WSTRO & WSTROU WaveStar™ Software for Oscilloscopes

WSTRO & WSTROU
WaveStar Software
for Oscilloscopes
WSTRM
WaveStar Software
for Meters
User Manual
071-0220-03
Copyright © Tektronix, Inc. All rights reserved.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and
pending. Information in this publication supercedes that in all previously
published material. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 1000, Wilsonville, OR 97070–1000
TEKTRONIX, TEK, TX-DMM, and WaveStar are registered trademarks of
Tektronix, Inc.
Microsoft, DriveSpace, MS, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT, and the
Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Table of Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contacting Tektronix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
v
vii
Getting Started
Product Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1–1
System Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1–3
Supported Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1–4
Installation and Uninstallation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing WaveStar Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Uninstallation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1–5
1–5
1–9
1–10
Instrument Manager Service (IMS)
Instrument Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Main Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Instrument List (Main Screen) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add Instrument: RS-232 Connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add Instrument: GPIB connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add Instrument: AD007 GPIB-LAN Adapter Connected . . . . .
Add Instrument: Infrared (IR) to RS-232 Connected . . . . . . . .
Remove an Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Switching an Instrument Online or Offline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shutting Down Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Display and Print the IMS Activity Log . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Set Instrument Permissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WaveStar Software User Manual
2–1
2–1
2–2
2–4
2–4
2–5
2–8
2–10
2–10
2–11
2–12
2–12
2–13
2–14
i
Table of Contents
Operating Basics
Operating Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Main Screen Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The WaveStar Menu Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The WaveStar ToolBar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
The Explorer View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3–1
3–1
3–4
3–9
3–11
Data Sheet Overview
Data Sheet Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data Sheet Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Common Sheet Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Data Sheets and Compatible Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Datalog Measurements Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Datalog Tabular Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Notes Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Scalar-Viewer Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
StripChart Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waveform Measurement Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waveform Tabular Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
XY Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
YT Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4–1
4–1
4–1
4–5
4–6
4–9
4–11
4–14
4–15
4–18
4–20
4–22
4–25
Procedures
Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Display Waveforms in the YT Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Display Two Waveforms in the XY Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dynamically Position Waveforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Zoom the YT, XY, or StripChart Data Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change the YT or XY Waveform Display (Properties) . . . . . . .
Measure Waveforms using the Waveform Measurement
Data Sheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Measure StripChart Plots using Cursors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Set Up Instrument (Data Source) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Copy the Instrument Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Copy the Screen Image to a PC Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restore a Waveform to an Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Install/Uninstall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connect to Instrument (GPIB & RS-232) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ii
5–1
5–1
5–2
5–3
5–3
5–4
5–6
5–7
5–8
5–8
5–9
5–9
5–10
5–10
WaveStar Software User Manual
Table of Contents
Saving and Restoring Data Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving and Restoring Workbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Converting WSTR31 Notebook (*.nbk) Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Saving and Printing Repetitive Snapshots of Data
(“Babysitting” or Untended Monitoring Mode) . . . . . . . . .
Viewing Long Record Lengths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exporting Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5–11
5–13
5–14
5–15
5–16
5–16
WSTRM WaveStar for Meters and Virtual
Instrument Software
WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and
Virtual Instrument Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Functional Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Virtual Instrument Software Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
DMM Instrument Image . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Menu Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Toolbar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Status Bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6–1
6–1
6–2
6–3
6–7
6–8
6–8
6–10
6–13
6–14
User Proxy Table Utility
User Proxy Table Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proxy File Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Initialization Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Main Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Initialization Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Registry Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
WaveStar Software User Manual
7–1
7–1
7–1
7–2
7–3
7–8
7–9
iii
Table of Contents
RS-232
RS-232 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Setting RS-232 Default Values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RS-232 General Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RS-232 Cable Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
RS-232 Cable Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8–1
8–1
8–4
8–5
8–6
GPIB Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9–1
GPIB
Index
iv
WaveStar Software User Manual
Preface
This manual supports the following Windowst 95, 98, and NT 4.0
versions of WaveStart software products:
H WSTRO WaveStar Software for Oscilloscopes
H WSTROU Upgrade to WaveStar Software for Oscilloscopes from
WSTR31 (WaveStar for Windows 3.1 software)
H WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument
Software
This manual is organized to cover all common information about
WSTRO, WSTROU, and WSTRM, but also includes specific
information for each product where applicable. The primary
differences between WSTRO and WSTRM are the instruments and
application sheets each supports, and the addition of the Virtual
Instrument software with WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters.
This manual describes system requirements, installation, operating
basics, data sheet overview and procedures, RS-232 and GPIB
reference information, the WaveStar Instrument Manager Service,
and the WaveStar User Table Proxy application. Refer to the online
help for further information on the topics in this manual and for
information on the user interface and advanced procedures.
WaveStar Software User Manual
v
Preface
The following table lists all of the documents included with your
purchase and the purpose of each document.
Documentation Set
vi
Document
Purpose and description
User Manual
Instructional manual that details the application,
procedures, contacting Tektronix, and many other
aspects of the product. Use this manual together
with the online help.
Software License
Agreement Envelope
Envelope that contains the CD-ROM and software
key. The Tektronix Software License Agreement is
printed on this envelope. Breaking the envelope seal
means that you agree with the terms outlined in the
agreement.
Software Key
Contains a 14-character software installation key
that you are required to enter when you install this
software. You will be asked to enter this key each
time you install this software. You will not be able to
install the software without it. Do not lose this
document.
CD-ROM Jewel Case
Insert
Contains product overview and installation
information for each product on the CD-ROM.
Business Reply Card
Complete and return the business reply card to
register your product.
WaveStar Software User Manual
Preface
Contacting Tektronix
Product
Support
For application-oriented questions about a Tektronix
measurement product, call toll free in North
America:
1-800-TEK-WIDE (1-800-835-9433 ext. 2400)
6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific time
Or contact us by e-mail:
[email protected]
For product support outside of North America,
contact your local Tektronix distributor or sales
office.
Service
Support
Contact your local Tektronix distributor or sales
office. Or visit our web site for a listing of
worldwide service locations and product support.
www.tektronix.com
For other
information
In North America:
1-800-TEK-WIDE (1-800-835-9433)
An operator will direct your call.
To write us
Tektronix, Inc.
P.O. Box 1000
Wilsonville, OR 97070-1000
WaveStar Software User Manual
vii
Preface
viii
WaveStar Software User Manual
Getting Started
Product Description
WaveStar Software introduces a family of Windows 95, 98, and
NT 4.0 applications that bring information from either Tektronix
TDS/THS, CSA803, and 11800 oscilloscopes or TX-DMM digital
multimeters to your PC desktop.
Capture
The WaveStar software provides the following features for setting up
and capturing data:
Setup communication to instruments through the WaveStar
Connection Wizard.
Use the WaveStar Explorer view to display connected instruments and capture measurement waveforms and data easily
without the need for programming.
Drag and drop instrument data into an active data sheet.
Analyze
The WaveStar software provides the following features for data
analysis:
Analyze, annotate, and record information in a variety of data
sheets.
Capture and graphically view multiple waveforms on a graticule
with the same scale and position as on the oscilloscope.
Take measurements easily using cursors, gates, and zoom.
WaveStar Software User Manual
1–1
Product Description
Control
The WaveStar software provides the following control features:
Step away from your desk and have WaveStar automatically
capture data changes.
Establish instrument links to automatically update new
measurements.
Control waveform information locally or over the network.
Document
The WaveStar software provides the following documentation and
print features:
Archive information in Microsoft Office or other Microsoft
Windows applications.
Print banner function allows printing of long record length
waveforms.
1–2
WaveStar Software User Manual
System Requirements
To install and run WaveStar software, you must have an IBM-compatible PC with the following installed:
Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0
16 MB RAM or greater recommended
CD-ROM drive, 4X or better
Super VGA monitor or better
20 MB of disk space
Available RS-232 COM port
If you are using WaveStar Software for Oscilloscopes with GPIB
communications, you will also need a National Instruments
IEEE-488.2 GPIB Interface Card, GPIB driver software (usually
included with the GPIB interface card), and a GPIB cable.
If you are using WaveStar Software for Meters, you will need an
infrared (IR)-to-RS-232 cable (included with the purchase of
WSTRM).
When using the Tektronix AD007 GPIB-LAN Adapter, you can
connect directly to the 10Base-T LAN (local area network)
connector with a RJ-45 UTP cable (provided with your AD007
GPIB-LAN Adapter). For a complete list of the system requirements
for the AD007 Adapter, refer to your AD007 GPIB-LAN Adapter
User Manual.
WaveStar Software User Manual
1–3
Supported Instruments
The following table lists all instruments that WaveStar software
currently supports.
Table 1–1: Supported Tektronix instruments
Series
Products
Oscilloscopes (WaveStar for Oscilloscopes)
TDS 200
TDS 210, TDS 220, TDS 224
TDS 300
TDS 310, TDS 320, TDS 340, TDS 340A, TDS 350, TDS 360, TDS 380
TDS 3000
TDS 3012, TDS 3014, TDS 3032, TDS 3034, TDS 3052, TDS 3054
TDS 400
TDS 410, TDS 410A, TDS 420, TDS 420A, TDS 430A, TDS 460,
TDS 460A
TDS 500
TDS 510A, TDS 520, TDS 520A, TDS 520B, TDS 520C, TDS 520D,
TDS 524, TDS 524A, TDS 540, TDS 540A, TDS 540B, TDS 540C,
TDS 540D, TDS 544, TDS 544A, TDS 580D
TDS 600
TDS 620, TDS 620A, TDS 620B, TDS 640, TDS 640A, TDS 644,
TDS 644A, TDS 644B, TDS 654C, TDS 680B, TDS 680C, TDS 684,
TDS 684A, TDS 684B, TDS 684C, TDS 694C
TDS 700
TDS 724A, TDS 724C, TDS 724D, TDS 744, TDS 744A, TDS 754A,
TDS 754C, TDS 754D, TDS 782A, TDS 784, TDS 784A, TDS 784C,
TDS 784D, TDS 794D
TDS 800
TDS 820
THS 700
THS 710, THS 710A, THS 720, THS 720A, THS 720P, THS 730A
CSA800
CSA803, CSA803A, CSA803C
11800
11801, 11801A, 11801B, 11801C, 11802
Digital Multimeters (WaveStar for Meters)
TX-DMM
1–4
TX1, TX3
WaveStar Software User Manual
Installation and Uninstallation
This section describes how to install all WaveStar software products.
Installing WaveStar Software
NOTE. To install the WSTRO or WSTRM software, you must have the
14-character code found in the Software Key document enclosed with
the CD-ROM in the Software License Agreement envelope.
If you are installing the WSTROU (WaveStar Software Upgrade from
WSTR31 (WaveStar for Windows 3.1), you must have the serial
number from your WSTR31 WaveStar Software. The serial number is
on the WSTR31 floppy disks and on the label on the WSTR31
Software License Agreement Envelope.
Follow the steps below to install WaveStar software.
1. Insert the CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive. Typically, the
CD-ROM drive will run automatically. If it does not, run the
Install.exe file located in the CD’s root directory.
2. When the main installation screen appears, five sections are
displayed that let you access product information, installation
procedures, and support references.
To install WaveStar for Oscilloscopes, click WaveStar for
Oscilloscopes. The installer highlights the WaveStar for
Oscilloscopes section and displays a menu bar at the top of
the installer screen.
To install WaveStar for Meters, click WaveStar for Meters.
The installer highlights the WaveStar for Meters section and
displays a menu bar at the top of the installer screen.
WaveStar Software User Manual
1–5
Installation and Uninstallation
3. Click Install in the menu bar. The installer then displays choices
on the left part of the screen:
Click WaveStar Software for Oscilloscopes to install
WaveStar for Oscilloscopes or the 30-day demo.
Click Upgrade from WSTR31 (WaveStar for Windows 3.1)
to upgrade from WSTR31 to WSTRO.
Click WaveStar Software for Meters to install WaveStar for
Meters.
4. The installation wizard appears next. The instructions in the
wizard will guide you through the process of installing the
following WaveStar software components:
Microsoft DCOM (only installed if not present)
Microsoft winsock2 (only installed if needed)
TekVisa
WaveStar for Oscilloscopes or Meters
DCOM
NOTE. The installation program will only install DCOM if it is not
already installed on your PC.
1. The installation wizard will tell you that Microsoft DCOM for
Windows must be installed on your machine. DCOM is a
Microsoft software application that WaveStar software requires to
interact with Microsoft applications. Click Next.
2. Read the Microsoft DCOM for Windows License Agreement. If
you accept all of the terms in the license agreement, click Yes. If
you do not accept the terms of the agreement, click No to end the
setup process. If you do not install DCOM, WaveStar may not be
able to interact with Microsoft Office programs such as Word and
Excel.
1–6
WaveStar Software User Manual
Installation and Uninstallation
TekVisa
You will be prompted to install TekVisa software, which includes the
Tektronix version of Visa32.dll. Visa32.dll is a component that
WaveStar needs to communicate with your instruments.
The WaveStar installer detects if you have another version of
Visa32.dll already installed on your PC. You can choose to use the
existing version, or you can replace that version with the provided
TekVisa. If you are using Visa32.dll with other programs, refer to
VISA on page 1–10 for information on TekVisa.
If you already loaded the TekVisa software as part of the AD007
installation, you do not need to install the TekVisa software during
the WaveStar installation.
Do these steps to install TekVisa software:
1. The Tektronix VISA installer starts. Click Next when you have
read the preliminary information.
2. In the Choose TekVisa Destination Location dialog, select the
location of the TekVisa software:
Click Next to accept the default location (recommended).
Enter the directory location where you want Tektronix VISA
installed and then click Next
3. In the Choose VXI Plug & Play Destination Location dialog,
select the location of the VXI software:
Click Next to accept the default location (recommended).
Enter the directory location where you want TekVisa VXI
Plug and Play components installed and then click Next.
4. In the Setup Type dialog, select the type of installation you would
like to perform and then click Next.
Custom Setup Type. Allows you to choose which components to
install.
Full Setup Type. Installs all required VISA files (recommended).
WaveStar Software User Manual
1–7
Installation and Uninstallation
5. The Start Copying Files dialog displays the directory location of
where VISA and VXI Plug and Play files will be installed.
If this information is correct, click Next.
If you want to change this information, use the Back button.
6. When the installation is complete, the Setup Complete dialog
appears. Click Finish to dismiss this dialog and proceed to install
the WaveStar software.
WaveStar for Oscilloscopes/WaveStar for Meters
1. The Welcome to WaveStar dialog appears. Read the information
in the dialog, and click Next.
2. Read the WaveStar Software License Agreement. If you accept
all of the terms in the license agreement, click Yes.
If you do not accept the terms of the agreement, click No to end
the setup process.
3. If installing WaveStar for Oscilloscopes, the installation program
next displays the installation type dialog box:
Select WaveStar Software for Oscilloscopes if you have
purchased WaveStar.
Select WaveStar Software DEMO to load and run WaveStar
for a 30-day trial period. If you are loading the demo
software, please skip to step 6.
4. Click Next. The User Information dialog appears next. Enter
your name, company, and the software key code. The 14-character software key code which is found with the CD-ROM software
license agreement.
5. Click Next. If you are installing WSTROU, the installer requires
you to enter the serial number of your WSTR31. The serial
number is on the WSTR31 floppy disks and on the label on the
WSTR31 Software License Agreement Envelope.
1–8
WaveStar Software User Manual
Installation and Uninstallation
6. Click Next. The Registration Confirmation dialog appears,
asking you to confirm the registration information.
If the information is correct, click Yes.
If you need to change any information, click Back and
re-enter the information.
7. The Choose Destination Location dialog appears, asking you to
select a directory location for the WaveStar software files.
Click Next to accept the default location (recommended).
Enter a location other than the default, and then click Next.
8. After all the files have been installed, the Restart Windows dialog
appears. Click OK. It is recommended that you restart Windows
to allow the proper operation of WaveStar Software for
Oscilloscopes.
Uninstallation
To uninstall WaveStar for Oscilloscopes, WaveStar for Meters, or the
TekVisa software, either double click the Uninstall icon in the
applicable WaveStar program group window or use the Add/Remove
feature in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel. Both uninstall
methods activate the Uninstall wizard, which takes you through the
uninstall process for the selected software.
WaveStar Software User Manual
1–9
Installation and Uninstallation
VISA
TekVisa is the Tektronix version of VISA software. Typically, only
one version of VISA runs on your computer at a time, so you must
choose between TekVisa and a VISA from another company. If you
choose to overwrite the existing Visa32.dll file, the installer deletes
any other Visa32.dll file in the System directory of Windows and
replaces it with TekVisa’s Visa32.dll file.
