Newport User Commands

Revision History

06 22-Aug-2022 • Updated for 845-PE-RS

• Updated for x938-R
• Added BD command
• Added AAHR command
05 02-May-2021 • Fixed a mistake in $SP compatibility
04 02-May-2019 • Updated for 844-PE-USB
• Updated for new features: Pulsed Power, Low Frequency Power
• General formatting improvements
03 17-Aug-2017 • Updated section Device Communication Details for RS-232
02 24-Apr-2017 • Adding section Device Communication Details
01 08-May-2016 • Initial Revision

Introduction
This document is an updated and detailed description of the various commands that are used for
remote control of the new line of Newport meters (843-R-USB, 1919-R, 841-PE-USB, 844-PE-USB,
845-PE-RS, and x938-R). For each command, we list which devices support the command as well as
providing examples when necessary and listing limitations, as applicable.

Note: All commands work in an ASCII-based command and response protocol. As such, data delivery
rates will not be as high as when working with the standard data streaming methods provided by the
COM object. Therefore, for top performance, we recommend fully embracing working with the COM
object. However, if there is a need to support legacy code, or RS-232 communication, this is here for
you.

1919-R, x938-R
In addition to USB, the 1919-R and x938-R instruments are equipped with RS-232 communication
capabilities.

845-PE-RS
The 845-PE-RS communicates over RS-232 only.

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User Commands
This section describes the commands available to control the Newport devices. It is divided into 3
sections.

1. Command Summary. Table listing all available commands.

2. Basic Commands. These commands query and set the measurement configuration of the
sensor and the device.
3. Advanced Commands. Commands that change calibration factors of the sensors and
instrument. Use of these commands will change the results of measurements and should be
used only after careful consideration.

When using the COM object, commands are sent to the device by calling the Write method and
responses are received by calling the Read method. Alternatively, for instruments which support it,
commands can be sent and responses received via RS-232 using any standard method.
Note: Devices expect a command before sending a response. Every read of a response must be
preceded by sending a command, and every command sent must be followed by reading a response.
Failure to follow these rules may lead to communication problems.

Device Communication Details

• All commands and responses are ASCII strings.

• All commands are two or more letters, followed by parameters (when applicable).
• All commands are prefixed by a “$” (Hex 0x24) and suffixed by a <LF> (Hex 0x0A).
• Response to successful command starts with a “*” (Hex 0x2A) and ends with a <LF>.
• Response to an invalid command starts with a “?” (Hex 0x3F) and ends with a <LF>. These
codes are passed back to the user (as part of the string returned by the Read method) to
allow the user to flag errors and perform application dependent error processing.
• When communicating in RS-232, the suffix of the command must also contain a <CR> (Hex
0x0D). The suffix of the response will contain a <CR> as well.

Note: The COM Object Write method for communication appends and removes the flags at the
beginning and end of the ASCII strings.

Multichannel devices
The 2938 has more than one channel. The CL command is provided to indicate which channel to
operate on, for those commands which are specific to a channel.

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Command Summary
The following table contains a listing of all commands available with Newport devices.

Command Meaning Command Meaning

AAHR High Resolution RN Read raNge
AAPC Pulse Cycle RQ Response Query
AATL TTL pass/fail Limits SE Send Energy
AQ Average Query SF Send Frequency
AR All Ranges SI Send unIts
AW All Wavelengths SK Simulate Key-press
BD BauD rate SP Send Power
BT BeamTrack SX Send maX
CL select ChanneL TA TTL output
CQ Calibration Query TRGT TRigger Gate Type
DQ Diffuser Query TRSE TRigger StatE
EE Exposure Energy TRSP TRigger gate StoP
EF Energy Flag TRST TRigger gate StarT
EP Energy Pulse length TRTI TRigger stop TIme
ER Energy Ready TRTW pulse TRigger Window
ET Energy Threshold TRXE eXternal TRigger Edge
FB Force BeamTrack TRXH eXternal TRigger Holdoff time
FE Force Energy TRXT TRigger Type
FP Force Power UT User Threshold
FQ Filter Query VE VErsion
FX Force eXposure WD Wavelength adD
GU Get range in Use WE Wavelength Erase
HC Head Configuration WI Wavelength Index
HI Head Information WL WaveLength
HT Head Type WN Write raNge
IC Instrument Configuration ZA Zero Abort
II Instrument Information ZE Zero
MA MAins ZQ Zero Query
MF Maximum Frequency ZS Zero Save
MM Measurement Mode
PL Pulse Length

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Basic Commands
Command: High Resolution
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • •

Syntax AAHR <option>

Description Queries or sets measurement resolution. Normally instruments send 4 significant
digits of measurement, when set to high resolution they can send 7 significant digits.
Note that this option affects communication of measurements to the PC, the actual
measurement is not affected.

Values for <option> (if not set, default to 0)

• 0: Query
• 1: Normal resolution (4 digits)
• 2: High resolution (7 digits)
Example • User sent “AAHR 0”. Device returns “*1 NormalResolution
HighResolution”
• User sent “AAHR 2”. Device returns “*2 NormalResolution
HighResolution”
Limitations None
See Also Command Summary

Command: Pulse Cycle

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • •

Syntax AAPC <0 or 10000-200000>

Description Queries or sets the pulse cycle period in microseconds for Low Frequency Power
mode on Photodiode sensors.
Example Returns: The current pulse cycle period.
Limitations Applicable to Low Frequency Power mode only
See Also MM; Command Summary

Command: TTL pass/fail limits

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax AATL <lower limit> <upper limit>

Description Queries or sets lower and upper limits for TTL when in Pass/Fail mode. <lower limit>
and <upper limit> are measurement values in exponential notation. If <lower-limit>
and <upper-limit> are both 0 or omitted, this queries the values; if both are non-zero
this sets the values.
Example • User sent “AATL 0 0”. Device returns “*1.000000e+0 5.000000e+3”
• User sent “AATL 1.0e+1 1.0e+2”. Device returns “*1.000000e+01
1.000000e+02”
Limitations None
See Also TA; Command Summary

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Command: Average Query
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• •

Syntax AQ <average-setting>
Description Query and set the average setting of the sensor. Returns index of presently active
Average setting as well as literal description of set of all available Average settings. If
an unsupported index is specified, will prefix a '?' to the response.

