Easy scope for *nix systems - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: l1q1d
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 23, 2012, 08:54:28 am
content: Hi to all, i have a SDS1102CM but i'm really pissed off for the lack of *nix support.I'm a gentoo and mac user and i like to start to port Easy Scope to linux/Mac but i need some help.I started a new project onsourceforgeand i'm looking for:- developers- beta-testers

author: typeglob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2012, 11:57:01 am
content: The Rigol DS1102E implements USB TMC as far as I know and and the Siglent SDS1102CM looks like a rebadged Rigol with a slightly different button and menu layout.If the Siglent does indeed support USB TMC, that might make interfacing with the scope a lot easier.http://www.home.agilent.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/usbtmc.htm?&cc=NL&lc=dutEdit: if you look at page 112 of the manual (http://www.saelig.com/supplier/siglent/SDS1000_manual.pdf) it seems the Siglent scope mentions 'WaveAce Series' in the online helpBtw. what do you mean with 'port'? Do you intend to run a Windows binary with something like Wine, or do you mean reimplementing/developing software with functionality similar to EasyScope?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2012, 12:45:57 pm
content: Quote from: typeglob on May 23, 2012, 11:57:01 amAs far as I know, Rigol and Siglent are bitter rivals. Siglent re-badge and make derivatives for a lot of companies.Rigol used to, but are now mostly (or entirely) selling under their own name?Dave.

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2012, 02:45:41 pm
content: Siglent is an Atten (cover) operation.

author: gtsili
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2012, 05:38:33 pm
content: There is also this small python program that uses usbtmc under Linux to plot data captured from a Rigol DS1052E scope.http://www.cibomahto.com/2010/04/controlling-a-rigol-oscilloscope-using-linux-and-python/

author: bxs
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2012, 03:43:36 am
content: Hi, when I had the scope I also decided to put some use on a usb sniffer and use something like libusb to help me to bring it to linux/win/mac, but I came to the conclusion that I simple don't need it, I just used the soft to test it, I never felt again the need for it...But don't be like me, start it now, before you quit

author: typeglob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2012, 11:09:28 am
content: Getting some dumps of USB data while using the scope with the Windows software might be a good starting point. Analyzing the protocol used is hardly the most time-consuming part; writing stable and usable software to make use of this knowledge will cost way more time.

author: l1q1d
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 25, 2012, 07:30:06 am
content: Thank you for all replays but:- siglent/atten doesn't create a utbtmc device (probably for firmware implementation)- all calls for button are created in the same way (64 char message + id_of_call) and i already map themi'd like to write a native linux/mac app in qt using libusb.is there an libusb expert?

author: l1q1d
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 25, 2012, 09:56:33 am
content: The request is quite simple:firstCode:43 6F 6D 6D 07 00 40 00 14 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 (Comm..@.........)00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 (................)00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 (................)00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 (................)thenCode:44 53 4F 50 50 56 32 30 00 00 00 04 00 04 00 00 (DSOPPV20........)TT 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 (................)00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 (................)00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 (................)where TT is:Code:HorizontalMenuButton -> Hex(16)MeasureButton -> Hex(50)AcquireButton -> Hex(10)DisplayButton -> Hex(39)SavercalButton -> Hex(25)UtilityButton -> Hex(36)TrigMenuButton -> Hex(28)DefaultSetupButton -> Hex(30)AutoButton -> Hex(20)Setto50Button -> Hex(46)ForceButton -> Hex(15)SingleButton -> Hex(35)Ch1Button -> Hex(14)Ch2Button -> Hex(9)RefButton -> Hex(24)MathButton -> Hex(29)MenuButton1 -> Hex(38)MenuButton2 -> Hex(26)MenuButton3 -> Hex(13)MenuButton4 -> Hex(23)MenuButton5 -> Hex(43)ScopeButton -> Hex(51)MeterButton -> Hex(53)RecorderButton -> Hex(57)ForUperButton -> Hex(52)ForLeftButton -> Hex(54)ForDownButton -> Hex(58)ForRightButton -> Hex(56)Ch1VButton -> Hex(59)Ch1mvButton -> Hex(65)TimeSButton -> Hex(61)TimensButton -> Hex(62)Ch2VButton -> Hex(64)Ch2mvButton -> Hex(70)CursorsButton -> Hex(45)RunstopButton -> Hex(40)MenuoffButton -> Hex(8)HorizontalLargeSpinClickDown -> Hex(21)Ch1VerLargeSpinClickDown -> Hex(17)Ch2VerLargeSpinClickDown -> Hex(27)

