Rhode & Schwarz arbitrary function generator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: MASCH
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 18, 2021, 05:41:15 am
content: Hi everybody,I have just bought a second hand R&S AM 300 arbitrary function generator from a private seller who never used the arbitrary capabilities of this instrument.Some pictures of the actual instrument are attached.BUT......it turned out to use the arbitrary function, you need to use the R&S software named Waveform Composer. To generate the waveform files for the AM 300 you need to register the AM 300 and obtain a license code from R&S by sending them the instrument serial number along with a registration code supplied with the instrument.I thought everything is fine because I have all the required information. So I sent everything to R&S just to get the answer they don't give out licenses for this intrument anymore. Even though the software is still for download on their website.I'm quite disappointed from R&S and now it seems I am stuck with an arbitrary generator of which I can only use the basic funtions.Does anyone have an idea of how I might be able to generate arbitrary waveform files for this instrument without the R&S software?Best regards,Markus

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2021, 11:06:47 am
content: Can you run the software in demo mode or get it to communicate at all with the function generator? What you'd need to do is figure out the protocol used to control it. If you're lucky, it connects using an emulated serial port orUSBTMC. I'm sure you can see this from the Windows device manager if you have the function gen connected and the drivers installed. And if you're even more lucky, it's using an ASCII protocol likeSCPI used by other arb function gens. This would make it easy to figure things out, since the commands will be very similar to the linked manual. If not, then you'd have to do a full reverse engineering, unless you find that someone else, like theSigrok project, has already done that. Without having working software that would be tough. Maybe if you have access to the software that runs on the generator.

author: THDplusN_bad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2021, 11:40:00 am
content: Good Day,I agree that this is a bummer... This generator was sold well into the 2000s, so it is really not that old.The website indicates that the last SW release dates from 2006 (!).https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/software/am300/Have you contacted R&S in Munich directly? If not, I would give their Sales org apolitecall at +49 89 4186950 and refer to the R&S AM300-K2 „Waveform Composer“ (Bestellnummer 1147.2013.02) ...Viel Erfolg,THDplusN_bad

author: Joel_Dunsmore
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2021, 03:29:07 pm
content: Do you just need to create the waveform files? and then you can load them into the unit? Are they encrypted in some way, or can you load something like a csv file? If you can figure out the file format, we can talk about ways to get IQ files generated ( Keysight has a free program for their big ARBs, IQ tools from the great Thomas Dippon ). Besides loading into instruments it has a way to save the waveforms in csv or matlab data formats.

author: rvalente
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2021, 04:41:54 pm
content: Not the first time I see complaints about RS equipment without proper support few years after being discontinued. There are other topics about hamegs and RSs in the same spot as you.I do not agree with RS policy: no service, no support, no service manuals, they basically do not give a $%(* for customers. Hum, very German (hey Siemens, I'm talking of you!).Just sell this thing in ebay and get a DG811. Done

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2021, 09:44:37 pm
content: In general: don't buy test equipment that relies on external PC software unless you really know what you are getting yourself into. At some point the software will become obsolete either by the manufacturer or the (Windows) OS needed to run it becomes too old.

author: jjoonathan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 12:12:08 am
content: Quote from: Joel_Dunsmore on December 18, 2021, 03:29:07 pmOoh, I could really use a graphical IQ tool. I have an Anritsu SG and while I did eventually get them to fork over the software, it sucks so badly that I prefer to just use python, and python ain't great either. I'd love to hear more

author: MASCH
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 12:13:45 am
content: According to the manual, the files for AM 300 are encrypted, so a csv file wont do it here......I found a Matlab script here:https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/20762-am3-file-composer-decomposer-for-rohde-schwarz-am300-generatorI tried to run it with GNU Octave but it's not working. I also tried it with Matlab online but again no luck.....It's really sad that R&S doesn't give a sh*t and gives me a bad taste about that company......at least I will avoid their equipment in the future........

author: Alti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 03:37:39 pm
content: Quote from: MASCH on December 19, 2021, 12:13:45 amAnd this should ring a bell. Anything "encrypted" or "serialized" or "proprietary" limits consumer's choice. Why the hell would someone encrypt arb files?

author: Joel_Dunsmore
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 05:01:28 pm
content: Quote from: jjoonathan on December 19, 2021, 12:12:08 amIf you go here you can down load it. The stand alone executable doesn't require a matlab license. Once you create a signal you can visualize it (show a plot) in freq or time domain. And then you can use the "file/Save as" to save it as a csv file, or matlab file.https://www.keysight.com/us/en/lib/software-detail/computer-software/keysight-iqtools.htmlThis was originally designed to support the M8190 AWG, but you can choose almost any Keysight AWG. Once you choose one, the tool restricts things like sample rate and waveform length to the limits of the AWG you chose. Since M8190 is one of the most flexible AWGs, I usually choose it for creating generalized waveforms. you will probably have to give an email to get access.

author: jjoonathan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2021, 05:40:48 pm
content: Cool, I'll give it a swing. Thanks!