To use two different Visa32.dll files, simply rename the Visa32.dll
file you want to replace, and copy the Visa32.dll file you want to use
to the same location. For example, you have two VISA files (one
from National Instruments, one is TekVisa), and the current VISA
file is the National Instruments (NI). To replace the NI VISA file,
rename it Visa32_ni.dll, and copy the TekVisa Visa32.dll file into the
Window’s System directory. A copy of TekVisa’s Visa32.dll is
located in the directory where TekVisa was stored)
Note the following information when choosing between TekVisa and
another company’s VISA:
The Tektronix AD007 GPIB-LAN Adapter requires VXI-11
interface components, which are loaded as part of the AD007
TekVisa installation process. Therefore, if you are using an
AD007 GPIB-LAN Adapter, you must either install the TekVisa
components from the AD007 installation process, or do a custom
WSTRO install and select all available components to install.
The WaveStar software may work with a VISA from another
company, provided that companies VISA software supports the
interface types with which you are working. If you choose to use
a VISA from another company and find it doesn’t work with the
WaveStar software, you can install TekVisa later using the
WaveStar installer.
TekVisa does not support VXI Mainframe communication.
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WaveStar Software User Manual
Instrument Manager Service (IMS)
Instrument Manager
The Instrument Manager application connects your PC to an
instrument. Any connections you make will be saved when you exit
the Instrument Manager.
Main Screen
The illustration below shows the Instrument Manager main screen.
WaveStar Software User Manual
2–1
Instrument Manager
Menu Bar
The menu bar contains five menus, each with submenu commands to
control the application.
Control
Refresh Lists
Refreshes the instrument list and updates the
connection status of all instruments.
Auto Shutdown
Configures the application to automatically shut
down the Instrument Server.
Connect Service
Configures the connection to the Instrument
Server.
Shutdown Service
Shuts down the Instrument Server.
Exit User Interface
Exits the Instrument Manager.
Add Instrument
Adds an instrument to the Instrument Manager list.
Instrument
Properties
Displays the connection properties of the selected
instrument.
Delete Instrument
Deletes the selected instrument from the
connection list.
Switch Instrument
Toggles the selected instrument connection
between online and offline. You select the
instrument in the IMS main window.
Edit
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WaveStar Software User Manual
Instrument Manager
View
Toolbar
Turns the toolbar on and off.
Status Bar
Turns the status bar on and off.
Activity Log
Turns the activity log display on and off. The
activity log lists the date, time, and results of
communication between the PC and the
instrument.
Print
Activity Log
Prints the activity log.
Contents and Index
Displays the table of contents and index for the
online help.
What’s This
Displays What’s This help on toolbar buttons and
menu items. Select this menu item, and then click
the button or menu item for which you want help.
InstMgr Overview
Displays the IMS Window Overview online help
topic.
Technical Support
Shows information about contacting Tektronix for
technical help.
About InstMgr
Shows the version information for the Instrument
Manager.
Help
WaveStar Software User Manual
2–3
Instrument Manager
Toolbar
The Instrument Manager toolbar contains buttons that operate as
shortcuts to certain menu commands. Shown below is each button
with a description of what the button controls.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1 Connect to a new instrument
2 View the instrument properties of the instrument selected
from the list.
3 Delete the connection to the instrument selected from the list.
4 Toggles the selected instrument connection between online and
offline. You select the instrument in the IMS main window.
5 Display the Instrument Manager activity log. The activity log lists
communications, including communication errors, between your
PC and your instrument.
6 Print the Instrument Manager activity log.
7 Access the online help.
8 Display What’s This help on toolbar buttons and menu items.
Click this button, and then click the button or menu item for
which you want help.
Instrument List (Main Screen)
The main screen of the Instrument Manager (see page 2–1) shows
all the instruments available for connection and the following
information (from left to right):
The alias you have assigned each instrument (if available)
The connection type (RS-232, ASRL, or GPIB ports)
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WaveStar Software User Manual
Instrument Manager
The permissions set for each connection
Software status (running, not running) and hardware status
(responding, not responding)
Add Instrument: RS-232 Connected
Once you have connected the new instrument to the PC using the
appropriate RS-232 cable, follow the steps below to use the
Instrument Manager Service (IMS) to set up communications
between the instrument and the PC.
1. Power on the instrument.
2. Open the IMS application and click the Add toolbar button or
select Edit | Add Instrument…
3. When Step 1 of the Instrument Connect wizard appears, select
your instrument from the list, and click Next.
4. Step 2 lists all available RS-232 connections between the PC and
your instrument. Note that ASRL is the same as an RS-232 COM
port. Select the desired connection, and click Next.
NOTE. If there are no listings, there are no RS-232 connections
available. You should recheck your instrument-to-PC communication
cable and make sure the instrument power is on. You should also
make sure no other applications are using the RS-232 connection.
Finally, refer to section RS-232, which starts on page 8–1, for more
RS-232 information.
5. Step 3 lets you enter an alias for your instrument. This will be the
name that appears in the IMS Alias list and in the WaveStar
Software instrument explorer view. If you do not enter a name,
the product family name is used by default. Enter an alias or
leave the field blank, and click Next.
6. In Step 4, click Configure to change your connection settings. If
you click Configure, a dialog appears showing the following
settings (click Next to use the current RS-232 settings):
WaveStar Software User Manual
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Instrument Manager
Baud. The Baud rate is the speed of communication between
your PC and instrument. The baud rate selected here must match
the baud rate of the instrument to which you are connecting.
NOTE. You can connect TDS 3000 oscilloscopes at a maximum baud
rate of 38,400; all other instruments are limited to a maximum baud
rate of 9,600.
Stop bits. Stop bits are the number of bits sent with each
character to identify the end of data for that character.
Data bits. Data bits are the number of bits sent for each
character.
Flow control. Flow control is the type of handshaking used to
guarantee accurate transmission of data from one device to
another. This handshaking prevents buffers from overflowing in
the receiving device.
Parity. Parity is the data bit added to each character to validate
its correct transmission.
Terminator. Terminator is the character added to the end of each
command or query to indicate the end of the command or query.
Timeout. Timeout is the length of time the application will try to
communicate with the instrument before aborting the communication. The default setting is None, which each instrument
interprets differently.
Restore Factory Settings. Uses the RS-232 settings originally
shipped with the selected instrument.
Restore Default Settings. Uses the predefined default settings
for the selected instrument.
When you are finished configuring the settings, click Test New
Settings. If the settings are accepted, a dialog appears telling you
that the device proxy is running and the attached hardware is
responding. Click OK.
7. The Step 4 dialog appears again. Click Next.
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WaveStar Software User Manual
Instrument Manager
8. In Step 5, click Test to test your connection. If the connection is
established, the following message appears:
“Device proxy (<Instrument Name>) is running and the
attached hardware is responding.”
If the connection is not established the following message
appears:
“Device proxy (<Instrument Name>) is running but the
attached hardware is not responding. Response string is: ().”
If you get the above message, check the following items:
The cable connection between your instrument and PC
You are connected to an available COM port on the PC
The instrument power is on, and that you are using the correct
cable. Refer to System Requirements on page 1–3 for a list of
system and equipment requirements.
Use the Back button to check your settings and reconfigure the
connection.
NOTE. If there are no listings, there are no RS-232 connections
available. You should recheck your instrument-to-PC communication
cable and make sure the instrument power is on. You should also
make sure no other applications are using the RS-232 connection.
Finally, refer to section RS-232, which starts on page 8–1, for more
RS-232 information.
When you establish a good connection, click Next.
9. Click Finish in Step 6 to add this instrument and connection to
the IMS list.
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Instrument Manager
Add Instrument: GPIB connected
Once you have connected the new instrument to the PC using the
appropriate GPIB cable, follow the steps below to use the Instrument
Manager Service (IMS) to set up communications between the
instrument and the PC.
1. Power on the instrument.
2. Check the GPIB address of your instrument; each instrument
connected to the GPIB bus must be set to a unique address. Refer
to the user manual for your instrument for information about how
to check and set that instrument’s GPIB address.
3. Open the IMS application, and click the Add toolbar button or
select Edit | Add Instrument…
4. When Step 1 of the Instrument Connect wizard appears, select
your instrument from the list, and click Next.
5. Step 2 lists all available GPIB connections between your PC and
your instrument. Select the desired connection, and click Next.
NOTE. If there are no listings, there are no GPIB connections
available. You should recheck your instrument-to-PC communication
cable and make sure the instrument power is on. You should also
make sure no other applications are using the GPIB connection.
Refer to page 9–1 for more GPIB troubleshooting help.
6. Step 3 allows you to enter an alias for your instrument. This will
be the name that appears in the IMS Alias list and in the
WaveStar Software instrument explorer view. If you do not enter
a name, the product family name is used by default. Enter an
alias or leave the field blank, and click Next.
7. In Step 4, click Configure to reconfigure your connection settings
or Next to use the current GPIB settings. If you click Configure,
a dialog appears showing the following settings:
Terminator. Terminator is the character added to the end of each
command or query to indicate the end of the command or query.
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Instrument Manager
Timeout. Timeout is the length of time the application will try to
communicate with the instrument before aborting the communication. The default setting is None, which each instrument
interprets differently.
Restore Factory Settings. Restores the GPIB settings originally
shipped with the selected instrument.
Restore Default Settings. Restores the predefined default
settings for the selected instrument.
If you want to make your new selections the default settings for
GPIB connections, click the Update GPIB settings button.
When you are finished configuring the settings, click Test New
Settings. If the settings are accepted, a dialog appears telling you
that the device proxy is running and the attached hardware is
responding. Click OK.
8. The Step 4 dialog appears again. Click Next.
9. In Step 5, click Test to test your connection. If the connection is
established, the following message appears:
“Device proxy (<Instrument Name>) is running and the
attached hardware is responding.”
If the connection is not established, the following message
appears:
“Device proxy (<Instrument Name>) is running but the
attached hardware is not responding. Response string is: ().”
If you get the above message, check the cable connection
between your instrument and PC, make sure that the instrument
power is on, and make sure that you are using the correct cable
and interface card. Refer to System Requirements on page 1–3 for
a list of system and equipment requirements. Use the Back button
to check your settings and reconfigure the connection. When you
establish a good connection, click Next.
10. Click Finish in Step 6 to add this instrument and connection to
the IMS list.
WaveStar Software User Manual
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Instrument Manager
Add Instrument: AD007 GPIB-LAN Adapter Connected
Refer to your AD007 GPIB-LAN Adapter User Manual, and
configure the AD007 Adapter for your network installation. Once
you have connected the new instrument to the AD007 Adapter and to
your 10Base-T LAN using the appropriate RJ-45 UTP cable, follow
the steps in Add Instrument: GPIB Connected on page 2–8 to use
the Instrument Manager Service (IMS) to set up communications
between the instrument and the PC.
Add Instrument: Infrared (IR) to RS-232 Connected
Once you have connected the new instrument to the PC using the
appropriate cable (see WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and
Virtual Instrument Software on page 6–1), follow the steps below to
use the Instrument Manager Service (IMS) to set up communications
between the instrument and the PC.
1. Power on your instrument.
2. Open the IMS application and click the Add button in the toolbar
or select Edit | Add Instrument…
3. When Step 1 of the Instrument Connect wizard appears, select
your instrument from the list and click Next.
4. Step 2 lists all the available RS-232 connections between your
PC and your instrument. Select the desired connection, and click
Next.
NOTE. If there are no listings, there are no RS-232 connections
available. You should recheck your instrument-to-PC communication
cable and make sure the instrument power is on. You should also
make sure no other applications are using the RS-232 connection.
5. Step 3 allows you to enter an alias for your instrument. This will
be the name that appears in the IMS Alias list and in the
WaveStar Software instrument explorer view. If you do not enter
a name, the product family name is used by default. Enter an
alias or leave the field blank, and click Next.
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Instrument Manager
6. In Step 4, click Next. The RS-232 communication settings are
fixed for the TX-DMMs; changing the communication settings
will not affect the settings used.
7. In Step 5, click Test to test your connection. If the connection is
established, the following message appears:
“Device proxy (<Instrument Name>) is running and the
attached hardware is responding.”
If the connection is not established the following message
appears:
“Device proxy (<Instrument Name>) is running but the
attached hardware is not responding. Response string is: ().”
If you get the above message, check the cable connection
between your instrument and PC, make sure the instrument
power is on, and make sure you are using the correct IR to
RS-232 cable. Refer to System Requirements on page 1–3 for a
list of system and equipment requirements. Use the Back button
to check your settings and reconfigure the connection. When you
establish a good connection, click Next.
8. Click Finish in Step 6 to add this instrument and connection to
the IMS list.
Remove an Instrument
Follow the steps below to remove an instrument from the IMS
application:
1. Open the IMS application.
2. In the Alias list, select the instrument you wish to remove.
3. Click the delete button in the tool bar or select Edit | Delete
Instrument.
WaveStar Software User Manual
2–11
Instrument Manager
Switching an Instrument Online or Offline
You can have more than one instrument listed in the IMS with the
same connection (see the Main Screen illustration on page 2–1).
However, only one of these instruments can be online at any given
time.
To switch an instrument online or offline, follow these steps:
1. Select the instrument you want to switch online or offline in the
IMS main screen.
2. Select Switch Instrument from the Edit menu in the IMS
application. One of the following dialogs will appear:
If the connection is currently in use with another instrument,
a dialog will appear asking you to verify that you want to
switch that instrument offline before switching the selected
instrument online.
If the connection for the selected instrument is not in use, a
dialog will appear asking you to verify that you want to
switch the selected instrument online.
NOTE. You can also use the toolbar to switch an instrument online or
offline. Refer to item 4 in the toolbar shown on page 2–4.
Shutting Down Service
The Instrument Server continues to occupy a COM port, even when
the IMS application is closed. To release the COM port, select
Shutdown Service from the Control menu before you close the IMS
application. Select Auto Shutdown from the Control menu to shut
down both the Instrument Server and the IMS application when you
exit the application.
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WaveStar Software User Manual
Instrument Manager
Display and Print the IMS Activity Log
The IMS Activity Log shows the time, date, and description of all
communications between WaveStar Software and the instrument.
Display the Activity Log
Follow the steps below to display the IMS activity log:
1. Open the IMS application.
2. Click the View Log button in the IMS toolbar. When the activity
log appears, you can select the following elements:
Local service activity. Logs communication between the
instrument and WaveStar Software.
Internal program logic. Logs WaveStar Software operations.
Refresh button. Updates the activity log.
3. Click OK to dismiss the activity log.
Print the Activity Log
1. From the activity log, click Print; use the print dialog to print the
log.
2. From the IMS window, click Print in the toolbar or select Print |
Activity Log.
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2–13
Instrument Manager
Set Instrument Permissions
1. Open the IMS application and select the instrument whose
permissions you wish to change.
2. Click the Properties button in the toolbar or select Edit |
Instrument Properties to display the Instrument Properties dialog
box.
3. Click the following items to toggle the permissions on or off:
Read Only
Read/Write
Visible
Activity Logging
4. Click OK to apply your selections; press Cancel to discard them.
Both buttons dismiss the Instrument Properties dialog box.
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WaveStar Software User Manual
Operating Basics
Operating Basics
This section outlines WaveStar Software features common to both
WaveStar for Oscilloscopes and WaveStar for Meters.
Main Screen Overview
The WaveStar window consists of a menu bar, a toolbar, and two
panes: the Explorer View and the Data Sheet Pane. The following
illustration labels each area of the WaveStar window.
Menu bar
Explorer View
WaveStar Software User Manual
Toolbar
Data Sheet Pane
3–1
Operating Basics
Menu Bar
The menu bar contains all commands available in WaveStar. You
access the menu bar commands using standard Window menu
processes. The menu bar is described in more detail on page 3–4.
Toolbar
The toolbar contains shortcuts to the most commonly-used WaveStar
commands. The toolbar is described in more detail on page 3–9.
Explorer View
The Explorer view lists all available instruments and their data,
settings, and controls, in a Windows Explorer-like tree diagram. You
copy and/or link data from an instrument in the Explorer view to a
data sheet in the Data Sheet pane. The Explorer view is described in
more detail on page 3–11.
Data Sheet Pane
The Data Sheet pane contains data sheets that provide an assortment
of ways to display instrument data. In the data sheet pane, you can
do the following tasks:
Create data sheets for displaying waveforms graphically, such as
strip recordings, as tables, as statistics, or as measurements.
Transfer data to and display it in the data sheets, using Windowsstandard drag and drop operations.
Document and analyze data, dragging and dropping it from data
sheets to Microsoft Office applications.
Display waveforms from one channel or from many in the same
data sheet or in individual data sheets.
Display the same waveform data graphically, as a table, or both
ways at the same time.
Compare waveforms in various views simultaneously, in one or
more data sheets or in a single document (if you drag data from a
data sheet into an MS Word document or Excel spreadsheet).
Print a monochrome or color hardcopy of your data (depending
on printer abilities).