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2012, 01:13:24 pm
content: I have a few questions.Have you contacted the manufacturer and asked them if there is any reason why they cant help you develop non-windows versions? There may be problems with their hardware agreements conflicting with the GPL.If that is the case, could I suggest you concentrate on just a usb-scope library. The GUI should be on another modular layer, the lib-usb-scope can be freed up to attract devs from numerous scopes. The GUI then only has to deal with the output and control which is what a hardware scope does anyhow funnily enough.I know you want a get running a QT interface with basic functionality for your scope, but if you have a nice lib with a few other brand's scopes up and running, it gives us a bit more leverage to shame the one maker who wont help by providing the technical info needed to write the driver.Haven't had much to do with libusb btw.

author: l1q1d
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 25, 2012, 01:33:05 pm
content: I contacted Siglent but i received no answer at all.I will create a protocol-lib and a gui (as i stated before) also because real problem isn't the gui but the reverse engineering of the protocol. I have already designed the protocol lib structure but it's a lot work for one developer only.

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2012, 01:37:05 pm
content: Quote from: l1q1d on May 25, 2012, 01:33:05 pmIndeed. Esp when the company is waiting for you to do all the heavy lifting and then use your code in the "now supports linux" version. Be careful.

author: l1q1d
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 25, 2012, 01:39:19 pm
content: Probably but do you think that i could release a commercial software?

author: Ed.Kloonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2012, 01:59:31 pm
content: Quote from: l1q1d on May 25, 2012, 01:39:19 pmWell, commercial is an interesting territory. You'd need to confirm that any code that you develop doesn't violate the scope's terms of use. This might mean any reverse engieneering and after the fact software that offends any clause in your user agreement if you have one.The whole point is I don't know what you are capable of. I am sure you could, if you wanted to, make a perfectly good platform agnostic interface (like they should have done). My problem is the company should have the foresight to at least help you.Going by what you've told me, the company has, IMO, a problem of being stuck in a time warp. I mean releasing a windows-only client for such a device is so nineteen nineties. With open source devices around so much now with Android everywhere and gadgets such as the Raspberry PI, it's short sighted to think that windows is the only platform in which developers would use such a scope.If it's true that your email to them was ignored without so much of even a patronising "Linux, we aren't interested" response, suggests the company is fully head in the sand. The person responsible for answering emails should not only be reprimanded but sacked. As should be the whole upper manageable for being locked brain dead into Microsoft for the immediate future.JMO.edit: typo

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2012, 08:34:19 pm
content: Quote from: Ed.Kloonk on May 25, 2012, 01:59:31 pmFirst the typical disclaimer: Of course one needs to check with a local lawyer for legal advice.In general, the the EU has this computer program copyright directive, which has buried inside such nice statements (and some not so nice ones) likeQuoteQuoteWe are not in the US here, we are allowed to reverse engineer software by studying it and even decompiling it within certain limits, for the purpose of achieving interoperability. Without going to jail.Regarding a commercial program, there is simply no market for it. Atten/Siglent provide cheap throw-away products. People who need certain communication functions know why they buy brand names instead, stick with Windows, and pay $$$ for LabView. Because they need working stuff. Although Windows and LabView are awfull.People who buy cheap oscilloscopes buy them because they are cheap and they don't want to or can't spend more. Among the few that would spend extra there are even fewer using Linux.If you want to write such a software do it for the love of it or because you badly need it. But don't expect to make any money.

author: typeglob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2012, 11:33:35 pm
content: Quote from: l1q1d on May 25, 2012, 09:56:33 amThis is all for controlling the scope from a PC via USB, right? Not sending measurement data from the scope to the PC.

author: l1q1d
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 26, 2012, 05:29:50 am
content: That is the request from the program to the scope, then there is the answer os the scope 8x512 char, i can send the logs to you.

author: l1q1d
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 17, 2012, 08:02:21 am
content: Due to the similarity between waveace and siglent/atten i found on national instrument forum the implementation of the ethernet communication. The data algorithm is quite complicated, but it's very helpful.Any labview guru?

author: l1q1d
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 02, 2012, 07:53:17 am
content: I was finally contacted by the siglent customer service. After two month while they monkeys me with vain promises of usbtmc support they stop all development on the old sds1000CM series for a new product. I suggest all siglent users to send a complain e-mail to the sales director Jelin Wei jelin.wei_at_siglent.com.