Connect Rigol DM3058 to Agilent Data logging utility - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Spikee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 01:17:00 pm
content: Back in my dorm i have a Rigol DM3058 5 1/2 digit multimeter that is awesome.But there is no decent logging software for it , the Ultra View from rigol is verry buggy and crashes a lot , Same for the Excel based logging thing rigol provides.A subscription to Labview / mathlab is to expensive for me and writing my own logging software would be a lot of work.But the DMM has the option to output/emulate the Agilent 34401a command set via GPIB/(USB/LAN/RS232 ?).Is it possible to use that option and connect it to the Agilent DMM connectivity utility ?Rigol DM3058 product page:http://www.eu.rigolna.com/products/digital-multimeters/dm3000/dm3058/Thanks!SpikeeP.S. I'm not currently at my dorm so i can't test it myself at the moment.

author: KedasProbe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2013, 01:41:55 pm
content: I would be surprised if it does work, not all command work the same, certainly the ID will be wrong.And If I was Agilent I would make sure it didn't work, since it is 'free' software IF you buy their DMM.

author: Alfons
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2016, 04:15:53 pm
content: For those who had to contend with this problem: I just did not get to run the Labview VI's right. Now Rigol said that you should change the decimal separator in the Windows Control Panel from "," to ".". Now, the driver actually work and at least I know what I must change because in the VI's. On the software side, the DM3058 a disaster, even if the device is not bad.This error is also noticeable in the UltraView software and the Exel program.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 07:07:01 pm
content: Sorry for the thread necro, but I've been messing with the DM3058 and undocumented commands and found one that might be useful to others.Rigol DM3058 and DM3068 both have an AGILENT compatible command set that can be set from the front panel or with theCMDSETcommand. Unfortunately this isn't good enough for most third party applications as they are written to query the *IDN? string to confirm the correct device is connected. The above Agilent utility is a case in point.I found an undocumented commandIDNSET <string>that can be used to spoof the *IDN? string. It converts the entire string to lower case for some reason.IDNSET RIGOLwill reset back to normal. Hmm... will it work with BenchVue? Let's spoof an Agilent 34401A withIDNSET AGILENT,34401A,0,4-1-1Load up BenchVue and the Rigol is a "Hidden or unsupported instrument" as can be seen when clicking on the oscilloscope icon bottom right.However, click Refresh and it changes into a 34401AClick on Show and then launch the DMM bench application by double clicking on your new 34401A on the bottom panel.I can change the settings like DC, AC, Resistance, etc. but for some reason the live readout is not available.I suspect this is down to an existing bug I reported to Rigol well over a year ago. Perhaps it works for DM3068 owners?But the data logger tool does appear to work at least. Sometimes there are connection errors. Again this is probably down to Rigols crummy Agilent implementation.O0

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 12:08:11 am
content: There was a new firmware for the DM3068. Maybe there is a newer firmware for the DM3058? I requested it from Rigol web portal.Newest version for the DM3068 is 01.01.00.01.10.00.00

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 12:13:36 am
content: Details

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 01:07:13 am
content: Quote from: Dwaine on July 26, 2016, 12:08:11 amCheers Dwaine,I read the notes on the firmware updates of DM3068 and scratched my head thinking "Why, I reported this shit to them way over a year ago. The problem was the DM3058, not the DM3068... DM3068 worked just fine with Agilent commands, WTF?"So yes, I asked for the latest DM3058 firmware and it is still the same not fit for purpose version as years ago. (There are plenty more problems with it than just the Agilent commands too.)So perhaps they did take notice of my bug report and then spent the past year trying to fix something that wasn't broken in the first place on the wrong model?It really should be a fix that could be done in a couple of days. I can not see why it is taking over a year.Anyway, have you tried to use your DM3068 with Agilent BenchVue and the IDNSET trick? It would be interesting to see how it compares... BenchVue is a free download from KeysightYou can use Rigol UltraSigma, NI-MAX or Agilent Connection Explorer to enter the CMDSET AGILENT and IDNSET AGILENT,34401A,0,1-2-3 commands before you launch BenchVue.

