Keysight 33600A Programming Manual: Generating Waveforms Programmatically

The Keysight 33600A series is a capable waveform and function generator, and controlling it from software unlocks repeatable signal generation. Engineers reach the 33600A programming manual to automate output. This quick start covers the SCPI commands for arbitrary waveforms and sweeps, and shows how TestFlow automates the 33600A from its datasheet.

What the 33600A does

The 33600A generates sine, square, ramp, pulse, noise, and arbitrary waveforms, with one or two channels depending on model. It is controlled over USB, LAN, and GPIB using SCPI.

33600A SCPI essentials

From the programming manual, the core commands:

• •*IDN? confirms the connection.
• •SOUR1:FUNC SIN selects a sine waveform on channel 1.
• •SOUR1:FREQ 1E3 sets the frequency to 1 kHz.
• •SOUR1:VOLT 2.0 sets the amplitude in volts peak to peak.
• •SOUR1:VOLT:OFFS 0.5 sets a DC offset.
• •OUTP1 ON enables the output.

Sweeps and arbitrary waveforms

Beyond a fixed tone, the 33600A does frequency sweeps and arbitrary waveforms:

• •SOUR1:FREQ:STAR 1E3 and SOUR1:FREQ:STOP 1E5 set sweep endpoints.
• •SOUR1:SWE:TIME 1 sets the sweep time.
• •SOUR1:SWE:STAT ON enables the sweep.
• •For arbitrary waveforms you load points into memory and select SOUR1:FUNC ARB.

The maintenance cost of scripting it

These commands give full control, and they also become a script you own. It is specific to the 33600A, the measurement side is a separate script, and any change to the test means editing and re-testing the code. Over many tests this adds up.

Automating the 33600A with TestFlow

TestFlow generates and runs the generator control for you, driven from the datasheet.

• •Datasheet to signal plan. Upload the 33600A datasheet and TestFlow builds the waveform, sweep, and output steps.
• •No SCPI by hand. TestFlow produces and executes the commands, so there is no script to maintain.
• •Vendor-neutral. Drive the 33600A together with a scope, DMM, or analyzer from any vendor to generate and measure in one workflow.
• •Repeatable and shareable. The signal setup runs identically every time and can be shared across a team.

Generate signals without maintaining scripts

The programming manual is the reference when you write SCPI directly. When you want repeatable waveforms and sweeps without owning the code, let TestFlow run it.

Start free at testflow.io, upload your 33600A datasheet, and get an automated waveform generation workflow in minutes.