Archiving

Archival Data File Types

Waveform files - binary but with conversions to ASCII for import into other programs from ASCII back to oscilloscope's binary format.

Set up files - most oscilloscopes have front panel setups that you can recall store either in non-volatile memory in oscilloscope or to disk.

Screen Shots - "print" graphics files that are screen dump imports into your word processor, Email attachments, slide presentations, or page layout software. Here is an example.

(latest)

USB Memory Sticks - they are typically less than $80 and fit on a key chain with 8 G bytes of storage.

Hard Disk Drives - they are optionally removable, offer the same kind of convenience that is realized in PCs. Can either store locally in the scope or transfer to PC or laptop via a net connection.

Hard copy - printers/plotters are the best way of locally showing the world your waveforms and measurements.

Lab Note Books - Database that in the scope archives time stamped record where each record contains:
front panel set-up
screen shot
each channel's raw data
measurements recorded
report that supports notation
Each report can be recalled to potentially review and compare archive waveform data with live signals just captured.


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