VNA Master™Programming Manual : VNA Commands : :Trace Subsystem
 
:Trace Subsystem
This subsystem contains commands related to the transfer of trace data to and from the instrument.
 
Trace Data Transfer
:TRACe[:DATA]?
Description
Transfers the trace data of the given trace from the instrument to the controller.
The format of the block data that is returned can be specified by the command :FORMat:DATA. The response begins with an ASCII header that specifies the number of data bytes. It appears in the format #AX, where A is the number of digits in X, and X is the number of bytes that follow the header. Each data point is separated by a comma delimiter. Independent of the Graph Type that is associated with the trace, each data point that is transferred by this command consists of complex measurement data (Real and Imaginary values for that point). A 551 point trace therefore has a total of 1102 points that get transferred.
Syntax
:TRACe[:DATA]? [1]|2|3|4
Cmd Parameter
NA (query only)
Query Response
<block> (returns block data)
Related Command
:FORMat:DATA;
:CALCulate<Tr>:DATA?
Front Panel Access
NA
 
Trace Header Transfer
:TRACe:PREamble?
Description
Returns trace header information for the specified trace. Data can be transferred from the 4 available display traces. Use the commands in the MMEMory subsystem to store and recall traces from the instrument memory. The response begins with an ASCII header. The header specifies the number of following bytes. It appears in the format #AX, where A is the number of digits in X, and X is the number of bytes that follow the header. Refer to the following section, Example Response Format:.
Parameters are returned in comma‑delimited ASCII format. Each parameter is returned as “NAME=VALUE[UNITS]”. Note that the parameters that are returned depend on the firmware version and that this document does not cover all parameter values that are returned by the command.
Syntax
:TRACe:PREamble? [1]|2|3|4
Cmd Parameter
NA (query only)
Query Response
<block> (returns block data)
Front Panel Access
NA
 
Example Response Format:
#AX is #40078, where A = 4 (the number of digits in number X), and X = 0078 (the response has 78 characters).
#40078SN=6897458,TYPE=DATA,DATE=2009‑03‑18‑03‑13‑20‑00,INT_BIAS_TEE_
CURRENT=0.000000
Parameters are returned in comma‑delimited ASCII format. Each parameter is returned as “NAME=VALUE[UNITS]”. For the example response, the serial number (SN) is 6897458 and is returned as “SN=6897458”.
Note 
The parameters that are returned depend on the firmware version in the MS20xxB, and this document does not cover all possible parameter values that can be returned by the command.
The following 3 tables describe some of the common parameters that can be returned by the :TRACe:PREamble? command:
• Table: Trace Header Parameters (Sheet 1 of 8)
• Table: Trace Header Marker Parameters
• Table: Trace Header Limits Parameters
 
Trace Header Transfer (continued)
Trace Header Parameters (Sheet 1 of 8)
Parameter Name
Description
SN
Instrument serial #
UNIT_NAME
Instrument name
TYPE
The data type (Setup or Data)
DATE
Trace date/time
APP_NAME
Application name
APP_VER
Application firmware (FW) version
SUB_MODE
Sub Mode type, where:
0 is for Vector Network Analyzer,
2 is for Vector Voltmeter
S_TYPE
Active trace S type. Current available S Types are:
S11 = 0, S21 = 1
TRACE_S_TYPES
S types for all 4 traces. This uses a bit mask, where the bit shift mask is defined as:
S_TYPE_BIT_SHIFT 4
S_TYPE_BIT_MASK 0xF
For example, to get the S type for trace 1:
(int) (sTypes >> (S_TYPE_BIT_SHIFT * 0)) & S_TYPE_BIT_MASK
GRAPH_TYPE
Active Trace graph type. Current available graph types are:
Log Mag = 0,
SWR = 1,
Phase = 2,
Real = 3,
Imaginary = 4,
Group delay = 5,
Smith Chart = 6,
Log Mag / 2 = 7
Linear Polar = 8
Log Polar = 9
Real Impedance = 10
Imaginary Impedance = 11
TRACE_GRAPH_TYPES
Graph types for all 4 traces. This uses a bit mask shift, where the bit shift mask is defined as:
GRAPH_TYPE_BIT_SHIFT 16
GRAPH_TYPE_BIT_MASK 0xFFFF
DOMAIN
Active Trace domain type, where:
0 is frequency domain,
2 is for distance domain
TRACE_DOMAIN_TYPES
Domain types for all 4 traces. This uses a bit mask shift, where the bit shift mask is defined as:
DOMAIN_TYPE_BIT_SHIFT 4
DOMAIN_TYPE_BIT_MASK 0xF
DOMAIN_SETUP
Current Domain Setup. Available Domain setups are:
Freq = 0, Dist = 2
TRACE_MATH_TYPES
Trace Math types. This uses a bit mask shift, where the bit shift mask is defined as:
MATH_TYPE_BIT_SHIFT 4
MATH_TYPE_BIT_MASK 0xF
Available math type are:
None = 0, Subtract = 1, Add = 2, Multiply = 3, Divide = 4
TRACE_DISPLAY_TYPES
Trace display types. Available trace types are:
Trace Only = 0, Memory Only = 1,
Trace and Memory = 2
TRACE_MEMORY_STATE
For save/recall purpose.