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 01:14:13 am
content: Quote from: Macbeth on July 26, 2016, 01:07:13 amYou would think that both devices would have almost the same firmware minus the different functional. I'm actually downloading the benchvue and will test it out. I'll post back with my results.I really like the Rigol DM3068. Use it a lot

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 01:25:23 am
content: Quote from: Dwaine on July 26, 2016, 01:14:13 amYou would think so, but the hardware is a lot different and despite the software and everything else looking very similar, it would appear they are written by totally different teams. I suspect the 3058 team was sacked or left years ago and nobody has a clue how it works anymore. Just looking at the firmware .LDR files will show they are completely different.

author: iDevice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 02:50:18 pm
content: Doesn't seem to work on a 3068 V1.10.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 11:15:22 pm
content: Quote from: iDevice on July 26, 2016, 02:50:18 pm'K Thnx

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2016, 02:27:36 am
content: I'm going to test too. When I was installing the software. My laptop hard drive went bad. Getting the drive replaced tomorrow.I'll test on another computer.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2016, 10:17:31 am
content: Before you install BenchVue you should check IDNSET actually works on the 3068. Does it change the *IDN? response.Interestingly though this (undocumented) command has always existed on the 3058, a command like it has only just been added to the 3068 according to the 1.10 release notes.5. Add a remote command to modify *IDN? command response datacouple that with the fixes to the READ? command at1. 2.and its pretty obvious what Rigol are intending. Hint: The READ? command is an Agilent command not a native Rigol command.

author: iDevice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2016, 02:53:27 pm
content: I guess the syntax may be different on the '68.V 1.10 release note says it has ben added but the actual command syntax is nowhere to be found...If I try the example above for the'58, the '68 doesn't respond and the *IDN? answer stays the same afterwards.Absence of response is not unusual as it it the same for the CMDSET command, but at least this one changes from RIGOL to AGILENT even though a timeout occured.BTW, I tried being either in RIGOL or AGILENT command set and both fail.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2016, 04:44:13 pm
content: Quote from: iDevice on July 27, 2016, 02:53:27 pmHmm... I'm sure you have tried but maybe put the text in single or double quotes?IDNSET "AGILENT,34401A,0,1-1-1"Also is there aSYST:ERROR?response after the IDNSET command?It may be another command altogether. I found IDNSET being used when sniffing data packets from the UltraSensor software which is specific for the 3058 - in that case it kept sending IDNSET RIGOL for some reason.Perhaps do a strings dump of the firmware?(do you have a link to the 3068 1.10 firmware and I'll have a look?)

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2016, 09:21:26 pm
content: Here is the 1.10 firmware for the DM3068http://beyondmeasure.rigoltech.com/acton/ct/1579/s-0744-1511/Bct/l-3f49/l-3f49:1cac/ct3_0/1?sid=QJ41gTN30

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2016, 12:55:24 am
content: Quick look at the DM3068 firmware with the linux strings utility and plenty of plaintext stuff that looks like help file stuff, but absolutely no command set stuff. The DM3058 firmware has it all open. I guess the 3068 has it in a compressed or even encrypted format.Also ran binwalk on the firmware and there are no file signatures with the 3068 firmware while the 3058 is packed with GIFs, JPGs, HTML stuff etc. All the commands are in plaintext.So I guess it's worthwhile asking Rigol themselves exactly what they mean by this new command that allows the *IDN? response to be changed?

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2016, 08:37:50 am
content: I'm getting the following too for the DM3068. I'll keep trying. I'll also send an e-mail to Rigol asking what the remote command is and it's syntax.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2016, 08:52:56 am
content: Why not just tell Rigol that you are trying to make it work with the Agilent Data logging utility, and ask them to setup the same environment, and fix their command set to make it work rock stable?