Values for <average-setting> (if not set, default to 0)

• 0: Query device for present average setting.
• 1: Configure sensor for first setting (“NONE”)
• 2: Configure sensor for second setting.
• Etc
Example 919E-10-35-250 set to average over one second
• User sent “AQ”. Device returns “* 3 NONE 0.5sec 1sec 3sec 10sec
30sec”
• User sent “AQ 4”. Device returns “* 4 NONE 0.5sec 1sec 3sec 10sec
30sec”. Sensor is now averaging over 3 seconds
• User sent “AQ 9”. Device returns “? 4 NONE 0.5sec 1sec 3sec
10sec 30sec”. Sensor is still averaging over 3 seconds
Limitations Thermopile sensors do not have an averaging option when measuring energy. If the
command is sent when in energy mode, the instrument will return an error string
See Also Command Summary

Command: All Ranges

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax AR
Description Returns all ranges available in sensor. This is prefixed by the index of the
presently active range.
Example For an 818-SL-DB sensor in the 30 microwatt range, this command will return
“* 3 AUTO 30.0mW 3.00mW 300uW 30.0uW 3.00uW 300nW 30.0nW”.

Note: The index of the highest numeric range is 0. The index of AUTO (when
applicable) is -1
Limitations None
See Also GU, RN, SX, and WN; Command Summary

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Command: All Wavelengths
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax AW
Description Returns string fully describing the wavelengths that the sensor is configured to work
with.
Example Example 1. 918D with Filter Out. Device returns
“*CONTINUOUS 350 1100 1 633 488 978 NONE NONE NONE”

The user would know that it is a continuous curve sensor (from the prefix
CONTINUOUS), that the range of wavelengths is 350nm through 1100nm, that the
present wavelength that the sensor is configured to measure for is 633 (from the index
1), and the 6 favorite settings as they would be displayed in PMManager (above
10000nm would be displayed as 10.0). The second and third parameters delimit the
range of values that the $WL command would succeed with.

Example 2. 919P-003-10 sensor. Device returns “*DISCRETE 1 VIS NIR”

The user would know that this sensor is configured for a discrete set of wavelengths
(from the prefix DISCRETE), that the sensor is presently configured to work at the VIS
wavelength (from the index 1) and that the set of wavelengths that the sensor could
be configured to work with (via the $WW command) is "VIS" and "NIR".
Limitations None
See Also WD, WE, WI, and WL; Command Summary

Command: BauD rate

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax BD <baud rate>

Description Queries or sets the RS-232 baud rate.
If <baud-rate> is omitted, this is a query, otherwise <baud-rate> must be one of the
following values: 4800, 9600 , 14400, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200.

The change takes effect after the response is sent; the response is sent at the old
baud rate.
Example • User sent “BD”. Device returns “*115200”
• User sent “BD 9600”. Device returns “*9600”
Limitations None
See Also Command Summary

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Command: BeamTrack
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax BT
Description Query device for latest PEPS position and size measurements

Response Format: "F" <Errors> "X" <X> "Y" <Y> "S" Size.
Where F is followed by Hex map of error codes
X is followed by the location of the laser spot on the X-axis in mm
Y is followed by the location of the laser spot on the Y-axis in mm
S is followed by the size of the laser beam in mm

The following is the listing of possible error codes. Other codes may be returned by
the sensor but can be ignored; they are either meant as diagnostic information for
Newport personnel or are reserved for future use.

0x00001000: Position not measured (sensor can't measure position)

0x00002000: Signal too low (signal is just noise, not a meaningful measurement)
0x00004000: Position Measurement out of range (laser beam hit detector too far off
center)
0x00008000: General Position Measurement Error
Example “* F 00000000 X -1.50 Y -0.9 S 6.50”
There were no errors, the spot size is 6.5mm and is found at the coordinates (-1.5, -
0.9)
Limitations For PEPS Sensors only.
See Also Command Summary

Command: select ChanneL

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax CL <channel >

Description Queries or sets the channel which channel-specific commands will operate on. If
<channel> is 0, returns the current channel, otherwise it sets the channel (by 1-based
index)
Example “*1” The current channel is channel 1 or A
Limitations
See Also Command Summary

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Command: Diffuser Query
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax DQ <diffuser-setting>
Description Query and set the diffuser setting of the sensor.

Values for <diffuser-setting> (if parameter isn’t set, default to 0)

• 0: Query meter for present Diffuser Mode
• 1: Configure sensor for Diffuser Out mode
• 2: Configure sensor for Diffuser In mode
Example Example 1. A 919E-0.1-12-25K sensor.
• User sent “DQ”. Device returns “*1 N/A”. There is only 1 setting (that the
command is not applicable).

Example 2. 919E-10-35-250.
• User sent “DQ”. Device returns “*1 OUT IN”. Sensor is in Diffuser Out mode.
• User sent “DQ 2”. Device returns “* 2 OUT IN”. Sensor is now in Diffuser In
mode.
• User sent “DQ 3”. Device returns “? 2 OUT IN”. Request is invalid and
sensor remains in Diffuser In mode.
Limitations For Pyroelectric sensor only
See Also HC; Command Summary

Command: Exposure Energy

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
Pyro, Photo Pyro Pyro Pyro Pyro, Photo

Syntax EE
Description Instructs device to report up do date exposure measurement, number of pulses (for
Pyroelectric sensors), and time elapsed (in tenths of a second).
Example Example 1. Pyroelectric sensor in exposure mode. Device returns
“* 1.064E-1 2773 124”
Total exposure is 106.4mJ, 2773 pulses have been measured, and 12.4 seconds
have elapsed since the start of exposure measurement.