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WaveStar Software User Manual
Operating Basics
There are three types of data sheets:
1. Waveform data sheets display instrument waveforms. These data
sheets let you view and record waveform data just as it appears
on an oscilloscope screen. Available waveform data sheets are
YT and XY.
2. Scalar data sheets display instrument scalar data, such as
measurements and waveform sample points. Available Scalar
data sheets are DatalogMeasurement, DatalogTabular, ScalarViewer, StripChart, WaveformMeasurement, and WaveformTabular.
3. The Notes data sheet displays graphical copies of waveform or
tabular data, instrument screen copies, instrument settings, and
notes that you add to the sheet.
All data sheets in a data sheet pane are part of the current workbook
(.wk file extension). The workbook allows you to organize and save
your data sheets as a single collection. You can also save individual
sheets as files (.sht file extension) and add saved sheets to the current
workbook.
All of these data sheets are described in detail in Section 4,
Data Sheets.
WaveStar Software User Manual
3–3
Operating Basics
The WaveStar Menu Bar
The menu bar contains five menus, each with submenu commands to
control the application. The following table describes each menu
function.
File
3–4
New Datasheet...
Opens a dialog box that lets you select a data
sheet to add to the data sheet pane.
Open...
Opens a dialog box that lets you open a workbook
or data sheet file.
Close Datasheet
Deletes the selected data sheet from the
workbook.
Close Workbook
Closes the current workbook and clears the data
sheet pane.
Save Datasheet
As...
Opens a dialog box that lets you save the selected
data sheet to a specified directory and file name.
Note that changing the file name will change the
name of the data sheet as displayed in that sheet’s
title bar.
Save Workbook
Saves the workbook to it’s current directory and
file name..
Save Workbook
As...
Opens a dialog box that lets you save the
workbook to a specified directory and file name.
Start Workbook...
Starts data acquisition of linked signals for the
workbook. You can select which data sheets will
acquire data. This command does not refresh
copied data or relink unlinked signals.
WaveStar Software User Manual
Operating Basics
File
Stop Workbook...
Stops data acquisition of linked signals for the
workbook. You can select which data sheets will
stop acquiring data. This command does not
unlink linked signals.
Auto Versioning
Automatically appends date and time information
to data sheet or workbook file names when the file
is saved. This lets you create time-stamped files.
Rename
Datasheet...
Opens a dialog box that lets you rename the
selected data sheet title that appears in the sheet’s
title bar. Note that changing the name will change
the file name of the data sheet, as the data sheet
uses the file name for the title bar label.
Import...
Imports the specified file-format contents into the
selected data sheet. Available formats are .CSV,
.WFM, and .ISF
Export
Datasheet >
Exports the selected data sheet’s contents in the
specified data format. Available formats are CSV,
text, and RTF.
Print Setup...
Sets printer parameters including current printer,
page format, number of copies to print, and so on.
Print Preview
Datasheet
Previews the printer output for the selected data
sheet.
Print Datasheet...
Prints the selected data sheet to the current
printer.
Print Preview
Workbook
Previews the printer output of all the data sheets in
the workbook.
Print Workbook...
Prints all data sheets in the workbook to the
current printer.
Print Banner...
Prints long waveforms in banner format. Refer to
Print Banner on page 4–27.
Exit
Exits the WaveStar program.
WaveStar Software User Manual
3–5
Operating Basics
Edit
3–6
Undo
Undoes the last Wavestar task action.
Redo
Redoes the last Wavestar task action.
Cut
Cuts the selected data sheet information to the
Clipboard.
Copy
Copies the selected data sheet information to the
Clipboard.
Paste
Copies the Clipboard information into the selected
data sheet.
Delete
Cuts the selected information from the data sheet.
Unlink
Disconnects the selected data sheet data from its
source. Unlinked data can be relinked using the
Relink command, or refreshed by using the
Refresh Datasheet or Refresh Workbook
commands.
Relink
Reconnects the selected data sheet data to its
source. Relink will not create a link to a data
source.
Select All
Selects all waveform or data on the selected data
sheet.
New Annotation
Opens a dialog box that lets you add notes to the
selected YT, XY, or StripChart data sheet. You can
then select the note text in the data sheet and
move it to the desired location.
Edit Annotation
Lets you edit existing annotation text on a YT, XY,
or StripChart data sheet. Select the text to edit,
then select Edit -Edit Annotation. You can also just
double-click on the annotation text to open the edit
dialog box.
WaveStar Software User Manual
Operating Basics
Edit
Clipboard
Formats...
Selects data formats that can be saved to the
Clipboard. Formats include Comma Separated
Values (CSV), Simple text (ASCII), DIB (Bitmap),
Rich Text Format (RTF), and Enhanced Metafile.
Swap XY
Swaps the signal sources assigned to the XY
inputs of the XY data sheet.
Toolbar
Turns the WaveStar toolbar on or off.
Status Bar
Turns the WaveStar status bar on or off.
Explorer View
Turns the Explorer view on or off.
Datasheet Toolbar
Turns the selected data sheet toolbar on or off.
Datasheet Status
Bar
Turns the selected data sheet status bar on or off.
Refresh Datasheet
Updates copied and unlinked data on the selected
data sheet.
Refresh Workbook
Updates copied and unlinked data in all data
sheets of the workbook.
Properties...
Opens a dialog box to display and set properties of
the selected data sheet.
Show Links...
Shows links associated with the selected data
sheet.
Centered
(XY &YT only)
Centers the graticule in the XY or YT sheet
windows. This command is only available when
the graticule is larger than the data sheet window.
Transfer Full Graticule (XY &YT only)
Copies the entire graticule when doing drag and
drop operations to other applications such as
Microsoft Word. If this command is not enabled,
WaveStar copies just the graticule area displayed
in the data sheet window.
View
WaveStar Software User Manual
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Operating Basics
Window
Cascade
Stacks open data sheets in a diagonal overlap,
starting from the upper left corner of the data
sheet pane.
Tile
Resizes data sheets in the data sheet pane so that
all sheets are visible and do not overlap.
Arrange Icons
Lines up minimized data sheet icons along the
bottom of the data sheet pane.
Contents and Index
Displays the table of contents and index for the
online help.
What’s This
Displays What’s This help on toolbar buttons and
menu items. Select this menu item, and then click
the button or menu item for which you want help.
WaveStar
Introduction
Opens a window that displays WaveStar
introductory information.
WaveStar Overview
Displays the WaveStar Overview online help topic.
Technical Support
Shows information about contacting Tektronix for
technical help.
About WaveStar...
Shows WaveStar version information.
Help
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Operating Basics
The WaveStar Toolbar
The following figure and table describes the function of each
toolbar button.
1
2
3
4
5
6
10
11
12
13
14
15
7
16
8
9
17
Item
Button name
Description
1
New Datasheet
Opens a dialog box that lists available data
sheets. Select a data sheet and click OK to load
into the data sheet pane.
2
Open
Opens a dialog box to let you load saved data
sheet (*.sht), workbook (*.wbk), or WSTR31
notebook (*.nbk) files.
3
Save Datasheet
Opens a dialog box to let you save the selected
data sheet to a specified location and file name.
4
Save Workbook
Opens a dialog box to let you save the workbook
to a specified location and file name. A workbook
consists of all data sheets loaded into the data
sheet pane.
5
Cut
Cuts the contents of the selected data sheet to
the Clipboard.
6
Copy
Copies the contents of the selected data sheet to
the Clipboard.
7
Paste
Copies the contents of the Clipboard to the
selected data sheet.
8
Unlink
Disconnects the link between the selected data
target on a data sheet and its source signal or
measurement.
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Operating Basics
Item
Button name
Description
9
Relink
Reconnects a link between the source signal or
measurement and the selected data target on a
data sheet.
10
Print Datasheet
Prints the selected data sheet to the current
printer as set in the File | Print Setup... menu.
11
Print Workbook
Prints all data sheets in the workbook to the
current printer as set in the File | Print Setup...
menu.
12
Refresh
Datasheet
Updates all copied and unlinked data on the
selected data sheet.
13
Refresh
Workbook
Updates all copied and unlinked data on all data
sheets in the workbook.
14
Start Workbook
Starts data acquisition of all linked signal and
measurement sources for the entire workbook.
15
Stop Workbook
Stops data acquisition of all linked signal and
measurement sources for the entire workbook.
16
Online Help
Opens a dialog box to access WaveStar online
help files.
17
What’s This Help
Lets you use the mouse & cursor to point at items
in the WaveStar window on which you want help.
Mouse Operation
You can use mouse operations to copy and link waveforms and
instrument data from the Explorer View to data sheets, to copy data
between data sheets, or to copy data from data sheets to Microsoft
Office applications. Refer to page 3–13 for information on copying
and linking data from the Explorer view.
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Operating Basics
The Explorer View
The Explorer view graphically lists all connected instruments and
their associated parameters. There are three Explorer view categories
for each oscilloscope; Data, Setup, and Functions. The following
table describes these categories for a typical oscilloscope. However,
the actual instrument category contents depend on the connectedinstrument capabilities.
Data
Instrument data sources to copy or link to data sheets.
Display
Copy instrument screen to Notes data sheet or
Windows application (for example, Word).
Waveforms
Instrument waveforms (such as channels and
math waveforms) to copy or link to data sheets.
Measurements
Instrument measurements (immediate, instrumentspecified measurements) to copy or link to data
sheets.
Settings
Instrument settings (such as channel, time base,
display, and so on) to copy to or from the Notes
data sheet or other windows text processor. This
feature lets you save and recall instrument settings
as part of a workbook file. Refer to page 4–13 for
more information.
Setup
Instrument control commands
Screen Copy
Set screen copy parameters for the Data - Display
command
Display
Set display parameters such as format (XY, YT),
image persistence, image style (dots, vector), and
so on.
Acquire
Set acquisition parameters such as mode (sample,
average, ...), sample average value, acquisition on
or off, and so on.
Vertical
Set channel and math waveform vertical
parameters such as bandwidth, coupling, scale,
probe multiplier, and so on.
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Operating Basics
Setup
Instrument control commands
Horizontal
Set horizontal time base parameters such as main
and delay time settings, sample record length, and
so on.
Trigger
Set vertical trigger parameters such as level,
holdoff times, trigger type, and so on.
Measurements
Set instrument measurement parameters such as
source and type of measurement.
Save/Recall
Save and recall instrument setups and waveforms
to instrument memory. Refer to Data | Settings to
save & recall instrument setups to Note sheet files.
Functions
General instrument controls including run/stop, set 50%
trigger level, Autoset, and so on.
Using The Explorer View
To display the contents of an Explorer view subtree, click on the plus
icon. Continue clicking on plus icons to open further subtrees. To
close a subtree, click on the minus icon next to the subtree. The
lowest-level subtrees represent the data or scope control that you can
copy, link, or execute.
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Copying Data from the Explorer View
Copying data results in a static snapshot of the data. The data does
not update in the application as it updates on the instrument. You can
manually refresh the data sheet by selecting the Refresh Datasheet
command in the View menu.
To copy a waveform or a scalar value into a data sheet, do these
steps:
1. Left click on the data object in the Explorer view, and hold down
the mouse button. Refer to ➀ in the following illustration.
2. Drag the data object into the data sheet and release the mouse
button. Refer to ➁ in the illustration.
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Operating Basics
Linking Data from the Explorer View
Linking data results in dynamic data that updates in the application
as it updates on the instrument. A GPIB interface allows for faster
WaveStar data sheet updates than does the RS-232 interface: RS-232
data transfer rates are much slower than GPIB.
There are two methods of linking data to a data sheet or toolbar
button.
Linking Method 1.
1. Right click on the selected data object in the Explorer view, and
hold down the mouse button. Refer to ➀ in the following
illustration.
2. Drag the data object to target into the data sheet and release the
mouse button. Refer to ➁.
3. Click Link in the shortcut menu that pops up. Refer to ➂.
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Linking Method 2.
1. Press and hold the Ctrl+Shift keys. Refer to ➀ in the following
illustration.
2. Left click on the data object in the Explorer view, and hold down
the mouse button. Refer to ➁.
3. Drag the data object to the target. Release the mouse button and
the Ctrl+Shift keys. Refer to ➂.
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Operating Basics
Explorer View Links, Selections, and Properties
The data and command icons also let you access further settings and
information by using a popup menu. Right-click on an icon to
display the menu.
Show Links opens a dialog box that lists the data sheets that are
linked to this data item.
Selections lets you select from a popup list of possible values.
Selecting a value sets the instrument to use that value.
Properties opens a dialog box with a single field. The field lets
you enter parameter values directly. This field generally
duplicates the current value of the Selections menu.
Execute causes WaveStar to execute the selected Explorer view
command.
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Data Sheet Overview
Data Sheet Overview
This section of the manual describes each type of data sheet, how
and when to use them, and explains behavior common to all data
sheets.
Data Sheet Pane
The Data Sheet pane represents the WaveStar workbook; the data
pane is an open WaveStar workbook that contains all data sheets
appearing in the pane. You can save data sheets without saving the
workbook, save the workbook, which saves all data sheets within it,
or save both ways.
Dragging a new workbook from Windows Explorer into the data
pane closes the currently open workbook and opens the workbook
you dropped onto the data pane. You are prompted to save the
currently open workbook file before it closes.
Dragging a data sheet to the data pane adds it to the open workbook.
Common Sheet Functions
All data sheets share some common characteristics. Data sheets
receive your data, waveforms, screen captures, and text, and then
display it according to the type of data sheet receiving the data. Data
sheets are used to:
Receive data and update it if that data is linked to its source.
Store data when saved as individual sheets or workbooks.
Source and receive data from other data sheets.
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Data Sheet Overview
Creating, Opening, Saving, and Closing Data Sheets
To create a new sheet in the open workbook, select File | New
and choose a sheet type.
To open an existing data sheet into a workbook, drag and drop a
*.sht file from the Windows Explorer into the data sheet pane.
(Or open it from the File menu or toolbar.)
To save a data sheet, click on its title bar in the data sheet pane,
and then click the
button in the toolbar. You can also save a
data sheet by selecting File | Save Data Sheet.
To close a data sheet, select File | Close Datasheet.
Start/Stop Data Acquisition
All data sheets contain Start and Stop acquisition tool bar buttons.
The Start button (triangle) starts data acquisition of all linked signal
and measurement sources to the selected data sheet. The Stop button
(square) stops data acquisition to the selected sheet.
The Start and Stop acquisition buttons do not update copied or
unlinked signal or measurement data.
If you stop a measurement that is linked to a datalog or strip
chart sheet, and then start the same measurement, WaveStar
displays a message box stating that it will discard previously-recorded measurements if you start recording again. You can select
to start data acquisition again, or cancel start. If you need to
continue recording data for the stopped measurement, just open a
new data sheet and link the data to the new sheet.
Zooming
The YT, XY, and Strip Chart data sheet tool bars contain controls for
zooming the contents of the data sheet window. Zoom Full Screen
and Drag Zoom buttons are not available in the Strip Chart data
sheet.
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Data Sheet Overview
The percent zoom field displays the current data sheet magnification setting, where 100% is the system-default zoom value. You
can also enter numeric values into this field by moving the cursor
into the field, clicking the right mouse button, and typing in a
new value.
Clicking on the drop-down menu arrow displays a list of
magnification values from which you can select.
The Zoom In button (magnifying glass with a plus symbol)
zooms into the data sheet.
The Zoom Out button (magnifying glass with a minus symbol)
zooms out from the data sheet.
The Zoom Full Screen button is the Z with the 4-way arrow. This
button fits the graticule to the current data sheet window size,
allowing you to view the entire graticule.
The Drag Zoom button is the Z enclosed in a box. This button
lets you select a specific sheet area to enlarge. To use, select the
Drag Zoom button, then, in the graticule, click and drag the
mouse to draw a box around the part of the waveform you want
to enlarge.
Sizing, Tiling and Cascading Windows
To scroll data or size the data sheet, use normal windows
procedures.
To auto arrange or otherwise manipulate windows or icons, select
the appropriate menu items in the WaveStar Window menu.
Previewing and Printing
To set up and print data sheets, select the data sheet, and then
select File | Print. You can also print all the data sheets that are
open by selecting File | Print Workbook, and then selecting the
data sheets you want printed in the Print Workbook dialog..
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Data Sheet Overview
To print the full record length of all waveforms in the YT data
sheet, select the data sheet and choose Print Banner... in the
WaveStar File menu. The Print Banner option is useful when
your YT data sheet contains waveforms that are longer than the
width of the graticule.
Copy and Linking
You can either copy or link waveform and scalar data onto a data
sheet. Copying takes a one-time snapshot of the waveform or scalar
data and places that data on a data sheet. Linking samples the
waveform or scalar data on a regular bases, constantly updating the
data sheet with the latest data.
To copy a waveform or a scalar value into a data sheet, left click
the data object in the Explorer view and drag it into the data
sheet.