Where 0 is Off and 1 is On.
SMITH_CHART_TYPE
Current active trace Smith Chart type. Available Smith Chart type are:
Normal = 0, Expand 10dB = 1, Expand 20dB = 2, Expand 30dB = 3, Compress 3dB = 4
TRACE_SMITH_CHART_TYPES
Smith Chart type. This uses a bit mask shift, where the bit shift mask is defined as:
SMITH_CHART_TYPE_BIT_SHIFT 4
SMITH_CHART_TYPE_BIT_MASK 0xF
For available types, refer to SMITH_CHART_TYPE.
SMITH_REF_IMPED
Reference Impedance. Where:
50 ohm = 0. and 75 ohm = 1
TOTAL_CHANNELS
Trace Format. Available trace format are:
Single = 1, Dual = 2, Tri = 3, Quad = 4
ACTIVE_TRACE
Current active trace. Where:
0 is for trace 1, 1 for trace 2, 2 for trace 3, and 3 for trace 4
TOTAL_TRACE
Total number of traces
AVERAGING_COUNT
Current Averaging Count
AVERAGING_FACTOR
Averaging factor
EXTERNAL_REFERENCE
External Reference where 0 is for Off and 1 is for Locked
EXT_REF_FREQ_LIST
Currently not being used.
SWEEP_TYPE
Sweep type. Available sweep types are:
Single = 0 and Continuous = 1
EXTERNAL_TRIGGER
Currently not being used.
BIAS_TEE_STATE
Bias Tee State. Currently available Bias Tee states are:
Off = 0 and Internal = 2
BIAS_TEE_PORT_SELECTION
Bias Tee port selection. Where:
1 is port 2.
BIAS_TEE_VOLTAGE_Px
Internal Bias Tee voltage, where:
x is the port number.
Return value is 1000 times the current voltage value in Volts.
INT_BIAS_TEE_VOLTAGE
Internal Bias Tee voltage. Return value in mV.
Internal Bias Tee current limit, where:
x is the port number.
Return value is in mA.
BIAS_TEE_CURRENT_LIMIT_Px
Internal Bias Tee current limit, where:
x is the port number.
Return value is in mA.
INT_BIAS_TEE_CURRENT
Internal Bias Tee current. Return value is in mA.
RF_SOURCE_POWER
Source Power. Current valid source power:
low = 0, default = 1, and high = 2.
CABLE
The index of the selected cable list, where 0 is the first in the list.
DIST_UNITS
Distance units. Available distance units are:
Meter = 0, Feet = 1
IFBW
The index of the selected IFBW list, where 0 is the first in the list.
DUT_LINE_TYPE
DUT Line Type, where Coax = 0.
CUTOFF_FREQ
Currently not used.
PROP_VEL
Propagation Velocity. Value returned is 1000 times the propagation velocity value.
CABLE_LOSS
Cable Loss. Value returned is 1000 times the cable loss value.
MARKER_SELECTED
The current selected marker, where marker # is the value + 1. For example, a value of 0 is marker number 1.
MARKER_TYPE
The current selected marker type. Where:
Ref = 0
delta = 1
off = 2
MARKER_TABLE
Currently not being used.
MARKER_READOUT_STYLE
The current selected marker readout style. Available readout styles are:
Graph = 0,
Log Mag = 1
Log Mag and Phase = 2
Phase = 3
Real and Imaginary = 4
SWR = 5
Impedance = 6
Admittance = 7
Normalized Impedance = 8
Normalized Admittance = 9
Polar Impedance = I0
Group Delay = 11
Log Mag/2 = 12
Lin Mag = 13
Lin Mag and Phase = 14
MARKER_READOUT_FORMAT
Marker Readout Format. Available readout formats are:
None = 0
Trace =1
Screen = 2
Table = 3
PORT_x_REF_PLANE_LENGTH
Reference Plane Length, where x is the port number. Returns in units of meter.
TRACE_SMOOTHING_PERCENT
Trace smoothing percent. This uses a bit mask shift, where the bit shift mask is defined as:
PERC_SMOOTHING_BIT_SHIFT 8
PERC_SMOOTHING_BIT_MASK 0xFF
SMOOTHING_PERCENT
Current active trace smoothing percent.
