My first scope! Tek 2232, how to interface with the serial port? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: magpie_lark
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 07, 2018, 07:20:05 pm
content: Hi folks! I just got my first scope, a Tektronix 2232, old CRO with DSO functions. The interface is an RS232 serial port. Does anyone have a tutorial on equipment and software for interfacing with the serial ports on old scopes?

author: elecman14
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 07, 2018, 08:23:49 pm
content: Are you trying to look at an RS232 in another system with the scope?Or are you thinking the scope has an RS232 port that you are trying to get data like waveforms out of? If this is the case I do not believe the scope has that capability.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2018, 09:35:24 pm
content: The 2232 does have a serial port, although I have no idea what function it serves.http://w140.com/tekwiki/wiki/File:Tek_2232_nj3.jpg

author: iainwhite
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 07, 2018, 10:31:01 pm
content: I did a search on "tek2232_user_manual" and found a user manual.I have extracted 4 pages that mention the RS-232 port. It looks like it is used to send waveforms to a printer or plotter.There is a mention of a manual 070-8159-01 that covers the optional RS-232 and GPIB interfaces in more detail... maybe try a search for that?

author: magpie_lark
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 06:03:39 am
content: Quote from: iainwhite on August 07, 2018, 10:31:01 pmaaahhh thank you so much! This gets me a bit closer.Man, my brain was mush when I posted this. To word my question in a manner that actually asks the question, my new-to-me Tek 2232 scope comes with option 12 - an RS232 port for connecting to a printer, plotter, or PC. I want to use that port to transfer stored waveforms to my PC to mess around with. The physical connection, I'll handle with an RS-232 <-> USB adapter. I'm mostly wondering if someone else has already done this and can offer insight into the particulars of configuration and free software to actually display and manipulate those waveforms.

author: lizard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 08:41:45 am
content: Think the 2232 might work with Wavestar (https://www.tek.com/oscilloscope/tds510a-software/wavestar-oscilloscopes). The 2009 version (V3.0.0.0) is still available and supports a wide range of legacy scopes. Even if not listed, there's a chance that it understands the RS-232 protocol used by the 2232. Good luck.

author: precaud
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 12:52:36 pm
content: You'll need a much earlier version of Wavestar for 223x support. PM me with your email address and I''ll send you one.

author: elecman14
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 01:36:16 pm
content: Quote from: elecman14 on August 07, 2018, 08:23:49 pmGuess I was wrong about the RS-232 port.Looks like it supports HP-GL so you could look at usinghttp://www.ke5fx.com/gpib/7470.htmto emulate a HP 7470 plotter.

author: precaud
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2018, 03:25:06 pm
content: No, as I wrote a couple posts back, he can download and edit waveforms using early earlier version of Wavestar. I just checked the version I have, and the 2230/32 drivers are there.