To link, right click the data object and drag it to the target. When
you release it, choose Link from the shortcut menu that pops up.
For more detailed information, refer to page 3–13.
Copying into Microsoft Office Applications
You can copy (but not link) a waveform from a data sheet into a
Microsoft Word document or Excel spreadsheet by left clicking the
data object and dragging it into an Microsoft Office application.
To copy numerical data (text) to the Windows clipboard, select
simple text or rich text in the Clipboard Formats dialog (in the Edit
menu). If you would rather copy a bit-mapped image of the data
sheet, uncheck both simple and rich text in that dialog. Then click
any measurement value and drag it to the Windows application to
which you want to copy the image.
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Data Sheet Overview
Setting Properties
Property page settings determine the appearance and function of
each data sheet in the open workbook.
To access the Property page for a data sheet, click in its title bar
to select it, and then choose Properties from the View menu.
You can also access Property Pages by right clicking in an active
data sheet and selecting properties from the displayed submenu.
All right-click menus for data sheets contain a Properties option,
which provides access to individual property pages.
To navigate to individual tabbed sheets (if the property page has
multiple tabs), left click on the tab to bring it into the foreground
as needed. Click OK when you are finished entering property
settings to save the property settings, and close the dialog.
Shortcut Menu
Right click in the data sheet data area to display a pop up menu for
performing the following tasks:
Save, close, or print the data sheet.
Display the property sheet for this data sheet.
Show the data source links to the selected data sheet.
Access the online help for the selected data sheet.
Data Sheets and Compatible Data Types
WaveStar data sheets can handle two types of data: waveforms, such
as those displayed from an oscilloscope channel, and scalar values,
such as a volts per division, a waveform measurement, or meter
readout value.
Each sheet can accept one or more data types and will display data
differently depending on the data sheet format and source data type.
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Data Sheet Overview
Data Compatibility Between Data Sheets
Observe the following caveats when copying or linking data between
data sheet:
YT and XY data sheets can only accept data from YT, XY,
WaveformMeasurement, or WaveformTabular data sheets (you
must drag a complete column of data from the WaveformMeasurement or Waveform Tabular sheet to an YT or XY sheet).
The WaveformMeasurement sheet can source either waveform
data (if you drag a complete column of data from the WaveformMeasurement sheet to an YT or XY sheet) or scalar data (if you
drag a single cell of data to a scalar sheet).
Scalar-value data sheets can only accept scalar data.
If you drag a waveform plot from the XY sheet to a YT sheet, the
plot is separated into its X and Y waveform components and
displayed as two individual waveforms.
If you drop data onto the XY sheet, the first two available
waveforms are copied to the X and Y components. If you drop
data onto a specific component box, the data is copied to that
specific box.
Datalog Measurements Data Sheet
A Datalog Measurement sheet periodically captures and evaluates
the value of a single scalar data item, such as a meter reading or
waveform measurement. After evaluation, this data sheet updates its
table with these elements:
Current Value: The current time, value, and units of the variable.
Maximum, Minimum: The maximum and minimum values, and
the time at which each occurred.
Average, Max-Min, Standard Deviation: Statistical values
calculated on the entire data stream. Time stamping is not
applicable.
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The Datalog Measurement sheet displays each new data value as the
current value and uses each new value to continually recompute
these measurements. It does not keep previous data values (compare
with the Datalog Tabular data sheet described on page 4–9).
I/O Operations
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy and link scalar
values, such as a TDS oscilloscope automatic measurement, from the
Explorer View to the data logging measurement data sheet, dropping
the measurement anywhere in the data sheet table. Subsequent
copies or links to the same data sheet create separate charts (two
variables cannot be recorded in the same table).
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy a data table from
data sheets to Microsoft Word or Excel. Two columns of scalar
values are transferred with measurement values appearing along
recording times.
You can get a screen image by dragging the entire sheet to Microsoft
Word. You can drag selected variables to Excel or another datalog
measurement sheet. Refer to page 3–13 and Copy and Linking on
page 4–4.
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Data Sheet Overview
Copying vs. Linking
You should link your data (right click and drag it), rather than
copying because copying creates a value that doesn’t update. This
data sheet monitors data, recording its variations.
Whenever the linked data changes, Explorer View notifies the sheet,
although measurements are not computed immediately. The sheet
stores the data until its display interval has elapsed, at which time
the new value is used to recompute the measurements. If no new
data has been received during the interval, the same value is used.
Starting and Stopping
The recording can be started with one of three selections: Automatic,
Manual, and Time. The default is Automatic, with a recording time
of one second. Recording can be stopped with one of three
selections: Manual, Time, or Duration. The default is Manual. You
can set the recording methods from the Recording tab of the property
page. The minimum rate you can set in the properties page is
1 second.
Property Sheet
The property sheet can set table layout and how the recording occurs
(start and stops). Refer to Setting Properties on page 4–5. Refer to
the online help for detailed information on the datalog measurement
property dialog and each control field in the dialog.
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Data Sheet Overview
Datalog Tabular Data Sheet
A Datalog Tabular Sheet periodically captures and enters the value
of a single scalar data item, such as a meter readout or waveform
measurement, in a table.
The table displays each data point one row at a time as an entry
under the Value column. Time and Units columns record the time
stamp and the units for each data value at fixed time intervals.
As each new value is recorded, any values outside the alarm limits
are drawn in the over- or under-limit colors, and a color-coded text
label is inserted in the Out Of Limit column so that you can quickly
identify out-of-limit measurements.
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Data Sheet Overview
I/O Operations
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy and link scalar
values, such as a TDS oscilloscope automatic measurement, from the
Explorer View to the datalogging-tabular data sheet, dropping the
measurement anywhere in the data sheet table. Subsequent copies or
links to the same data sheet create separate charts (two variables
cannot be recorded in the same table).
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy a data table from
data sheets to Microsoft Word or Excel. Two columns of scalar
values are transferred with measurement values appearing along
recording times.
You can transfer the tabular data as a screen image by dragging the
entire sheet to Microsoft Word. You can also drag selected variables
to Excel or another Datalog Tabular sheet. Refer to page 3–13 and
Copy and Linking on page 4–4.
Copying vs. Linking
You should link your data (right click and drag it), rather than
copying because copying creates values that do not update. The
Datalog Tabular data sheet monitors data, recording its variations.
When you link a scalar value to a tabular sheet, the source sends an
update whenever data changes, possibly at irregular intervals. The
data sheet collects all the data, but only enters the new row
containing a data point at the data-logging rate specified in the
data-sheet property sheet. If no new data has been received during a
data-logging interval, the data sheet retains the last value logged.
Starting and Stopping
The recording can be started with one of three selections: Automatic,
Manual, and Time. The default is Automatic, with a data refresh rate
of every two seconds. Recording can be stopped with one of three
selections: Manual, Time, Duration. The default is Manual. You can
set the recording methods from the Recording tab of the property
page (refer to Setting Properties on page 4–5). The minimum rate
you can set is 1 second.
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Data Sheet Overview
Property Sheet
The property sheet can set table layout, how recording occurs (start,
stops), and alarm limits on the recorded data. You can set these
properties from the Datalog Tabular property pages (refer to Setting
Properties on page 4–5). Refer to the online help for detailed
information on the datalogging tabular sheet property dialog box.
Notes Sheet
The Notes data sheet lets you enter and save textual notes and
graphical images that you want to record for the open workbook file.
Specifically, you can do the following:
Type textual notes.
Copy and paste notes and bitmapped images between the
clipboard and the notes sheet.
Drag and drop instrument screens from the Explorer View to the
notes sheet.
Drag and drop (or cut, copy, and paste, depending on application)
between the notes sheet and other Windows applications.
Save, recall, and edit instrument setup information in a Notes
sheet or other ASCII text editor.
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Data Sheet Overview
Operations
You can perform the following operations in the notes sheet:
Right click in the data sheet area to pop up a menu that lets you
save, close, or print your data sheet or access online help about
the data sheet.
Format the text font, color, and alignment using the toolbar
buttons. (If the toolbar buttons for the Notes Sheet are not
displayed, go to the View menu for the WaveStar application and
check Datasheet Toolbar.)
Use toolbar buttons and WaveStar menu commands to Save, Cut,
Copy, Paste, and Print notes sheet contents.
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Supported Applications
Use your mouse to drag and drop text or bitmapped images between
the notes sheet and Windows applications such as Microsoft Office
applications and the Windows Notepad.
When copying an XY or YT graticule to another application, you
have the choice of copying the graticule as it is displayed on screen
(which may be a partial graticule) or copying the entire graticule.
Copying a partial graticule is useful if, for example, you want to
zoom in the display and copy a particular area of a waveform. To
always copy the entire graticule whether or not it is fully displayed,
select the View menu and check the Transfer Full Graticule menu
item.
Saving and Recalling Instrument Settings
WaveStar lets you save, recall, and edit instrument settings in the
Notes data sheet. You can save settings for the entire instrument or
specify a category of settings such as trigger or horizontal. The
settings are stored as one long ASCII string of instrument-specific
programming commands.
To save the current instrument settings, select Data | Settings in the
Explorer view. Then use the mouse to drag and drop the setting
information to save from the Explorer view to the Notes sheet.
To recall settings to load into an instrument, open the Notes sheet
that contains the settings to load. Next, select the instrument setting
text with the mouse. Make sure you do not forget any text critical to
command syntax, such as colons or semicolons. Finally, drag and
drop the selected text onto the appropriate Data | Settings icon in the
Explorer view.
If you are familiar with the programming commands for your
instrument, you can edit the commands in the Notes sheet to change
your instrument settings. Use the standard windows commands and
methods to enter, copy, cut, and paste text in the Notes sheet.
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Data Sheet Overview
Scalar-Viewer Data Sheet
If you want to view one or more scalar values, copy or link them
from the Explorer view to this data sheet. Such values display with
time stamp, data value, and data units.
When you want to compile a custom view of measurements (or any
set of scalar data) or download your TX-DMM stored memory
(WSTRM), use the Scalar-Viewer. For example, if you want to
continuously monitor measurements taken by different instruments,
connect those instruments to WaveStar and drag those measurements
from the Explorer View to a common Scalar-Viewer sheet. Or drag
scalars from other data sheets to the Scalar-Viewer sheet.
I/O Operations
You use drag-and-drop mouse operations to copy and link scalar
values, such as a TDS oscilloscope automatic measurement, from the
WaveStar Explorer View to the Scalar-Viewer sheet, dropping the
waveform anywhere in the data sheet table. Subsequent copies to the
same Scalar-Viewer sheet create separate rows in its table.
Copy your data if you want to just get the current value; link it (right
click and drag it), if you want the data to update.
You use the same operations to copy and link scalar values from
Scalar-Viewer data sheets to other data sheets that accept scalar
values. Refer to page 3–13 and Copy and Linking on page 4–4.
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Data Sheet Overview
Supported Applications
You use drag-and-drop mouse operations to copy a Scalar-Viewer
table to data sheets or to Microsoft Word or Excel. Scalar values are
transferred with measurement values appearing alongside recording
times.
To copy a bitmapped image of the data sheet instead of numerical
values, uncheck both simple and rich text in Clipboard Formats
dialog box, accessed from the Edit menu, before copying.
Property Sheet
The property sheet can set various attributes of the table layout. You
can set these attributes from the Scalar-Viewer properties page (refer
to Setting Properties on page 4–5). Refer to the online help for a
detailed description of the Scalar-Viewer data sheet property page
and each entry field in the property sheet.
StripChart Data Sheet
A StripChart data sheet plots the value of from 1 to 16 single scalar
data items, such as a meter readout or a waveform measurement, on
a scrolling horizontal graticule. Although you can monitor up to 16
values in a StripChart data sheet, for practical reasons you will
probably not want to measure more than two or three variables per
data sheet.
The StripChart data sheet contains two windows; the current data
window, and the history data window. The current data window
shows the current data for the last n time periods, where n is defined
by the acquisition sample rate. New data ’pushes’ old data to the left
edge of the graticule, and data at the left edge of the current data
window is erased from the graticule. You can choose to have points
on the graph connected by lines or displayed as levels (dots).
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Data Sheet Overview
History data
window
Current data
window
The history data window displays all data points acquired from the
start of the current acquisition. To view the history window, move
the cursor onto the vertical window separator bar at the left of the
current data window, press and hold the left mouse button, and drag
the separator bar to the right. You can then use the scroll bar controls
to view entries in the entire history data window. By default, the
history data window is minimized when you first open a StripChart
data sheet
I/O Operations
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy and link scalar
values, such as a TDS oscilloscope automatic measurement, from the
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Data Sheet Overview
Explorer View to the StripChart data sheet, dropping the measurement anywhere in the graticule area. Subsequent copies to the same
StripChart sheet creates separate strip chart graticules within the
StripChart window (two measurements cannot be plotted on the
same StripChart graticule). You cannot drag waveforms from a YT
or XY sheet to a StripChart sheet.
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy a StripChart
recording to data sheets or Microsoft Word or Excel. Two columns
of scalar values are transferred with measurement values appearing
along recording times. Refer to page 3–13 and Copy and Linking on
page 4–4.
Copying vs. Linking
Strip charts monitor data, recording its variations. Because of this,
you should link your data rather than copying it, since copying
creates a value that does not update. To link data, right click on the
data and hold down the mouse button; drag the data to the Strip chart
sheet. Then select Link from the shortcut menu that pops up.
When you link a scalar value to a Strip chart sheet, the data source
sends updated data whenever data changes, possibly at irregular
intervals. The data sheet collects all the data, but only plots a data
point at the plot rate specified in the strip-chart property sheet. If no
new data has been received during a data-logging interval, the data
sheet plots the last value logged.
Starting and Stopping
The recording can be started with one of three selections: Automatic,
Manual, and Time. The default is Automatic, with a recording
sample time of one second. Recording can be stopped with one of
three selections: Manual, Time, or Duration. The default is Manual.
You can set the recording methods from the Recording tab of the
property page (refer to Setting Properties on page 4–5). The
minimum data sample rate you can set in the properties page is 1
second.
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Data Sheet Overview
NOTE. If you restart recording on a stopped sheet, all data in that
data sheet is lost. To save data, open a new data sheet and link to the
same sources as the stopped sheet.
Property Sheet
The property sheet can set a variety of display characteristics, turn
on various types of measurement cursors, and more. You can set
these properties from the Strip Chart properties pages (refer to
Setting Properties on page 4–5). Refer to the online help for
detailed information on the StripChart property dialog and each
control field in the dialog.
Cursors
Cursors are used to measure the waveform plot. You can put cursors
on the strip-chart sheet using the Cursor Property Page. Cursor
readout values indicate the vertical or horizontal value at the cursor
location. Vertical cursor position values appear as dX and X.
Horizontal cursor position values appear as dY and Y.
Vertical and horizontal are the only permitted cursor types on the
Stripchart sheet.
Waveform Measurement Data Sheet
The waveform measurement data sheet displays a table of standard
waveform measurements. When you drag a waveform to this sheet,
the application automatically calculates and displays the measurement values as shown below in the following figure.
Each waveform is presented as a column of measurements. Each
time a new waveform is dropped onto this sheet, a new column of
measurements is created immediately to the right of any existing
columns.
I/O Operations
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy and link waveforms
(not scalar data) from the Explorer View to the waveform measurement data sheet.
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Data Sheet Overview
You use the same operations to copy and link waveforms from this
data sheet to other data sheets. You can also copy or link a single
measurement from this data sheet to any other sheet that accepts
scalar values. Refer to page 3–13 and Copy and Linking on
page 4–4.
Supported Applications
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy measurements from
this sheet to Microsoft Word or Excel. Specifically, you can do the
following:
Click a single measurement and drag it to Microsoft Word or
Excel.
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Data Sheet Overview
Shift click to select more than one measurement for dragging as a
group.
Click in the title bar to select all of the measurements; shift click
to select additional columns as desired. After selecting the last
column, hold shift to drag all the columns to Word or Excel.
Property Sheet
Use this property sheet to control table layout characteristics and the
measurement method (refer to Setting Properties on page 4–5).
Refer to the online help for detailed information on the waveform
measurement property dialog and each control field in the dialog.
Gates
You can use gates in YT and waveform tabular data sheets to define
a segment of a waveform for copying or linking to the waveform
measurement sheet. Such operations let you determine the part of the
waveform measured by using the gates to isolate a portion of the
waveform.
Waveform Tabular Data Sheet
A Waveform Tabular Sheet creates a table of values for each
waveform that you copy or link to it. It periodically updates the
values if you link them from the data source.
The Waveform Tabular Sheet shows the waveform as sequential
values in a table column with each value accompanied by a time
value. The time value is the time of the waveform sample relative to
the waveform record trigger.
You can modify the waveform by editing the table cells, but you can
not change the length of the waveform by adding or deleting cells,
nor can you change the units.
