Software

The new capability is that the latest scope designs are now completely customizable and programmable by the user. The "digital scope" has evolved to the "Waveform Computer".

Analysis that used to be done off-line can be done in real time all in the scope with signals ranging from DC to > 20 GHz. Entirely new stand alone instruments and automatic test systems can now be created with very little development time. And net connectivity assures that monitoring and control can occur from anywhere required.

Files to and from your scope of possible interest or concern include:
Front panel setups
Screen Shots
Remote Control Programs
Waveform Data Files
Measurement Data Files
Calibration Log
Error Log

Scope related program examples include:

ActiveX:
Some manufacturers provide ActiveX controls so scope data can easily be imported into specific programs. Data Streaming from the Instrument Control Toolbox to an Excel Spreadsheet For users who need to interface MATLAB with ActiveX servers, this demo illustrates how to stream data collected from an oscilloscope to an Excel spreadsheet and then use MATLAB to do the intermediate analysis of the data. The Instrument Control Toolbox provides the framework for the data collection, while MATLAB's ActiveX client support provides the interface to Excel...

GUI:
Most manufacturers provide Windows based user interfaces that enable simple operation of their scope platforms. The biggest differences are the implementation of which version of Windows (98, 2000, etc.) and how the Windows interface works. Some translate the GUI to a second OS which work but are slow and cause latency.

Remote Control:
National Instruments LABVIEW, CEC's Test Point, and MS Visual BASIC, Visual C++, Visual JAVA++, CodeWarrior Pro, etc. for application specific routines.

Math Analysis:
MATLAB, MathCad, EXCEL, Mathematica, etc. on imported files.

Circuit Emulation:
Predictive waveforms based on circuit emulation that can be compared with actual waveforms. PSpice.

Utilities:
Some manufacturers provide utilities that convert binary to ASCII files , screen shot editing, MASK creations, etc. Know your needs and check with each.
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