Initiate Operation

Initiates signal generation when the instrument is idle. When the function generator is in the idle state, this operation moves the function generator to the output generation state. When the function generator is already in the output generation state, this operation performs no action.

The instrument must be in the generation state after you call the Initiate operation. Also, you must be able to configure the output of the function generator regardless of whether the function generator is in the idle state or the generation state. You are only required to call the Initiate operation when you abort signal generation by calling the Abort operation.

Many function generators constantly generate an output signal and do not require you to initiate signal generation. If a function generator is always outputting the currently configured signal, this operation performs no action.

Some function generators require that you abort signal generation before configuring the instrument and initiate signal generation after configuring the instrument. The specific drivers for these types of instruments must compensate for this restriction and allow you to configure the instrument without requiring the user to call the Abort and Initiate operations. These types of instruments often display a significant performance increase if you configure the output while the instrument is not generating a signal.

You are not required to call the Initiate and Abort operations. These operations have no impact on interchangeability. Use these operations to optimize the application for instruments that exhibit increased performance when output configuration is performed while the instrument is not generating a signal.