Matrix CATV Equipment Control (ASX16 Manual Control) Program

VERSION HISTORY

• Modified the acquisition of the User.ini file description to obtain it from the User.ini file instead of the Conf0.cfg file to prevent confusion.

• Added display of the GPIB Error code in addition to the Status code for National Instruments GPIB interface.

• Fixed power meter leveling with the Zero Power Meter option selected when Manual Attenuation override selected.

• Corrected initialization of Gigatronics power meter before performing Zero Calibration for the Leveling and Base Cal functions.

• Added a Shut Down script option through the System Setup screen (User.ini file) to allow generator commands to be run when the software is closed.  This allows, for example, to keep the generator modules in LOW mode or to shut the modules completely off when the software is shut down.

• Modified the SCPI analyzer screen capture to adjust to the number of points selected for the trace.

V6.4   (05/04/2004)

• Added native mode SCPI command language support for Agilent EPM Series power meters.

• Fixed synchronization of Multi-Plan entry references when configuration files are deleted if there are fewer than 10 configuration files.

• Added initialization of AFS filter selector to cause it to apply constant voltage to relays to assure more reliable operation for older AFS versions without the latest EPROM.

• Added separate control option in Filter Control Screen to control a second post amplifier.

• Added capability in Filter Control Screen control options to enable entry of multiple commands separated by a “;” in these command fields. (This allows, for example, to issue the commands to turn on post amp 1 and 2 when the “Post Amp 2 In” command needs to be issued.)

• Revised code to save the Impedance setting before issuing spectrum analyzer “Instrument Preset” commands and restore it after the “Preset” to preserve analyzer Impedance setting. (applies only to analyzers that have this capability)

• Fixed and improved the automatic R-76 calibration function.

•  Fixed synchronization of Multi Plan entry references to configuration files when configuration files are deleted.

• Added dBm as an option for specifying levels when performing automatic carrier leveling.

• Added capability to store and load target leveling parameters from level parameter files through the Loss Correction screen.

• Improved the precision of restoring generator levels from saved level files by up to .075 dB.

• Implemented the storing of channel access numbers on the level data/parameter files to assure the proper identification of the module associated with the stored level data.

• Added an automatic calibration procedure for the R-76 distortion analyzer.

• Added support for the QAM generator new remote commands: SR, SR?, DM, and DM? Commands that are used to set and query the symbol rate and load and query the modulation data.

• Reduced wait state for measurement readings using NI interface for non SCPI analyzers by 0.4 seconds, and an additional 0.4 sec. reduction for HP8568 analyzers.
• Added automatic shut down procedure script on Exit of control software.  See user.ini or System Setup Configurations Options for parameters and help file for instructions.
• Saved levelling setup parameters for Carrier Levelling and Loss Correction screen in registry to retain settings when returning to the leveling screens.
• Fixed the Loss Correction transfer of levels at device to main Carrier leveling screen for specification of level to input of DUT case.
• Added support for new ASX-16C/D generator to perform frequency trim with randomizing offsets to at least 5KHz at all generator frequencies.
• Added HP 8568B, and HP 8560 series analyzers to supported devices to perform automated frequency trim and randomization.
• Disabled Return button in Carrier Levelling form when leveling in progress to prevent closing form before completion of leveling.
• Fixed loss of saved attenuator value when a level file before it in the list is deleted.
• Added channel numbers to the level data files to assure level loaded for the proper channel.
• Added automatic adjustment of configuration file names referenced in Multi Plans when configuration files are deleted.

• Added installation support to install on Windows 2000 OS platforms and ported the code to Visual Basic 6.
• Added capability to capture Spectrum analyzer screen directly to a file.
• Fixed programming errors in the Loss Correction leveling function, and added a prompt to allow specifying whether pads will be used when leveling to the input of a device, with the Loss Correction screen, to automatically compensate generator levels.
• Added a display on the main control panel to show which attenuator is active for multiple attenuator systems.
• Added support for the HP EPM power meters.

• Added a button to capture spectrum analyzer screen directly from the carrier leveling screen.
• The first and last channels of the frequency plan are automatically selected as the default range to be levelled when the carrier leveling function is initially entered.
• Prevent loading of level data if the number of data values does not match the number of channels in the currently loaded channel plan
• Expanded the Loss Correction setup form to allow entry of losses between various points and to specify losses separately for different cables. These new values are stored in the user.ini file.
• Added capability to automatically adjust dB to level conversion factor when overshoot target level during automatic carrier leveling. This allows leveling modules that are not behaving linearly or are detuned.
• Fixed problem with setting the Filter selector GPIB address. Only worked with default of 23.
• Opened up range of tilt that can be specified to over 20, to accomodate devices that generate their own tilt.
• .Fixed bug in the "To Step" control function to set the selected modules to a specified level step.
• Increased the base level limit to 350 when controlling a QAM model generator.