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Data Sheet Overview
I/O Operations
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy and link waveforms, such as channel waveforms from a TDS oscilloscope, from
the Explorer View to the waveform-tabular data sheet, dropping the
waveform anywhere in the data sheet table. Subsequent copies or
links to the same data sheet create separate table charts (two
waveforms cannot be recorded in the same table). You must drag a
complete waveform (a column) to an XY or YT data sheet (or
another Waveform Tabular data sheet).
Use drag and drop mouse operations to copy a table from a data
sheet to a Microsoft Office application. Two columns of scalar
values are transferred with measurement values appearing along
recording times.
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Data Sheet Overview
You can transfer the tabular data as a screen image by dragging the
entire sheet to Microsoft Word. You can also drag selected variables
to Excel or another Datalog Tabular sheet. Refer to page 3–13 and
Copy and Linking on page 4–4.
Property Sheet
Use this property sheet to control table layout characteristics (refer to
Setting Properties on page 4–5). Refer to the online help for
detailed information on the waveform tabular property dialog and
each control field in the dialog.
Gates
Gates define the range over which measurements are computed when
waveform data is moved from this sheet to a Waveform Measurement sheet. Set gate location by moving the gate icon to the desired
location. Gate location is represented by highlighting the corresponding row of data.
XY Data Sheet
The XY sheet displays waveforms in pairs as XY plots, with one
waveform plotted on the X (horizontal) axis against the other on the
Y (vertical) axis. The XY plot uses the same scale and position as
the oscilloscope channels from which the XY components are
obtained.
The XY sheet presents the XY plot as a pair of X and Y component
boxes, which appear along the bottom of the graticule.
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Data Sheet Overview
I/O Operations
Using the mouse to copy and link waveforms from the Explorer
View to the XY data sheet, you can do the following I/O operations:
Drag individual channel waveforms from the Explorer View and
other data sheets to the individual X or Y component boxes
(located just below the bottom graticule) that comprise each XY
waveform.
Drag two of the waveforms an instrument contains to a XY sheet
at once by dragging the instrument icon from the Explorer View
and dropping the icon anywhere on the XY graticule. The first
waveform in the hierarchy is plotted as X, the second as Y.
Drag from each X and Y component individually, to the Explorer
View or another data sheet. To restore the waveform as a saved
waveform for an instrument, display the instrument reference
memories, and drag the waveform to the memory that is to store
the waveform. You cannot undo this operation.
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Data Sheet Overview
Drag and drop X and Y components individually or as an XY
waveform into Microsoft Office applications.
When copying an XY graticule to another application, you have
the choice of copying the graticule as it is displayed on screen
(which may be a partial graticule display) or copying the entire
graticule.
Copying a partial graticule is useful if, for example, you want to
zoom in the display and copy a particular area of a waveform. To
always copy the entire graticule whether or not it is fully
displayed, select the View menu and check the Transfer Full
Graticule menu item.
You can drop data onto the XY sheet, or to a specific waveform
component box. If you drop data onto the XY sheet, the first two
waveforms are used as the X and Y components. If you drop data
onto a specific waveform component box, the data is copied to the
specific box, possibly overwriting what was there previously. The
XY plot is drawn when both the X and Y component boxes are filled
in. Refer to page 3–13 and Copy and Linking on page 4–4.
Property Sheet
The property sheet can set various display and measurement
characteristics. You can set these properties from the XY Properties
page (refer to Setting Properties on page 4–5). Refer to the online
help for detailed information on the XY sheet property dialog and
each control field in the dialog.
Cursors
Cursors are used to measure the waveform plot. You can put cursors
on the selected sheet using the Cursor tab on the Property Page.
Cursor readout values indicate the vertical or horizontal value at the
cursor location. Vertical cursor position values appear as dX and X.
Horizontal cursor position values appear as dY and Y.
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Data Sheet Overview
YT Data Sheet
The YT data sheet lets you capture and graphically view multiple
waveforms on a graticule with the same scale and position as on the
oscilloscope.
The YT sheet displays one or more waveforms as a graphical view.
This sheet displays amplitude on the Y-axis and the sampling index
(for example, time) on the X-axis. The YT sheet displays waveforms
and a graticule at the same scale and position as they appear on the
oscilloscope screen. The number of waveforms that can be displayed
is limited only by available memory. Some of the features of this
sheet include cursor measurements, gates, zoom function, and
annotation.
Waveform Operations
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy and link waveforms
from the Explorer View to the YT data sheet, dropping the waveform
anywhere in the graticule area.
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Data Sheet Overview
You use drag and drop mouse operations to copy data from data
sheets to other Microsoft Windows applications. When copying a YT
graticule to another application, you have the choice of copying the
graticule as it is displayed on screen (which may be a partial
graticule) or copying the entire graticule.
Copying a partial graticule is useful if, for example, you want to
zoom in the display and copy a particular area of a waveform. To
always copy the entire graticule whether or not it is fully displayed,
select the View menu and check the Transfer Full Graticule menu
item.
To restore the waveform to a specific channel, expand the instrument
data channels in Explorer View, and drag the waveform to the
desired channel. You cannot undo this operation. Refer to page 3–13
and Copy and Linking on page 4–4 for more information.
Property Sheet
The property sheet can set various display and measurement
characteristics. You can set these properties from the YT Properties
page (refer to Setting Properties on page 4–5). Refer to the online
help for detailed information on the YT sheet property dialog and
each control field in the dialog.
Cursors
Cursors are used to measure the waveform plot. You can put cursors
on the selected sheet using the Cursor tab on the Property Page.
Cursor readout values indicate the vertical or horizontal value at the
cursor location. Vertical cursor position values appear as dX and X.
Horizontal cursor position values appear as dY and Y.
Gates
Gates define the range over which measurements are computed when
waveform data is moved from this sheet to a waveform measurement
sheet. Turn on gates by choosing vertical cursors in the Cursor
Property dialog and checking the Gate with Vertical Bar Cursors
checkbox; then, set gate location by using the mouse to move the
cursors.
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Data Sheet Overview
Print Banner
To print the full record length of all waveforms in the YT data sheet,
select the data sheet and choose Print Banner... in the WaveStar File
menu. The Print Banner option is useful when your YT data sheet
contains waveforms that are longer than the width of the graticule.
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Data Sheet Overview
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Procedures
Procedures
This section outlines procedures for both WSTRO and WSTRM
WaveStar Software.
Display Waveforms in the YT Data Sheet
Follow the steps below to display waveforms in the YT view.
1. In the Explorer View, click on the Data branch under the
instrument that will source the waveform to display the data
resources under it.
2. Double click on the Waveforms resource (or single click its +) to
display the waveform sources below it.
3. To copy, left click and drag the waveform resource (Channel,
Math, or Ref) to the YT data. Release the waveform in the data
sheet graticule area to drop the waveform on the data sheet.
4. To link rather than copy, right click and drag the waveform to the
YT data sheet. Release the mouse button, and select Link in the
shortcut menu that pops up.
5. Repeat this procedure to copy or link additional waveforms to the
data sheet as desired.
Tips
Drag the channel indicator (located left of the graticule) up and
down to vertically position the waveform. (You can also use the
keyboard arrows (↑ and ↓) to position the waveform.)
Drag the waveform record view (located above the graticule) to
horizontally position the waveform in the graticule. (You can also
use the keyboard arrows (← and →) to position the waveform.)
To remove the waveform just dropped into the window,
immediately select Undo Drop Waveforms in the Edit menu (the
undo function is not available for extremely large records).
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Display Two Waveforms in the XY Data Sheet
Follow the steps below to display waveforms in the XY view.
1. In the Explorer View tree, click on the Data branch under the
instrument that will source one of the waveforms to display the
Data resources under that Data branch.
2. Double click on the Waveform resource (or single click its +) to
display the waveform sources below it.
3. To copy, left click and drag the waveform source (Channel, Math,
or Ref) onto the X tab. Release the waveform while holding it
over the X tab.
To link rather than copy, right click and drag the waveform to the
X tab. Release the mouse button, and select Link in the shortcut
menu that pops up.
4. Repeat this procedure to display a Y source and copy or link it to
the Y tab. Be sure to release over the Y tab, not the X tab.
NOTE. The X and Y tabs always appear below the graticule. If they
are not visible, expand or scroll the data sheet window.
Tips
If you drag and drop a data source icon that contains more than
two waveforms onto the XY graticule, the first waveform in the
list will be used for the X tab and the second available waveform
will be used for the Y tab.
Drag the indicator to the left of the graticule up and down (or use
the keyboard ↑ and ↓ arrows) to vertically position the XY plot
to position the waveform.
Drag the indicator above the graticule to horizontally position the
XY plot.
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To swap the X waveform with the Y, select Swap XY from the
Edit menu.
To remove a waveform just dropped into the window, immediately select Undo Drop Waveforms in the Edit menu.
Dynamically Position Waveforms
1. In an XY or YT data sheet, locate the channel indicator of the
waveform to be positioned. YT sheets have channel indicators on
the left border of the graticule; XY sheets have a Y channel
indicator on the left border and an X channel indicator on the top
border of the graticule.
2. Click and drag any of the channel indicators to adjust positions as
desired up and down (and left and right for XY data sheets).
3. YT waveforms have a waveform record view above the graticule.
Click and drag the record view to position the selected waveform
horizontally in the graticule.
Zoom the YT, XY, or StripChart Data Sheets
In YT, XY, or StripChart data sheets, use the following methods for
zooming in or out.
To Zoom in Increments or by %
Click the first toolbar button from the left to zoom in; click the
second toolbar button to zoom out.
Select a percentage to zoom to from the drop-down list on the data
sheet toolbar. The display will zoom to a percent of the default full
size.
To Zoom to Full Screen (YT and XY sheets only)
Click the third toolbar button to zoom the data sheet display to best
fit the current size of the graticule to the data sheet window.
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To Zoom On a Waveform Feature (YT and XY sheets only)
Click the fourth toolbar button to begin to zoom in on a waveform
feature. Left click and drag to draw a zoom box around the feature to
be viewed. Release the left mouse button to complete the zooming.
Change the YT or XY Waveform Display (Properties)
To change the position and scale of a waveform in a YT or XY data
sheet, first open a YT or XY data sheet, and drag waveform data
from the Explorer View into the data sheet.
To Position a Waveform
For data in both YT and XY data sheets, drag the channel indicator
(left of graticule) up and down to vertically position the waveform.
For data in an YT data sheet, drag the waveform record view (above
graticule) to horizontally position the selected waveform in the
graticule.
To Scale a Waveform
1. Select Properties from the View menu.
2. Select the Graticule tab in the Properties dialog and set the
number and size of the horizontal and vertical divisions.
3. Select the desired waveform tab in the Properties dialog; use the
pulldown lists to select the horizontal and vertical scale and
position settings of the waveform.
4. Click OK to apply the changes and close the Properties dialog.
To Change Waveform Color
To change the color of a waveform after the waveform has been
acquired, follow the steps below.
1. While in the XY or YT data sheet, select View | Properties.
2. When the Waveform Properties dialog window appears, select
the tab containing the name of the desired waveform, click the
color button, select a new color from the Color window, and click
OK to accept the color change and close the dialog.
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3. Click OK in the Waveform Properties dialog window.
To Lock the Trigger Points or Horizontal Scales of YT Waveforms
1. With the YT data sheet selected, select Properties from the View
menu.
2. Select the Plot tab in the Properties dialog.
3. Select or deselect the check boxes to toggle locked trigger points
and horizontal scales.
4. Click OK to accept the changes and close the Properties dialog.
To Display the Trigger Point on YT Waveforms
1. With the YT data sheet selected, select Properties from the View
menu.
2. Select the Plot tab in the Properties dialog.
3. Select or deselect the Display Trigger Point checkbox to toggle
the trigger point display on the graticule.
4. Click OK to accept the changes and close the Properties dialog.
To Change the Graticule for XY and YT Data Sheets
1. With either an XY or YT sheet selected, select Properties from
the View menu.
2. Select the Graticule tab in the Properties dialog. In this dialog
you can set the following Graticule properties:
Graticule Type. Select from Full, Grid, Crosshairs, or Frame.
Horizontal Divisions. Set the number of horizontal divisions.
Vertical Divisions. Set the number of vertical divisions.
Size of Divisions. Set the size and dimensions of the horizontal
and vertical divisions.
Graticule Color. Set the graticule color.
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Background Color. Set the graticule background color.
Print black and white. Toggles the printing color of the data
sheet.
Set Default. Click Set Default to set the new settings as default.
3. Click OK to accept the changes and close the Properties dialog.
To Change the Plot Style of XY Waveforms
1. With the XY data sheet selected, select Properties from the View
menu.
2. Select the Plot tab in the Properties dialog.
3. In the Plot Type pulldown list, select either Dots or Vectors for
the plot type. Dots displays the waveform data points as
individual dots on the graticule. Vectors displays the waveform
data points as a connected line on the graticule.
4. Click OK to accept the changes and close the Properties dialog.
Measure Waveforms using the Waveform Measurement
Data Sheet
Drag and drop waveform data from YT, XY, or Waveform Tabular sheet
into Waveform Measurement sheet
1. Open a YT, XY, or Waveform Tabular sheet with waveform data
in it.
2. Select New from the File menu and select Waveform Measurement Sheet from the New Sheet dialog.
3. Use the mouse to drag the waveform (from the XY or YT sheet)
or column of waveform data (from the waveform tabular sheet)
to the waveform measurement data sheet. The waveform
measurement data sheet will update with measurement values of
the waveform data you dragged to it.
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Gate and drag and drop waveform data from YT sheet to Waveform
Measurement Sheet
1. Open a YT sheet with waveform data in it.
2. Select New from the File menu, and select Waveform Measurement Sheet from the New Sheet dialog.
3. With the YT sheet selected, select Properties from the View
menu. Select the Cursor tab and turn on the Vertical cursors.
Check the Gate with vertical bar cursors box; click OK to accept
the changes and close the Properties dialog.
4. To gate data, click and drag each cursor until they span the data
you want to transfer, and then drag the data to a waveform
measurement data sheet.
Gate and drag/drop from Waveform Tabular Sheet
1. Open a waveform tabular sheet with YT waveform data in it.
2. Unlike gates in a YT data sheet, there are no cursors to turn on in
a waveform tabular sheet; each waveform table has a column that
contains the Start and Stop gates and a trigger point indicator.
3. To gate data, click and drag each gate until they span the data
you want to transfer, and then drag the data to a waveform
measurement data sheet.
Measure StripChart Plots using Cursors
1. Select New in the File menu, and select StripChart from the New
Sheet dialog to open a StripChart data sheet.
2. With the StripChart sheet selected, select Properties from the
View menu.
3. Select the Cursors tab in the Properties dialog, and select a cursor
type from the pulldown list. Click OK to apply the new settings
and close the dialog.
4. Use the mouse to set the cursor positions in the StripChart data
sheet.
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Set Up Instrument (Data Source)
1. Make sure the GPIB or RS-232 connection from the PC to the
instrument is established.
2. With a GPIB or RS-232 connection between the PC and the
instrument established, instrument resources, including most
control settings, automatically appear in the Explorer view.
3. In the Explorer view, click on the Setup branch under the
instrument to be adjusted to expand the instrument setup
properties under it.
4. Click the control to be adjusted, and then right click to pop up its
shortcut menu.
5. If the shortcut menu entry Selections is not disabled (grayed out),
point to it to expand the available selections. If the shortcut menu
entry Selections is disabled, select Properties in the menu instead.
6. Click on the control setting of your choice to complete setting up
the control.
7. In the Properties dialog box, type in a valid value (for example,
200 mV for CH 1 volts).
8. Press OK to apply your selections; press Cancel to discard them.
Both buttons close the Properties dialog box.
Copy the Instrument Screen
To copy an instrument-screen image to a Notes sheet:
1. Choose File | New. The New data sheet dialog box appears
displaying a list of available data sheets from which to select.
Select Notes Sheet, and click OK.
2. In the Explorer view, click to first expand the list of connected
instruments, and then click the instrument whose screen you
intend to copy.
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3. Click Display in the instrument resources to access the Screen
Copy icon.
4. Left click and drag the Screen Copy icon to the Notes sheet and
drop it. The instrument screen appears in the Notes sheet.
Copy the Screen Image to a PC Application
1. Click the title bar of the Notes sheet that contains the bitmap
image you want to copy.
2. Click on the bitmap image.
3. Select Edit | Copy.
4. Display the application to receive the bitmap image and paste the
image using the application menus (usually the Edit menu).
Restore a Waveform to an Instrument
After acquiring a waveform, follow the steps below to restore that
waveform back to an oscilloscope that supports reference waveforms. This way the instrument can operate on the stored waveform
(displaying and using the waveform in Math functions, if supported).
