76 Language Dictionary
[SOUR:]CURRent:MODE
This command selects the operating mode of the Agilent SAS. The choices are:
FIXed
In Fixed mode, the output is a fixed rectangular I-V characteristic. The output capacitance is <100 nF on
the Agilent E4350B and <50 nF on the Agilent E4351B, which optimizes the unit as a constant current
source. To use the unit as a low-impedance constant voltage source, you can add an external output
capacitor if desired, the value of which should not exceed 2,000
µ
F. Fixed mode is the power-on default
mode.
SASimulator
Simulator mode uses an exponential model to approximate the I-V curve. It is programmed in terms of its
open circuit voltage (Voc), short circuit current (Isc), voltage point (Vmp), and current point (Imp) at
approximately the peak power point All of these parameters are set using separate SCPI commands (see
chapter 1 for more information about Simulator mode).
TABLe
Table mode sets the output characteristics by a user-defined table of voltage/current points. A curve is
generated by connecting the points by straight lines. Therefore, the more points that are provided, the more
the connected points will resemble a curve.
Maximum number of tables: 30 volatile and 30 nonvolatile
Maximum table size (per table) 4,000 points
Maximum non-volatile table points available for all tables 3,500 points
Maximum volatile table points available for all tables 30,000 points
Tables are programmed using the MEMory commands as previously discussed.
Command Syntax [SOURce]:CURRent:MODE <mode>
Parameter FIXed | SASimulator | TABLe
*RST Value FIXed
Examples CURR:MODE TABL
Query Syntax CURR:MODE?
Returned Parameters <CRD>
[SOUR:]CURR:PROT
This command sets an overcurrent protection level. This is a hardware protection function similar to overvoltage protection.
Although always active, its primary use is in Simulator and Table modes, which do not have the constant-current OCP
protection that is available in Fixed mode. When activated, both front panel OV and OC annunciators are lit. Note that the
OUT:PROT:DEL command does not apply to this hardware overcurrent protection function.
Command Syntax [SOURce:]CURRent:PROTection[:LEVel] <level>
Parameters 0 to MAX
*RST Value Imax * 1.1
Examples CURR:PROT 5
Query Syntax [SOURce]:CURRent:PROTection[:LEVel]?
Returned Parameters <NRI>
Related Commands OUTP:PROT:CLE *RST
[SOUR:]CURR:PROT:STAT
This command is active in Fixed mode only. It enables or disables the Agilent SAS overcurrent protection (OCP)
function. If the overcurrent protection function is enabled and the Agilent SAS goes into constant-current operating mode,
then the output is disabled and the Questionable Condition status register OC bit is set (see chapter 8 for more information).
An overcurrent condition can be cleared with the OUTP:PROT:CLE command after the cause of the condition is removed.
Command Syntax [SOURce]:CURRent:PROTection:STATe <bool>
Parameters 0 | 1 | OFF | ON
*RST Value OFF
Examples CURR:PROT:STAT 0 CURRENT:PROTECTION:STATE OFF
CURR:PROT:STAT 1 CURRENT:PROTECTION:STATE ON
Query Syntax [SOURce]:CURRent:PROTection:STATe?
Returned Parameters <NRI> 0 or 1
Related Commands OUTP:PROT:CLE OUTP:PROT:DEL *RST