The remote trace functionality allows you to trace input and output strings at the remote control interface of the R&S SMA.
A recorded trace (message log) can be evaluated directly in the dialog. Use the highlighting and navigation functions provided in the lower toolbar to locate error messages and messages containing arbitrary search strings. You can also export the message log to a *.csv file and evaluate the file using a suitable program.
To trace and display messages:
In the navigation pane, select "Diagnostics" > "SCPI Remote Trace".
In the toolbar bar of the "SCPI Remote Trace" page, select "live mode" > "on" and "logging" > "on".
"live mode > on" displays all commands and responses, and "logging > on" also traces messages.
If you now control the R&S SMA with SCPI commands, using an appropriate tool, the SCPI remote trace records the information sent and received.
The function records all sent commands, received responses and messages, and stores them in an internal database. If "live mode" is disabled, you can display the recent traces upon request, using the "refresh" button. You can also store the log in a file.
Note: The diagnostics functionality is extended in later releases, e.g. to download or upload SCPI command files from / to the instrument.
The toolbar at the top of the dialog provides basic settings and functions.

- "Live mode" / "logging": If logging is switched on, messages are traced. They are stored in an internal database and can be displayed upon request, using the refresh button (live mode off) or they can be displayed automatically (live mode on).
- "Filter": applies a filter to columns and/or rows when working (live mode off)
- "Refresh": reads the message log from the internal database and displays it
- "Download": stores the SCPI trace log to a *.csv file
- "Clear": deletes all message log entries in the database and on the screen
- "Details": displays details of the selected message, for example an SCPI command in hex format (also possible by double\-clicking a message)
The following columns are available if no column filter is applied:
- "Rec": record number of the message within the message log
- I: number of the subinstrument
- "MT": indicates the type of the message. Possible values and related message contents are:
– > = incoming command – < = outgoing response to a query – E = error message, highlighted by red color – T = execution time, i.e. time required by the instrument to process the command internally - "message": indicates the type of the message. Possible values and related message contents are:
– > = incoming command – < = outgoing response to a query – E = error message, denoted in red – T = execution time, i.e. time required by the instrument to process the command internally
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