Using R&S Signal, Spectrum

and Network Analyzers with

MATLAB
Application Note
Products:
| R&S FSQ / FSG | R&S ESCI
| R&S FSU | R&S ESPI
| R&S FSV / FSP | R&S ESL
| R&S ZVA | R&S ESU
| R&S ZVB | R&S FSL
| R&S FSMR
| R&S FSUP
| R&S ZVL
| R&S ZVM
| R&S ZVT
This Application Note describes how to
use the Rohde & Schwarz Signal,
Spectrum and Network Analyzers within
the MathWorks MATLAB programming
environment.
A collection of m-files is presented which
provides functions like sending standard
SCPI commands and receiving binary
data. All interfaces to the instrument
(GPIB and LAN) are supported.
05.2009-1EF51_0E
Application Note

M. Weiss / J. Pliquett
 Overview

Table of Contents
1 Overview.............................................................................................. 3

2 Software Features............................................................................... 3

3 Hardware and Software Requirements ............................................. 5

4 Connecting the Computer and the Instrument................................. 5

5 Installing the Software........................................................................ 6

6 Using the Software First Example .................................................. 7

7 Description of Commands ................................................................. 8

8 Additional Information........................................................................ 9
 Overview

1 Overview

This application note provides a MATLAB toolbox for remote control of R&S
instruments, such as a spectrum analyzer, via a LAN (or GPIB) interface.

MATLAB is a high-level technical computing language and interactive environment for
algorithm development, data visualization, data analysis and numeric computation,
which facilitates the rapid solution to many technical computing problems.

The ability to couple the development environment with remote control of

measurement systems, enables the engineer to easily combine data acquisition and
analysis tasks. For example, to perform RF measurements using specialized
instruments and to then evaluate the results on a PC.

Notes

The Signal Analyzer R&S FSQ is abbreviated to FSQ for the remainder of this
Application Note. In the following "FSQ" will be used as a synonym for all signal
spectrum and network analyzers listed on the cover page of this application note.

Trademarks

MATLAB is a trademark of The MathWorks, Inc..
Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names
of their respective companies.

2 Software Features

The provided software package consists of several MATLAB files and the RSIB DLL
(rsib32.dll) with the corresponding MEXRSIB DLL (mexrsib.dll).

RSIB (Rohde & Schwarz Interface Bus) is a network protocol introduced by Rohde &
Schwarz before any standard network protocol (e.g. VXI-11) was widely used. RSIB is
implemented in any up-to-date R&S spectrum, signal or network analyzer and can be
used without additional requirements by simply using the RSIB.DLL file on a PC.

The MEXRSIB DLL enables MATLAB to access the RSIB functionality. In addition,
the AJO class provides overloaded functions for the commands used to access the
instrument (fopen, fwrite, fread, fclose, etc.). This makes it very easy to use the
provided solution in parallel to other remote control channels like VISA (Virtual
Instrument Software Architecture) or GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus).
The flowchart below illustrates the usage of measurement instruments together with

the MATLAB development environment; the usage of the provided solution is
indicated by the yellow shaded region.
 Software Features

Advantages of the provided solution include:

> Access via fast LAN connection.
> All required DLLs included; no registration required.
> Same commands (fscanf, fprintf) as for all other input and output pipes (file, etc.).
> No additional installations (VISA / RSIB Passport for VISA) necessary.

To remote control the instrument via GPIB or VISA, the MALTAB Instrument Toolbox
must be installed (Not required to control the instrument via LAN).
 Hardware and Software Requirements

3 Hardware and Software Requirements

PC Hardware Requirements
Minimum Recommended

CPU CPU 1 GHz CPU 2 GHz or higher

RAM 128 MByte 256 MByte

Hard disc 10 MByte free space 50 MByte free hard disc space

Monitor SVGA monitor (800x600) XGA color monitor(1024 x 768)

or better
LAN 10 MBit LAN 100 MBit LAN
1
GPIB GPIB interface -

PC Software Requirements
Minimum Recommended

OS Windows 2000 / XP / Vista Windows XP

Other SW MATLAB Version 7.0.4 or higher MATLAB Version 7.0.4 or higher

MATLAB Instrument Control -
2
Toolbox

4 Connecting the Computer and the

Instrument
The data communication between the instrument and the PC can be established using
a GPIB or LAN connection.