• Fixed timing problems when leveling carriers using HP 8562E or HP8563E analyzers with a National Instruments GPIB interface.
• Added a Multi Frequency Plan Setup Wizard to facilitate creating and modifying multiple frequency plan controls. The limit on the number of Multi Plan items has been increased from 16 to 36 for a given configuration.
• Added controls to the Filter Control screen to provide added flexibility in defining commands for different devices to connect or bypass filter, to connect or bypass post filter amplifier, or to disconnect and terminate input to the test equipment.
• Fixed problem where carriers of the secondary generator were not automatically being shut off during levelling in special multiple generator configurations.
• Miscellaneous changes - shortcut keys for selecting Channel Setup functions from the keyboard, and a target offset field in the Base Leveling screen to allow changing the level of where the base level will target all the modules.

• Added carrier leveling and base level calibration support for HP ESA (SCPI language) series spectrum analyzers, and upgraded leveling support for Rohde & Schwarz FSE series analyzers to latest revisions and to support Matrix QAM generator leveling.
• Corrected the accuracy of the QAM leveling function.
• Fixed level adjustment problem that sometimes occurred when adjusting all module levels simultaneously with the level control buttons.
• Modified the leveling function to save the generator and spectrum analyzer settings prior to leveling and restore these settings in the event the leveling is aborted.
• Made a change to the display of all carriers on the spectrum analyzer at the end of leveling to assure that the carriers are always exactly 2 dB below the reference level.
• Fixed leveling of ASX-16 generator with tilts greater than 7 dB.
• Added a trap for invalid data in the Level Resolution control in the leveling screen and also added a choice to select .05 dB resolution from the drop down list.
• Added support for HP 8566, HP 8568B, HP 70900 HP ESA series, and Rohde & Schwarz FSE series spectrum analyzers in screen capture and print utility. Upgraded support for HP 8560E for 1997 firmware revisions.
• Added the capability to specify dBm, or 50 or 75 ohm dBmV units at input or output of DUT in Loss Correction screen of Carrier Leveling function.
• Added capability to select among different filter selector types in the filter selector screen for future use in handling different filter types or to select a virtual mode if none available.
• Fixed the wait state to eliminate the timeout message that occurred at the start of leveling with the HP 70000 series analyzers.
• Added a generator script execution utility that may be used for diagnosing Matrix generators.
• Added the capability to specify the GPIB board address, or index, from the setup screen to allow flexibility in designating the interface board address.  ( 09/03/99)

• Converted to 32 bit environment under Visual Basic 5.0.
• Elastic control added to all forms to make the forms screen resolution independent and always fill the entire monitor screen.
• Revised spectrum analyzer settings for leveling routines for analog carriers for: HP8560E group of analyzers: SP 2 MHz, RB 300 KHz, 5 dB/Graticule; HP8568B group of analyzers: SP 10 MHz, RB 3MHz, 2 dB/Graticule
• Added special leveling procedure for QAM modules: Assume level target levels entered at 5.1 MHz bandwidth and use 1 Hz resolution marker averaging function for reading amplitude levels. Modulate carriers instead of turning on in CW. Set spectrum analyzer settings to SP 7 MHz, RB 100 KHz, VB 3 KHz, and 5dB/Graticule.
• Automatically switch analyzer settings when carrier frequency < 20 MHz to: SP 2 MHz, RB 300 KHz.
• Addition of a "QAM" type model generator choice and implemented special custom deactivation of functions not supported or relevant to the QAM model when this type of model is selected.
• Added controls to select power measurement device in leveling screen.
• Defined a new control in the System Setup screen to allow specifying a separate IEEE address for the attenuator and relay controller. This permits flexibility in assigning the controller that controls the attenuator and relays in multiple controller configurations.
• Prior to leveling, automatically shut off all carriers in all generators connected to and activated by the system. (Note: A plan for each generator must have been loaded at least one time in a given run session.)
• Modified the presentation of all of the carriers at the end of leveling when using a spectrum analyzer by only turning on the carriers that were leveled and setting the start and stop frequencies 10 MHz below the lowest carrier and 10 MHz above the highest carrier. Also readjusted settings to compensate reference level for changes in RB in QAM mode.
• Offer a "Retry" option on IEEE error condition when communicating with filter selector. 
• Corrected problem when leveling with HP8560E spectrum analyzer that caused analyzer to sometimes get set to an incorrect reference level and be unable to read the carrier to set the attenuator.
• Added a control on the main control panel to set all selected modules to the same level step.
• Improved tilt leveling algorithm to measure actual difference between low and high points before proceeding to account for devices being tested with inherent tilts.
• Grouped configuration and calibration data files under a separate directory.
• Added cable and system loss correction capability when automatically level.
• Added capability to skip currently processing channel when doing frequency trim if a device error occurs.
• If all of the channels could not be calibrated for frequency, then first 25 channels that could not be set on frequency, are displayed at the conclusion of the frequency calibration.
• Made main control panel and overlay screens "elastic" to fill entire screen independent of video resolution settings.
• Added detection and elimination of duplicate configuration file descriptions to prevent unintended configuration selection.
• Compiled the software for 32 bit windows environment.   (05/20/99)

