Section 3: Functions and features
Model 2651A High Power System SourceMeter® Instrument Reference Manual
3-54
2651A-901-01 Rev. A / March 2011
Using the release() function of the hardware lines
Use the
release()
function to allow the hardware line to output another external trigger when the
pulse width is set to 0.
Setting the pulse width to 0 results in an indefinite length pulse when the
assert()
function is used
to output an external trigger. The
release()
function must be used to release the line in order to
output another external trigger.
The
release()
function can also be used to release latched input triggers when the hardware line
mode is set to Synchronous. In Synchronous mode, the receipt of a falling edge trigger latches the
line low. The
release()
function releases this line high in preparation for another input trigger.
The programming example below illustrates how to output an indefinite external trigger .
-- Set digio line 1 to output an indefinite external trigger.
digio.trigger[1].mode = digio.TRIG_FALLING
digio.trigger[1].pulsewidth = 0
digio.trigger[1].assert()
-- Release digio line 1.
digio.trigger[1].release()
-- Output another external trigger.
digio.trigger[1].assert()
Using the set() function to bypass SMU event detectors
The
set()
function is useful whenever you want the source-measure unit (SMU) to continue
operation without waiting for a programmed trigger event.
There is a
set()
function for each SMU event detector. When called, the function immediately
satisfies the event detector, allowing the SMU to continue through the trigger model.
A common example of when the
set()
function can be used is when you want the SMU to
immediately perform an action the first time through the trigger model even if a programmed trigger
event does not occur. The
set()
function can be used to start actions on the SMU if there is a
missed trigger event.
The programming example below illustrates how to have the SMU immediately perform an action the
first time through the trigger model, even if a programmed trigger event does not occur.
-- Immediately sets the arm event detector of SMU A
-- to the detected state.
smua.trigger.arm.set()
-- Sets the Measure Event Detector of SMU A.
smua.trigger.measure.set()
Event detector overruns
If a second trigger event is generated before an event detector clears, the trigger object will generate
a detector overrun. Detector overruns can be checked by reading the
overrun
attribute of the trigger
object. The attribute is set to
true
when an overrun occurs. The
clear()
function can be used to
immediately clear the event detector, discarding any history of previous trigger events. The
clear()
function also clears any detector overruns.