Bob, Point taken. I cannot comment on the NSG 2070, but I checked back at the CWS500 documentation and software. The proprietary software from EM-Test permits the use of calibration files either stored in the unit or on the controlling PC. A transfer of calibration data from the PC to the CWS500 and back is possible. The software uses the calibration files stored on the PC and sets the output level depending on the data stored in that file. This is more than just initiating the test, but it does not look like a closed loop to me. Calibration can be performed either using the internal routine of the CWS500 or using the software and an external Power Meter also controlled by the software. The command set published in the manual is certainly not complete. I would like to see more as well. I will have to check with TILE on the next occasion. I agree with your approach of having complete control over all parameters. But in this case I do not see a big difference between a solution involving separate instruments and a solution putting those separate instruments in a bigger box. Having all >from the same manufacturer can help to simplify programming. SCPI would be a plus, but it is still not common enough. Having an integrated solution for EN 61000-4-6 is good for standard testing and if you have to deal with on-site testing (less equipment to haul). Using separate instruments is certainly more flexible, but means more instruments to handle, calibrate etc. Best regards, Michael Nagel Michael Nagel Senior Staff EMC Test Engineer Embedded Computing
Emerson Network Power T +49-89-9608-0 F +49-89-9608-2376 [email protected] www.emersonnetworkpower.com/embeddedcomputing Emerson Network Power - Embedded Computing GmbH, Lilienthalstr. 15, D-85579 Neubiberg/Landkreis München, Deutschland / Germany. Geschäftsführer Josef Wenzl, Amtsgericht München HRB 171431, VAT/USt.-ID: DE 127472241 ________________________________ From: Bob Richards [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Donnerstag, 12. Februar 2009 19:36 To: [email protected]; Nagel, Michael [NETPWR/EMBED/DE] Subject: RE: EN61000-4-6 test equipment Michael, I do believe that the C3 software can control the NSG instrument. That would make sense, since Teseq certainly has access to the proprietary command set. However, I don't know of any other software that would be able to control it. I contacted Teseq asking for the commands so I could write software for the NSG2070 that could directly control the frequency, output level, read the input port, etc, and all they gave me were commands to initiate the test, level-setting procedure, etc, but not directly control the internal instruments. I was told they were only available to labs that perform calibrations of the equipment. I was even told by someone on this list that there was no way I would ever get the command descriptions that I wanted, since those labs were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Are you sure that TILE has complete access to the CWS500, or only access to the commands to initiate the tests? It appeared to me that the software from EM Test only initiated and monitored the test, not actually control it. However, I may be wrong. In either case, I was not able to find a published list of the full command set for either instrument. AR, on the other hand, implies in their ads that the internal instruments are separately controllable. My point, though, was to make sure that you can have direct software control of the instruments through the GPIB port, if that is important to you. Otherwise, you are stuck with the internal firmware or proprietary software. If the standard changes, or you need to perform some custom test level (stepped or sloped limits, etc) you are out of luck. Bob Richards, NCT. --- On Thu, 2/12/09, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: From: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: RE: EN61000-4-6 test equipment To: [email protected] Date: Thursday, February 12, 2009, 7:12 AM Bob, We are using the CWS500 - it can be controlled either by the proprietary software from EM-Test (LCD) or by TILE. I have to check, but AFAIR it is possible to run calibration from the EM-Test software. I would be surprised if the NSG 2050 from Teseq (former Schaffner) cannot be controlled from their Compliance 3 software. Best regards, Michael Nagel Michael Nagel Senior Staff EMC Test Engineer Embedded Computing Emerson Network Power T +49-89-9608-0 F +49-89-9608-2376 [email protected] www.emersonnetworkpower.com/embeddedcomputing Emerson Network Power - Embedded Computing GmbH, Lilienthalstr. 15, D-85579 Neubiberg/Landkreis München, Deutschland / Germany. Geschäftsführer Josef Wenzl, Amtsgericht München HRB 171431, VAT/USt.-ID: DE 127472241 ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bob Richards Sent: Mittwoch, 11. Februar 2009 22:20 To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: Re: EN61000-4-6 test equipment Peter, I have used the EMTest CWS500 system, as well as the Teseq (schaffner) NSG2070 system. They each have their limitations, specifically, niether can be controlled by an external computer, other than initiating a test or calibration. In other words, an external computer can't adjust the output level of the signal generator, read the input level during a calibration, or read the induced current level during a test. You pretty much are stuck with the canned internal routines to run calibrations and tests. Actually, it may be possible to control the NSG2070 by an external computer, but Teseq will not release the GPIB commands to do so. Believe me, I tried! All I was able to get were the commands to initiate the internal routines. I suggest that if you buy an all-in-one system, check to make sure an external computer can *completely* control the system. I would seriously look at the AR product, it appears to be modular and each component can be used independently. http://www.arww-rfmicro.com/html/11100_conducted_immunity_systems.asp <http://www.arww-rfmicro.com/html/11100_conducted_immunity_systems.asp> Where I presently work, we have the CWS500 but only use the internal amplifier. We use an external signal generator and spectrum analyzer instead of the built-in components. Hope this helps. Bob Richards, NCT. - This message is from the IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society emc-pstc discussion list. To post a message to the list, send your e-mail to <[email protected]> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc Graphics (in well-used formats), large files, etc. can be posted to that URL. 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