72
Using the Agilent 81101A
Warnings and Errors
Warnings and Errors
The Agilent 81101A has two levels of error reporting called warnings
and errors. Checking for errors and warnings is always enabled, unless
you switch it off via the GP-IB using the
:SYSTem:CHECk
command.
A
warning
is generated when the output signal could be invalid due
to a combination of worst case uncertainties at the current settings of
all relevant parameters.
For example, when adjusting the pulse width, all other timing
parameters (leading edge, trailing edge, and pulse period) and their
uncertainties have to be considered in order to check if the width
setting will fits within the pulse period.
Note that the warning limits are therefore not fixed for a particular
parameter, but vary with the settings of the related parameters. It is
also possible that the error and warning limits are the same, that is, a
warning does not occur before the error limit is reached.
If a warning occurs, the settings are still implemented in the hardware
because the worst-case conditions used to evaluate the warning limits
are very unlikely to occur in practice.
A blinking W indicates that one or more warnings have occurred.
Press HELP to view the warning list.
An
error
is generated when an invalid mode is chosen, or the
required parameter settings cannot be implemented in the output
hardware. Multiple errors can occur, but only the first error detected
is displayed.
An error is indicated by a blinking error message at the bottom of the
screen.
NOTE
If you are using the knob to adjust parameters it is normally not possible
to generate warnings or errors. All parameters are automatically limited
to settings that guarantee specified operation.
However, if you press the SHIFT key while turning the knob, you can
adjust a parameter beyond its warning limits.