Remotely activate interpolation on Agilent 33xx0 waveform generator (FUNC: ARB)

[xdaf]

On Agilent arbitrary waveform generators (AG33250, AG33220 and AG33120), in the "arbitrary waveform edit" menu, linear interpolation between points can be enabled via the "INTERP" softkey.

What is the command to remotely perform that operation?

Many thanks.

[Dennis_Knutson]

Have you read the manual and the description of this function? It's only applicable to the front panel waveform editor. Presumably, you are creating the arb waveform in your code and you would do interpolation there.

[xdaf]

Thanks for replying.

Yes, I have, but I found this quite strange because:

- every other operation available on the instrument front panel, can be performed remotely.

- it's an extremely simple operation, just setting one bit on one register...

So I hoped that the problem was solved by a firmware release or similar... 

[Dennis_Knutson]

Well, I think it's strange that you think it's something that should have a remote command. The whole process of defining a waveform is manual. You don't have the option to define each point manually either. Manually, you define a set of points and the waveform is transfered to memory. On your pc, you define a set of points and transfer it to memory. With your program, how you define the waveform and do any interpolation is up to you.

[xdaf]

I disagree. The linear interpolation function is already implemented on the instrument, why should the user re-program it on its software?

Furthermore, as stated on the instrument manual, this function allows the user to define complex waveforms by defining very few points. Without it, a much larger amount of memory is needed. If you have, for example, to generate 1 million different waveforms, to test a DUT with random ramps, that can be a problem.

[Dennis_Knutson]

I don't think you get it. NOTHING about the manual data entry is enabled by remote control. You have a choice of manaully defining the entire waveform or programatically defining the entire waveform. You can design a waveform with only a couple of points but the interpolation function 'fill's in the blanks' and creates an array of points. You have to choose one or the other. The instrument does not support anything in between.

In any case, you need to take up the subject with Agilent. It's a waste of time discussing it here.

[Boazzz]

So, Is there a way to manually set a complex waveform or not ?!

[Albert.Geven]

YES

[Boazzz]

What code should i use to build such wave form ?

I tried to build it with for loop and it didn't work; also, I tried to insert 2 arrays , one for the delay and the other for the amplitude at the same time, and it still failed to work.

Can you give me some help of how to do it?

Thanks a lot

Boaz B

[xdaf]

So you don't want to enter the WF manually, but programmatically.

According to the manual, use the DATA: DAC VOLATILE data1, data2,.... to load samples in non-volatile memory. Timing information is fixed, and is derived from programmed frequency/period.

Did you use this command? Or what else? Post your code if you think you're using the correct command (or instrument driver), and still having troubles...