Oscilloscope with automation features - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: isambard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 08:07:20 pm
content: So far, I've done without an oscilloscope, but I finally decided to get one. I was looking for something that has physical controls ideally (i.e. not a USB one which REQUIRES a computer), but on the other hand, I wanted to be able to control/script the oscilloscope.For example, have a PC control a frequency generator, take measurements using the scope and then log the output and maybe sweep the frequency. Another example would be for the PC to take measurements over long periods of time (measured in hours) if the oscilloscope has no way to log over long periods internally.Is this computer control a common feature and if so, what is it called? I'm struggling to find a search term to identify a scope. I'm looking at a budget of ideally $400 or less with 2 analog inputs (ideally 4) and minimum 50MHz bandwidth. 16 channel logic analyzer would be a plus. Does something like this exist? Any scopes which I should check out?

author: isambard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 08:19:18 pm
content: Having looked at the prices of some of the keysight oscilloscopes, maybe my price range is unrealistic. I see also that there is commercial software to do automation, but I'd be willing to write my own scripts to interface to the scope if this is an option and will save some $$$.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 08:20:32 pm
content: Remote command is what you're looking for and many scopes provide for it using SCPI commands.The more convenient models have a webrowser feature with allows for both remote control via LAN of the scope with a PC mouse and with an inbuilt SCPI command page.The less convenient models require SWandconnectivity drivers to be loaded onto your PC but permit both USB and LAN connectivity and within the SW also have a SCPI command input page.Some scopes such as SDS1104X-E provide both these connectivity types.

author: isambard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 08:30:29 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on May 09, 2022, 08:20:32 pmThanks. I'd never heard the term remote command or scpi, but that will help me do the search.It seems I will also probably have to get a separate USB LA. I naively thought that since you could get USB ones for $100 or less, integrating them as an add on option would be about the same price, but it seems that it adds a $700+ premium.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 09, 2022, 08:39:15 pm
content: Quote from: isambard on May 09, 2022, 08:30:29 pmThe SCPI command set for different manufacturers can be varied mainly by an instruments capability and every manufacturer should have a downloadable programming guide.Here's one from Siglent that covers a few scope models, some with only basic scope features and others much more advanced:https://int.siglent.com/u_file/document/SDS1000%20Series&SDS2000X&SDS2000X-E_ProgrammingGuide_PG01-E02D.pdfSome of those models don't have webservers yet all can be controlled remotely in some way.

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 10, 2022, 12:28:58 am
content: Quote from: isambard on May 09, 2022, 08:07:20 pmCheck out the Rigol DS1054Z.Here's the programming manual:https://www.batronix.com/pdf/Rigol/ProgrammingGuide/DS1000DE_ProgrammingGuide_EN.pdfIt's just ASCII commands sent over a network connection.

author: isambard
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 16, 2022, 06:31:40 pm
content: Thanks all. I almost ended up with analysis paralysis, but in the end, within the price range there was just the Rigol 1054z, the Siglent 1104 E and U versions and the GW Instek 1054B. They all looked good, but I went with the Rigol as it was both the cheapest and had the earliest delivery time.