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Category: Knowledge Base DS2000 Series
What file formats does RIGOL use for storage of waveforms etc? What is the different between Trace and Waveform?
RIGOL uses many Storage Types and Telonic Ltd. has added this description to www.RIGOL-uk.co.uk:
To access, on oscilloscopes for example, press [Storage] to select the desired storage type. The default is “Picture”.
The storage and recall descriptions of each type are as follows, with the examples in this case taken from as DS2000-series oscilloscope (so other instruments such as DG-series won’t offer everything below):
1. Traces
Save the waveform data in external memory in “*.trc” format. The data of all the
channels turned on can be saved in the same file. The difference with waveforms is at recall, the data will be
displayed on the screen directly.
2. Waveforms
Save the waveform data in external memory in “*.wfm” format. The stored files
contain the waveform data of the two analog channels and the main setting
information of the oscilloscope and all the data can be recalled.
3. Setups
Does not recall all data: instead Setups save the settings of the oscilloscope in internal or external memory in “*.stp”
format. At most 10 setting files (from LocalSetup0.stp to LocalSetup9.stp) can
be stored in internal memory. The stored settings can be recalled but not raw data.
4. Picture
Save the screen image in external memory in “*.bmp”, “*.png”, “*.jpeg” or
“*.tiff” format. You can specify the file name and saving directory and save the
corresponding parameter file (*.txt) under the same directory using the same
file name. The recall of image and parameter files is not supported.
After selecting this type:
Press Pic Type to select the desired storage format.
Press Para.Save to enable or disable the parameter save function.
Press Inverted to enable or disable the invert function.
Press Color to set the color of the image. It can be set to “GrayScale” or “Color”.
Press Header to enable or disable the header function. When it is enabled, the
header would display the instrument information, such as the model, date and
time. Press Footer to enable or disable the footer function. When it is enabled, the
footer would display the serial number of the instrument.TIPS: After a USB storage device is connected, press at the front panel to quickly
save the current screen image under the root directory of the USB storage device
in “.png” format by default.
5. CSV
Save the waveform data displayed on the screen or of the specified channels in
external memory in a single “*.csv” file. You can specify the file name and the
saving directory and save the corresponding parameter file (*.txt) under the
same directory using the same file name. The recall of CVS and parameter files
is not supported.After selecting this type:
– Press DataDepth to select “Displayed” or “Maximum”. After selecting
“Maximum”, press Channel to select the desired channel (note that only
channels currently enabled can be selected).
– Press Para.Save to enable or disable the parameter save function.6. ARB – (DS2000A-S series with internal signal Source ONLY).
The Edit function within the SourceSetup menu offers the facility to save
in one further format of file: .ARB
This file contains the Arbitrary Waveform data used when you select this type of waveform to be
generated from the internal dual 25MHz source(s).
Rigol PC Software Versions
The table below lists the versions of Rigol PC software applications that are currently available for download from this Rigol-UK website.
To find a download for your instrument…
Go to the webpage for your instrument > Click on the ‘DOCUMENTS, SOFTWARE & VIDEOS’ tab (beneath the images).
The downloads will be found in the ‘PC Software’ section.Rigol PC Software Version on Website PA1000 00.01.01 RX1000 00.01.00.10 S1210 EMI Pre-Compliance Test 00.05.00.07 S1220 ASK/FSK Demodulation Analysis 00.01.00.02 S1501 Ultra Load 00.01.00.08 TX1000 00.01.00.02 Ultra Acquire 00.01.07.01 Ultra IQ Station 00.01.02.00 Ultra Power Analyser 00.01.01.01 Ultra Scope 00.01.01.07 Ultra Scope (DS1000B series) 00.01.06.00 Ultra Scope (DS1000D series) 00.01.08.00.00 Ultra Scope (DS1000E series) 00.01.10.00.00 Ultra Sensor 00.04.00.00 Ultra Sigma 00.01.06.01 Ultra Spectrum 00.01.00.27 Ultra Station 00.01.04.04 Ultra View 00.03.00.01.01 Ultra Wave 00.01.02 What about RIGOL battery and portable use? Can you run RIGOL Scopes and Spectrum Analysers from Battery or portable UPS Power Supplies?