Example 2. Pyroelectric sensor in energy mode. Device returns

“?HEAD NOT MEASURING EXPOSURE”

Example 3. Pyroelectric sensor in power mode. Device returns

“HEAD NOT MEASURING ENERGY”
Limitations On some instruments for Pyroelectric sensors only, on some instruments also for
Photodiodes (see table above).
See Also FX; Command Summary

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Command: Energy Flag
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax EF
Description Polls device if a new energy reading has been processed and not yet communicated
to the user.
Example Device returns “*1” if there is a new reading or “*0” if there isn’t.
Limitations For Pyroelectric measuring power or energy; Thermopile sensors measuring energy.
See Also ER (Thermopile only), SE, and SP (for Pyroelectric only); Command Summary

Command: Energy Pulse length

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • •

Syntax EP <0 or 1-10000>

Description Queries or sets the pulse length in milliseconds for Pulsed Power mode on
Thermopile sensors.
Example Returns: The current pulse length.
Limitations Applicable to Pulsed Power mode only
See Also MM; Command Summary

Command: Energy Ready

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax ER
Description Polls device if sensor is ready to take a new energy reading. This is useful for users
that can control when their laser fires.
Example Device returns “*1” if it’s ready for a new energy pulse or “*0” if it isn’t.
Limitations For Thermopile sensors only, in energy or pulsed power measuring modes
See Also EF and SE; Command Summary

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Command: Energy Threshold
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax ET <threshold>
Description Query and set the threshold setting of the sensor.

Values for <threshold> (if not set, default to 0)

• 0: Query sensor for present threshold setting.
• 1: Configure sensor to work with LOW threshold.
• 2: Configure sensor to work with MEDIUM threshold.
• 3: Configure sensor to work with HIGH threshold.
Example 919P-030-18 sensor.
• User sent “ET”. Device returns “*2 LOW MEDIUM HIGH”. The sensor is in
MEDIUM threshold mode.
• User sent “ET 4”. Device returns “?1 LOW MEDIUM HIGH”. Trigger level is
invalid and sensor remains in LOW threshold mode.
• User sent “ET 3”. Device returns “*3 LOW MEDIUM HIGH”. Sensor has
been configured to work in HIGH threshold mode.
Limitations For Thermopile sensors only
See Also HC, UT; Command Summary

Command: Force BeamTrack

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax FB
Description Puts instrument into Position Measurement mode. Device returns “*” if successful and
“?HEAD CANNOT MEASURE BEAMTRACK” if not.
Example User sent “FB”. Device returns “*”. Sensor is now measuring Position.
Limitations For PEPS series of sensors only.
See Also FE, FP, FX, HC, HI, MM, and SE; Command Summary

Command: Force Energy

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax FE
Description Puts instrument into Energy Measurement mode. Device returns “*” if successful and
“?HEAD CANNOT MEASURE ENERGY” if not.
Example User sent “FE”. Device returns “*”. Sensor is now measuring Energy.
Limitations For Thermopile and Pyroelectric sensors.
See Also FB, FP, FX, HC, HI, MM, and SE; Command Summary

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Command: Force Power
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax FP
Description Puts instrument into Power Measurement mode. Device returns “*” if successful and
“?HEAD CANNOT MEASURE POWER” if not.
Example User sent “FP”. Device returns “*”. Sensor is now measuring Power.
Limitations None
See Also FB, FE, FX, HC, HI, MM, and SP; Command Summary

Command: Filter Query

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax FQ <filter-setting>
Description Query and set the filter setting of the sensor.

Values for <filter-setting> (if not set, default to 0)

• 0: Query device for present filter setting.
• 1: Configure sensor for Filter Out mode.
• 2: Configure sensor for Filter In mode.

Note: On the 1919-R, for sensors that auto-detect the filter state, this is a query only
and cannot be used to change the filter state
Example Example 1. 918D sensor with Filter OUT.
• User sent “FQ”. Device returns “*1 OUT”.
Example 2. 918D sensor with Filter IN.
• User sent “FQ”. Device returns “*1 IN”.
Example 3. 818-SL-DB sensor.
• User sent “FQ”. Device returns “*1 OUT IN”. Sensor is in Filter Out mode.
• User sent “FQ 2”. Device returns “* 2 OUT IN”. Sensor has been
reconfigured to Filter In mode.
• User sent “FQ 3”. Device returns “? 2 OUT IN”. Invalid setting and sensor
remains in Filter In mode.
Limitations For Photodiode sensors only
See Also HC; Command Summary

Command: Force eXposure

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
Pyro, Photo Pyro Pyro Pyro Pyro, Photo

Syntax FX
Description Puts instrument into exposure measurement mode. Device returns “*” upon success.
Example User sent “FX”. Device returns “*”. Sensor is now measuring Exposure.
Limitations On some instruments for Pyroelectric sensors only, on some instruments also for
Photodiodes (see table above).
See Also EE, FE, FP, MM, and SE; Command Summary

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Command: Get range in Use
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax GU
Description When in autoranging, returns presently active numeric range.
Example 918D with Filter Out in autoranging. The latest readings have been about 2mW.
Device returns “*1”.
Limitations None
See Also AR, RN, SX, and WN; Command Summary

Command: Head Configuration

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax HC <configuration>
Description Save selected Sensor Configuration Settings.

Values for <configuration>

• ‘S’: startup settings (Filter Setting, Energy Range, Diffuser setting, etc.).
• ‘C’: Calibration settings.
• ‘R’: Response settings.
Device returns “*SAVED” on success, “*UNCHANGED” if nothing needed to be
updated, or “?FAILED” if not successful.
Example None
Limitations R is for Thermopile sensors only
See Also CQ, DQ, ET, FE, FM, FP, FQ, PL, RQ, WD, WE, WI, WL, WN, Command Summary

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Command: Head Information
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax HI
Description Returns type, serial number, name, and measurement abilities of sensor.
Measurement abilities are reported as an 8 byte hexadecimal code where
Bit 0 is lit if sensor can measure power.
Bit 1 is lit if sensor can measure energy.
Bit 31 is lit if sensor can measure frequency.
All other bits are reserved and are not guaranteed to be 0 or 1.
Example Example 1. 919P-003-10 sensor. Device returns “* TH 12345 919P-003-10
00000183”.

The user knows that this is a Thermopile sensor (TH), its serial number (12345) and
name (919P-003-10), and that it can be used to measure power or energy (bits 0 and
1 are lit).