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2016, 09:35:31 am
content: CMDSET does not work. I used CMDS and that worked ok.I also tried IDNS to see if that would work, but it did not.

author: iDevice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2016, 05:03:59 pm
content: Strange.CMDSET is working for me, it does timeout, but it works...CMDS behaves the same, change done but timeout, as I would expect as both short and long commands are the same.IDNSet doesn't work at all, I even tried to copy the return string of my 34401A as is to no avail.I guess we have to wait for Rigol to come back on this new feature.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2016, 05:07:51 pm
content: Dwaine - those timeout errors - are you using the "Send & Read" button? You should use just the "Send" button as there is not expected to be a response to those commands. The command terminal sits there waiting until it times out. What you can do to check if a command is successful is use theSYST:ERROR?query. Certainly if the meter beeps there has been an error. Errors are queued in a buffer, so to make sure existing errors are cleared use*CLSat the start of your session.Generally with the SCPI command terminal if the command ends with a ? then use "Send & Read", otherwise just use "Send"So*CLS*IDN?[Send & Read]CMDS AGILENTSYST:ERROR?[Send & Read]IDNS AGILENT,34401A,0,1-1-1SYST:ERROR?[Send & Read]*IDN?[Send & Read]As well as theIDNSET <string>command, I found there is anIDNSET?query you can try too. It returns DEFINE: or RIGOL: and the *IDN? string on the 3058.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2016, 05:41:06 pm
content: Quote from: iDevice on July 29, 2016, 05:03:59 pmYou have a 34401A?Well its not just Rigol who have undocumented commands, I've been sniffing the data packets between BenchVue and the DM3058 because I keep getting error beeps from the meter and connection error dialogs in BenchVue. Also to see why the live view doesn't work. There is a commandABORTconstantly being sent by BenchVue which fails. This is not in the Rigol DM3058 version of the Agilent command set. It is also not documented in any 34401A manual I can find. Itdoesexist on the newer models though.Perhaps you can test if it is an actual 34401A command? Using the SCPI terminal:*CLSABORTSYST:ERROR?[Send & Read]If there is No Error then that is a command that Rigol should implement for compatibility. Maybe they have on the 3068? try the same but obviously after sendingCMDS AGILENTand see what happens.

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2016, 06:26:09 pm
content: Thanks. I'll try those commands. Question. How are you sniffing between benchvue and your 3058.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2016, 09:57:48 pm
content: Quote from: Dwaine on July 29, 2016, 06:26:09 pmAs I was all Keithley/Agilent mode and using Connection Expert I tried using the IO Monitor which I guess you have tried too. Unfortunately it didn't seem to be working. It appears to connect OK but doesn't log the interesting stuff. Probably a PEBCAKUsing National Instruments I/O Trace instead I could see the data interchanges just fine. You should have this installed already if you installed any Rigol stuff like UltraSigma, or NI VISA etc.