CURRENT_LIMIT
The limit type (upper/lower) for the active trace. Upper = 0 and Lower = 1
LIMIT_STATE
The limit state (on/off) for the active trace.
On = 0, Off = 1
LIMIT_ALARM
The limit alarm (on/off) for the active trace.
On = 0, Off = 1
LIMIT_MESSAGE
Limit Pass Fail Message (on/off) for the active trace. On = 0, Off = 1.
CURRENT_TEMPERATURE
The current temperature. Valid only with a cal.
To get the temperature in Celsius divide the
result by 4.
TRACE_x_LP_MODE
Currently not used.
TRACE_x_LP_RESPONSE_TYPE
Currently not used.
TRACE_x_LP_PHASOR_IMPULSE
Currently not used.
TRACE_x_POLAR_RESOLUTION
Linear Polar Resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the resolution value
TRACE_x_POLAR_REFERENCE
Linear Polar Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the reference value
TRACE_x_POLAR_REFERENCE_LINE
Currently not used
TRACE_x_LOG_POLAR_RESOLUTION
Log Polar Resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is in dB.
TRACE_x_LOG_POLAR_REFERENCE
Log Polar Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is in dB.
TRACE_x_LOG_POLAR_REFERENCE_LINE
Currently not used
TRACE_x_REAL_Z_RESOLUTION
Real Impedance resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the resolution value.
TRACE_x_REAL_Z_REFERENCE
Real Impedance Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the reference value.
TRACE_x_REAL_Z_REFERENCE_LINE
Real Impedance Reference line, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_IMAG_Z_RESOLUTION
Imaginary Impedance resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the resolution value.
TRACE_x_IMAG_Z_REFERENCE
Imaginary Impedance Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the reference value.
TRACE_x_IMAG_Z_REFERENCE_LINE
Imaginary Impedance Refernece line, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_START_FREQ
Start freq, where x is the trace number. Returns in units of megahertz.
TRACE_x_STOP_FREQ
Stop frequency, where x is the trace number. Returns in units of megahertz.
TRACE_x_CENTER_FREQ
Center frequency, where x is the trace number. Returns in units of megahertz.
TRACE_x_SPAN
Frequency span, where x is the trace number. Returns in units of megahertz.
TRACE_x_START_DIST
Start distance, where x is the trace number. Depending on the given distance unit, value is returned in units of either microfeet or micrometer.
TRACE_x_STOP_DIST
Stop distance, where x is the trace number. Depending on the given distance unit, value is returned in units of either microfeet or micrometer.
TRACE_x_SMOOTHING_PERCENT
Currently not used.
TRACE_x_WINDOWING
Windowing, where x is the trace number. Available windowing settings are:
Rectangular = 0, Nominal Side Lobe = 1,
Low Side Lobe = 2, Minimum Side Lobe = 3
TRACE_x_GD_APERTURE
Group Delay Aperture, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_DSP_DATA_POINTS
Number of data points, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_LOG_MAG_RESOLUTION
Log Mag Resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is in dB.
TRACE_x_LOG_MAG_REFERENCE
Log Mag Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is in dB.
TRACE_x_LOG_MAG_REFERENCE_LINE
Log Mag Reference Line, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_SWR_RESOLUTION
SWR Resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the SWR Resolution.
TRACE_x_SWR_REFERENCE
SWR Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the SWR Reference value.
TRACE_x_SWR_REFERENCE_LINE
SWR Reference Line, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_PHASE_RESOLUTION
Phase Resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the phase resolution.
TRACE_x_PHASE_REFERENCE
Phase Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the phase reference value.
TRACE_x_PHASE_REFERENCE_LINE
Phase Reference Line, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_REAL_RESOLUTION
Real Resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the resolution per div value.
TRACE_x_REAL_REFERENCE
Real Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the reference value.
TRACE_x_REAL_REFERENCE_LINE
Real Reference line, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_IMAG_RESOLUTION
Imaginary Resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the reference value.
TRACE_x_IMAG_REFERENCE
Imaginary Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is 1000 times the reference value.
TRACE_x_IMAG_REFERENCE_LINE
Imaginary Reference line, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_GD_RESOLUTION
Group Delay Resolution, where x is the trace number. Returns in units of picoseconds.
TRACE_x_GD_REFERENCE
Group Delay Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returns in units of picoseconds.
TRACE_x_GD_REFERENCE_LINE
Group Delay Reference line, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_SMITH_SCALE
Currently not used.
TRACE_x_SMITH_IMPEDANCE
Currently not used.
TRACE_x_SMITH_IMPEDANCE_LINE
Currently not used.
TRACE_x_1PCL_RESOLUTION
Log Mag / 2 resolution, where x is the trace number. Returned value is in dB.
TRACE_x_1PCL_REFERENCE
Log Mag / 2 Reference value, where x is the trace number. Returned value is in dB.