Example 2. 919E-0.1-12-25K sensor. Device returns “* PY 22323 919E-0.1-12

80000003”.

The user knows that this is a Pyroelectric sensor (PY), the serial number and name,
and that it can measure power, energy, and frequency
Limitations None
See Also FE, FP, HT, and II; CommandSummary

Command: Head Type

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax HT
Description Returns more specific sensor type than the HI command

Return Codes:
• BT: BeamTrack
• CP: Pyroelectric
• SI : Photodiode
• TH : Thermopile
• XX : No sensor connected
Example 919P-003-10 sensor. Device returns “*TH”
919E-0.1-12-25K sensor. Device returns “*CP”
Limitations None
See Also FE, FP, HI, and II; CommandSummary

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Command: Instrument Configuration
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax IC
Description Save Instrument Configuration. The new settings will be saved in the device’s
memory. Device returns “*SAVED” on success, “*UNCHANGED” if nothing needed
to be updated, or “?FAILED” if not successful.
Example None
Limitations None
See Also MA; CommandSummary

Command: Instrument Information

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax II
Description Returns id, serial number, and name of instrument being queried
Example Device returns “* 843R 113217 843R”. The user knows that this is an 843-R-USB and
its serial number (113217)
Limitations None
See Also HI; CommandSummary

Command: MAins
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax MA <line-frequency>
Description Query and set the line-frequency setting of the instrument.

Values for <line-frequency> (if not set, default is 0)

• 0: Query meter for present setting.
• 1: Configure meter to work with mains of 50Hz (European standard).
• 2: Configure meter to work with mains of 60Hz (North American and
Japanese standard).

Response: String containing index of presently active mains setting as well as literal
description of both mains settings. If Remote User specified an unsupported
index, will prefix a '?' to the response.

Note: Factory default for devices is 50Hz

Example Example 1. User sent “MA”. Device returns “* 2 50Hz 60Hz”. The User knows that
the device is configured to work with a line frequency of 60Hz.

Example 2. European customer wants to set the device to correct line frequency and
sends “MA 1”. Device returns “* 1 50Hz 60Hz”
Limitations None
See Also IC; CommandSummary

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Command: Maximum Frequency
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Command MF (Maximum Frequency)

Syntax MF
Description Queries the device for maximum pulse frequency at which the sensor can sample the
laser for energy measurements.
Example Example 1. 919E-10-24-10K set to 1μS pulse width. Device returns “*10000”. The
sensor can sample pulses of a laser whose frequency is 10kHz.

Example 2. 919E-10-24-10K set to 5mS pulse width. Device returns “*100”. The
sensor can sample pulses of a laser whose frequency is 100 Hertz.
Limitations For Pyroelectric and Photodiode energy sensors only
See Also HI, PL, and SF; CommandSummary

Page 15 of 31
Command: Measurement Mode
The following table indicates which modes are supported for which instruments. 4C means exposure
is supported on Pyroelectric sensors only. 4CD means exposure is supported on Pyroelectric and
Photodiode sensors.
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
1, 2, 3, 5 1, 2, 3, 4CD, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4C, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4C, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4C, 5, 2, 3, 4CD, 5,
14, 16 14, 16 14, 16 14, 16 14, 15, 16

Syntax MM <measurement-mode>
Description Set instrument to selected Measurement Mode

Values for < measurement-mode >

• 0: Query present measurement mode
• 1: Passive, non-measurement mode
• 2: Power
• 3: Energy
• 4: Exposure (Pyroelectric, Photodiode)
• 5: Power with Position (and Size) (PEPS sensors)
• 6: Reserved for Future Use
• 7: Reserved for Future Use
• 8: Reserved for Future Use
• 9: Reserved for Future Use
• 10: Reserved for Future Use
• 11: Reserved for Future Use
• 12: Reserved for Future Use
• 13: Reserved for Future Use
• 14: Pulsed Power (Thermopile)
• 15: Reserved for Future Use
• 16: Low Frequency Power (Photodiode)

Device returns “*” on success, “?NOT SUPPORTED” if the sensor doesn’t support
this measurement mode, or “?PARAM ERROR” if it doesn’t recognize the
<measurement-mode>.

Note: MM is intended to supersede the FB, FE, FP, and FX commands.

Example None
Limitations As listed in the table above
See Also FB, FE, FP, FX, HC; Command Summary

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Command: Pulse Length
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax PL <pulse-length>
Description Query and set maximum pulse-length (in time) that sensor is configured to measure.

Values for <pulse-length> (if not set, default is 0)

• 0: Query device for present setting.
• 1: Set sensor to first pulse width setting.
• 2: Set sensor to second pulse width setting.
• Etc.
Example 919E-10-24-10K
• User sent “PL”. Device returns “*3 2.0us 30us 500us 1.0ms 5.0ms”. The
full set of options is 2μS, 30μS, 500μS, 1mS and 5mS and the sensor is
presently configured to option 3 500μS pulses.
• User sent “PL 6”. Device returns “?3 2.0us 30us 500us 1.0ms 5.0ms”. 6 is
a setting that is out of range and therefore the setting is still 500μS
• User sent “PL 1”. Device returns “*”. Setting has been changed to 2.0μs.
Limitations For Pyroelectric and Photodiode Energy sensors only.
See Also HC and MF; Command Summary

Command: Read raNge

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax RN
Description Returns presently active measurement range.
Example Example 1. 918D in autoranging. Device responds “*-1”.

Example 2. 919E-10-24-10K in 2mJ range. Device responds “*4”.

Limitations
See Also AR, GU, SX, and WN; Command Summary

Page 17 of 31
Command: Send Energy
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax SE
Description Queries device for Energy Measurement
Example This command returns the most recent energy measurement. To verify that the device
has not previously reported it to the user, this command should be used in together
with the EF command.