1. In the Explorer view, click to expand the Setup branch under the
instrument to which the waveform is to be restored. This step
displays the reference location that will receive the waveform.
2. Turn on the reference location on the instrument.
3. Click and drag the waveform from a YT sheet (or the data
column in tabular sheets) to the reference location in the Explorer
view that you displayed in step 1.
If you are restoring a waveform from one instrument back to a
different instrument, you need only to drag the waveform and
drop it on the new instrument icon in the Explorer view.
4. Release to drop the waveform and store it in the instrument
reference location.
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Procedures
Install/Uninstall
See Installation and Uninstallation beginning on page 1–5 for
installation and uninstallation procedures.
Connect to Instrument (GPIB & RS-232)
1. Verify that you have the equipment listed in Table 5–1.
Table 5–1: System Requirements for RS-232 and GPIB
Required Equipment
Minimum requirements
Oscilloscope
Tektronix Digital Storage Oscilloscope
(DSO) or Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope (DPO)1
Digital Multimeter (DMM)
Tektronix TX-DMM TX1 or TX3 True
RMS Digital Multimeter
RS-232 cable
Verify that the cable used has the
correct pin numbers and assignments
as the ports on both the oscilloscope
and PC.
GPIB cable
Infrared (IR) to RS-232 cable
If you are connecting to a TX-DMM
series multimeter, you need to use the
IR to RS-232 cable supplied with
WSTRM WaveStar Software for
Meters.
PC
IBM PC-compatible computer, Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0, 16 MB RAM,
4X CD-ROM or better, Super VGA
monitor or better
GPIB Interface Card, installed
National Instruments IEEE 488.2
interface card
1
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See Supported Instruments on page 1–4 for a complete list of
supported Tektronix DSOs and DPOs.
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Procedures
2. Connect your instrument to the PC with the appropriate cable.
3. Turn on the instrument power.
4. If installing a GPIB connection, use the diagnostics supplied with
your National Instruments software to verify the GPIB interface
in your PC. The GPIB board is required for GPIB connection
between your oscilloscope and the PC. If you have problems
verifying your GPIB interface, refer to the National Instruments
information.
5. To add your instrument to the Instrument Manager Service, go to
one of the following procedures in the Instrument Manager
Service section beginning on page 2–1:
Add Instrument: GPIB Connected: Use this procedure if
communicating with your DSO or DPO using GPIB
connection.
Add Instrument: RS-232 Connected: Use this procedure if
communicating with your DSO or DPO using RS-232
connection.
Add Instrument: IR to RS-232 Connected: Use this procedure
if communicating with a TX-DMM series DMM.
Saving and Restoring Data Sheets
Follow the steps below to save and restore a data sheet to the current
workbook:
Save a Data Sheet
1. Select the title of the data sheet you want to save to make that
sheet active and bring it to the front of any other data sheets that
are also open.
2. Use one of the following methods for displaying the Save dialog:
Select File | Save Data Sheet.
Click the Save Data Sheet button in the toolbar.
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Right click in the data sheet area, and select Save Data Sheet
from the shortcut menu that pops up.
3. In the Save dialog, enter a file name and destination for the data
sheet. Data sheet files have a .SHT extension.
4. Click OK to save the data sheet and close the dialog.
Restore a Data Sheet
1. Open the workbook file in which you will restore the data sheet.
2. Use one of the following methods for restoring the data sheet to a
workbook:
Select File | Open and select the data sheet file you want to
restore. Click OK.
Drag the data sheet file from Windows Explorer View and
drop it on the data pane.
3. The Reconnect Links dialog appears, prompting you to select
Reconnect or Offline.
Reconnect. Select Reconnect to reconnect the links used when
the data sheet was last saved.
Offline. Select Offline to open the data sheet without restoring
the links to the original data sources.
NOTE. If you select Reconnect and the data source is no longer
available, a dialog will appear, and the data sheet will be opened as
an offline file (no active links).
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Saving and Restoring Workbooks
Follow the steps below to save and restore a workbook:
Save a Workbook
1. Use one of the following methods for displaying the Save dialog:
Select File | Save Workbook.
Click the Save Workbook button in the toolbar.
2. In the Save dialog, enter a file name and destination for the
workbook. Workbook files have a .WK extension.
3. Click OK to save the workbook and close the dialog.
Restore a Workbook
1. Use one of the following methods to restore a workbook:
Select File | Open and select the workbook file you want to
restore. Click OK.
Drag the workbook file from Windows Explorer View and
drop it on the data pane.
2. The Reconnect Links dialog appears, prompting you to select
Reconnect or Offline.
Reconnect. Select Reconnect to reconnect the links used when
the workbook was last saved.
Offline. Select Offline to open the data sheet without restoring
the links to the original data sources.
NOTE. If you select Reconnect and the data source is no longer
available, a dialog will appear telling you so, and the workbook will
be opened as an Offline file (no active links).
3. If you have a workbook already open, you will be prompted to
save. Restoring a saved workbook file closes the current
workbook file.
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Converting WSTR31 Notebook (*.nbk) Files
To convert a WSTR31 (WaveStar for Windows 3.1) notebook file to
a WSTRO (WaveStar for Oscilloscopes) workbook file, do the
following procedure:
1. Start the WSTRO program.
2. Select Open from the File menu.
3. In the Files of type field (near the bottom of the Open dialog),
select WaveStar 3.1 Notebook Files (*.nbk).
4. Locate the notebook file you want to convert.
5. Click Open.
The notebook sheets are converted and appear in the data sheet
pane.
6. Use the Save Workbook as… selection in the File menu to save
the converted notebook sheets as a new workbook.
Differences in Converted Files
The following notebook data is not converted to the new Workbook
format:
Harmonic and harmonic tabular data
Waveform notes in YT and XY data sheets
The following differences may occur in the display of your data:
Higher resolution waveform drawing methodology may cause
waveforms to appear slightly different when viewed at high zoom
percentages.
YT data that was displayed in the dot format is displayed in the
vector format.
Graticule divisions are scaled the same both vertically and
horizontally. During the conversion, the graticule is scaled
according to the horizontal scale selected in the notebook.
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The position of text, the text font, and the text color on converted
data sheets may be different than on the original data sheets. The
text is movable and you can easily reposition it. You can also
select the font you want displayed and the font color.
Grayscale is now selected from the Print Setup.
YT and XY data is displayed at 100% zoom.
Cursors are not displayed on the YT and XY data sheets.
All waveforms are visible on the YT data sheet.
Saving and Printing Repetitive Snapshots of Data
(“Babysitting” or Untended Monitoring Mode)
The Save, Print, and Refresh buttons in the main toolbar accept
linked data. This allows you to save, print, or refresh the data sheet
or workbook when the data source updates, even if you are not
sitting at your PC. Follow the steps below to link data sources to one
of these buttons:
1. Select a data sheet that has linked data. While you can link data
to a toolbar button directly from the Explorer View, dragging it
first to a data sheet allows you set the name of the saved data
sheet or workbook file.
2. If you plan to save repetitive snapshots of your data, you should
choose the Autoversioning option from the File menu. Selecting
this option adds an automatic date and timestamp to the saved
filename, which prevents new files from overwriting previous
ones.
3. Right click and drag the data source to the toolbar button. When
you release the mouse button, select Link in the shortcut menu
that pops up. (You can also press Ctrl+Shift and left click and
drag the data source to the toolbar button.)
To view or delete a link from a data sheet or toolbar button, right
click on the sheet or button and select Show Links from the shortcut
menu that pops up. The Show Links dialog appears allowing you to
select and delete links.
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Viewing Long Record Lengths
You can view and export long record lengths with up to 8 million
sample points. The procedure for viewing long record lengths is the
same as for viewing any waveform data, with the exception of the
PC memory required to download or export the data.
The following table lists memory requirements to download and
export waveform record lengths of 4 million and 8 million points.
Using less memory than the table indicates requires WaveStar to do
extensive disk cache swapping, resulting in process times from
minutes to hours. If you plan on working with long record length
files, install RAM into your PC to meet (or preferably exceed) the
minimum memory requirements listed in the table.
Record length
Minimum RAM required to download
from oscilloscope
Minimum RAM required to generate
export file
4 million points
48 MB
60 MB
8 million points
96 MB
120 MB
To print the full record length of all waveforms in the YT data sheet,
select the data sheet and choose Print Banner... in the File menu. The
Print Banner option is useful when your YT data sheet contains
waveforms that are longer than the width of the graticule.
Exporting Data
You can export data from any of the data sheets as either commaseparated values (CSV), text, or rich text format (RTF).
1. Select the data sheet from which you want to export data.
2. Select the data items within the data sheet that you want to
export.
3. Select the File | Export menu command.
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4. In the Export dialog, select the format for the exported data and
click OK.
CSV: Comma-separated values
Text: ASCII text format
RTF: Rich text format
5. In the File Save As dialog, enter a file name and location for the
export file, and click OK.
While the export is running, a counter is displayed that shows how
many records have been exported and written to the export file.
Click Stop at any time to stop the export. This is especially helpful
when exporting long record lengths.
When displayed, data in the export file looks exactly like what you
would get if you dragged and dropped the data to Microsoft Excel or
Word, except using the Export command writes this data to a file
instead of displaying it in an external application.
Importing Data
You can import instrument-generated waveforms files with WFM,
ISF, or CSV formats, as well as waveform data stored or created in
Microsoft Excel CSV format. You can import waveform data to YT,
XY, WaveformMeasurement, and WaveFormTabular data sheets.
Importing data method 1:
1. Select the data sheet to which you want to import data.
2. Select the File | Import command. WaveStar displays the Import
File dialog box.
3. Select or enter the name of the file to import.
4. Click OK. WaveStar imports the data into the selected data sheet.
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Importing data method 2:
1. In the Windows environment, select the file that contains the
waveform data to import.
2. Drag and drop the file onto the data sheet to which you want to
import data.
CSV Format
CSV files can have no more than two lines of header information,
followed by two columns of time/value data. The following is an
example of the CSV format:
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WaveStar Software User Manual
WSTRM WaveStar for Meters
and Virtual Instrument Software
WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and
Virtual Instrument Software
This section outlines information specific to WSTRM WaveStar
Software for Meters.
Specifications
Specifications listed in Table 6–1 are for the Infrared RS-232 serial
communications cable. All specifications are warranted, unless noted
as typical, for operation in an ambient temperature. Refer to the
instrument user manual for the specifications of the TX-DMM
multimeter.
Table 6–1: Specifications for the Infrared RS-232 cable
Characteristic
Specification
RS-232 compatibility
Infrared (IR) to 9-pin RS-232 serial
communications
Connectors
PC: 9-pin female D-sub connector
DMM: Proprietary male IR coupler
Temperature
Operating
0° to 50° C
Non-operating
–20° to +60° C
Humidity
Operating
Maximum: 80% relative humidity in
30° to 50° C range
Non-operating
Maximum: 80% relative humidity in
30° to 60° C range
Physical Characteristics
Length
210 cm ±10 cm
Weight
100.5 g
WaveStar Software User Manual
6–1
WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
Setup
Before using the WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters or the
Virtual Instrument software, you first need to connect your
TX-DMM series DMM to your PC using the infrared (IR)-to-RS-232
cable provided. Follow the steps below to connect your DMM and
PC, referring to the illustration as needed.
1. Press the boot insert into place in the top of the DMM protective
boot. Connect the WSTRM cable to the boot insert.
Boot insert
WSTRM cable
9-pin connector
2. Connect the other end of the WSTRM cable to your computer
serial port using the 9-pin connector. If you require a 25-pin
connection to your PC, you will need to use the included
9-pin-to-25-pin adapter.
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WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
Functional Check
Use one of the following methods to perform a functional check of
the cable:
Method 1:
1. Set up the meter and cable. See page 6–2.
2. Install WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters. See page 1–5.
3. Add your meter to the instrument list using Instrument Manager
Service. See page 2–10.
A successful connection to your meter indicates a passing
functional check.
Method 2:
1. Set up the TX DMM through the Instrument Manager Service
(refer to Add Instrument: Infrared (IR) to RS-232 Connected on
page 2–10).
2. Open the Virtual Instrument application.
3. Select About from the Help menu.
If the About dialog correctly displays the name, model number,
firmware version number, and serial number of your meter, the
functional check passed.
If the functional check fails, refer to Troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting
If your instrument fails the functional check, refer to the troubleshooting flow chart on page 6–4 and the text following it to
perform the communications port test and the TX-DMM cable tests.
To determine if the failure of the functional check is because of a
fault in the RS-232-C communications port, you will need to build a
loop back test fixture and perform a communications port test. To
build the fixture, you will need either a 9-pin DB9 female connector
or a 25-pin DB25 female connector, whichever one matches your
RS-232 communications port.
WaveStar Software User Manual
6–3
WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
TX-DMM not
responding.
Fail
Contact your
computer support
center.
Fail
Contact Tektronix
service support.
Fail
Run
communications
port test.
Pass
Run
TX-DMM
cable test.
Pass
Run
Instrument
Manager
Service.
Pass
Run Wavestar
Software for
Meters
Wire strap the pins on the connector as follows (see the following
illustration):
Connect the TxD and RxD pins together.
Connect the CTS, RTS, and DCD pins together.
Connect the DSR and DTR pins together.
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WaveStar Software User Manual
WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
25 Pin (female)
1
14
9 Pin (female)
2 TxD
3 RxD
4 RTS
1 DCD
6 DSR
7 RTS
8 CTS
9
5 CTS
6 DSR
2 TxD
3 RxD
4 RTS
20 DTR
8 DCD
5
25
13
Communication Port Test. To test the communications port, perform
the following procedure:
1. Install the loop back test fixture on the RS-232 port that you are
testing.
2. Open Microsoft HyperTerminal, and use the default settings to
make a new connection to the communications port that you are
testing.
NOTE. HyperTerminal is part of the Microsoft Windows 95,
Windows 98, or Windows NT operating system. It is typically
accessed by selecting Start, Programs, Accessories, HyperTerminal.
If it is not present on your PC, contact your System Administrator (or
load it from your operating system disk).
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6–5
WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
3. Enter some characters from the keyboard. The characters should
display on your monitor.
If the characters are not displayed on the monitor, verify that you
are connected to the right communications port. If you are, then
the communications port has a fault. Refer the problem to your
system hardware or computer repair personnel.
4. If the characters were displayed on the monitor in step 3, then
disconnect the loop back test fixture from the communications
port. Enter some characters from the keyboard.
If the characters do not display, the loop back text fixture is
working properly, and the communications port is functioning.
TX-DMM Serial Cable Test. You will need the following components to
run this test:
The TX–DMM Infrared (IR) RS-232 Cable
The boot insert (shown in the figure on page 6–2), used to
obtain the proper spacing between the cable and the mirror.
A small mirror.
Test Procedure.
1. Connect the TX–DMM RS-232 cable to your PC.
2. Connect the boot insert to the free end of the RS-232 cable.
3. Open HyperTerminal on your PC, and make a new connection to
the COM port that you are using. Use the Default settings.
4. Hold the RS-232 cable and boot insert flat against the mirror so
that the LEDs are facing the mirror. Type some characters using
the keyboard; you should see what you are typing on the
computer display.
5. To verify the test, take the cable away from the mirror and type
on the keyboard. What you are typing should not appear on the
computer display.
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WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
Virtual Instrument Software Overview
The illustration below shows the WSTRM WaveStar Software for
Meters virtual instrument user interface. As you can see, it is an
exact replica of a TX-DMM true RMS digital multimeter.
Instrument name
Menu Bar
Toolbar
LCD
Softkeys
Buttons
Measurement knob
Status bar
Once you have established a good connection between your
TX-DMM series DMM and your PC, you can use the virtual
instrument software to control your DMM by simply using the menu
commands and mouse to select different DMM controls and settings.
WaveStar Software User Manual
6–7
WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
This section outlines each menu command, toolbar button, and
setting you can use with the Virtual Instrument software.
DMM Instrument Image
Operating the DMM using the image on the PC is identical to
operating the instrument itself, and the LCD readout on the PC is
identical to the LCD on the DMM.
Terminology
Using a mouse to press an on-screen button is obviously different
than pressing the actual button on your DMM. To help you
understand how you can control your DMM using this application,
use the following terminology.
“Button Presses”
You press a button by moving the mouse pointer over the desired
DMM button (at which point the mouse pointer changes to a hand)
and clicking the left mouse button. The action is performed when
you click the mouse button.
“Button Holds”
You hold a button by continuing to hold the left mouse button down
while keeping the mouse pointer over the DMM button for 1 second.
If you release the mouse button or move the mouse pointer off the
DMM button before 1 second expires, the DMM button is released
and the hold action does not occur.