V4.3

• Corrected bug in leveling routine causing erratic spectrum analyzer behaviour with HP 8560E. (01/28/99)
• Added support for the Rohde & Schwarz FSE family of spectrum analyzers. These analyzers may now be used to do automatic carrier leveling and base level calibration.
• Corrected automatic attenuation setting in the leveling function when the input signal to the spectrum analyzer exceeds the target level by more than 20 dB.
• Correction to prevent disruption of carrier levels when loading a frequency plan with fewer channels than the previously loaded plan.
• Corrected potential problem when using the level scroll bar adjustment when multiple modules are selected.
• Various internal code consolidation and efficiency modifications. (9/17/98)

V4.2

• Redesigned System Setup screen to use tabs for different configuration settings.
• Added capability to define multiple frequency plan configurations from the System Setup screen. Also added a new feature that allows a level data file to be automatically loaded with the loading of a frequency plan.
• The main screen controls were rearranged and streamlined with the module controls combined so that the same controls are used for single or multiple module control.
• The attenuator settings are now saved along with the module level settings and the attenuator is restored with the levels when the level data is loaded from the file.
• Corrected automatic frequency trim limit and random offset algorithms.
• Located RETURN button consistently at the lower right on all screens.
• Added a function to plot module linearity deviation.
• Provided parameters to define commands from the System Setup for enabling and disabling built in frequency counters when doing automatic frequency trim.
• Installation script modified to automatically update USER.INI file with type of remote interface card based on selection during installation. (7/20/98)

V4.1

• Added the capability to select multiple channels to control simultaneously from the main panel.
• Added a new form, selectable from the "Distort. Test" menu, to control the generator, filter selector, and spectrum analyzer to provide the capability to develop and run command scripts to for making distortion measurements. Special commands allow saving data read from the spectrum analyzer in a display grid and for making computations. The results displayed in the grid may be saved to a file for printing or analysis.
• Added an option to provide a limited randomized generator frequency trim offset when performing a frequency calibration, with the frequency offset used being written to a file.
• Modified the automatic carrier leveling screen to provide an option to override the automatic attenuation setting, thus permitting user pre-setting of the attenuators. Eliminated the restriction with the arrow buttons to now allow controlling the levels up to the maximum power level.
• Corrected problem of reloading frequency plan when using HP GPIB interface.
• Expanded the number of channels that can be calibrated for frequency to 256 from 180.
• Modified the manual frequency trim attenuator setting to allow setting below 10 dB similar to the automatic mode.
• Increased the maximum number of frequency plans that can be selected with the Multi Plan control from 9 to 16.
• Changed the "Multiple Module Select" level step change buttons for ASX-16C model generators on the main control form to read +/- 2.5, +/- 0.25, and +/- .025 dB instead of level steps.
• Replaced the "end of string" termination character when sending commands to the spectrum analyzer to the LINE FEED character from the RETURN character for more consistent behavior across a wide variety of devices.
• Made corrections to automatic carrier leveling software when leveling with the model ASX-16 generator.
• Made minor cosmetic changes to the main control panel.
  (5/15/98)