Running the DSA815 from a battery (see also comment about other instruments)
Although the size and weight of the DSA800’s make it attractive for use in locations where there is no power, it suffers from the lack of an internal battery. A Google search uncovers a raft of battery backed up power supplies but the recommendation is that the DSA800’s run from a supply that has a sine output. For this report, a DSA800 was connected to such a supply, the ac plug was pulled, and the Spectrum Analyser’s performance measured. For comparison, the instrument’s performance was also monitored as it was running from an ac plug in the lab. The test results are at the end of this report.
The first group of test parameters were:
- Start Freq 50 Mhz
- Stop Freq 51 Mhz
- Resolution Bandwidth 100 Hz
- Reference Level -56 dBm
- Preamplifier ON
- The second group of test parameters were:
- Center Freq 750 MHz
- Span 1 Mhz
- Resolution Bandwidth 100 Hz
- Reference Level -56 dBm
- Preamplifier ON
A Rigol DG4162 Function Generator was programmed to output a 50 MHz 0dBm signal and connected to the DSA800 input. The DSA800 was then configured to measure the function generators phase noise.
Before removing the power to the Battery Backed Up supply, the DSA800’s tracking generator was turned on. After running for about 90 minutes, the DSA Stopped Running.
Summary:
The images below document that it would be very hard to differentiate the power source option used with the DSA800 by looking at the performance curves. It should be noted again that the Battery Backed Up Power Supply (CyperPower 100PFCLCD) has been designed to output a sine wave.
Although not tested, it’s likely the Power Supply could be used with other Rigol Equipment. The Data Sheet for the Power Supply is at the end of this document.
USB stick / flash drive / memory sticks must fully compliant with USB2.0* standard compliant w/Win7 – Info on good sticks, esp. earlier models:
We have found many instruments to be fussy about USB sticks (more common on instruments of slightly longer-standing design).
Like PictBridge standard, USB memory specs can be quite open to interpretation and may vary between manufacturers. Please try the following guidelines if you are having difficulty – it is especially important you can rely on the stick you have chosen, if you decide to do any firmware updates on your machine*.
1) Smaller sticks are generally better –
– if you can, on older instruments steer clear of sticks above 4GB
– N.B. For saving DATA only: Newer models may happily accept some much larger sticks for saving data, but RIGOL says avoid larger sticks for critical use.
2) Use newly formatted FAT32 sticks only
3) Check your stick reliably connects to your particular instrument before relying on it for operational use
4) If you decide to do firmware updates* you should use a new blank stick ROOT and ALWAYS check the stick is reliable in normal save/recall operation before proceeding*.*firmware updates are at your own risk –
Telonic does not recommend this unless you decide it’s essential. (Ask for more details of our policy before proceeding so you know how this affects your RIGOL-UK warranty from Telonic).Will I get a UK phone number for the team who sold to me?
Yes. With Telonic Ltd., Berkshire, for post-sales service you can always speak to someone UK-based first.
When installing Ultra Sigma I get a message PC telling me to install NIVISA / VISA Runtime engine. What am i doing wrong?
If you wish to use UltraSigma (PC driver set) you may be invited to install the National Instruments VISA/IVI drivers FIRST (industry-wide driver architecture for instrument). If you wish to proceed…
First of all, please install the NI-VISA runtime engine from this website: ni.comPlease note: Telonic is not responsible for the content of 3rd party websites. It is generally best to stick with one common Instrument Architecture (e.g. NI-VISA). If you decide to install NI-VISA IVI, you should be aware that other existing Instrument Architectures you may already use for other instruments may not be compatible. Future ones you add may also not be compatible. We use this successfully on Win7 machines here – however, we can not advise what is suitable for individual customers and you install NI-VISA IVI at your own risk.
How do I connect my instrument via my LAN to UltraSigma PC Software?
