Getting WinIQSIM software to work for ARB gens like SMIQ, AMIQ, SMATE, SMJ, SMU. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2025, 12:40:21 pm
content: It was a long wish of mine to get the arbitrary generator in my SMIQ to work. After all, it can do rather interesting things. Even if someone gave you 10,000 Euro to buy a brand new device, you’d be hard-pressed to buy anything that can do what the SMIQ can do… (there might be one or two?)It is an interesting but not easy job to get the ARB generator in an R&S SMIQ, AMIQ, AM300 (or SMATE, SMJ, SMU) to work. The WinIQSIM software to prepare/transmit the waveforms was written some 23 years ago. Running it today requires consideration at the OS level, drivers, communications interfaces, and also the computer hardware itself. Especially the GBIP part proved troublesome.After quite some experimenting, I now gut it to work. So I thought I'd share the findings in a video for those who might want to do the same thing. The second part of the video is about how to get it working, the first part shows some of the experiments I did with the working setup.VideoPS The SMATE, SMJ, SMU are supported by WinIQSIM but also later software. The others only work with the original WinIQSIM.. rudi

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2025, 03:05:12 am
content: Hey Rudi,Thanks for the video! I installed WinIQSIM 4.40 on Windows 11 64bit without any issues, and was able to run it.I might test over serial to USB cable and see how it works with my SMIQ06B.Thanks,Josh

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2025, 08:59:33 am
content: Nice! Happy to know it runs under Win11.Please do share if you are an actually getting it to work with a SMIQ! And, if possible, also report the precise USB-to-RS232 converters working reliably, its chipset and the driver used (for some popular chipsets there are various drivers using different technical implementations).I recall my biggest problem was to get modern day computers and ‘modern’ USB-to-RS232 converters working reliably with the SMIQ when sending larger waveform files rather than single commands. Seemed to be a timing issue beyond the timing and handshake options that could be user set. Using a very old and slow computer was the solution for me.GL,Rudi

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2025, 04:01:36 pm
content: I haven't used it much yet, but I assume it should be able to load waveforms. Can you share a waveform that you created that I could try loading in WinIQSIM and use that to test your transfer question?Thanks,Josh

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2025, 06:53:17 pm
content: Dear Josh,It might be best to use WinIQSIM yourself to make a waveform, that is what it is designed for ;-) That way, the waveform would be tailored to your own SIMQ06B and its specific configuration (memory) - even though the SMIQ03B I use may be identical in that respect.But if it is handy for you, I can try to find a waveform I created and send it to you. (After I get back from my current trip...)You are probably already aware that playing waveforms from the SIMQ requires the hardware option SMIQB11 (and preferably also the additional memory SMIQB12), as well as software options SMIQB60.Best, Rudi

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2025, 07:00:41 pm
content: I have hw opts B11 and B20 (and B19 which I hate - will convert it if I keep it), and all the software options.I might try and find some other hw opts including B1, B5, and a B12 or two. But I don't know yet if I will keep this. The SMIQ I got is excellent, with all frequencies and levels I tested so far perfectly in spec using a power meter (including 10MHz to 6GHz range). And I really like it...but it's HUGE. My office space is tiny. 🤷Thanks,Josh

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2025, 01:15:49 pm
content: Josh,I agree with you, the SMIQ is very nice after all. In fact, I originally wanted to upgrade my AMU200A to perform many of the functions of the SMIQ (yes, I know the AMU is a different device, but with the right options, it can also generate IQ signals, play back IQ waveforms). But I simply cannot get to like my AMU. It is a much later device, but I hate the old embedded Windows operating system and its UI, which, to me, feels much more outdated than the SMIQThe SMIQ does almost everything I like in an RF generator (and which I can reasonably expect of something of that vintage). The only real disappointment I personally felt was when I was using the sweep function, and it turned out that it resulted in nasty phase jumps at some regular rate (see myvideohere). Some of my other signal generators can do sweeps without any phase jumps.Yes, it is a big device, but then again, most RF function generators are.... Unless you get a much more recent - and expensive - model.The total memory of the SMIQ is an interesting thing. While very limited in Mbit, the manual explains that its built-in analogue filters prevent the need for oversampling and thus the memory needs are lower than other ARB units. Having that said, if you really need much higher memory and performance and have a main interest in waveplay (rather build-in generation) than the Anritsu MG3700A might be a good alternative, I made two videos of it:hereandhere.Best, Rudi

