12 34980A User’s Guide
2 Features and Functions
General Measurement Configuration
This section contains general information to help you configure the
instrument for making measurements. Since these parameters are used
by several measurement functions, the discussion is combined into one
common section. Refer to the later sections in this chapter for more
information on parameters that are specific to each measurement function.
Overview of Measurement Modes
Two modes of operation are available with the 34980A, depending on the
level of switching and measurement that you wish to directly control:
the Stand- Alone DMM Mode and the Scanning Mode.
Stand-Alone DMM Mode
In the Stand-Alone DMM Mode, the internal DMM makes measurements of
whatever signals are present on the Analog Buses. In this mode, you have
full control of what channel relays are closed and connected to the
appropriate Analog Bus for the measurement. You can route your signals
directly to the internal DMM using the 34980A multiplexer and matrix
modules, or you can connect to external signals via the Analog Bus
connector located on instrument’s rear panel (see “Analog Buses” on
page 15).
Front Panel Operation:
• To configure the most common measurement parameters for the
internal DMM, use the DMM (Configure) key.
• To close the desired channel relays and Analog Bus relays, use the
Close key. The Analog Bus relays on the multiplexer and matrix modules
are numbered s911, s912, s913, etc.
• To auto-trigger the internal DMM and display continuous readings,
press the DMM (Measure) key. Press the DMM (Measure) key again to stop
taking measurements.
• For additional triggering control and to store DMM readings in memory,
use the Scan (Configure) key to set the triggering parameters, and then
press and hold the Scan (Measure) key to initiate the DMM measurement.
These selections are available only for stand-alone DMM use when a
scan list has not been defined (see “Stand- Alone DMM Mode” on
page 12).
• To stop storing readings in memory during long measurements,
press and hold the Scan (Measure) key.