Category: Knowledge Base DS1000 Series

To determine how long an oscilloscope will capture a signal when it is operated in single trigger mode is determined by taking the instrument’s memory depth and dividing it by the instrument’s sample rate.  The memory depth can be changed within the instrument’s acquire menu and then the sample rate can be changed by adjusting the horizontal scaling.  The table below lists the different memory depth and sample rate combinations that are possible on the DS1000Z series and lists the length of time the instrument is able of capturing with each possible combination.  

Note that the length of time listed is in seconds and this is for one channel.

The Rigol DS1000Z, DS2000, DS4000, and DS6000 series of oscilloscopes have a number of options available that can be added later. This includes serial decoding, memory expansion, and triggering options.

1. Contact your RIGOL sales representative or RIGOL technical support to order the corresponding options. You can view the options currently installed on the oscilloscope or activate the newly bought option serial number through the options menu on the instrument.

2. Press Utility > Down Arrow > Options > Installed to view the options currently installed on the oscilloscope. 

3. Press Setup to enter the serial number activation menu.

4. Editor: press this softkey to turn on the serial number input interface.

5. Use the multi-function knob to select the characters on the virtual keyboard and press down the knob to input the character. 

DS1000Z Deep Memory Data Collection Example

    Utilizing the deep memory capture capabilities of Rigol scopes is a great benefit in many applications. Engineers often need to view and analyze details that are separated in time and frequency from triggerable events. This requires a combination of sampling speed and memory to correctly oversample the displayed signal so that after the capture detail can be seen before or after the trigger event as well as at potentially much higher speeds than the trigger event itself. 
    All Rigol UltraVision oscilloscopes work similarly but have slightly different combinations of sampling and memory depth. UltraVision scopes include the 1000Z Series, 2000A Series, 4000 Series, and 6000 Series. All except for the 6000 Series have both DS and MSO families. All of these scopes can utilize deep memory capture. This example involves capturing deep memory data over the bus (USB, LXI, or GPIB) for offline analysis or storage. Capturing up to 140 million points of data can be time consuming so this examples outlines the best practices for gathering data. In this example, we will use a DS1000Z oscilloscope. The technique is roughly analogous on all the UltraVision scopes.
    To follow along or conduct this test you will need a 1000Z series oscilloscope, a USB cable, a PC with our UltraSigma software installed, and a test signal and probe to use for verification.

Preset and collect 

1) Configure trigger type, data depth, horizontal, and vertical scales. If you have issues go back to DEFAULT settings in the STORAGE menu before setting up your signal. You can also use the AUTO button to find your signal.
Once your signal is set up as you like with appropriate deep memory you are ready to begin.

After capturing a waveform (perhaps using Single Trigger “:SING”), you can then collect data in chunks using these instructions. 
Note: Single trigger will ensure that you capture on set of traces for a triggered event 

2) For simplicity, set format as ASCII (“:WAV:FORM ASC”) 

 3 ) Acquire data 

4) After scope has stopped acquiring data (Stop/Start = Red or send :STOP), then you can begin collecting the data over the bus

5) Configure data type to raw (Send “:WAV:MODE RAW”) 

6) Select Channel (“:WAV:SOUR CHAN1”, as an example) 

7) Select starting point for data retrieval (“:WAV:STAR 1”, as an example) 

8) Select stopping point for data retrieval (“:WAV:STOP 10000”, as an example) 

NOTE: 10K point chunks are recommended for ASCII, based on standard sizes. Smaller sample sets may be easier to parse.

9) Check status by looping this command until response is IDLE (“:WAV:STAT?”) or wait until the light is red.

10) Retrieve Data (“:WAV:DATA?”) 

11) Loop through steps 7-10 using different start and stop values until all of the data you want is retrieved. 

******************
Alternatively, for getting larger chunks of data replace step 2 with: set format as BYTE (“:WAV:FORM BYTE”) 

Then you can use UltraSigma to collect chunks of data that are much larger. E.G., it takes about 20 seconds to pull 1 Million points across the bus in binary format, whereas it takes about 20 seconds to get 100,000 points in ASCII format.

The graphics below show how to send and test these commands in UltraSigma.