Example.
1. User sends EF command.
2. Read device response. If response is “*0” repeat step 1. If response is “*1”
continue with step 3.
3. User send SE command
4. Device responds “*1.100E-4” (110uJ)
Limitations Not for Photodiode sensors. Sensor must be measuring Energy
See Also EF, ER, FE, SF, and SP; Command Summary

Command: Send Frequency

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax SF
Description Queries device for frequency at which the laser is firing.
Note: Although sensors can measure frequency up to 1000’s of Hertz, to actually
measure each of those pulses, you must work with the COM object
Example Example. Device returns “*1.000E3”. The laser is firing at a frequency of 1000Hz.
Limitations For Pyroelectric and Photodiode energy sensors only
See Also MF, PL, SE, and SP; Command Summary

Command: Send unIts

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax SI
Description Queries meter for present measurement mode. Returns a single character that
represents the present measurement mode.

• d: dBm
• J: Joules
• W: Watts
• X: Passive mode. Nothing being measured
Example 919P-003-10 measuring power. Device returns “*W”.
Limitations None.
See Also Command Summary

Page 18 of 31
Command: Simulate Key-press
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• •

Syntax SK<0..3 for 843-R-USB, 0..8 for 1919-R>

Description Simulates pressing a key on the meter’s front panel

• 0: Left-most softkey
• 1: 2nd softkey.
• 2: 3rd softkey
• 3: Right-most softkey

The following apply to the 1919-R only

• 4: Right Arrow of the Navigation Panel
• 5: Left Arrow of the Navigation Panel
• 6: Up Arrow of the Navigation Panel
• 7: Down Arrow of the Navigation Panel
• 8: Enter Button of the Navigation Panel
Example None.
Limitations None.
See Also Command Summary

Command: Send Power

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax SP
Description Queries device for Power Measurement
Example For all sensors except Pyroelectric sensors:
Return next power measurement
• Example. User sent “SP”. Device returns “*1.300E-5”. Power measured is 13
microwatts.

For Pyroelectric sensors

This command returns the most recent power measurement. To verify that the device
has not previously reported it to the user, this command should be used in together
with the EF command.

Example.
1. User sends EF command.
2. Read device response. If response is “*0” repeat step 1. If response is “*1”
continue with step 3.
3. User sends SP command
4. Device returns “*1.100E-1” (110mW)
Limitations Sensor must be measuring Power
See Also EF, FP, SE, and SF; Command Summary

Page 19 of 31
Command: Send maX
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax SX
Description Queries device for the maximum allowable reading on present scale.
Example Returns Max allowable reading for present range in scientific notation or AUTO if in
autoranging.

Examples:
• “*AUTO” for sensor in autoranging.
• “*3.000E-2” for sensor in the 30mW range.
Limitations None
See Also AR, GU, RN, WN; Command Summary

Command: TTL output

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TA <TTL-setting>
Description Queries or sets the devices TTL output setting.

When <TTL-setting> is 0, this is a query which returns the current setting and the
available settings. When <TTL-setting> is greater than 0 it is the 1-based index of the
desired setting. The following settings are available:
• 1 Disable_(Low): The output will be set low
• 2 On_(High): The output will be set high
• 3 Signal_On_Error: The output will be high when there is a measurement
error (out of range), and low when there is no measurement error
• 4 Pass/Fail_Limits: The output will be high when there is a measurement error
or when the measurement is out of the range set with the AATL command; at
other times it will be high
Example • User sent “TA 0”. Device returns “*1 Disable_(Low) On_(High)
Signal_On_Error Pass/Fail_Limits”. TTL is set low
• User sent “TA 2”. Device returns “*2 Disable_(Low) On_(High)
Signal_On_Error Pass/Fail_Limits”. TTL is now set high
Limitations None
See Also AATL; Command Summary

Page 20 of 31
Command: TRigger Gate Type
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TRGT <option>

Description Queries or sets the type of gate trigger, when the trigger type (TRXT) is set to Gate.

Values for <option> (if omitted, default to 0)

• 0: Query
• 1 StartStop: Use separate triggers to start and stop measuring (see TRST,
TRSP)
• 2 High: Measure only when the external trigger input is high
• 3 Low: Measure only when the external trigger input is low
• 4 Single: Start measuring when receiving a command (see TRSE) or when
the on-screen softkey is pressed; stop measuring after receiving a single
measurement
Example • User sent “TRGT 0”. Device returns “*1 StartStop High Low Single”
• User sent “TRGT 2”. Device returns “*2 StartStop High Low Single”
Limitations None
See Also TRXT, TRST, TRSP, TRSE; Command Summary

Command: TRigger StatE

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TRSE <option>

Description Queries or sets whether the trigger is armed (not measuring) or triggered (measuring).
This value can always be queried, but can only be set for trigger types that allow
changing the state by command.

Values for <option> (if omitted, default to 0)

• 0: Query
• 1 TriggerArmedState: The trigger is armed (not measuring)
• 2 RunningState: The trigger is triggered (measuring)
Example • User sent “TRSE 0”. Device returns “*2 TriggerArmedState RunningState”
• User sent “TRXE 1”. Device returns “*1 TriggerArmedState RunningState”
Limitations None
See Also TRGT, TRST, TRSP; Command Summary

Page 21 of 31
Command: TRigger gate StoP
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TRSP <option>

Description Queries or sets the trigger gate stop, when the trigger type (TRXT) is set to Gate and
the gate type (TRGT) is set to StartStop.

Values for <option> (if omitted, default to 0)

• 0: Query
• 1 NeverStop: No stop trigger – once measuring has started there is no trigger
to stop it
• 2 ExternalTrigger: Stop measuring when an external trigger input is received
• 3 SoftKey: Stop measuring when the on-screen softkey is pressed
• 4 PCcommand: Stop measuring when receiving a command (see TRSE)
• 5 OnTime: Stop measuring a fixed amount of time after starting measuring
(see TRTI)
Example • User sent “TRSP 0”. Device returns “*1 NeverStop ExternalTrigger
SoftKey PCcommand OnTime”
• User sent “TRSP 2”. Device returns “*2 NeverStop ExternalTrigger
SoftKey PCcommand OnTime”
Limitations None
See Also TRXT, TRGT, TRXE, TRXH, TRSE, TRTI; Command Summary

Command: TRigger gate StarT

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TRST <option>

Description Queries or sets the trigger gate start, when the trigger type (TRXT) is set to Gate and
the gate type (TRGT) is set to StartStop.