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2025, 04:42:03 pm
content: The jumps I think you're talking about are likely going to be present in any signal generator that has a dwell setting rather than a sweep time setting. It looks like in your video you had 3ms as the dwell time, which is fast. I think if the dwell time is longer, you'll see less of the jumping.On the SMIQ and SML, they have the same settings. If dwell time is too low, you can see more of the tiny pauses/drops/jumps. With longer dwell time I don't usually see that.On the SDG2122X, you can set the total sweep duration rather than dwell time, and that sweeps through smoothly.Thanks,JoshPS. I would probably love an MG3700A, but that thing is huge too.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2025, 06:28:54 pm
content: yep they are a bit big hehe

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2025, 06:47:15 pm
content: My FTDI basedUSB to serial cableworks fine so far. I was able to update the firmware with it (it didn't need that, but it's a good test).Then I was able to connect with TestController:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/program-that-can-log-from-many-multimeters/msg5955703/#msg5955703I'll be working on the TestController driver for the SMIQ so I can also make a script to test the SMIQ & V3500A together from 10MHz to 6GHz.Thanks,Josh

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 06:54:09 am
content: Dear Josh,Happy to hear you got it all running!Not sure what firmware I have on my SMIQ (and I’m now travelling). Can you perhaps tell me what the latest version is and do you perhaps know locations where it can be found (and how it is installed)?Best, Rudi

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 02:34:33 pm
content: Hi Rudi,The latest version is 5.93. The firmware and the loader are attached.I finished the definition for the SMIQ for TestController. I set it up with basic functions and some sweep and other options in the setup menu. You can download it from the TestController thread, I posted it there.I'm going to try and make a script now to synchronize a sweep test with the SMIQ and V3500A power meter.Thanks,Josh

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 02:51:16 pm
content: Thanks a lot! My unit has FW "5.93HX". Not sure what the "HX" is, but it seems to be the most recent version after all. Nice.Good luck with the automated setup!If I have (much more) time, I'd like to try it.Best, Rudi

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 02:53:57 pm
content: Yes, mine says HX also.Thanks! I'll share the script after it's done...assuming I get it all to work.

author: pdenisowski
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 08:39:11 pm
content: Quote from: RBBVNL9 on March 03, 2025, 12:40:21 pmIt might be worth mentioning that the current software is WinIQSIM2, which is fully supportedhttps://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/signal-generator-software/rs-winiqsim2-simulation-software_63493-7614.htmlAnother useful (and free) application for waveform creation, editing, etc. is ARB Toolboxhttps://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/applications/r-s-arb-toolbox-application-note_56280-15443.htmlLooking forward to your next video!

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2025, 08:57:51 pm
content: Thanks Paul!QuoteWell, that program might be fully supported, but not supportingthe SMIQ... See page 11 of the R&S WinIQSIM2 Software Manual (1008.0858.42 ─ 10), which lists the compatible models - which do not include the SMIQ. Also, when you start WinIQSIM2 and browse the available devices for linking it with, the SMIQ is simply missing... It does support my AMU200A, but I do not want to spend a lot of money on that unit to add the necessary hardware options.QuoteSame story... See page 7 of the R&S ARB Toolbox User Manual (1405755500). The SMIQ is not supported. Neither the AMU200A, btw.Talk soon,Rudi

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2025, 03:06:06 am
content: Hey Rudi,It turns out I didn't need to script anything to run the tests. TestController has a built-in parameter sweeper that works great. I posted an example here with the SMIQ06B and V3500A:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/cables-connectors-(nsmabnc)-adapters-with-measured-results-for-comparisons/msg5957865/#msg5957865Thanks,Josh