Knowledge Base SDS1000X-E Series

Verification of a working remote communications connection using NI – MAX

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
Automating a test can dramatically increase the productivity, throughput, and accuracy of a process. Automating a setup involves connecting a computer to the test instrumentation using a standard communications bus like USB or LAN and then utilizing code entered via a software layer (like LabVIEW, .NET, Python, etc..) to sequence the specific instrument commands and process data. This process n...

SDS FFT performance on low frequency signals

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
Like many modern oscilloscopes, the SIGLENT SDS series feature FFT math functions that calculate frequency information from the acquired voltage vs. time data. FFT stands for Fast Fourier Transform, and is a common method for determining the frequency content of a time-varying signal. Converting time domain data to the frequency domain makes measuring characteristics like phase noise and harmonics...

Bode Plot of a filter using an oscilloscope and function generator

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
A Bode plot is a method of graphically displaying the frequency response of a system or device-under-test (DUT). Commonly, the magnitude and phase response of the device are plotted with respect to frequency using a shared horizontal frequency axis as shown in the example below:   ...

Programming Example: Retrieve data from an XE series Oscilloscope using Kotlin

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
The SDS series of oscilloscopes all feature remote programming and data collection capabilities. They can be integrated easily into many automated test environments to ease the setup and data acquisition during testing. One of our helpful customers developed a nice programming example designed to set up and retrieve data from a SIGLENT SDS1202X-E Oscilloscope using Kotlin, a free open source c...

Testing Open Socket Communications Using PuTTY

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
Many instruments include the ability to be controlled via a remote connection to a computer using an Ethernet connection. In many cases, these instruments require a special software library that can help establish and maintain the communications link between the instrument and controlling computer. This can be annoying for a few reasons… the software library is likely to occupy a large amount of...

Measuring the Modulation Index of an AM Signal using an FFT

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
In AM schemes, the modulation index refers to the amplitude ratio of the modulating signal to the carrier signal. With the help of Fast-Fourier-Transforms (FFT), the modulation index can be obtained by measuring the sideband amplitude and the carrier amplitude. In this application note, we are going to show a convenient method of using the new Peaks/Markers function (Available on the 4 channel SIG...

Power Supply Design: Load Step Response with a SIGLENT DC Electronic Load

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
Building a power supply that can handle various loads without oscillating can be a challenge. Computational models and computer simulations can help get your design headed in the right direction, but physical testing is essential to proving the performance of your design. One method of quickly determining stability is to use a load step response. In this test, a DC electronic load is used to...

Programming Example: Open Socket LAN connection using Python

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
Automating a test can dramatically increase the productivity, throughput, and accuracy of a process. Automating a setup involves connecting a computer to the test instrumentation using a standard communications bus like USB or LAN and then utilizing code entered via a software layer (like LabVIEW, .NET, Python, etc..) to sequence the specific instrument commands and process data. In this note, ...

Verification of a LAN connection using Telnet

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
Automating a test can dramatically increase the productivity, throughput, and accuracy of a process. Automating a setup involves connecting a computer to the test instrumentation using a standard communications bus like USB or LAN and then utilizing code entered via a software layer (like LabVIEW, .NET, Python, etc..) to sequence the specific instrument commands and process data. This process n...

Measuring Power Supply Control Loop Response with Bode Plot II

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
Stability is one of the most important characteristics in power supply design. Traditionally, stability measurements require expensive frequency response analyzers (FRA) which are not always available in a laboratory. Now, using a Siglent oscilloscope, like the SDS1204X-E with the newly released Bode Plot Ⅱ software, together with a Siglent arbitrary waveform generator (SDG or SAG) and a Picotes...

Using EasyScope X to retrieve Average Waveform Data

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
Waveform averaging can be a useful method to decrease noise in a particular signal. The SIGLENT SDS series of oscilloscopes can easily collect average waveform data using EasyScope X software. NOTE: At this time, average waveform data is not able to be saved in CSV format via the front panel USB connection to a USB memory stick. Initial Setup – Download NI-VISA Runtime Engine t...

Quick remote computer control using LXI Tools

Posted on: December 14th, 2020 by Doug Lovell
14/12/2020
Introduction: There are many options for people considering remote communication and control of test and measurement instrumentation. In most cases, a computer is used to communicate to test instrumentation using USB or LAN connections. The computer can configure the instruments, collect and organize data, and present it in a useful and flexible way. Remote control provides: Inc...