Values for <option> (if omitted, default to 0)

• 0: Query
• 1 AlwaysRunning: No start trigger – defaults to measuring, if measurement is
stopped there is no trigger to restart it
• 2 ExternalTrigger: Start measuring when an external trigger input is received
• 3 SoftKey: Start measuring when the on-screen softkey is pressed
• 4 PCcommand: Start measuring when receiving a command (see TRSE)
Example • User sent “TRST 0”. Device returns “*1 AlwaysRunning ExternalTrigger
SoftKey PCcommand”
• User sent “TRST 2”. Device returns “*2 AlwaysRunning ExternalTrigger
SoftKey PCcommand”
Limitations None
See Also TRXT, TRGT, TRXE, TRXH, TRSE; Command Summary

Page 22 of 31
Command: TRigger stop TIme
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TRTI <-1 or 0-86400000>

Description Queries or sets the trigger gate stop time in milliseconds, when the trigger type
(TRXT) is set to Gate, the gate type (TRGT) is set to StartStop, and the gate stop
(TRSP) is set to OnTime.
Example • User sent “TRTI -1”. Device returns “*100” indicating that the gate trigger will
stop measuring 100ms after it starts.
• User sent “TRTI 200”. Device returns “*200”. The trigger will now stop
measuring 200ms after it starts.
Limitations None
See Also TRXT, TRGT, TRSP; Command Summary

Command: pulse TRigger Window

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TRTW <0 or 1-50000>

Description Queries or sets the devices external trigger window size in microseconds, when the
trigger type (TRXT) is set to Pulse.
Example • User sent “TRTW 0”. Device returns “*100”
• User sent “TRTW 200”. Device returns “*200”
Limitations For Pyroelectric and Photodiode energy sensors only
See Also TRXT TRXE; Command Summary

Command: eXternal TRigger Edge

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TRXE <option>

Description Queries or sets the triggering edge for the external trigger input.

Values for <option> (if omitted, default to 0)

• 0: Query
• 1 Falling: The external trigger is triggered on a falling edge input
• 2 Rising: The external trigger is triggered on a rising edge input
Example • User sent “TRXE 0”. Device returns “*1 Falling Rising”
• User sent “TRXE 2”. Device returns “*2 Falling Rising”
Limitations None
See Also TRST, TRSP, TRXH, TRTW; Command Summary

Page 23 of 31
Command: eXternal TRigger Holdoff time
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TRXH <-1 or 0.001-210000>

Description After receiving an external trigger input, the device will wait before the trigger takes
effect. This command queries or sets the delay, in milliseconds.
Example • User sent “TRXH -1”. Device returns “*0.00000” indicating that the external
trigger takes effect immediately.
• User sent “TRXH 1.5”. Device returns “*1.50000”. The trigger will now take
effect 1.5ms after the external input is received.
Limitations Does not apply to Pulse trigger type
See Also TRST, TRSP, TRXE; Command Summary

Command: TRigger Type

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
•

Syntax TRXT <option>

Description Queries or sets the devices trigger type.

Values for <option> (if omitted, default to 0)

• 0: Query
• 1 Disable: Do not use triggers, measure continuously
• 2 Gate: Use triggers to start/stop measuring
• 3 Pulse: Use external trigger to indicate when to expect a pulse (for
pyroelectric sensors only)
Example • User sent “TRXT 0”. Device returns “*1 Disable Gate Pulse”
• User sent “TRXT 2”. Device returns “*2 Disable Gate Pulse”
Limitations The Pulse option is available for Pyroelectric and Photodiode energy sensors only
See Also TRGT, TRTW, TRXE; Command Summary

Command: User Threshold

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax UT <0..2500>
Description Queries and sets threshold for Pyroelectric and Photodiode energy sensors. This aids
in screening out false triggers due that may arise due to electronic noise.
Example Examples:
• “$UT”. Device returns “*300 169 2500”. Present threshold setting is 3%,
minimum is 1.69%, maximum is 25%
• “$UT 2000” Device returns “*2000 169 2500”. Threshold now set to 20%,
minimum is 1.69%, maximum is 25%
Limitations For Pyroelectric and Photodiode energy sensors only.
See Also ET; Command Summary

Page 24 of 31
Command: VErsion
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax VE
Description Query device for version of embedded software
Example Firmware version 1.33 is installed. The 843-R-USB returns “*EF1.33”
Limitations None
See Also Command Summary

Command: Wavelength adD

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax WD <Index> <Wavelength>

Description Add a wavelength to list of favorite wavelengths that the sensor is configured to work
with.
Index: Location in list of wavelengths in which to insert the wavelength selected (must
between an unused value between 1 and 6 as returned by the AW command)
Wavelength: New favorite wavelength (must be between the lower and upper
wavelength limits as returned by the AW command)
Example 919E-0.1-12-25K these following settings as returned by the AW command
“*CONTINUOUS 193 12000 4 NONE 366 532 1064 2100 10.6”

• User sent “WD 4 248”. Device returns “?WAVELENGTH ALREADY

DEFINED. USE WL COMMAND”
• User sent “WD 1 100”. Device returns “?WAVELENGTH OUT OF RANGE”
• User sent “WD 7 248”. Device returns “?INDEX NOT IN RANGE”.
• User sent “WD 1 248”. Device returns “*”.
Limitations For all sensors with a continuous spectrum
See Also AW, HC, WE, WI, and WL; Command Summary

Command: Wavelength Erase

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax WE <Index>
Description Instructs device to delete from its list of favorite wavelengths the wavelength at
location <Index>. Index must be between 1 and 6 and not the presently active index.
Example 919E-0.1-12-25K with these settings as returned by the AW command
“*CONTINUOUS 193 12000 4 248 366 532 1064 2100 10.6”

• User sent “WE 4”. Device returns “?CANNOT ERASE PRESENTLY

ACTIVE INDEX”.
• User sent “WE 5”. Device returns “*”.
Limitations For all sensors with a continuous spectrum
See Also AW, HC, WD, WI, and WL; Command Summary

