Bit Error Rate Tester | BERT 1005
Quantifi Photonics Ltd.
Version
2.04
56
9
Programming guide
Introduction
Remote communication with the CohesionSCPI service is achieved through the Standard Commands
for Programmable Instruments (SCPI). Support for VISA I/O API over TCP/IP is provided by the VXI-11
compliant CohesionSCPI service. With VISA communication drivers installed on the client, the
implementation of VISA programming within environments such as MATLAB becomes available.
This guide provides general information on the commands available to communicate with the
CohesionSCPI service remotely using the VISA I/O.
On PXIe modules you can use the SCPI Command Console in CohesionUI (refer 7.6 SCPI Command
Console (available on PXIe modules)).
On MATRIQ instruments you can use the SCPI Command Console that you can access from the
Cohesion Operator (refer 9.7 SCPI Command Console (available on MATRIQ instruments)).
Programming conventions
This section details the programming and measurement conventions to follow while executing the
commands for the CohesionSCPI service.
Parameter
Default Unit
Alternative Units
Power
DBM
DBM
Frequency
HZ
THZ, GHZ, MHZ, KHZ
Frequency Fine
HZ
THZ, GHZ, MHZ, KHZ
Wavelength
M
NM, PM
Argument
Data Format
<wsp>
Specifies whitespace character (01
16
–
09
16
, 0B
16
–
20
16
).
<value>
Is numerical data, an integer, a decimal, exponential (10e-9 or 5.8e6) or string
[VALUE1|VALUE2]
A parameter choice. The ‘
|
’ separates the unique parameters available, only one
of the choices can be used. In the example, either the input parameter
[VALUE1]
or
[VALUE2]
can be used, but not both. Some commands may have more than
two choices available.
This parameter can be omitted where the command has a default defined in the
command description.
9.1.1
Index addressing of modules (slot, source) and units (channel)
When executing commands, it is almost always necessary to provide the index of a specific BERT
module or an index of a specific installed unit.
For the commands that require index values:
•
<c>
: is the chassis index in which the specific blade module is installed; this is an integer, inclusive of 0.
•
<n>
: is the slot (or source) index of the specific blade module, this is an integer, <1 to 18>
•
<m>
: is the channel index of a specific unit in the module, this is an integer, <1 to 4>.
In NI-MAX a RIO interface will show up, however there are no communication methods available
or implemented on this interface. Quantifi Photonics products are ONLY accessible through the
VISA TCPIP INSTR interface provided by the CohesionSCPI service installed on the system.