Opening SCPI CONTROL PANEL in UltraSigma:
 

ULTRASIGMA LOG:

 
-> *RST
-> *IDN?
<- (Return Count:55)
RIGOL TECHNOLOGIES,DS1104Z,DS1ZB160200113,00.04.02.SP4

-> :SING
-> :WAV:FORM ASC
-> :STOP
-> :WAV:MODE RAW
-> :WAV:SOUR CHAN1
-> :WAV:STAR 1
-> :WAV:STOP 10000
-> :WAV:DATA?
<- (Return Count:134586)
###########################…

Using UltraSigma to graph deep memory ASCII Data:
 


Using UltraSigma to graph deep memory BYTE Data:
 


Viewing the Graph in UltraSigma. This graph shows 25000 points pulled across as BYTE Values:


On the DS1000Z, you also need to request the wave preamble data.

The command is :WAV:PRE?

The return looks like:

0,2,12000,1,2.000000e-07,0.000000e+00,0,5.234375e-02,-53,97

The format for this response is:

*******************************************
<format>,<type>,<points>,<count>,<xincrement>,<xorigin>,<xreference>,<yincrem
ent>,<yorigin>,<yreference>

Wherein,
<format>: 0 (BYTE), 1 (WORD) or 2 (ASC).

<type>: 0 (NORMal), 1 (MAXimum) or 2 (RAW).

<points>: an integer between 1 and 12000000. After the memory depth option is
installed, <points> is an integer between 1 and 24000000.

<count>: the number of averages in the average sample mode and 1 in other modes.

<xincrement>: the time difference between two neighboring points in the X direction.

<xorigin>: the start time of the waveform data in the X direction.

<xreference>: the reference time of the data point in the X direction.

<yincrement>: the waveform increment in the Y direction.

<yorigin>: the vertical offset relative to the “Vertical Reference Position” in the Y
direction.

<yreference>: the vertical reference position in the Y direction.


*******************************************

To convert the BYTE return data to voltage you must use:

<yincrement>, <yorigin>, and <yreference> from the preamble once the scope is in STOP mode.

On the 1000Z series oscilloscopes these values for the deep memory differ from the “:CHAN1:SCALE?” and “:CHAN1:OFFS?” values requested earlier.

The formula is:

Volts = ( <BYTE Value> – <yreference> – <yorigin> ) * <yincrement>

Using Pass/Fail mask on the DS1000Z is a great way to debug signals. Controlling the mask settings over the bus can be tricky.

Here we show an example for Mask Operation.

First, get the signal you want on the scope display.

Then, send:

-> :MASK:ENAB ON

// set the mask to pass 0.25 divisions wide and tall around the last signal
-> :MASK:X 0.25
-> :MASK:Y 0.25
-> :MASK:CREATE
-> :MASK:DATA?
//this command returns binary data that looks like this in text:



//then you can reset your instrument or change your settings, but after that still get the mask back with:

-> :MASK:DATA <binary stream>

//for binary stream simply send the same data that came back when you requested the mask previously

Finally, you can activate the mask calculations with:

-> :MASK:OPER RUN

All new DS1000Z series oscilloscopes are being shipped with all of the instrument’s options fully activated.  This elimenates the need for trial licenses on the instrument.  Instruments with serial numbers DS1ZA2001**** or DS1ZB20001**** and larger have their licenses fully enabled.

To confirm this you can view which options have been fully installed by pressing the following buttons. “Utility” -> Arrow Down -> “Options” -> “Installed” 

You will be presented the following table on the instrument’s display. 

DS/MSO1000Z series scopes utilize USB for saving csv files to an external USB memory stick. 12 meg of csv data can be saved in approximately 30 minutes. Once an acquisition is made you can save the csv file using these steps:

Press the Storage key on the keypad and then select CSV on the right side of the display. Select DataSrc as Screen or Memory and select channel to be saved:

Basic specifications:
 
– Counter sampling rate is fixed at 250 MSa/sec
– Hysteresis level (defined further below) is ~1 division on the smallest vertical ranges (< 5 mV) and about 0.3 divisions (with Noise Reject Off) ir 0.7 divisions (with Noise Reject on) in higher vertical scales (>- 5mV).
 