Page 25 of 31
Command: Wavelength Index
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax WI <Index>
Description Set the device to work with wavelength at location <Index> in list of favorite
wavelengths.
Example 919E-0.1-12-25K with these settings as returned by the AW command
“*CONTINUOUS 193 12000 4 248 366 532 1064 NONE 10.6”

• User sent “WI 5”. Device returns “?NO WAVELENGTH DEFINED AT

SELECTED INDEX”.
• User sent “WI 1”. Device returns “*”.
Limitations None
See Also AW, HC, WD, WE, and WL; Command Summary

Command: WaveLength
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax WL <Wavelength>
Description Set wavelength at presently active index to new value. <Wavelength> must be
between the lower and upper limits of the spectrum as returned in the AW command
Example 919E-0.1-12-25K with these settings as returned by the AW command
“*CONTINUOUS 193 12000 1 248 366 532 1064 NONE 10.6”

• User sent “WL 19000”. Device returns “?WAVELENGTH OUT OF RANGE”.

• User sent “WL 11000”. Device returns “*”.
Limitations For all sensors with a continuous spectrum
See Also AW, HC, WD, WE, and WI; Command Summary

Command: Write raNge

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax WN <range-setting>
Description Configure sensor to measure in a specific range

Note: The index of the highest numeric range is 0. The index of AUTO (when
applicable) is -1
Example To force a 918D in Filter Out mode into the 3mW range enter “WN 1”. Device returns
“*”.
Limitations None
See Also AR, GU, RN, and SX; Command Summary

Page 26 of 31
Advanced Commands
Commands described in this chapter will affect the measurement performance of the sensor. They
should be used with caution.

Command: Calibration Query

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • •

General Overview
Syntax CQ <factor-index> <new-factor>
Description Query and set presently active calibration factors.

Values for <factor-index> (if not set, default is 0)

• 0: Query only.
• 1: Request to change the active overall factor.
• 2: Request to change the active laser’s factor. For sensors that don't have
per-wavelength factors, will return error code.

New-factor is a floating-point number between 0.0002 and 2.0 scaled up by 10000 (2

to 20000)
Example Examples for different sensor types are listed below
Limitations None
See Also HC; Photodiode, Pyroelectric – Continuous, Pyroelectric – Discrete, Thermopile;
Command Summary;

Photodiode Sensors
Syntax See CQ (Calibration Query – Overview)
Description Will return overall factor presently in use (depends on the Filter setting). Photodiode
sensors only have an overall factor. Therefore Factor-index should not be set to 2.
Example • User sent “CQ”. Device responded “*1.025” (correction factor of 2.5%)
• User sent “CQ 2 10000”. Device responded “?1.025” (factor not changed).
• User sends “CQ 1 22000”. Device responds “?PARAM ERROR” (new-factor
is greater than 20000).
• User sends “CQ 1 10100”. Device responds “*1.0100” (factor set to 1%).

Note. In order to adjust the calibration factors for both Filter Out and Filter In modes
the User should perform the following steps
1. FQ 1 (Set the sensor to Filter Out mode)
2. Adjust Filter Out factor with the CQ command
3. FQ 2 (Set the sensor to Filter In mode)
4. Adjust Filter In factor with the CQ command
5. HC C (to save calibration factors permanently)
Limitations None
See Also FQ and HC; Calibration Query – Overview

Page 27 of 31
Thermopile Sensors
Syntax See CQ (Calibration Query – Overview)
Description CQ returns 4 values
• User Power or Energy factor (depending on measurement mode). This factor
can be updated by “CQ 1 <value>”. It affects measurements with any laser.
• User Laser factor. This factor can be updated by “CQ 2 <value>”. It affects
measurement with the presently active laser only
• Overall Laser factor. This is the factor that the Device uses for the present
Laser in use. It is affected by the User Laser Factor and by a Newport
calibration factor for this wavelength that cannot be adjusted by the User
• Overall Sensitivity. This is a composite of the User Power factor, the Laser
factors in use, and a Newport overall sensitivity factor that cannot be adjusted
by the User. Note that changes in the Power Factor affect this field for all
Lasers. Changes in the User Laser Factor affect this field only for the present
laser in use.
Example • User sent “AW”. Device responded “*DISCRETE 1 CO2 YAG VIS”.
Presently active laser is CO2
• User sent “SI”. Device responded “*W”. Sensor is in power mode.
• User sent “CQ”. Device responded “*1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 2.5926E-8”.
These are the factors for CO2 laser in Power Mode.
• User sent “CQ 1 11000”. Device responded “*1.1000 1.0000 1.0000
2.3569E-8”. Note the change in fields 1 and 4.
• User sent “CQ 2 11000”. Device responded “*1.1000 1.1000 1.1000
2.1426E-8”. Note the change in fields 2, 3, and 4
• User sent “WI 2”. Device responded “*”. Presently active laser is now YAG.
• User sent “CQ”. Device responded “*1.1000 1.0000 1.0950 2.1524E-8”.
Fields 2, 3, and 4 were replaced by values for YAG laser
• User sent “CQ 2 9000”. Device responded “*1.1000 0.8999 0.9853 2.3919E-
8”. Note change in fields 2, 3, and 4
• User sent “WI 1”. Device responded “*”. Presently active laser is now CO2.
• User sent “CQ”. Device responded “*1.1000 1.1000 1.1000 2.1426E-8”.
Notice that the values are the same as in step 5. The laser specific changes
of step 8 have no effect on a different laser.
• User sent “FE”. Device responded “*”. Sensor is in energy mode
• User sent “CQ”. Device responded “*1.0000 1.1000 1.1000 2.1426E-8”.
Field 1 is the energy factor. It has no effect on field 4.
Limitations None
See Also AW, FE, FP, HC, and WI; Calibration Query – Overview

Pyroelectric Sensors – Continuous

Syntax See CQ (Calibration Query – Overview)
Description Will return overall factor presently in use (depends on the Pulse Width setting). These
Pyroelectric sensors only have an overall factor. Therefore Factor-index should not be
set to 2.
Example • User sends “CQ”. Device responds “*1.025” (correction factor of 2.5%)
• User sends “CQ 2 10000”. Device responds “?1.025” (factor not changed)
• User sends “CQ 1 22000”. Device responds “?PARAM ERROR” (new-factor
is greater than 20000)
• User sends “CQ 1 10100”. Device responds “*1.0100” (factor set to 1%)

