Tutorial > Triggering Output CHange > Output Change Control

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Triggering Output Change

PCR-M has three different trigger subsystems - TRANsient, SYNChronize, and ACQuire. These features are mapped to SEQuence1, SEQuence2, and SEQuence3 respectively, as the SCPI specification generally categorizes each trigger subsystem as a numbered Trigger Sequence.

The TRANsient (SEQuence1) group is a trigger subsystem that changes the output voltage and frequency settings.

State

The following three states are available in the sequence operation.

IDLE state

When the PCR-M is turned on, all the trigger subsystems are in the IDLE state. In this state, the trigger subsystems ignore all triggers. Sending one of the following commands at any time also returns the trigger subsystems to the IDLE state.

The sequence does not start in the IDLE state, even when TRG is sent.

 

:ABORt (When :INIT:CONT is ON, send the :INIT:CONT OFF;:ABOR)

*RST

*RCL

IEEE488.1 sdc (Selected Device Clear) or dcl (Device Clear)

INITiated state

If INIT is sent in the IDLE state, the trigger function starts and the PCR-M enters the INITiated state.

If the trigger source is set to IMMediate, measurement or setting is started immediately.

If the trigger source is set to BUS, the PCR-M enters the WTG (Waiting for Trigger) state.

WTG (Waiting for Trigger) state

If a trigger is sent in the WTG state, measurement/setting starts.

Output Change Control (Sequence 1: TRANsient)

Using TRIGger:SEQuence1 (or TRIGger:TRANsient) subsystem allows you to synchronize the output changes with a given trigger. This is convenient if you want to synchronize output changes with other instrument actions such as external DC power supply or electronic loads.

To reserve triggered settings, use the VOLTage:TRIGgered and FREQuency:TRIGgered commands. Keep in mind that the MODE settings for each output item must be set to STEP prior to using triggers.

 

:VOLTage 110   'Sets 110V
:FREQuency 60   'Sets 60Hz
:VOLTage:MODE STEP   'Enables triggered voltage transient as STEP mode
:FREQuency:MODE STEP   'Enables triggered frequency transient as STEP
:VOLTage:TRIGgered 100   'Applies 100 V when trigger is given
:FREQuency:TRIGgered 50   'Applies 50 Hz when trigger is given
:TRIGger:SEQuence1:SOURce BUS   'Selects BUS (software) trigger
:INITiate:IMMediate:SEQuence1   'Initiates TRANsient trigger subsystem
:TRIGger:SEQuence1:IMMediate   'Gives a software trigger

 

The TRIGger:SEQuence1:SOURce command sets the trigger source to BUS or IMMediate. The INITiate:IMMediate:SEQuence1 command makes the trigger subsystem leave the IDLE state and go the initiated state. When the Trigger Source is set to IMMediate, the change is executed immediately causing the voltage and/or frequency to change to a new setting. When the Trigger Source is set to BUS, the trigger subsystem goes to the WTG (Waiting For Trigger) state. When a software trigger is applied with the TRIGger:SEQuence1:IMMediate or *TRG command, the change is executed. When the operation is completed, the trigger subsystem returns to the IDLE state again.

When an ABORt or an equivalent command is sent without executing the trigger, the change is cancelled, and then the trigger subsystem returns to the IDLE state.

Setting items that are programmable in the sequence 1 group are VOLTage, VOLTage:OFFSet, and FREQuency. CURRent limit settings are not associated with the trigger subsystem.

By *RST and *RCL default, VOLTage:MODE, FREQuency:MODE, and VOLTage:OFFSet:MODE are all reset to FIXed. This means that the sequence 1 trigger function is disabled. The MODE settings must be explicitly set to STEP for each output item.

The TRIGger:SEQuence1:IMMediate command applies a software trigger to the sequence 1 group. You can also use the *TRG command or the IEEE488.1 get (Group Execute Trigger) command for the same purpose. These commands, however, also apply a software trigger to other sequence groups such as SEQuence3 if it is already initiated.

To keep the trigger subsystem initiated for multiple actions without having to send an initiate command for each trigger, use the CONTinuous option.

 

INITiate:CONTinuous:SEQuence1 ON