Further Details:
 
DS1000Z digitize the sampling data, and using Hysteresis comparator to make the trigger stable



Schematic diagram of DS1000Z Hysteresis comparator when using rising edge trigger
 
1. The red part won’t be counted when using hysteresis comparator, because it doesn’t achieve the range.
2. The triangle in the diagram is the sampling data after digitization, we can see it by setting dot type in display menu.
3.The sample rate of DS1000Z counter is 250MSa/s (this is same with different model). When higher speed input signal is connected, the ‘peak’ may not achieve the range of hysteresis or the signal may be too undersampled to be properly measured, so the counter’s value can be incorrect.
4. The range of hysteresis will change with vertical scale, so when input a low signal, we need to set the vertical scale lower for best results.
5. It’s also important to adjust the trigger level to the middle of the signal so that more ‘peaks’ can be counted beyond the hysteresis level.
 
Examples using dots display mode for clarity:

Input：50MHz/500mVpp sine wave，Vertical Scale：100mV，Trigger Level：0V 


Input：50MHz/500mVpp sine wave，Vertical Scale：500mV，Trigger Level：0V


Input：50MHz/200mVpp sine wave，Vertical Scale：100mV，Trigger Level：0V


Input：50MHz/125mVpp sine wave，Vertical Scale：100mV，Trigger Level：0V


Input：50MHz/110mVpp，Vertical Scale：100mV，Trigger Level：0V，AUTO

High speed distortion in vector mode:


The high speed signal will distortion with 250MSa/s sample rate


The Frequency measurement in the measurement menu for each channel is software based, but can sometimes be more accurate because it utilizes the displayed data to make the calculation. The displayed data can be up to 1 GSa/sec making some high frequency measurements easier.

Here are a few screen captures of a DS1104Z series oscilloscope with various inputs. The intent is to show the basic noise you can expect from a similar instrument.

Figure 1: DS1104Z with open input, 10mV/div vertical scale, 1us/div horizontal scale.

Figure 2: DS1104Z with 10x probe connected to probe compensation point. 500mV/div vertical scale, 200us/div horizontal scale.

Figure 3: DS1104Z with 10x probe connected to probe compensation point. Zoomed to 10mV/div vertical scale, 200us/div horizontal scale.

Figure 4: DS1104Z with 1V DC input. Direct connection to function generator with coaxial cable. 10mV/div vertical scale, 200us/div horizontal scale.

Comma Separated Values can be saved on a USB memory stick by going to the Storage menu and selecting CSV. If you are unable to save the file and see a “Function  Limited!” error displayed check that the scope has been triggered. 

For example, if the scope trigger mode is set to Normal and the Run/Stop keypad button is green the scope has not triggered and you will see Wait flashing on the upper left of the display. In this condition CSV data cannot be saved and you will see the error.

We have become aware of a manufacturing issue that may impact the usability of your instrument.  If you are experiencing problems with your horizontal and vertical adjustment controls you likely need to download and install the latest firmware to address the issue.

First Check your SN Range.  If your instrument falls between the following serial number ranges your unit is likely affected and you should load the latest Firmware.

DS1ZA203514550 through DS1ZA204719916

DS1ZB203800381 through DS1ZB204400481

DS1ZC203601463 through DS1ZC204201813

DS1ZD203800906 through DS1ZD204401180

If your unit falls in these serial number ranges you should likely load the new firmware.  You should check your current instrument software level by selecting:

Utility => System => System Info

If you are at 00.04.04.SP4 you are at the latest level and should take no additional action.  That will look like this:

If your instrument is at anything lower than 00.04.04.SP4 you should download the new firmware by following the attached link and install at your convenience.

DS1000ZUpdate.zip

Review the Upgrade Instructions
Review the Release Notes

If you have any questions or concerns or concerns about this update feel free to contact our technical support team at 877-474-4651 (select option #2) or email us at help@rigol.com.

If you are not the end user of the equipment please forward to the appropriate person in your organization.

Thanks so much for choosing RIGOL.  We apologize for any inconvenience this action will cause you.

To maximize the DS1000Z series measurement accuracy you need to increase the instrument’s memory depth to be over 1 Mpts and then put the instrument into High Res mode.

To do this press “Acquire” then change the “Mode” to High Res and then change the Memory depth to be above 1 Mpts.