Note. In order to adjust the calibration factors for all pulse widths, use CQ in
conjunction with the PL command.
Limitations None
See Also PL and HC; Calibration Query – Overview

Page 28 of 31
Pyroelectric Sensors – Discrete
Syntax See CQ (Calibration Query – Overview)
Description CQ returns 3 values
• Overall Energy Factor. This factor can be updated by “CQ 1 <value>”. It
affects measurements with any laser.
• User Laser factor. This factor can be updated by “CQ 2 <value>”. It affects
measurement with the presently active laser only
• Overall Laser factor. This is the factor that the Device uses for the present
Laser in use. It is affected by the User Laser Factor and by a Newport
calibration factor for this wavelength that cannot be adjusted by the User
Example • User sent “AW”. Device responds “* DISCRETE 2 248 1064 193”. Presently
active wavelength is 1064
• User sent “CQ”. Device responds “*1.0000 1.0000 1.2500”
• User sent “CQ 1 11000”. Device responds “*1.1000 1.0000 1.2500”. Only
first factor changed.
• User sent “CQ 2 12000”. Device responds “*1.1000 1.2000 1.5000”. Note
change in fields 2 and 3.
• User sent “WI 1”. Device responds “*”. Presently active laser is now 248
• User sent “CQ”. Device responds “*1.1000 1.0000 1.0000”. Overall Energy
factor is unchanged. Factors 2 and 3 have been replaced by values for 248
• User sent “CQ 2 9000”. Device responds “*1.1000 0.8999 0.8999”. Note
change in fields 2 and 3.
• User sent “WI 2”. Device responds “*”. Presently active laser is now 1064.
• User sent “CQ 2 12000”. Device responds “*1.1000 1.2000 1.5000”. Note
values of factors 2 and 3 are same as in step 4. The laser specific changes of
step 8 have no effect on a different laser.

Note. In order to adjust the calibration factors for all pulse widths, use CQ in
conjunction with the PL command. For sensors with an adjustable diffuser, use CQ
together with the DQ command.
Limitations None
See Also AW, DQ, HC, PL, and WI; Calibration Query – Overview

Command: Response Query

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • •

Syntax RQ <response-factor>
Description Query and set the User adjustable response time factor.

Response-factor is a floating-point number between 0.0002 and 2.0 scaled up by

10000 (2 to 20000)
Example User sent “RQ”. Device responds “*1.000”
User sends “RQ 22000”. Device responds “?PARAM ERROR” (Response-factor is
greater than 20000).
User sends “RQ 10100”. Device responds “*1.0100”
Limitations For Thermopile sensors only
See Also CQ and HC; Calibration Query – Overview; Command Summary;

Page 29 of 31
Command: Zero Abort
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax ZA
Description Aborts request to zero the device’s measurement circuitry. Device returns status of
the zeroing process.
“*ZEROING NOT STARTED”. If ZA was sent before the ZE command.
“*ZEROING ABORTED”. If ZA was sent before zeroing was completed.
“*ZEROING COMPLETED”. If ZA was sent after zeroing was completed.
Example User sent “ZE” followed by the “ZA” command. Device returned “*ZEROING
ABORTED”.
Limitations None
See Also ZE, ZQ, and ZS; Command Summary

Command: ZEro
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • •

Syntax ZE
Description Analog components occasionally “drift” thereby introducing small errors in the meter’s
measurement circuitry. This command measures that drift and subtracts it from
measurements. We suggest zeroing the device once in two months.
Example Example 1. User sent “ZE”. Device responded “*”.

Example 2. User sent “ZE” before previous zeroing request terminated. Device
responded “?ZEROING IN PROGRESS”.

Note. There are three different types of zeroings.

• High Impedance: With no sensor attached or with a Photodiode sensor
attached.
• Low Impedance: With a Thermopile sensor attached. For these sensors, the
User should first perform a Low Impedance zero, save the result, and then
perform a High Impedance zero.
• Fast Zero: With a Pyroelectric sensor attached
Limitations None
See Also ZA, ZQ, and ZS; Command Summary

Page 30 of 31
Command: Zero Query
Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax ZQ
Description User request to determine status of zeroing process. Device will return
“*ZEROING NOT STARTED”. If ZE command has not been sent.
“*ZEROING IN PROGRESS”. If ZE command was sent but the zeroing process has
not yet terminated.
“*ZEROING COMPLETED”. If the zeroing process terminated successfully.
“*ZEROING FAILED”. If the zeroing process terminated unsuccessfully.
“*ZEROING ABORTED”. If the zeroing process was terminated by the ZA command.
Example • User sent “ZQ”. Device responded “*ZEROING NOT STARTED”.
• User sent “ZE”. Device responded “*”.
• User sent “ZQ”. Device responded “*ZEROING IN PROGRESS”.
• Delay about 30 seconds.
• User sent “ZQ”. Device responded “*ZEROING COMPLETED”.
Limitations None
See Also ZA, ZE, and ZS; Command Summary

Command: Zero Save

Supported on the following meters:
843-R-USB 1919-R 841-PE-USB 844-PE-USB 845-PE-RS x938-R
• • • • • •

Syntax ZS
Description Save results of the zeroing process to the device’s memory.
Device returns
“?ZEROING ABORTED”. If ZS is issued after zero was aborted.
“?ZEROING IN PROGRESS”. If ZS is issued during zeroing process.
“?ZEROING FAILED”. If ZS is issued after zeroing process failed.
“*SAVED”. Upon success
Example • User sent “ZS”. Device responded “?ZEROING NOT STARTED”.
• User sent “ZE”. Device responded “*”.
• User sent “ZS”. Device responded “?ZEROING IN PROGRESS”.
• Delay about 30 seconds.
• User sent “ZS”. Device responded “*SAVED”.
Limitations None
See Also ZA, ZE, and ZQ; Command Summary

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