First of all, ensure your instrument as the option for LAN connection and ensure you have a PC running the latest version of UltraSigma download from RIGOL and this PC is successfully connected to the same local area network as you’re plugging your instrument into.
In order for you to connect your Rigol equipment via LAN you must:
- Ensure your instrument is connected through the LAN socket – the lights are showing green for connection.
- Start up the UltraSigma program on your PC.
- Occasionally, the LAN(IP) address* that corresponds with the instrument has already appeared in the UltraSigma utility tree view, otherwise proceed:
- If this does not happen right away, press the LAN button on the UltraSigma program. Here you can manually enter its IP Address*, test and add the instrument.
- Your instrument should now be connected to Ultra-sigma and Model & Serial Number will show in the tree view. Now you can right-click this and perform checks
- Try choosing SCPI Command Window – then click SendAndRead to see if the instrument responds to a *IDN? request (to identify itself).
- On some instruments you can also Print Screen directly to windows.
*IF UNSURE your own LAN is set up to allow instrument connections
- Check with your Network Admin – they may need to set up a DHCP server, so your LAN assigns the instrument an IP Address permitted by your LAN (most small LANs do this automatically but many corporate LANs only do this with permissions in place first).
- Go to your instrument front panel. Press button for System or Utility – you will see I/O or LAN menu buttons: these allow you to see the IP address given to your instrument. You can often tell if your instrument is on your LAN by whether it has a sensible address (many company LANs use IPs like e.g. 10.0.0.xx)
- RIGOL instruments are factory default set to acquire an IP address automatically if the LAN allows this. But check this setting has not been set to manual IP.
- If all else fails try manually entering the IP address you find in your instrument into UltraSigma’s LAN window, and click to test. After success you can Add it.
- FINALLY PLEASE REMEMBER that some RIGOL software examples and software only function fully over USB connection – please check each software item, its install procedure and remember that some example VBA code is not supported but is provided ex-gratia for use as helpful examples only.
Getting started with Rigol PC Software Tools
To find a PC software download for your instrument…
Go to the webpage for your instrument > Click on the ‘DOCUMENTS, SOFTWARE & VIDEOS’ tab beneath the images.Please note…
- Rigol software files are downloaded in .rar data containers or .zip compressed files. The files must be unpacked or unzipped before installation.
- Ultra Sigma must be installed before any other Rigol application, except Ultra Wave.
- To open a Rigol software application after installation (excluding S1210, S1220, S1501 and Ultra Wave)…
Open Ultra Sigma > Connect your instrument > Your instrument should appear in the Ultra Sigma window (see the orange box in the picture below) > Right-click on your instrument (the orange box) and select the Rigol application. - Further information can be found in the ‘Rigol Ultra Sigma Help Document’.
Can I get help with programming my Instrument?
RIGOL provides drivers and programming functions as part of your warranted and purchased package. Programming itself can be achieved in many different ways with tools which are largely the choice of the customer. For this reason, we can’t support your systems but we can sometimes help you find information – we ask you to first review the programming guide for your instrument and make sure it is successfully connected to your computer system and then if a fault is found in the way the instrument responds to commands we can feedback and ask if there might be warranty support available, or a UK person to assist, subject to your terms of purchase.
Can I get help on using complex functions on my instrument
Yes, if you are stuck immediately after buying your instrument – we do also ask you to review the PDF of the User Manual. Searching key words using the ‘find’ (control-F) facility can also help – many manuals cover extensive details of the many rich functions in RIGOL instruments. If any of these menus are not working we can find out if there may be warranty support, or a UK person to assist, subject to your terms of purchase.
After receiving my instrument(s), what should I do with my RIGOL Warranty Card?
There is no need to take any action regarding the warranty card supplied with your Rigol product.
Your purchase has been recorded at Telonic Instruments. Your warranty begins from the date of delivery.
Each Rigol instrument comes with a 3 year warranty. The first year is with Telonic Instruments and the subsequent 2 years is with Rigol EU.
