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Agilent 6800 Series AC Power Source/Analyzer
Agilent 6800 Series
AC Power Source/Analyzer
Product Note
Using the Agilent Technologies 6800 Series
AC Power Source/Analyzers for Generation
and Measurement
Applications:
Simulating AC Line Sub-Cycle Dropouts
Generating MIL-STD-704D Waveforms
Performing IEC 555-2 Measurements
Performing Inrush Current Measurements
Generating User-Defined Waveforms
Operating the Agilent 6812A and 6813A
at Low Frequencies 2
3
4
6
8
11
14
18
21
24
28
Introduction
This note provides information on how you can
use the features of the Agilent Technologies 6800
series ac power source/analyzers to address a
variety of applications. Although your exact appli-
cation may not be listed here, the capabilities
described can be generalized and applied to your
specific needs. The programming examples are
given in QBASIC.
These are the capabilities that are discussed and
a description of how they can be applied:
Table of Contents
Introduction to the Agilent 6800 AC Power Source/Analyzer
Agilent 6800 Series Output Transients
Agilent 6800 Series Triggering
Agilent 6800 Series Measurements
Application 1: Simulating AC Line Sub-Cycle Dropouts
Application 2: Generating MIL-STD-704D Waveforms
Application 3: Performing IEC 555-2 Measurements
Application 4: Performing Inrush Current Measurements
Application 5: Generating User-Defined Waveforms
Application 6: Operating the Agilent 6812A and 6813A
at Low Frequencies 3
The 6800 series ac power source/analyzers are
members of the Agilent Technologies One-Box
Solution power products family. These products
offer an integrated solution for ac power testing
applications.
The 6800 series combines the functionality of the
following instruments in one box:
power amplifier
arbitrary waveform generator
power analyzer
harmonic analyzer
waveform digitizer
The power amplifier and arbitrary waveform
generator capabilities produce waveforms with
programmable amplitude, frequency, and wave-
shape. Each model has pre-programmed sine,
square, and clipped sine waveshapes. For added
flexibility, twelve user-defined waveforms can
be created and stored in non-volatile memory.
Waveforms can be programmed using the 6800
series transient generation system to simulate
sophisticated and repeatable ac line disturbances
or output sequences.
The power analyzer and harmonic analyzer capa-
bilities provide high precision measurements
including:
rms, dc, ac+dc voltage and current
peak voltage and current
real, apparent, and reactive power
harmonic analysis of voltage and current wave-
forms providing amplitude and phase up to the
50th harmonic
total harmonic distortion
triggered acquisition of digitized voltage and
current
The 6800 series can be used in bench or ATE appli-
cations. The fully featured front panel and built-in
GPIB and RS-232 interfaces allow you to program
waveforms, measure parameters, and monitor the
status of the ac power source/analyzer.
Each model features a SCPI (Standard Commands
for Programmable Instruments) command set. This
industry standard command set simplifies test sys-
tem development by offering command set common-
ality between all types of instrumentation. Instru-
ments performing the same function use the same
self-documenting SCPI instructions. For example,
the same commands are used to program a wave-
shape on the 6800 series ac power source/analyzers
as on a function generator. Because you spend less
time learning device commands, you can get your
application up and running faster.
The following sections of this product note explain
how to optimize your usage of the features of the
6800 series products. At the end of this product
note there are practical examples that show how
these features can be applied.
Introduction to the Agilent 6800 AC Power Source/Analyzer 4
A programmable output value of the ac power
source/analyzer can operate in one of four modes:
FIXED, Step, Pulse, or List. The default setting is
FIXED mode, where the output will stay fixed at
the programmed value until another command is
sent to change it. The remaining three operating
modes constitute the Transient Subsystem. Output
transients are used to:
synchronize output changes with a particular
phase of the voltage waveform
synchronize output changes with trigger signals
simulate ac line disturbances with precise dura-
tion and phase control
create sequences of output changes
Output transients are triggered actions and will
cause the output of the ac power source/analyzer
to react in a manner defined by the selected mode.
What Programmable Functions can be
Controlled by the Transient Subsystem?
The 6800 series provides control of many output
parameters. Most of these can be programmed as
an output transient. The following output parame-
ters are subject to transient control:
ac output voltage
dc output voltage (Agilent 6812A and 6813A only)
frequency
phase (Agilent 6834A only)
waveform shape
ac voltage slew rate
dc voltage slew rate (6812A and 6813A only)
frequency slew rate
peak current limit (6812A and 6813A only)
rms current limit
dwell time (List mode only)
Upon receipt of a trigger, an output parameter set
to Step, Pulse, or List mode will transition from an
immediate level (its initial output setting) to one or
more levels (successive output settings). The num-
ber of successive output settings is, in part, what
differentiates one transient mode from another.
What is a STEP Transient?
A Step transient generates a single triggered out-
put change (from an immediate output level to
ONE successive output level) of one or more of the
output parameters subject to transient control.
Only output parameters programmed to Step mode
will be part of the triggered action. The output
will remain at the final output level once the Step
transient is complete.
What is a PULSE Transient?
A Pulse transient generates a triggered output
change that returns to its immediate output level
after a programmed time period. A Pulse transient
can also be programmed to repeat the output
change more than once or continuously.
What is a LIST Transient?
A List transient generates a sequence of output
changes. Each output change of the sequence is
called a List point. All parameters subject to tran-
sient control can be programmed at each List point.
A List can contain up to one hundred points. The
list of points can be programmed to execute once
or to repeat from one to an infinite number of times.
Agilents 6800 series List points can be paced by
external triggers. When paced by triggers, the out-
put will remain at a particular List point until a
trigger is received. Only then will it proceed to the
next programmed point.
List points can also be paced by individual pro-
grammable dwell time parameters associated with
every point. Only when the dwell time for a partic-
ular List point expires will it proceed to the next
List point.
Once the List is completed, the output returns to
the immediate levels.
Agilent 6800 Series Output Transients 5
Model of the Transient System 6
In ATE applications, triggers are often a conven-
ient way of synchronizing test system events and
increasing test throughput. These benefits also
apply to the triggering subsystems in the 6800
series products since these products combine the
capabilities of many test instruments. Each model
is equipped with the ability to send and receive
triggers, and to perform or initiate a multitude of
synchronized functions upon receiving a trigger.
Triggers can be used to change the output, syn-
chronize a change to a phase of a waveform cycle,
and synchronize a measurement to an output
change. The effectiveness of the triggering capability
can be shown when measuring worst case inrush
current of a switching power supply. Using the
6800 series triggering subsystem, the output can
be triggered to turn on at a phase near the peak
of the ac cycle for simulating a worst case ac line
condition. Simultaneously, the ac source can be
triggered to take current measurements to charac-
terize the behavior of the power supply under test.
In addition, triggering can be extended to external
test equipment via the Trigger Out connection.
The 6800 series has two main triggering subsystems,
one for generating transients and one for making
measurements. These two subsystems have common
trigger sources that can synchronize transient and
measurement events.
What Actions Can be Triggered?
The following actions of the 6800 series can be
triggered:
a change in output setting
the start of a Step, Pulse, or List tr