author: iDevice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2016, 09:16:36 am
content: QuoteYep.QuoteI just tried and no errors nor beep.QuoteOk, so I tried the "Abort" command on the '68 but first in RIGOL mode and it didn't accept it, but when I switched to AGILENT mode it did without error...So at least we know that it has been fixed on the '68.Next, I tried again the IDNS command and checked for error and in fact it seems the '68 accepts it, so now we know it is supported by the '68 with the same syntax as the '58.*IDN? still answers with the RIGOL signature though so I then tried the IDNS? command and what do you know ?, it answered with the AGILENT defined string I just sent with IDNS earlier...So, the '68 definitely understand the IDNS command and store the string ok but just fails to report it with the *IDN? query.So basically we have a 3058 that correctly honors the personality change but fails on the ABORT command and a 3068 that fails on the personality change but accept the ABORT command in AGILENT mode.Good job RIGOL...One additional info is that this setting is volatile. To be sure the personality change didn't need a reboot to be effected on the *IDN? query, I rebooted the '68 after a IDNS command and it reverted back to the standard RIGOL signature.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2016, 01:04:59 pm
content: Quote from: iDevice on July 30, 2016, 09:16:36 amI don't know what those Rigol DMM boys are smoking...What irks me is the "fix" for the Agilent mode READ? command documented in '68 1.10.This was never an issue with the 3068, but the 3058 its a total obvious failure!. I think some Chinese Whispers have somehow changed the reported fault from 3058 to 3068 and they've wasted a year scratching their heads wondering what exactly is wrong... then figured its some white spaceAnyway, more sniffing and another BenchVue command my Rigol chokes on isSYST:LFR?BenchVue itself seems to choke when theABORTcommand fails in the live meter mode and actually completely crashes.The only reason the Data Logger sort of works with the 3058 is because its using theFETCH?command and notREAD?Now the poorly implemented IDNSET seems to be a new introduction to the 3068 with 1.10 firmware. I know the 3058 has had it since 2010 because their UltraSensor software of that era sends CMDSET RIGOL and IDNSET RIGOL to the meter constantly. Unfortunately it can also send some low level undocumented data (not SCPI) as well which doesn't update the sensor data, but can lead to a bricked meter. I think I should start a whole new topic on that including how to recover via JTAG without sending it back to Rigol(and yes, I have informed them of this UltraSensor problem and confirmed the German HQ support guy managed to brick his own meter following specific instructions. But I am not holding my breath on a fix any time soon.)

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2016, 01:30:33 pm
content: Oh one other thing. The response toIDNSET?- does it force the supplied string to lower case on the 3068? It does on the 3058 and I can't work out the rationale. Perhaps there is some inherited SCPI pre-processing that forces all input to lower case for easier processing and its inherited from that.

author: iDevice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2016, 07:59:05 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on July 30, 2016, 01:30:33 pmYes it does as well.

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2016, 07:29:26 pm
content: I used the IDNS? and also got the aglient string on read. But the IDN? still reports the Rigol. Output listed below.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2016, 08:39:34 pm
content: So in summary we need the following fixes by Rigol:DM3068 FW 01.10:Fix theIDNSETcommand so that it actually works with*IDN?the same way it does with DM3058 FW 02.02* Possibly implementSYST:LFR?if it isn't already - even a spoof version soSYST:LFR 50 | 60 ispossible to set it or just default a return value of either - pick one!DM3058 FW 02.02:Implement the AgilentABORTandSYST:LFR?commands so they don't throw an error, the same way they work with DM3068 FW 01.10...and fix theREAD?command while we are at it... I refer Rigol to my earlier bug report from last year.(* not had it confirmed that SYST:LFR? works on the DM3068 or 34401A - not in official documentation for either, but BenchVue wants it for some reason?)

author: iDevice
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2016, 12:55:46 pm
content: Quote from: Macbeth on August 01, 2016, 08:39:34 pmSYST:LFR? works perfectly on the 3068 as well as on the 34401A

author: Dwaine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2016, 04:41:50 pm
content: Quote from: iDevice on August 02, 2016, 12:55:46 pmTested it here on my 3068. SYST:LFR? works fine..... Oh man, if we could only get the IDN to return the agilent string. It would be really nice to get the benchvue working with the meter. It's really nice software.

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2016, 05:43:24 pm
content: Well I guess its time for you to get onto Rigol and point them at this thread. But I wouldn't hold your breath waiting on a quick fix, not if my experience is anything to go by

author: dssence
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2020, 09:07:22 am
content: Well I just bought this DM3058E meter, and wanted to test for some data logging capability. But there's not much you can do , a couple 2 applications done be some independant guys not working easily. I tried Ultraview but it's asking me a license I hoped I could try it as a trial and it's nto working, do I need to validate my equipment serial number. So make story short we're screwed no simple way to have an on screen display in realtime on windows to see all logging by the meter?.I played around with Keysight benchvue and modifinyg signature to Agilent. Switches modes but hangs.