Connecting the Instruments

In order to use the software, connect the instrument and the PC via a GPIB or a LAN
connection (crossover cable or connection via a network) and note the GPIB or IP
address of the instrument.
If the instrument shall be connected via the LAN interface using VISA with the RSIB
protocol, please download the latest RSIB Passport driver from the following location:
http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/appnote/1EF47

1
Required to access the instrument via GPIB or VISA/GPIB.
2
Required to access the instrument via GPIB or VISA.
 Installing the Software

5 Installing the Software

The software is delivered as a ZIP archive which is named
FSx_MATLAB_Toolbox_<Version>.zip, where <Version> is the software version
number.
In order to install the software, the ZIP file should be extracted to a desired location on
the hard disc. A file structure as illustrated below should be created:

Please make sure that the "@ajo" directory is created as shown in the
screenshot above. Some ZIP tools may extract all files into a single directory,
which will prevent correct use of the software.
 Using the Software First Example

6 Using the Software First Example

The following sequence provides an introduction to the toolbox using a provided
example file. It is assumed the ZIP file was extracted to: C:\FSx_MATLAB_Toolbox

1. Start MATLAB .
2. Change into the directory where the ZIP file was extracted by entering

the following at the MATLAB command prompt:
>> cd 'C:\FSx_MATLAB_Toolbox'
3. Setup the correct IP address.
This can be done by editing the file:
"example_capture_FSQ_RF_via_LAN.m".
The file can be edited using the command:
>> edit example_capture_FSQ_RF_via_LAN.m
The IP address should be changed to that of the instrument being used:
e.g. IP_address = '89.10.84.31'
Either an absolute IP address can be used, or a computer name which
has been assigned to the instrument (e.g. "FSQ3-100123").
Save the m-file.
4. Start the example.
This can be done with the command:
>> example_capture_FSQ_RF_via_LAN

5. The MATLAB command line should produce a report as follows:

In addition, a figure similar to the one below should appear:

 Description of Commands

7 Description of Commands
The following commands are available for communicating with the instrument. For
more information on the input and output parameters, please refer to the
corresponding m-file which contains all the information commented in the header of the
source code.

Main AJO Class Methods

ajo
AJO class constructor.

fopen
Connects an AJO object to a Rohde & Schwarz instrument.

fprintf
Sends formatted command strings to the instrument.

fscanf
Reads data from an instrument and performs text parsing.

fclose
Disconnects an AJO object from a Rohde & Schwarz instrument.

"High-Level Commands"

rs_sa_connect
Initializes and opens a connection to an instrument.

rs_sa_getID
Gets the ID string from a connected instrument.

rs_sa_capture_rf
Captures data from the RF branch into the instrument's memory.

rs_sa_capture_bb
Captures data from the baseband inputs into the instrument's memory.

rs_sa_readdata
Retrieves the data from the instrument's memory (which has been captured using
rs_sa_capture_bb or rs_sa_capture_rf).

rs_sa_disconnect
Closes an open connection to an instrument.
 Additional Information

8 Additional Information
This application note and the associated software are updated from time to time.
Please visit the website http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/appnote/1EF51 in order to
download the latest version. After installation, the current program information can be
found in the file history.txt in the installation directory.

Please contact TM-Applications@rohde-schwarz.com for comments and further

suggestions.
About Rohde & Schwarz
Rohde & Schwarz is an independent group
of companies specializing in electronics. It is
a leading supplier of solutions in the fields of
test and measurement, broadcasting,
radiomonitoring and radiolocation, as well as
secure communications. Established 75
years ago, Rohde & Schwarz has a global
presence and a dedicated service network
in over 70 countries. Company headquarters
are in Munich, Germany.

Regional contact
Europe, Africa, Middle East
+49 1805 12 42 42* or +49 89 4129 137 74
customersupport@rohde-schwarz.com

North America
1-888-TEST-RSA (1-888-837-8772)
customer.support@rsa.rohde-schwarz.com

Latin America
+1-410-910-7988
customersupport.la@rohde-schwarz.com

Asia/Pacific
+65 65 13 04 88
customersupport.asia@rohde-schwarz.com

This application note and the supplied

programs may only be used subject to the
conditions of use set forth in the download
area of the Rohde & Schwarz website.

Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG

Mhldorfstrae 15 | D - 81671 Mnchen
Phone + 49 89 4129 - 0 | Fax + 49 89 4129 13777

www.rohde-schwarz.com