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48 Agilent N518xA, E8663B, E44x8C, and E82x7D Signal Generators Programming Guide
Using IO Interfaces
Using RS-232 (ESG, PSG, and E8663B Only)
Verifying RS-232 Functionality
You can use the HyperTerminal program available on your computer to verify the RS-232 interface
functionality. To run the HyperTerminal program, connect the RS-232 cable between the computer
and the signal generator and perform the following steps:
1. On the PC click Start > Programs > Accessories > Communications > HyperTerminal.
2. Select HyperTerminal.
3. Enter a name for the session in the text box and select an icon.
4. Select COM1 (COM2 can be used if COM1 is unavailable).
5. In the COM1 (or COM2, if selected) properties, set the following parameters:
• Bits per second: 9600 must match signal generator’s baud rate; for more information, refer to
“Setting Up the RS-232 Interface” on page 46.
• Data bits: 8
• Parity: None
• Stop bits: 1
• Flow Control: None
NOTE Flow control, via the RTS line, is driven by the signal generator. For the purposes of this
verification, the controller (PC) can ignore this if flow control is set to None. However, to
control the signal generator programmatically or download files to the signal generator,
you must enable RTS-CTS (hardware) flow control on the controller. Note that only the
RTS line is currently used.
Software Flow Control using XON and XOFF is not supported. Only RTS-CTS hardware
flow is supported.
6. Go to the HyperTerminal window and select File > Properties.
7. Go to Settings > Emulation and select VT100.
8. Leave the Backscroll buffer lines set to the default value.
9. Go to Settings > ASCII Setup.
10. Check the first two boxes and leave the other boxes as default values.
Once the connection is established, enter the SCPI command *IDN? followed by <Ctrl j> in the
HyperTerminal window. The <Ctrl j> is the new line character (on the keyboard press the Cntrl key
and the j key simultaneously).
The signal generator should return a string similar to the following, depending on model:
Agilent Technologies <instrument model name and number>, US40000001,C.02.00