Scopemeter recommendation, please. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: kraftphysics
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 16, 2017, 02:52:30 pm
content: Hello,I'm a field service engineer, and I have a need for a digital scope meter that also has an arbitrary wave generator capability. I need to be able to record signals from one source, then inject them into the circuitry later down the chain, and view the output.I've had a Hantek DSO8102 that seemed OK, but then it developed some software problems, and Hantek has not been very helpful in repairing it. (Their comment was to contact the vendor for repair and support, despite the product being less than 1 month old at the time.)Is there any other manufacturer and model that would serve this function with having a better support experience?FYI, the problem with the Hantek is that the multimeter is pegged at OL even with no probes connected, and it refuses to go into waveform generator mode.Thank you,JustinEDIT: It doesn't need more than 150Mhz bandwidth, and the signals I'm looking at generating are in the Khz range, and are oddly shaped analog signals. Application is electron microscope service.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2017, 04:30:07 pm
content: Welcome to the forum.Are you sure it can support the generation of recorded waveforms in the sig gen mode ?Pretty unique feature if it does.Most brands support capturing a signal with a DSO and then USB stick transfer to AWG for replication in the AWG.Yeah I can see how toting around a DSO and AWG for field use wouldn't hold much appeal.Does it have to be a handheld unit ?

author: kraftphysics
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 16, 2017, 05:12:33 pm
content: I would prefer a handheld unit, but anything that will reasonably fit in a road toolbox would be fine. The Hantek model supports capture and export of a waveform in CSV format, which can be read into the waveform generator software, trimmed, edited, then put back on the scope for the purpose of replicating that data. It's not as smooth a plug and play operation as I would like, but it's definitely doable, since I do travel with a laptop.I want to avoid the units that are dependent on the laptop, though, as then it gets difficult to move the scope around the backs of the microscopes and contort myself and the device into strange positions to get to the test points I need to access...The thing to keep in mind is that this isn't bench work. It's inside and around the microscope electronics, which are about the size of a small desk.

author: Keysight DanielBogdanoff
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 16, 2017, 07:42:30 pm
content: Our InfiniiVision oscilloscopes can do the capture & playback without needing a laptop.You can check out the 2000 X-Series:http://bit.ly/2000X-SeriesThe 1000 X-Series doesn't have an arb, but the 2000 X-Series and up do.I did a quick demo on the higher-end 4000 X-Series here: (Keep in mind this was part of a live Q&A, so audio & video are a bit off):https://youtu.be/GerxUs3gfls?t=13m9s

author: kraftphysics
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 16, 2017, 09:46:36 pm
content: The DSOX2012A looks good to me, but it seems to be getting a little pricey once the software options are added on- is there a basic bundle that will get me what I need?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 12:29:52 am
content: One of the limitations might be the amplitude available from inbuilt AWG's.Typically how much do you need ?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 01:10:54 am
content: Quote from: kraftphysics on May 16, 2017, 05:12:33 pmI'm investigating if a SDS1102X+ can do this...........It's not apparent in the UI and I've asked tech support if there's a workaround to achieve what you need or if a feature that supports what you need (probably others too) can be added to this unit's functionality.It does have PC WaveGen SW but I appreciate how you want to bypass that if possible.Product page:http://siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=4688&T=2&tid=1

author: kraftphysics
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 04:23:37 am
content: I don't need much amplitude. +/- 5V or so. The idea is that it's being amplified many times over, and used as a current source to drive scan coils. The issue that the scopes have (Micro-, not oscillo-) is that there is a subtle noise that gets introduced, and I need to be able to inject the real signal into the base stage while checking it at each amplification stage. The signal being generated by the old 20 year old scopes can be a bit noisy to begin with, with transient issues, hence the need for a stable "Record, edit, and playback" of the signal.

author: kraftphysics
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 04:25:07 am
content: Quote from: tautech on May 17, 2017, 01:10:54 amThat's an interesting scope. Nice price point for a 200 MHz, too. I'll be curious to see what you find outI don't mind having to use a computer to clean up and translate the waveform, I just don't want to have to use it in the diagnostic chain continuously.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 04:51:04 am
content: Quote from: kraftphysics on May 17, 2017, 04:23:37 amThere lies our first problem, ~ 3V p-p is the max amplitude of the model I listed.It's big brother SDS2000or 2000X can do 4V but again this is something you need to be aware of with inbuilt AWG's whereas their benchtop cousins commonly can supply 20V p-p into HiZ loads.Quote from: kraftphysics on May 17, 2017, 04:25:07 amFeedback is sorry no, a PC will be required to process and upload the waveform into the inbuilt AWG.There are other ways to skin this cat, that being a more basic DSO and an entry level AWG. The waveform can be saved to USB and quickly transferred to AWG for replication.The catch with any waveform insertion into a live circuit is not damaging the output stage of the AWG.Additionally there's the problem of Gnd loops where the waveform output BNC is tied to mains GND so it that's an issue then Siglent only have SDG5000 series with isolated outputs.SuggestionsSDS1202X-ESDG810http://siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=5109&T=2&tid=1http://siglentamerica.com/pdxx.aspx?id=71&T=2&tid=16Both are listed with total cost and functionality you need in mind but have a look through the rest of the range to see if there's something that might suit you better.

author: kraftphysics
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 03:02:21 pm
content: Thanks. I ended up going with the SDG830 and the SDS1202X-E. I'll post results when they come in.Thank you for the suggestion!--Justin.