Getting Started > Brief Introduction to the Instrument's Concept
Brief Introduction to the Instrument's Concept
The operating concept of the R&S SMA employs the following three ways of instrument control:
  • Manual operation
  • Remote control
  • Remote access
Manual Operation

The R&S SMA can be entirely operated from the front panel. Peripherals such as mouse or keyboard can be connected but are not essential.

The R&S SMA is equipped with an intuitive user interface. The central element of the display is the block diagram that shows the signal flow and processing from the left on the display to most right, i.e. the generated signal can be seen at a glance.

Each block represents a functional unit of the instrument. Thus you always know the position at which a parameter affects the signal flow. The main settings of a block are indicated in the block. The interconnection of employed inputs and outputs is also shown. The user is thus always informed about the connection of inputs and outputs in the signal flow and where they can be configured. A window is opened for each menu where parameters can be set. When the window is opened, an entry is made in the "Winbar" below the display. All open menus are of equal priority (not modal) and can be accessed any time.

With the rotary knob, you can navigate in the block diagram and the dialogs, and operate the instrument with one hand. The cursor is moved line by line through the block diagram or dialog. Turning the button clockwise advances the cursor. The selected block can be activated or deactivated with the TOGGLE key. Active blocks are highlighted by a colored background.

The instrument comprises a comprehensive info and help system. You can access the context-sensitive help with the HELP (F1) key at any time. The help system indicates the currently selected parameter and offers additional services such as cross references, index and contents. The content of the help system corresponds to the operating manual of the instrument.

Warning and conflict messages caused by incorrect operation as well as further information are displayed in the "Info" line. A complete list of existing conflicts is displayed when the INFO (CTRL+I) key is pressed. Additional information on entries can be requested from the help system. The history function permits display of all messages.

Assistants simplify the completion of tables. After data entry in the assistant, the table is modified only after the "Accept" button has been pressed. Pressing the "Accept" button also stores the assistant data.

For an introduction into the manual operating of the instrument, detailed operating instructions and an overview of menus refer to "Manual Operation".

For an in-depth description of the dialog boxes and the instrument functions, refer to section "Overview of Instrument Functions".

Remote Control

Remote control is an operation of the instrument by means of remote control commands or programs that automatize repeating settings. The instrument is connected to a computer running the program.

The R&S SMA supports various remote control connections:
  • Connecting the instrument to a (LAN) network
  • Using the LXI browser interface in a LAN network
  • Connecting a PC via the IEC-bus (IEEE 488) interface
  • Remote control via the USB interface

Tip: For remote control over LAN or USB, you can use the R&S VISA (Virtual Instrument Software Architecture) library provided for download at the Rohde & Schwarz website http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/rsvisa.

This way of operation and the instructions how to set up a connection for remote control are described in the "Remote Control Basics". The description of the remote control commands is provided in "Remote Control Commands".

Remote access

Remote access is the operating of the instrument from a remote computer. Both the R&S SMA and the computer are connected in a LAN.

Remote access in contrast to remote control does not use remote-control commands but a separate software which is installed on the remote computer. After its start, the software simulates the user interface of the instrument. The instrument can thus be operated from the remote computer as on the unit itself. The individual functions are operated using the mouse and keyboard. Specific instrument functions can be executed using specific key combinations on the keyboard or a front panel key emulation that can be operated with the mouse.

This way of operation and the instructions how to set up a connection for remote access are described in "Remote Access via an External Controller".

 


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