MMEMory Subsystem - STATe and PREFerence Files

These MMEMory subsystem commands save and load instrument states (state files) and preferred settings for non-volatile parameters (preference files). In general, state files store volatile settings associated with measurements. Preferences are non-volatile parameters associated with the instrument, but not any specific measurement. The following table summarizes what information is in each file.

State File Preference File

State Files for the 34460A/61A/65A/70A have this information:

Active measurement function

Ranges

Integration time/resolution (NPLC)

Auto range

Auto zero

Auto impedance (Input Z)

AC bandwidth

Trigger and sample settings

Math settings (enables, null value(s), limits, …)

Data threshold for status bit

VM Comp slope (Voltmeter Complete)

Temperature units

Default file system directory

Display selection and settings (numeric, meter, histogram, trend chart, …)

Numeric front panel digit masking

DBM reference resistance

State Files for the 34465A/70A have this additional information:

Binary/ASCII data format and byte order

Trend chart and histogram display settings

Data Log and Digitize mode settings

Temperature probe settings

Thermocouple reference junction offset adjustment

Preference Files for the 34460A/61A/65A/70A have this information:

I/O enables, addresses, settings; mDNS settings

Display brightness

Screen saver enable, brightness

Numeric separator (comma, space, none) and decimal point symbol

Beeper and key click enable

Help language

Power-on status clear enable, status enables, transition filters

Power-on state (*RST, user-defined, last)

SCPI ID (string returned by *IDN)

Power-on message text

Color Scheme (A/B)

Label enable, text

Preference Files for the 34465A/70A have this additional information:

Data Log mode file format settings

Thermocouple reference junction offset adjustment

The MMEMory subsystem also includes two other types of commands:

General Purpose File Management

Data Transfer

Command Summary

MMEMory:LOAD:PREFerences

MMEMory:STORe:PREFerences

MMEMory:LOAD:STATe

MMEMory:STORe:STATe

MMEMory:STATe:RECall:AUTO

MMEMory:STATe:RECall:SELect

MMEMory:STATe:VALid?

Folder and file formats

Many MMEMory commands refer to folders and files. These have specific structures, described below.

Format for a <folder>

Format for a <file>

Mass Memory (MMEMory) and State Storage

States saved by the front panel can be accessed from remote, and vice versa. For example, configure the instrument as desired and insert a USB drive into the front panel. Then enter the following commands. If you do not have a USB drive change "USB:\" to "INT:\" to use the instrument's internal flash drive instead.

MMEMory:CDIRectory "USB:\"
MMEMory:MDIRectory "States"
MMEMory:STORe:STATE "USB:\States\State1"

To return to this state at any time:

MMEMory:LOAD:STATE "USB:\States\State1"

You can also recall a state file from the front panel by pressing [Utility] > Store/Recall.

MMEMory:LOAD:PREFerences <file>
MMEMory:STORe:PREFerences <file>

LOAD: Reboots the instrument and loads the nonvolatile I/O settings and user preferences from a file. The specified file cannot be empty or marked as hidden or system.
STORE: Stores nonvolatile I/O settings and user preferences to a file. If the destination file exists, it will be overwritten, unless marked as hidden or system.

Caution

When loading a preferences file that specifies a static IP address, be careful that this does not result in two instruments with the same IP address on your LAN. This could cause LAN configuration errors on both instruments.


Parameter Typical Return
Any valid file name
The .prf file extension is optional. If you do not include this extension, the instrument firmware will automatically append it.

(none)

Stores the current nonvolatile I/O settings and user preferences into the specified file:

MMEM:STOR:PREF "INT:\MyPreferences"

Load nonvolatile I/O settings and user preferences from the specified file:

MMEM:LOAD:PREF "INT:\MyPreferences"

MMEMory:LOAD:STATe <filename>
MMEMory:STORe:STATe <filename>

Loads an instrument state from a state file or saves the current instrument state to a state file. The file name optionally includes the folder name and the .sta file extension. If you do not include this extension, the instrument firmware will automatically append it.

Parameter Typical Return
Any valid file name

(none)

Store the current instrument state to the specified state file in the root directory of the internal flash file system:

MMEM:STOR:STAT "INT:\MySetup"

Load the instrument state from MySetup.sta saved by the previous command:

MMEM:LOAD:STAT "INT:\MySetup.sta"

MMEMory:STATe:RECall:AUTO {ON|1|OFF|0}
MMEMory:STATe:RECall:AUTO?

Disables or enables the automatic recall of a specific stored instrument state at power-on. Specify ON to automatically recall the power-down state file (STATE_0 in the root folder of the internal flash file system) or a user-specified state file (MMEMory:STATe:RECall:SELect). Select "OFF" to issue a Factory Reset (*RST) at power-on.

Parameter Typical Return
{ON|1|OFF|0}. Default: ON. 0 (OFF) or 1 (ON)

Select the power-down state to be used at power-on.
MMEM:STAT:REC:SEL "INT:\STATE_0"
MMEM:STAT:REC:AUTO ON

Save the current state into a file in the root directory of the internal flash file system and load it at power-on:
MMEM:STOR:STAT "INT:\MyVoltMeas"
MMEM:STAT:REC:SEL "INT:\MyVoltMeas"
MMEM:STAT:REC:AUTO ON

MMEMory:STATe:RECall:SELect <file>
MMEMory:STATe:RECall:SELect?

Selects which instrument state to use at power-on if the automatic recall mode is enabled (MMEMory:STATe:RECall:AUTO ON). If the automatic recall mode is disabled (MMEMory:STATe:RECall:AUTO OFF), a Factory Reset (*RST) is issued at power-on.

Parameter Typical Return
Any valid file name "INT:\MyVoltMeas"

Select the power-down state to be used at power-on.
MMEM:STAT:REC:SEL "INT:\STATE_0"
MMEM:STAT:REC:AUTO ON

Save the current state into a file in the root directory of the internal flash file system and load it at power-on:
MMEM:STOR:STAT "INT:\MyVoltMeas"
MMEM:STAT:REC:SEL "INT:\MyVoltMeas"
MMEM:STAT:REC:AUTO ON

MMEMory:STATe:VALid? <file>

Returns 1 if the specified state file exists and contains a valid state file. Returns 0 otherwise.

Parameter Typical Return
Any valid file name 1

Return the status of MyState.sta in the root folder of the internal flash file system.

MMEM:STAT:VAL? "INT:\MyState.sta"