Triax Cable Length [m]
- UserTriaxLenghtHighis the user Triax Cable Length (High) [m]
- UserTriaxLenghtLow is the user Triax Cable Length (Low) [m]
- UserCoaxLenghtHigh is the user Coax Cable Length (High) [m]
- UserCoaxLenghtLow is the user Coax Cable Length (Low) [m]
HP5250_show()
This transform has no inputs. It returns to the standard output (screen or file) the following data about the instrument status:
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Instrument Configuration (AUTO/NORMAL). |
The following information is output for each card installed in the instrument (card 0 if the instrument is in auto configuration mode):
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Enabled Output Bias Ports |
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Coupled Input Ports (only lower number is listed, e.g., "3,5" means ports 3 and 4 are coupled |
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Couple Port Mode (ON/OFF) |
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Connection Matrix Inputs(10)xOutputs(12,24,36, or48). The following table shows an output example of the Channel Matrix State where Card 1 is a 10x12 matrix switch. A "1" in a matrix cell means the connection is closed. |
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Output Ports
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1
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0
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0
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0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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2
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1
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1
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1
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1
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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3
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0
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Input
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4
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Ports
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5
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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6
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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7
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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8
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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9
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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10
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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Initialization and General Configuration
HP5250_init
This transform must be run first to initialize the instrument with the address and interface. Using this transform the configuration mode can be set to AUTO. When the instrument is in AUTO configuration mode the same type of card must be installed in the HP 5250 slots from slot 1 continuously. The installed cards are then treated as 1 card (numbered 0).
HP5250_init (BusAddress, "Interface", "Configuration")
where
- BusAddress is interface bus address (default is 22)
- "Interface" is interface name (default is hpib)
- "Configuration" is AUTO/NORMAL A/N (default is NORMAL)
HP5250_card_config
This transform is used to change the default configuration for the specified card. When the connection rule is FREE (default mode), each input port can be connected to multiple output ports and each output port can be connected to multiple input ports. When the connection is SINGLE, each input port can be connected to only 1 output. Connection sequence specifies the open/close sequence of the relays when changing from an existing connection to a new connection.
HP5250_card_config (CardNumber, "ConnRule", "ConnSequence")
where
- CardNumber specifies the card (0 for AUTO configuration mode)
- "ConnRule" is FREE/SINGLE (default is FREE)
- "ConnSequence" is NSEQ/BBM/MBBR (default is BBM)
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NSEQ (No SEQuence): Disconnect old route, connect new route. |
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BBM (Break Before Make): Disconnect old route, wait, connect new route. |
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MBBR (Make Before BReak): Connect new route, wait, disconnect old route. |
Transforms Governing the Bias Mode
HP5250_bias_init
This transform selects the bias port. When using the HP/Agilent E5255A card, the Input Bias Port is the dedicated bias port; however, for the HP/Agilent E5252A the Input Bias Port must be selected using this function.
HP5250_bias_init(CardNumber, InputBiasPort)
where
- Card Number specifies the card (allowed values 0-4, 0 = auto configuration mode)
- InputBiasPort specifies the input bias port number (allowed values are 1-10)
HP5250_bias_card
This transform bias-enables all the output ports for the specified card.
HP5250_bias_card(CardNumber, "CardState")
where
- CardNumber specifies the card (allowed values 0-4, 0 = auto configuration mode)
- "CardState" is the card's state (allowed values are ENABLE/DISABLE or E/D)
HP5250_bias_channel
This transform bias-enables the specified output ports in the channel list. Note that the input ports are ignored since the input port is always the Bias Input Port.
HP5250_bias_channel ("State", "Channel list")
where
- "State" is the output port's state (allowed values are ENABLE/DISABLE or E/D)
- "Channel list" is the list of channels, known as connection routes
- Example channel list: (@10102, 10203, 10305:10307)
HP5250_bias_setmode
This transform enables the bias mode for the specified card once Input Bias Port and Enabled Output ports have been specified.
HP5250_bias_setmode (CardNumber, "BiasMode")
where
- CardNumber specifies the card (allowed values 0-4, 0 = auto configuration mode)
- "BiasMode" sets the bias mode on or off (allowed values are ON/OFF or 1/0)
When Bias Mode is ON, the Input Bias Port is connected to all the Bias Enabled output ports that are not connected to any other input ports. Bias Disabled output ports are never connected to an Input Bias Port when Bias Mode is ON.
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If another input port is disconnected from a bias enabled output port, this port is automatically connected to the Input Bias Port. |
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If another input port is connected to a Bias Enabled output port, the output port is automatically disconnected from the Bias Input port. |
When Bias Mode is OFF, the Input Bias Port is the same as the other ports.
Transforms Governing the Couple Mode
HP5250_couple_setup
This transform sets up couple ports for making kelvin connections.
HP5250_couple_setup (CardNumber, "InputPorts")
where
- CardNumber specifies the card (allowed values 0-4, 0 = auto configuration mode)
- "InputPorts" is the list of coupled ports
- Example: In the list "1,3,5,7,9" the coupled ports are 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10
HP5250_couple_enable
This transform enables couple port mode. Couple port allows synchronized connection of 2 adjacent input ports to 2 adjacent output ports.
HP5250_couple_enable (CardNumber, "CoupleState")
where
- CardNumber specifies the card (allowed values 0-4, 0 = auto configuration mode)
- "CoupleState" is the coupled state (allowed values are ON/OFF or 1/0)
Transforms Governing the Switching
HP5250_connect
This transform connects or disconnects specified channels. Note that Bias Mode and/or coupling Mode are also taken into account when a channel is closed or opened.
HP5250_connect ("Action", "Channel list")
where
- "Action" connects or disconnects channels (allowed values are C and D)
- "Channel list" is the list of connection routes to be switched
- Example: In the list (@10102, 10203:10205), the following channels are connected or disconnected on card 1:
- Input port 1 to output port 2.
- Input port 2 to output port 3, 4, and 5.
HP5250_disconnect_card
This transform simply opens all relays or channels in the specified cards.
HP5250_disconnect_card (CardNumber)
where
- CardNumber specifies the card (allowed values 0-4, 0 = auto configuration mode)
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