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WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
“Knob Turns”
You turn the DMM knob to a particular function by moving the
mouse pointer over the desired function and pressing the left mouse
button. You can drag the knob by clicking and holding the left mouse
button on the knob and moving the mouse pointer to the new
position. If you drag the mouse pointer to an invalid knob position
(clockwise beyond Amps, counter clockwise past Off, or outside the
knob’s radius) the dragging operation is cancelled.
Off Function
You can now turn the Measurement Knob to the Off position on the
virtual instrument image. This selection (new in WaveStar Software
for Meters, version 2.1) allows you to remotely power on or power
off the DMM. You can right click the Measurement knob at the OFF
position to select power off. This feature also now appears in the
Explorer View Pane under Setup as shown in the following
illustration.
NOTE. If the DMM is powered down, it will take approximately
10 seconds to power up the DMM and re-establish the connection.
Using the virtual image user interface or the Power selection in the
WaveStar Explorer View Panel to power off the DMM puts the
DMM to sleep. To totally shut the instrument off, you must
physically turn the Measurement Knob to Off on the actual DMM.
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WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
Menu Commands
This section describes each menu command.
File Menu
The file menu contains commands for printing and exiting the
application.
Print. This selection will send the DMM image to a printer. The
image height is adjusted to fill the vertical size of the print area. The
image width is adjusted proportionately to maintain the aspect ratio.
The image is centered vertically and horizontally within the print
area. The image will be printed in color on a color printer and will
be printed in monochrome on a monochrome printer. The monochrome image will print in gray-scale if supported by the printer.
Print Setup. This selection brings up the standard Print Setup dialog
box, which allows you to select the printer, paper size, source, and
orientation.
Exit. This selection exits the application. Several aspects of the
application setup are saved in the registry to be used as default value
when the application is started again. The setups that are saved are
the copy selection option (LCD or All), the toolbar and status bar
view option (displayed or not), and the size and position of the
window.
Edit Menu
The Edit menu commands let you set the copy selection state and
copy either the entire image or just the LCD display to the clipboard.
Select All. This selection sets the selection state so the next time you
do Edit | Copy, the entire DMM image will be copied to the
clipboard. The first time you start the application, this is the default
selection. For subsequent selections, the selection state at start-up
will be restored to what it was when you last closed the application.
Select LCD. This selection sets the selection state so the next time you
do Edit | Copy, only the LCD image will be copied to the clipboard.
The selection state at start-up will be restored to what it was when
you last closed the application.
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WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
Copy. This selection copies either the entire DMM image or the just
the LCD image to the clipboard. Use Edit | Select All or Edit | Select
LCD to choose the image you want to have copied.
View Menu
Menu commands in the View menu let you control the toolbar and
status bar display, as well as the size of the user interface.
Toolbar. This selection turns the toolbar display on and off. The first
time you start the application, the toolbar is shown. For subsequent
selections, the toolbar display status at start-up will be restored to
what it was when you last closed the application.
Status Bar. This selection toggles the visibility state of the status bar.
The first time you start the application, the status bar is shown.
Subsequently, the visibility state at start-up will be restored to what it
was when you last closed the application.
Enlarged LCD. This selection shows a separate window that displays
the LCD image only. This is a sizeable window whose aspect ratio is
not maintained, so you can size it however you want. You can use
the standard Windows Alt+Print Screen to copy a bitmap image of
this window to the clipboard.
Large. This selection sets the application window to the largest of its
three fixed sizes. The window includes the full image of the DMM.
Medium. This selection sets the application window to the middle of
its three fixed sizes. The features are the same size as in the Large
image, but it does not show the nonessential area around the
perimeter, such as the boot, connectors, and some of the perimeter.
This window is intended to fit inside a screen resolution of 800x600,
with the toolbar and status bar turned off.
Small. This selection sets the application window to the smallest of its
three fixed sizes. The items shown are the same ones as in the
Medium image, but the height and width are 80% of the size of the
Medium size. This window is intended to accommodate a screen
resolution of 640x480, with the toolbar and status bar turned off.
WaveStar Software User Manual
6–11
WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
Settings Menu
The Settings menu commands let you turn the DMM power on or
off, control power-up settings, and reconnect an instrument
connection.
Power-On Settings. This selection allows you to establish the DMM
power-on settings for the instrument. These settings have the same
action as pressing and holding one of the front-panel buttons while
turning on the meter.
NOTE. The command to Disable Auto-Off is not independently
supported by a menu selection because Auto-Off is automatically
disabled whenever any remote command is received by the
instrument.
Listed below are the power-on settings you can use with the virtual
instrument application:
500 mV Hi-Z. This sets the 500 mV High Impedance mode. This
is the same as pressing and holding the Range button when
turning on the DMM.
1sec M/M/A. This sets the 1 second M/M/A mode. This is the
same as pressing and holding the M/M/A button when turning on
the DMM.
No Beeper. This turns the beeper off. This is the same as pressing
and holding the Delta button when turning on the DMM.
High Resolution. This sets the High Res - 50,000 Counts mode.
This is the same as pressing and holding the Blue button when
turning on the DMM.
No Light Auto-Off. This Disables Light Timeout for the
backlight. This is the same as pressing and holding the Light
button when turning on the DMM.
Clear All. This resets all power-up modes. This is the same as
turning on the DMM with NO buttons held.
Reconnect. If you have two or more DMMs connected to the PC, you
can use this item to choose which DMM will be controlled by this
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WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
application. The instrument’s alias, as set in the Instrument Services
Manager, is shown on the application’s title bar. If you have a single
DMM connected to the PC, this menu item has no effect.
When you start the application, and two or more DMMs are
connected to the PC, the list of instruments is presented to you to
choose the DMM that will be controlled.
Help Menu
The Help menu commands give you access to the online help topics
and to information about the software and hardware.
Contents and Index. This selection activates the top-level view of the
application’s online help system.
What’s this?. This selection turns the normal mouse pointer into a
What’s This? help pointer. You can then select a menu command,
toolbar button, or area of the user interface to display context-sensitive online help about that topic.
TxDmm Overview. This selection displays the TxDmm Overview
online help topic.
Technical Support. This selection displays information on how to
contact Tektronix technical support.
About TxDmm. This selection brings up the Help About dialog box. In
addition to showing the application name, version and copyright
notice, it shows pertinent information about the presently connected
DMM: Model Number, Serial Number, Firmware Version and the
Last Calibration Date.
Toolbar
The toolbar provides shortcuts to the corresponding menu items:
Edit | Select All
Edit | Select LCD
Edit | Copy
File | Print
WaveStar Software User Manual
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WSTRM WaveStar Software for Meters and Virtual Instrument Software
Help | About
A button to activate context-sensitive help.
Status Bar
This displays a one-line description of the toolbar button or menu
selection the mouse pointer is positioned over.
6–14
WaveStar Software User Manual
User Proxy Table Utility
User Proxy Table Utility
The WaveStar User Proxy Table Creation Utility is an application
that helps you build instrument proxy files interactively. Instrument
proxy files consist of simple commands and queries that the utility
uses to program those instruments for which instrument proxies are
not available. You can use this utility with WaveStar Software for
Oscilloscopes and with WaveStar Software for Meters.
Proxy File Overview
Instrument Proxy files are user-readable ASCII files, with read and
write permissions enabled. Each file consists of records that describe
the commands and queries to be used to program various settings in
the instrument. The records can also contain information on the data
type of any argument taken by the command, the response string that
will be returned by the query and read/write privileges.
The proxy table files can only contain commands and queries that
take or return simple, nonaggregate data. Commands and queries
that handle aggregate data, like arrays or structures, cannot be used
in the file.
Records
A typical record in the file will look as follows:
#+!) $""#(#
&*',
# '(%$#(( ),%)'!#
(('+ #*"
In the above example, the name of the setting described by the
record is CH1.Bandwidth. The string to be used to program the
setting is specified by the Command field. The string to be used to
query the setting is specified by the Query field. The Type field
specifies the nature of the argument taken by the command. Access
rights are specified by the Access field.
WaveStar Software User Manual
7–1
User Proxy Table Utility
Fields within a record are separated by commas, while records
themselves are separated by semi-colons.
Initialization Commands
You can specify a set of initialization commands in the file, which
the WaveStar application will use to initialize the instrument during
the process of establishing a connection. Initialization commands are
preceded by the keyword ‘init’, while normal commands are
preceded by the keyword ‘add’.
A typical initialization command looks as follows:
The WaveStar application will issue the above statement to the
instrument at the time of establishing the connection, setting the
instrument bandwidth to TWENTY. You can specify multiple
initialization records, but you must separate them with semi-colons.
7–2
WaveStar Software User Manual
User Proxy Table Utility
Main Screen
When you open the User Proxy Table Utility, the application opens
the main screen. This dialog is used to add a new record or modify
an existing record. For a new file, the list box and controls will be
empty. If you open an existing file the list box will display the
records in the file and the controls show corresponding fields of the
first record. The columns of the list box correspond to the different
fields comprising a record.
Menu Bar
Toolbar
Controls
Record
list box
WaveStar Software User Manual
7–3
User Proxy Table Utility
File Menu
New. Select New to open a new main screen with no records in the
list box. The application can open only one file at a time, so if you
select New, the currently open file will be closed (you will be
prompted to save this file before it is closed). By default, new files
are titled Instrument 1.
Open. Select Open to open a previously saved file.
Save. Select Save to save the open file to a directory. Files are saved
with an .ipr extension.
Save As. Select Save As to save the open file with a new name or in a
new location.
Settings. Select Settings to open the User Proxy Registry Settings
dialog. See Registry Screen on page 7–9 for further information.
<Recent Files>. This section of the File menu displays all recently
opened files.
Exit. Select Exit to close the application.
7–4
WaveStar Software User Manual
User Proxy Table Utility
Record Menu
New. Select New in the Record menu to commit (save) the current
record and clear the controls for entering a new record. If you were
modifying the current record, you must first click Update to update
the record file; otherwise the modifications will be lost. Records are
saved to file in the same order they are displayed in the list box.
Cut. Select Cut to cut the selected record from the list box. The cut
record is put on the clipboard.
Copy. Select Copy to copy the selected record.
Paste. Select Paste to paste the record in the clipboard to the list box.
The record is pasted above the currently selected record in the list
box.
Initialization Record. Select Initialization Record to open the
Initialization Commands dialog. See Initialization Screen on page
7–8 for further information.
Home. Select Home to select the first record in the file and show the
corresponding controls.
End. Select End to select the last record in the file and show the
corresponding controls.
WaveStar Software User Manual
7–5
User Proxy Table Utility
Help Menu
Select About Proxytbl... in the Help menu to display the About
Proxytbl dialog showing the product name, version number, and
copyright information.
Toolbar
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
New file
Open a file
Save file
Move to first record in list
Move to previous record in list
Move to next record in list
Move to last record in list
Display About Proxytbl dialog
Toolbar Buttons
There are four toolbar buttons in the main screen that control the
current record (see the illustration on page 7–3):
New. Click this button to insert a new, blank record above the
currently selected record.
Update. Click this button to commit (save) the current record. Any
changes you have made in the controls will appear in the list box.
Clear. Click this button to clear the edit controls and entry fields.
Cut. Click this button to cut the currently selected record from the list
box. The cut record is placed on the Windows clipboard.
Control Settings
There are nine control settings in this dialog that allow you to
control the record.
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User Proxy Table Utility
Setting. This control specifies the name of the instrument setting
described by the record.
Command. This control specifies the command to be used to program
the setting in the instrument. The command control is disabled if the
access control is set to read-only.
Query. This control specifies the query to be used to read the setting
from the instrument. If you do not specify a query control, the
response control is disabled. The query control is disabled if the
Access control is set to write-only or execute.
Response. This control specifies the type of response expected when
the setting is queried. This control is disabled if no query control is
specified.
Access. This control specifies the read/write access of the setting.
Settings with write-only access cannot be queried. You can not write
to settings with read-only access. Read settings disable the command
control. Write settings disable the query and response controls.
Execute settings set the Data type control to Method and disable all
controls except Setting, Command, and Data Type.
Data Type. This control specifies the type of argument that the
Command control will take. For Method data type settings, the
Access control is set to Execute.
Enum List. This control is used to input comma-separated enumerated
values. These values must be comma-separated.
Units. This control specifies the units to be associated with the
setting.
List Box. The list box displays the partial set of records in the
currently open file. You can view any record in the file by selecting
the record in the scrolling list.
WaveStar Software User Manual
7–7
User Proxy Table Utility
Initialization Screen
The Initialization Commands dialog has a scrollable edit box that
displays initialization commands that have been previously entered
or read from the Initialization Section of the file.
You can add, delete, and modify the initialization commands. Each
command has to be entered on a new line. Click OK to save the
initialization commands and store and add them to the Initialization
Section of the file when the file is saved. Click Cancel to dismiss the
dialog without saving changes.
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User Proxy Table Utility
Registry Screen
Use the User Proxy Registry Settings dialog to enter registration
information for the file. You can access the Registry Settings by
selecting Settings from the File menu. The dialog is also displayed
when you save or close the file.
If there is an entry for the current file in the registry, the values in
this entry are read and displayed in the dialog; otherwise the dialog
is brought up with default values in the fields. You can modify these
values and overwrite the existing registry entries.
At startup, the application checks the registry to see if there is any
top-level key containing the UserProxyProgId (“UIser.InstrConnection.1”) and Type (0x796e6164). If such key is unavailable, the
utility creates it, and updates LastProxyId. If necessary, the
application builds the whole Software\Tektronix\InstSvr\Available
Proxies tree under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE key.
If there is no registry entry under the UserProxy top-level key
corresponding to the file name being edited, the application creates a
new entry with the same name as the open file and saves the settings
under it.
There are four entry fields and two buttons that control the User
Proxy Registry Settings dialog:
Instrument Family Member Name: This field displays the name of
the file that is being registered.
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User Proxy Table Utility
VISA Filter: This is a user-editable field that shows the value of the
VisaFilter registry key if available. This key determines the
communication (GPIB or RS-232) settings of the instrument. If
this registry key is not available, this field shows, by default,
GPIB?*INSTR:ASRL?*INSTR.
VISA Defaults: This is a user-editable field that shows the value of
the VisaDefaults registry key if available. This key determines
the default RS-232 baud rate, data bits, parity, and flow control
settings of the instrument. If this registry key is not available, this
field shows, by default,
VI_ATTR_ASRL_BAUD=9600,VI_ATTR_
ASRL_DATA_BITS=8,VI_ATTR_ASRL_PARITY=0,
VI_ATTR_ASRL_FLOW_CNTRL=2.
VISA Settings: This is a user-editable field that shows the value of
the VisaSettings registry key, if available. This key determines
the user-edited baud rate, data bits, parity, and flow control
settings of the instrument. If this registry key is not available, this
field shows, by default,
VI_ATTR_ASRL_BAUD=9600,VI_ATTR_ASRL_
DATA_BITS=8,VI_ATTR_ASRL_PARITY=0,
VI_ATTR_ASRL_FLOW_CNTRL=2.
OK Button: Click this button to save currently displayed registry
settings and close dialog.
Cancel Button: Click this button to dismiss the dialog without
changing the registry settings.
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WaveStar Software User Manual
RS-232
RS-232
This section provides instructions to set the default RS-232 values on
various Tektronix oscilloscopes and some general troubleshooting
help.
Setting RS-232 Default Values
Refer to the information in this section for RS-232 interface
connections for your specific oscilloscope family.
TDS 200, TDS 300, TDS 3000, and THS 700 Series
If you are using a TDS 200 Series, TDS 300 Series, TDS 3000
Series, or THS 700 Series oscilloscope, you can use the Set RS-232
Parameters to Default Values button to set the RS-232 settings on the
oscilloscope to the WaveStar default values.
TDS 200 Series Oscilloscopes. Follow the steps below to access the Set
RS-232 Parameters to Default Values button:
1. Push the Utility button on your oscilloscope.
2. Push the Options bezel button.
3. Push the RS232 Setup bezel button.
4. Push the Set to defaults bezel button to set the RS-232 settings to
the WaveStar default settings.
You can examine the Error Log for clues about your RS-232
interface connection. Follow the steps below to access the Error Log:
1. Push the Utility button on the oscilloscope.
2. Push the Error Log bezel button.
3. Use the bezel buttons to page through the Error Log display.
Check the lines in the Error Log titled RS-232 Line Snapshot and
RS-232 Errors. Refer to the programmer manual for your oscilloscope for information about interpreting the information in the Error
Log.
WaveStar Software User Manual
8–1
RS-232
TDS 300 Series and TDS 3000 Series Oscilloscopes. Follow the steps
below to access the Set RS-232 Parameters to Default Values button:
1. Push the Utility button on your oscilloscope.
2. Push the bottom left bezel button repeatedly until I/O is selected.
3. Push the RS-232C (RS232 for the TDS 3000 Series) bezel button.
The side bezel buttons now control the RS-232 settings.