V4.0

• Revised all leveling software to preset modules to projected settings and use new spectrum analyzer and Gigatronics power meter settings to enable reductions in programmed wait states. The resulting improvements in speed range from 4 to 7 times better than previous performance with better spectrum analyzer precision. After completion of leveling, all carriers are automatically displayed on spectrum analyzer with highest power carrier at 1 graticule below reference level. Spectrum analyzer attenuator automatically adjusted according to composite power of carriers being displayed.
• Revised the attenuation adjustment control in the leveling, and generator status updating programs to set the appropriate attenuator in multiple attenuator configuration generators. Redesigned the RF attenuator setting algorithm to provide optimal attenuator setting for a wide range of tilts.
• Added option to cancel leveling if carriers are too low or cannot be adjusted.
• Added detection of overflow condition originating from power devices to prevent program abort.
• Added capability to automatically map generator to Matrix Distortion Analyzer channels, store distortion test results for all modules in selected range to a file, view results on the screen and print them.
• Added display of module output power during base leveling.
• Modified automatic frequency trim calibration software to accept pre-set attenuation < 10 dB instead of always forcing attenuation to 10 dB. This allows greater power to be made available to frequency counter.
• Added trapping of missing GPIB drivers to automatically switch to "Virtual" mode.
• Expanded filter selector range to allow numbers up to 1200.
• Revised spectrum analyzer communication program to allow upper and lower case commands to be issued.
• Visual Basic Version 4 (16-bit) used to generate program and new installation software used to install Matrix software.
  (1/16/98)

V3.2

• Added support for the HP 82340 and HP 82341 series GPIB interface bus devices using the HP SICL libraries.
• Modified file referencing to allow installation of all program, configuration, and calibration data files in any directory as long as they are all in the same directory.
• Modified main panel buttons to step attenuator by +- 5 and +- 0.5 or 1 dB to control the new attenuators being used.
• Corrected a Multi Plan script handling bug that required a ";" at the end of a single generator command in a Plan script entry.
• Reduced the time for the Gigatronics Power Meter zero calibration stage of leveling through revised programming logic.
  (9/8/97)

V3.1

• Added support for HP437B and HP438 power meters.
• Enabled HP power meters to be selected with National Instruments GPIB interface bus. Properly initialized National Instruments interface to work with a wider variety of spectrum analyzers by issuing remote enable and interface clear GPIB commands before leveling and calibration functions performed.
• Implemented extensions to the multiple frequency plan configuration option to allow user scripting of Matrix ASX generator commands that will automatically execute upon selecting a plan. (This will allow control of the state of the generator when a frequency plan is selected).
• Wild card character provided for addressing all modules in a frequency plan with the multiple plan command scripting capability.
• Fixed ability to cancel out of automated leveling and frequency trim calibration procedures if power/frequency measuring device is off or is not properly communicating.
• Fixed aborting and hanging up of program if devices not connected when using the IOtech NB488 or GP488B GPIB interfaces.
• Modified initialization of Iotech NB488 and GP488 interfaces so that multiple generators with different IEEE addresses can be selected and controlled from the same windows session. Made timing adjustments for these Iotech bus controllers to work with the Gigatronics 8541 power meter.
• Added 50/75 ohm selection for proper conversion of dbm to dbmv in power meter processing
• Fixed potential error if configuration files contain multi plan setup information that differs from USER.INI setup file when using multiplan feature.
• Added status display showing if a device is operating in simulation mode or if error messages are being suppressed.
• Added capability to easily setup and select the previous or next channel for a distortion test.
• The AFS filter selector screen will now accept and display textual information in addition to frequencies.
• Fixed overflow error when selecting the same lower and upper frequency in the automatic carrier leveling program.
• Corrections of other errors and inconsistencies.
• Various cosmetic revisions to screens involving menu, button, and color changes. (8/12/97)

V3.0

• Added Multiple Frequency Plan Control capability to enable easy switching between frequency bands.
• Added display of active frequency configuration file name on main panel.
• Corrected automatic detection of ASX generator model (detection disabled for Iotech IEEE interfaces).
• Added virtual mode interface to allow specifying virtual mode in the configuration files to simulate generator operation. If no interface selected will default to virtual mode.
• Added selection of new ASX-16C model which allows automatic carrier leveling to tilts up to 15 dB.
• Simplified and improved the mechanism for saving configuration files by pre-selecting the active file, and warning of potentially overwriting the wrong file.
• Corrected table of ASX16 generator commands in ASX Command Manual Entry screen. Restructured initialization and configuration setup code for more efficiency. (3/10/97)