TRACE_x_1PCL_REFERENCE_LINE
Log Mag / 2 Reference line, where x is the trace number.
TRACE_x_POLAR_RESOLUTION
Currently not used.
TRACE_x_POLAR_REFERENCE
Currently not used.
TRACE_x_POLAR_REFERENCE_LINE
Currently not used.
CAL_METHOD
Calibration Method, where:
SOLT = 0
CAL_TYPE
The index of the selected calibration type list, where 0 is the first in the list.
CAL_LINE_TYPE
Calibration Line Type, where coax = 0.
CAL_PORTx_DUT
The index of the selected Calibration Coax DUT Selector list for port x, where 0 is the first in the list.
CAL_CORRECTION
Calibration correction, where On = 0, and Off = 1
APP_SELF_TEST_MODE
Internal use only
DEBUG_MEAS_GAIN_RANGE
Internal use only
LOG_COUNTER_EVENTS
Internal use only
SWEEP_DEFAULT_FREQS
Internal use only
PWRCAL_RF_SWITCH_FREQ
Internal use only
PWRCAL_LOW_RF_HIGH_TARGET
Internal use only
PWRCAL_LOW_RF_LOW_TARGET
Internal use only
PWRCAL_UPPER_RF_HIGH_TARGET
Internal use only
PWRCAL_UPPER_RF_LOW_TARGET
Internal use only
PWRCAL_UW_RF_HIGH_TARGET
Internal use only
PWRCAL_UW_RF_LOW_TARGET
Internal use only
USER_DEFINED_CAL_KIT_NAME
Internal use only
USER_DEFINED_CAL_KIT
Internal use only
TRACE_LABEL_STATE
Trace label On/Off, where On = 0, Off = 1
Trace Header Transfer (continued)
Trace Header Marker Parameters
Markers Parameter Name
Description
MKR_MWVNA_Xx
Marker x X value (where x is the marker number 1 to 12)
MKR_MWVNA_POINTx
Marker x display point
MKR_MWVNA_REALx
Marker x Real value
MKR_MWVNA_IMAGx
Marker x Imaginary value
MKR_MWVNA_READOUTx
Marker x readout style. Available readout styles are:
Graph = 0
Log Mag = 1
Log Mag and Phase = 2
Phase = 3
Real and Imaginary = 4
SWR = 5
Impedance = 6
Admittance = 7
Normalized Impedance = 8
Normalized Admittance = 9
Polar Impedance = 10
Group Delay = 11
Log Mag / 2 = 12
Lin Mag = 13
Lin Mag and Phase = 14
MKR_MWVNA_FLAGSx
Marker x flags:
MWVNA_MARKER_REF_BIT ............ 0x00000001
MWVNA_MARKER_DELTA_BIT .......... 0x00000002
MWVNA_MARKER_ALL_BIT ............ 0x00000004
MWVNA_MARKER_INIT_BIT ........... 0x00000008
MWVNA_MARKER_ZERO_SPAN_BIT ...... 0x00000010
MWVNA_MARKER_OUT_OF_RANGE_BIT ... 0x00000020
MKR_TRACEx
Specifies to which trace the marker x is attached
MKR_DELTA_TOx
Specifies to which trace the marker x is delta
 
Trace Header Transfer (continued)
Trace Header Limits Parameters
Limits Parameter Name
Description
LIMIT_MWVNA_FLAGS_UPx
LIMIT_MWVNA_FLAGS_LOx
Upper(UP)/Lower(LO) Limit flags for trace x:
LIMIT_LEFT_OF_SCREEN .... 0x00000001
LIMIT_RIGHT_OF_SCREEN ... 0x00000002
LIMIT_IS_ON ............. 0x00000004
LIMIT_IS_RELATIVE ....... 0x00000008
LIMIT_ALARM_IS_ON ....... 0x00000010
LIMIT_LIMIT_UNITIALIZED . 0x00000020
LIMIT_MESSAGE_ON ........ 0x00000040
LIMIT_MWVNA_POINT_UPx_#
LIMIT_MWVNA_POINT_LOx_#
Upper/Lower Limit point value for trace x, where # is the limit point number. Each point value contains the X‑axis value, Y‑axis value, limit point, and limit flags, separated by a space.
Note: Limit point and limit flags are not currently used and will always return a value of 0.000000 for limit point and 0 for limit flags.
LIMIT_MWVNA_GRAPH_TYPE_UPx
LIMIT_MWVNA_GRAPH_TYPE_LOx
Upper/Lower Limits Graph type. For available graph types, refer to GRAPH_TYPE.
LIMIT_MWVNA_TOTAL_POINTS_UPx
LIMIT_MWVNA_TOTAL_POINTS_LOx
Upper/Lower Limit total points.