4. Push the fourth bezel button (fifth bezel button for TDS 3000
Series) on the side to set the default RS-232 settings to the
WaveStar default values.
You can examine the Error Log for clues about your RS-232
interface connection. Follow the steps below to access the Error Log:
1. Push the Utility button on the oscilloscope.
2. Push the bottom left bezel button on the oscilloscope repeatedly
until Diag is selected.
3. Push the bezel button on the oscilloscope labeled Error Log.
TDS 3000 Series oscilloscopes display the Error Log. (For TDS
300 Series oscilloscopes, push the side bezel button labeled
Display Log to display the Error Log.)
Check the lines in the Error Log titled RS-232 Line Snapshot and
RS-232 Errors. Refer to the programmer manual for your oscilloscope for information about interpreting the information in the Error
Log.
THS 700 Series Oscilloscopes. Follow the steps below to access the Set
RS232 Parameters to Defaults button.
1. Push the Utility button on the oscilloscope.
2. Push the bottom left bezel button (System Config) on the
oscilloscope repeatedly until RS-232 is selected.
3. Push the fifth bezel button on the oscilloscope (labeled Set
RS232 Parameters to Defaults).
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WaveStar Software User Manual
RS-232
You can examine the Error Log for clues about your RS-232
interface connection. Follow the steps below to access the Error Log:
1. Push the Utility button on the oscilloscope.
2. Push the bottom left bezel button on the oscilloscope repeatedly
until Diag is selected.
3. Push the bezel button on the oscilloscope labeled Error Log.
4. Push the adjacent bezel button labeled OK Display Log to
display the Error Log.)
Check the lines in the Error Log titled RS-232 Line Snapshot and
RS-232 Errors. Refer to the programmer manual for your oscilloscope for information about interpreting the information in the Error
Log.
TDS 400, 500, 600, 700, or 800 Series
The TDS 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 Series oscilloscopes support
RS-232 printers but cannot be controlled over the RS-232 interface.
WaveStar Software can only communicate with these series of
oscilloscopes using a GPIB interface connection.
WaveStar Software User Manual
8–3
RS-232
RS-232 General Hints
Make sure the communication parameters are set correctly on
both the oscilloscope and WaveStar. Baud rates should be the
same, Parity should be None, Data Bits should be 8, and Stop
Bits should be 1.
Soft flagging should never be used for waveform and hardcopy
transfers. This is because waveform data and hardcopy output
contain binary characters which can easily include the XON and
XOFF characters used to implement soft flagging. Soft flagging
should only be used for transferring stored setups since stored
setup information generally consists of printable ASCII text.
Although it generally should not matter if the EOL characters are
the same, set the EOL to CRLF to be sure there are no problems.
Not all instruments support full RS-232 communications. Some
instruments only support GPIB communication, while others
support limited RS-232 functions, such as printer functions.
If you are able to connect to an instrument but unable to transfer
waveforms successfully, you may have a cable that is not wired
correctly for hard flagging.
If you can successfully transfer settings to and from the
instrument at the fastest supported baud rate, hard flagging is
probably working. If not, try soft flagging. If you can successfully transfer settings using soft flagging but not with hard flagging,
there is a good chance the hard flagging lines of your cable are
not connected properly.
8–4
WaveStar Software User Manual
RS-232
RS-232 Cable Issues
If the information provided so far in this section fails to resolve your
RS-232 problems, try the following information:
You might be using an incompatible RS-232 cable. There is no
such thing as a standard RS-232 cable, so you may need to use an
ohmmeter to verify that your cable is wired correctly. Many
cables do not have all of the pins connected.
Determine whether the PC and oscilloscope are DTE (Data
Terminal Equipment) or DCE (Data Communications Equipment) devices. This information is in the documentation provided
with your oscilloscope and with your PC.
If you are connecting a DTE device to a DCE device you will
need a straight-through cable. This is a cable that has the same
pin assignments on both ends of the cable.
If you are connecting two devices of the same type, you need a
null modem cable. This is a cable whose lines are crossed such
that the inputs of one device are connected to the outputs of the
other.
CAUTION. Do not connect the output lines of two same-type devices
to each other. Doing so will damage one or both of the devices.
For hard flagging to work, the RTS (Request To Send) and CTS
(Clear To Send) lines must be connected. Use an ohmmeter to
verify that they are actually connected since not all cables
connect these lines. The RTS line is sometimes referred to as
RFR.
The DCD (Data Carrier Detect) line is not used by WaveStar so it
does not matter whether or not it is connected. The DCD line is
sometimes referred to as RLSD.
WaveStar Software User Manual
8–5
RS-232
RS-232 Cable Examples
The information in this section provides correct wiring and pin
assignments for RS-232 interface connections with each type of
oscilloscope supported by WaveStar Software.
TDS 200, TDS 300, & TDS 3000 Series Oscilloscope to PC (DB9 to DB9 )
Table 8–1 lists the correct wiring for connecting a TDS 200,
TDS 300, or TDS 3000 Series oscilloscope with 9 pins to a 9 pin
serial port on a DTE PC. These oscilloscopes are DTE devices.
Table 8–1: Pin assignments for TDS 200, TDS 300, and TDS 3000
Series oscilloscopes (DB9 to DB9)
TDS line
DB9 connector pin
number (to
oscilloscope)
DB9 connector pin
number
(to PC)
DB9 signal name
(RxD)
2
3
(TxD)
(TxD)
3
2
(RxD)
(DTR)
4
6
(DSR)
(GND)
5
5
(GND)
(DSR)
6
4
(DTR)
(RTS)
7
1, 81
(CTS)
(CTS)
8
7
(RTS)
1
8–6
Pins 1 and 8 are wired together.
WaveStar Software User Manual
RS-232
Connecting Two Like Devices (DCE to DCE or DTE to DTE)
Using Null Modem Cable
Table 8–2 lists the correct wiring for connecting two like devices
together using a DB25 female to DB25 female cable.
Table 8–2: Pin assignments for DB25 Female to DB25 Female Null
Modem Cable
DB25 female 25 pin
connector
DB25 female pin
number
PC pin
Line name
Chassis Ground
1
1
Chassis Ground
(TxD)
2
3
(RxD)
(RxD)
3
2
(TxD)
(RTS)
4
5
(CTS)
(CTS)
5
4
(RTS)
(DSR DCD)
6,81
20
(DTR)
(DTR)
20
6,81
(DCR DCD)
(Signal GND)
7
7
(Signal GND)
1
Pins 6 and 8 are wired together.
WaveStar Software User Manual
8–7
RS-232
8–8
WaveStar Software User Manual
GPIB
GPIB Overview
Most GPIB problems are caused by the general errors listed in
Table 9–1 lists common GPIB problems and .
Table 9–1: Common GPIB Errors
Problem
Solution
Loose Cable
Make sure cables are securely connected to both
the PC and the oscilloscope.
Wrong GPIB Address
Make sure you have selected the correct address.
WaveStar provides addresses 1 through 30. Check
the GPIB address of your instrument. The address
is an instrument function, so refer to your instrument
user manual for instructions on how to check and
set the instrument’s GPIB address.
Multiple devices using
the same GPIB address
Make sure each instrument connected to the GPIB
bus has a unique GPIB address.
Timeout Value too Slow
Set the timeout value to a faster time.
Windows GPIB Drivers
not Installed
Install the proper Windows GPIB drivers.
Old Version of GPIB
Drivers
Upgrade to National Instruments Version 2.7.2 or
later.
WaveStar Software User Manual
9–1
GPIB
If you experience problems using GPIB communication, use the
steps below to try to resolve the problem. Usually, problems have a
simple cause such as an incorrect address or faulty cable. If the
procedures below or other GPIB-related help information does not
fix the problem, contact Tektronix Technical Support for further
help.
First, make sure you are using the proper equipment to establish the
GPIB connection:
National Instruments GPIB Interface card (IEEE Std 488.2)
Version C.12 or later
GPIB Cable
After verifying you are using the proper GPIB equipment, follow the
steps below.
1. Disconnect all GPIB cables from PC.
2. Run the hardware diagnostics supplied with the GPIB card.
3. Run the software diagnostics supplied with the card.
4. If the GPIB diagnostics fail, or if you have difficulty running
them, contact National Instrument Technical Support.
5. If the GPIB diagnostics pass, contact Tektronix. (See page vii for
information on how to contact Tektronix.)
9–2
WaveStar Software User Manual
Index
Index
A
ASRL, 2–5
B
babysitting/untended monitoring,
5–15
baud rate, 2–5
C
changing
waveform color, 5–4
waveform position, 5–4
waveform scale, 5–4
connect to instrument, 5–10
converting WSTR31 notebook
files, 5–14
copying
data, 4–4
data to a data sheet, 3–13
instrument screen, 5–8
screen image to another application, 5–9
cursors, using, 5–7
D
data, linking, 3–14, 4–4
data bits, 2–6
WaveStar Software User Manual
data sheet
common behavior, 4–1
compatible data between sheets,
4–5
property sheets, 4–5
YT, 4–26
data sheet pane, 3–2, 4–1
datalog measurement sheet
copying vs. linking, 4–8
I/O operations, 4–7
overview, 4–6
property sheet, 4–8
start recording, 4–8
stop recording, 4–8
datalog tabular sheet
copying vs. linking, 4–10
I/O operations, 4–10
overview, 4–9
property sheet, 4–11
start recording, 4–10
stop recording, 4–10
DCOM, installation, 1–6
default RS–232 parameters
setting for TDS 200 series, 8–1
setting for TDS 300 and 3000
series, 8–2
setting for THS 700 series, 8–2
displaying
trigger point, 5–5
two waveforms in XY sheet, 5–2
waveform is YT sheet, 5–1
drag and drop data to waveform
measurement sheet, 5–6
dynamically position waveforms,
5–3
Index–1
Index
E
I
edit menu, 3–6
Explorer view, 3–2
data icon, 3–11
functions icon, 3–12
icons, 3–11
links, selections, properties, 3–16
setup icon, 3–11
export, 5–16
installing
DCOM, 1–6
TekVisa, 1–7
WSTRM, 1–9
WSTRO, 1–5
WSTROU, 1–5
Instrument Manager Service (IMS)
activity log
display, 2–13
print, 2–13
adding an instrument connected
to the AD007 Adapter, 2–10
adding GPIB instrument, 2–8
adding IR to RS-232 instrument,
2–10
adding RS-232 instrument, 2–5
main screen overview, 2–1
menu bar, 2–2
remove an instrument, 2–11
set instrument permissions, 2–14
shutting down service, 2–12
switching instrument online or
offline, 2–12
toolbar, 2–4
F
file menu, 3–4
flow control, 2–6
G
gate and drag and drop from waveform tabular sheet, 5–7
gate, drag and drop data to waveform meas. sheet, 5–7
GPIB
adding instrument to IMS, 2–8
common errors, 9–1
resolving problems, 9–2
terminator, 2–8
timeout rate, 2–8
graticule properties, 5–5
H
help menu, 3–8
Index–2
K
key, for installation, viii
L
linking data, 3–14, 4–4
lock horizontal scale, 5–5
lock trigger points, 5–5
long record lengths, 5–16
WaveStar Software User Manual
Index
M
measure strip chart plot using
cursors, 5–7
menus, toolbar, 3–9
Microsoft Office, copying data
into, 4–4
mouse operations, 3–10
N
National Instruments, IEEE interface card, 1–3
notebook files, converting to workbook files, 5–14
notes sheet
operations, 4–12
overview, 4–11
saving/recalling instrument settings, 4–13
supported applications, 4–13
O
offline, switching an instrument,
2–12
online, switching an instrument,
2–12
P
parity, 2–6
permissions, set for instrument,
2–14
Print banner, 4–28
printing full record length, 4–28
WaveStar Software User Manual
procedures
babysitting/untended monitoring,
5–15
change graticule properties, 5–5
change waveform plot style, 5–6
change waveform position, 5–4
change waveform scale, 5–4
connect to instrument, 5–10
copy instrument screen, 5–8
copy screen image to another
application, 5–9
display trigger point, 5–5
display two waveforms in XY
sheet, 5–2
display waveform in YT sheet,
5–1
drag and drop data to waveform
measurement sheet, 5–6
dynamically position waveforms,
5–3
gate and drag and drop from
waveform tabular sheet, 5–7
gate, drag and drop data to waveform meas. sheet, 5–7
lock horizontal scale, 5–5
lock trigger points, 5–5
measure strip chart plot using
cursors, 5–7
restore data sheet, 5–12
restore waveform to instrument,
5–9
restore workbook, 5–13
save and print repetitive data,
5–15
save data sheet, 5–11
save workbook, 5–13
set up data source, 5–8
using cursors, 5–7
zoom, 5–3
properties, setting, 4–5
Index–3
Index
R
reconnect links, 5–12
registration card, viii
required equipment
for GPIB connection, 5–10
for RS-232 connection, 5–10
requirements, system, 1–3
restore data sheet, 5–12
restore waveform to instrument,
5–9
restore workbook, 5–13
RS-232
adding instrument to IMS, 2–5
baud rate, 2–5
cable examples by product family, 8–6
cable issues, 8–5
data bits, 2–6
flow control, 2–6
general hints, 8–4
parity, 2–6
stop bits, 2–6
terminator, 2–6
timeout rate, 2–6
S
save and print repetitive data, 5–15
save data sheet, 5–11
save workbook, 5–13
scalar viewer sheet
I/O operations, 4–15
overview, 4–14
property sheet, 4–16
supported applications, 4–15
set up data source, 5–8
setting properties, 4–5
software license, viii
Start/Stop data acquisition, 4–2
Index–4
stop bits, 2–6
strip chart, zooming, 4–2
stripchart sheet
copying vs. linking, 4–18
I/O operations, 4–17
overview, 4–16
property sheet, 4–18
start recording, 4–18
stop recording, 4–18
using cursors, 4–19
supported DMMs, TX-DMM, 1–4
supported oscilloscopes
11800 series, 1–4
CSA 800 series, 1–4
TDS 200 series, 1–4
TDS 300 series, 1–4
TDS 3000 series, 1–4
TDS 400 series, 1–4
TDS 500 series, 1–4
TDS 600 series, 1–4
TDS 700 series, 1–4
TDS 800 series, 1–4
THS 700 series, 1–4
switching an instrument online or
offline, 2–12
system requirements, 1–3
T
TDS 200 series, RS-232 connection, 8–1
TDS 300 series, RS-232 connection, 8–1
TDS 3000 series, RS-232 connection, 8–1
TDS 400 series, RS-232 connection, 8–3
TDS 500 series, RS-232 connection, 8–3
WaveStar Software User Manual
Index
TDS 600 series, RS-232 connection, 8–3
TDS 700 series, RS-232 connection, 8–3
TDS 800 series, RS-232 connection, 8–3
TekVisa, 1–12
installation, 1–7, 1–10
uninstallation, 1–12
terminator, 2–6
THS 700 series, RS-232 connection, 8–1
timeout rate, 2–6
toolbar, 3–9
troubleshooting
RS–232 cable issues, 8–5
RS–232 communcations port test,
6–5
RS–232 hints, 8–4
TX–DMM serial cable test, 6–6
WSTRM cable functional check,
6–3
U
uninstalling
TekVisa, 1–12
WSTRM, 1–12
WSTRO, 1–12
user proxy table utility
control settings in the main
screen, 7–6
fields in user proxy registry
settings, 7–9
file menu, 7–4
help menu, 7–6
initialization commands, 7–2
initialization screen, 7–8
main screen overview, 7–3
proxy file overview, 7–1
WaveStar Software User Manual
record menu, 7–5
records, 7–1
registry screen, 7–9
toolbar, 7–6
using cursors, 5–7
V
view menu, 3–7
virtual instrument
menu commands, 6–10
overview, 6–7
status bar, 6–14
terminology, 6–8
toolbar, 6–13
VISA, 1–12
W
waveform measurement sheet
I/O operations, 4–19
overview, 4–19
property sheet, 4–21
supported applications, 4–20
using gates, 4–21
waveform plot style, 5–6
waveform tabular sheet
I/O operations, 4–22
overview, 4–21
property sheet, 4–23
using gates, 4–23
WaveStar
Explorer view, 3–11
main screen, 3–1
menu bar, 3–4
toolbar, 3–9
window menu, 3–8
WSTR31 file conversion, 5–14
Index–5
Index
WSTRM
connecting meter to PC, 6–2
installation, 1–9
uninstallation, 1–12
WSTRO, uninstallation, 1–12
X
XY sheet
I/O operations, 4–24
overview, 4–23
property sheet, 4–25
using cursors, 4–25
zooming, 4–2
Index–6
Y
YT sheet
overview, 4–26
print banner, 4–28
property sheet, 4–27
using cursors, 4–27
using gates, 4–27
waveform operations, 4–26
zooming, 4–2
Z
zoom, 5–3
WaveStar Software User Manual