RIGOL DS1054Z recording linear history - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: archer60x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 12:59:35 pm
content: I am pretty new to oscilloscopes so forgive my lack of knowledge.My automotive diagnostic hero Ivan on YouTube Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostic channel has convinced me that i have to have a scope. He is right. You can really see what is going on to make a call on what is bad and what is good. He uses a Pico Scope.I have a Rigol DS1054Z and i am wondering is there a way to export or use USB cable and PC software to view data in a linear time line form?See attached. You can see the 3 measurements he is doing and looking at the synchronization to make sure things are in time with each other.Thanks for any ideas or feedback!Chad

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 01:32:53 pm
content: It is possible in many ways, depending on your computer. It is even possible to access the oscilloscope from a distance, by LAN, for example if you have the desktop PC in the house and the car+oscilloscope in the garage.The picture reminds of Sigrok. Sigrok supports many instruments, including the DS1054Z. Install Sigrok and see if it can talk to your ds1054z. There are other dedicated programs, too, depending on what operating system your computer has.What OS is on your PC?What program is that in the picture, that you want to use it together with the DS1054Z?

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 01:37:34 pm
content: Sigrok works with a DS1054Zhttps://sigrok.org/wiki/Rigol_DS1000Z_series

author: archer60x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 01:45:46 pm
content: I have a windows laptop.The picture is the Pico Scope Software. I hear it is very good software, but i would assume only for the Pico products.I will download and try Sigrok! I appreciate the help!I am in IT so i can check out the ethernet side of the scope. That would be interesting to not be tied together with a USB cable.Chad

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 01:54:23 pm
content: Quote from: archer60x on November 12, 2022, 01:45:46 pmThe DS1054Z's Ethernet is easy. You just connect to IP port 5555 and send it ASCII commands.https://www.rtelecom.net/userfiles/product_files_shared/Rigol/Oscilloscopes/MSO1000Z/DS1000Z_Programming%20Guide_EN.pdf

author: Karel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 02:00:07 pm
content: There's DSRemote but it requires Linux...https://www.teuniz.net/DSRemote/

author: archer60x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 02:06:55 pm
content: I can setup a linux OS on a VM or using WSL on my windows computer.Thanks for the recommendation.Chad

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 02:18:02 pm
content: Quote from: archer60x on November 12, 2022, 02:06:55 pmBetter make a Linux VM and disable any auto-updates inside the VM, so once it's working to preserve the setup along windows updates.

author: archer60x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 02:32:16 pm
content: Pulse View that sigrok supplies for Windows setup very easy. I used Ethernet.This is probably my lack of knowledge and learning the software, but i only seem to be seeing one "frame" at a time. Not a long like 60 second recording. I wonder if there is a way to stitch these frames together into one long view?

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 06:47:55 pm
content: Let's put aside the software and the oscilloscope for a moment and establish what's the task.What kind of signals are you trying to observe?What frequency and what duration do they have?Are you trying to record the signals, or only to observe them live, on a screen?How do you want to see them, continuous rolling, or frame by frame?The oscilloscope itself can freeze the display, and/or can zoom in into a longer signal, if that is what you are trying to do. Push once the timebase knob on the oscilloscope (in the "Scale" area on the physical oscilloscope), release it then rotate to zoom in. You may need to read the oscilloscope User's Guide first, to get familiar with all the features.

author: archer60x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 08:47:44 pm
content: You are going to make me do math.An automotive example would be:If an engine is rotating at 1000 RPM That means the crank sensor is going to signal 16.6 times per second. 16Hz? i think.If it is a waste spark system on a 4 cylinder engine then the spark plug is going to fire 500 times per minute 8.3 times per second. 8hz.Can i fit this "width" of data onto one screen?You are right i need to read more.I appreciate everyone's help though.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 08:53:33 pm
content: Quote from: archer60x on November 12, 2022, 08:47:44 pmThe clue is your slowest s/div setting but you must wait for the display to fill......here lies the power of a DSO and yes, there are some maths involved, get used to it.

author: archer60x
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 09:13:31 pm
content: You guys got me thinking so i just put a head phone cable in my laptop and played a 16hz audio signal from youtube video and i got to adjust my scope to see the 16Hz.it is starting to click in my brain now...I should be able to get events on the screen, but i do wonder if say i get an anomaly where the spark plug is not firing on a consistent pattern and i am triggering on the crank sensor signal. will i be able to see the missing spark signal as it sporatically goes in and out. This might be were a "log" over 10 seconds that you can look for each crank event and each spark event to make sure there is spark on the timeline where it should be.I will keep experimenting. Thanks again!

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 09:53:23 pm
content: The oscilloscope maximum memory is 24 million samples, more than you'll ever need. In case yours is not unlocked to 24 millions sample and all the other features, there are topics here about how to unlock all the features, free and without any risk (it's a serial number you introduce to unlock features, and there are online or standalone code generators).Having such large memory, you can chose the sample rate and seconds/division such that to catch many sparks in the selected time frame. Then, put the oscilloscope on stop, then zoom and scroll to inspect each spark.Practice this this from the physical knobs and buttons at first, with the test signal internal to the oscilloscope (has a metal pin with signal on the right hand side, outside the case) then once you know how to handle the settings, you can switch to remote software if needed. It's easier to learn with the physical buttons, each software has it's own quirks, remote control tools might have their own limitation.But first, read the oscilloscope user's guide.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 12, 2022, 10:16:18 pm
content: Quote from: archer60x on November 12, 2022, 09:13:31 pmIn the electronic world things that happen in the traditional ICE are slow, really slow.Eg, even a chainsaw, 2 stroke so firing every revolution at 11k RPM has an ignition repetition rate of just 183 Hz.Still with a ordinary scope probe with reference lead clipped to the grabber to form the most basic RF loop we can successfully use a scopes frequency counter to tune that chainsaws peak revs.