Rigol DG1000Z (and Rigol DG4000) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 01:05:37 am
content: Need some help on the spec for the DG1000Z. It says "8 MPts standard; 16 MPts optional Memory Depth" but on page 2-16 of the DG1000Z User's Guide it says "allows users to edit the arbitrary waveform which can contain 8 to 16384 (16k) data points, namely 8pts to 16kpts."Anyone have an idea about what the difference is between 16kpts as stated in the User's Guide and the 8Mpts in the overall spec? (Maybe altogether the individual built-in and user-defined arbitrary waveforms can total 8 MPts of memory consumption but an individual user-defined or edited waveform is limited to 16 kpts?)http://www.batronix.com/pdf/Rigol/UserGuide/DG1000Z_UserGuide_EN.pdfSetting aside the specs, anyone know which series (DG1000Z or DG4000) has the better user interface / ease of use (from the front panel or with the PC software) for making user defined arbitrary waveforms?Thanks

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 07:45:44 am
content: I do not have this equipment but after reading manual it looks more and more like it have normally 8k points arb memory.In the manual (oct 2013) chapter 2. Arb File:QuoteAnd in chapter:Seamless Interconnection with OscilloscopeQuote.Who ever have DG1000Z can show how it really is.It is so simply and then do not need specualte any kind of believes and religions.Until better real proofments and knowledge my suspect is that datasheet have error.1. Do one maximum points of arb waveform using example computer and Rigol softwares (what ever waveform)2. Store it to DG arb memory.3. Copy this xxx.RAF file as it is and send this xxx.RAF here on the forum.Perhaps it can also do with CSV but I do not know how DG1000Z read csv files from usb and how it scale it to fill arb memory width and lenght. (I know only how Siglent do it.)

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 10:56:37 am
content: From reading the manual it looks as if the memory is for storing lots of waveforms (i.e. 1000 waveforms) but each waveform is limited to only 8k or 16k which is a bit of a con if it is true.Having lots of waveforms in memory makes sense if you have sequencing but the Rigol DG1000Z doesn't have sequencing so the only advantage is to allow the rapid switching of waveforms without the need to download new ones.It might be worth e-mailing Rigol for clarification.Note the following from the manual:Select Wform: select DC, the built-in arbitrary waveforms, thearbitrary waveforms stored in internalor external memoryor the volatile waveform.I take from the above that the actual (volatile) waveform is 8k or 16k and the rest of the memory is non-volatile and can be used to store waveforms that can be transferred to the active volatile memory.

author: Teneyes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 02:21:36 pm
content: Quote from: Electro Fan on May 24, 2014, 01:05:37 am@Electro FanDo you now understand that the 8k/16k memory is used for OUTPUT signal generation andThe 8/16Mpts is the INPUT digital storage data memory. Two different functions!

author: cyr
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 02:56:15 pm
content: I don't understand what that is supposed to mean, but I'm pretty sure it isn't true.I have a DG1032Z. I haven't played very much with ARB generation, but I have verified that the full 8M memory is available.I created an 8M waveform in "ultrastation", consisting of a sine sweep and a tiny (single point) blip. Saved to a USB drive as a RAF file (which was 16MB in size). I then loaded that on the arb-gen and checked on the scope that the entire sweep as well as the blip was present and sized as expected.It does seem that generating waveforms directly on the device is limited to 16K, but why would you even try to make anything more complex that way? The PC software is pretty horrible, but at least it has mouse support...

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 05:27:08 pm
content: cyr, Thanks. As you say, it's unlikely anyone would want to key in a long arb from the front panel. As long as the Ultrastation PC software allows a user to make a longer arb (up to the size of the available memory) it's good.What don't you like about the PC software? On the mouse support, can you simply "draw" the waveform (for example, make pulses by drawing up and down for amplitude and across for duration)?Thanks, EF