V2.6

• Added support for the Gigatronics 8540B Series Power Meter. The National
• Instruments GPIB interface works with the Gigatronics power meter, whereas until now the Matrix Software was unable to support the HP power meter with the National Instruments interface.
• Added separate entries for the power meter and spectrum analyzer IEEE addresses in the system setup screen to allow switching easily between these devices.
• The AFS filter panel automatically loads the filter frequency selection table upon opening.
• Corrected setting of attenuators in the automatic levelling program which sometimes prevented levelling to a maximum tilt.
• Provided a mechanism to capture the frequency read from the frequency counter into a file during automatic frequency trim to allow printing or spreadsheet analysis. Also offer option to skip frequency trim to allow measuring frequency drift.
• Made cosmetic improvements to the System Setup and AFS control screens.
• Implemented changes to allow integrating the CATV control software as part of a more comprehensive distortion test system. (1/7/97)

V2.5.1

• Corrected automatic base level routines to properly use lowest module level, and
• enhanced performance of automatic base leveling by implementing a course correction mode to quickly bring the base level to approximate range when it is far away from the target level. After it is within range, it will revert to fine adjustment mode to level to the lowest power module.
• Revised the attenuation setting algorithm in the automatic carrier levelling routine to assure levelling to maximum tilt. (9/25/96)

V2.5

• Added software to enable use of HP53181A Frequency Counter.
• Added a separate screen for entering ASX-16 generator commands with the capability to select commands from a list and to group multiple modules in a single command.
• Made corrections for the HP, National Instruments, and IOtech NB488 parallel interface software to correctly update the generator status and spectrum graphs.
• Made various corrections to prevent system error conditions during unusual conditions.
• Made corrections to AR-12 and R-76 distortion analyzer processing.
• Added checks during initialization to verify the number of modules defined in the USER.INI file is consistent with the count of the number of modules provided.
• Fixed the loading of configuration files when "Leave Carriers ON" option is selected.
• Allowed disabling of modules by removing from USER.INI file without having to physically remove modules from the system.
• Display reminder to save changed setup configuration data when exiting program.
• Provided capability for selection of spectrum analyzer input channel.
• Corrected problems with carrier levels when 100% modulation is on.

V2.4

• Implemented software changes to enable the use of IOtech GP488 and NB488 (parallel port) IEEE interfaces.
• Added changes to connect ASX16 generator via RS232 serial port (disabled this capability).
• Inserted changes to detect an invalid name specified for: IEEE Interface, Spectrum Analyzer group, Frequency Counter, or COM port in the USER.INI setup file and call up the Setup screen during the program initialization.
• Removed 1 dB bias in base levelling inserted in version 2.2.
• Corrected display of R-76 3 digit display when only 2 digits provided. (3/11/96)

V2.3

• Corrected operation of IOtech serial IEEE bus controller via programmed flow control and increased transmit buffer from 512 to 2560 bytes for improved performance. (1/12/96)

V2.2

• Added capability to use HP70000 series spectrum analyzer to do levelling and frequency trim.
• Biased attenuator setting for Base levelling down 1 dbmv.
• Modification to Frequency trim alert message to display measuring device, and to clear warning caption.
• Set spectrum analyzer reference level to maximum power setting specified in System Setup. (12/27/95)

V2.1

• Corrects problems caused by some communications "glitches" peculiar to the National Instruments Board.
• Adds control of Distortion Analyzer RF Attenuator.
• Automates 3-digit channel numbers for R-75/R-76 measurements.
• Fixes R-75/R-76 calibration problem when signal level is bad.

V2.0

• Adds Distortion Measurement capability using Matrix Models AR-12, R-75, and R-76.
• Expands the HP8568B group type of spectrum analyzer to allow the selection of the 50 Ohm or 75 Ohm RF input.
• Adds the Start-Up Mode option.
• Adds the Fully-Automatic Base Levelling mode.
• Re-labels some of the controls for greater clarity of purpose.

V1.5 Makes user interface more forgiving of operator errors.

V1.4 Adds dedicated AFS-12 Screen.

V1.3 Adds AR-12/AFS-12 and R-75/R-76 Manual entry to Diagnostics/Manual Entry screen.

V1.2

• Adds Group types for Spectrum Analyzer, allowing a wider range of equipment to be supported.
• Group types for Freq. Counter and Power Meter put on System Setup screen, but not actually activated.

V1.1 Minor improvements over V1.0. First version widely distributed.

V1.0 First functioning version

V0.0 (Non-functional) Demo Disk