Software Control of the Oscilloscope
This blog is in continuation from the Rohde & Schwarz Oscilloscope Kit RTM3K-COM4 - Review
The RTM 3004 oscilloscope control via Ethernet and USB has been investigated in this blog. A deeper look into the different software tools offered by R&S is shown below.
Web-browser Control of RTM3004 Instrument Home
All the scope settings can be defined and controlled online by typing in the IP Address once the oscilloscope is in the WIFI network.
Control of the Remote Front Panel
Fig: Controlling the Front Panel of RTM 3004
Checking out the Live Screen
Here live screen can be monitored but no settings can be changed for the measurement. The measurement settings can only be changed from the Remote Front Panel
Fig: Checking out the Live Screen
USB Access of the RTM 3004
The RTM 3004 has a USB port to access the oscilloscope directly and can be used to transfer data to PC quite nicely. The oscilloscope goes into locked state during the USB file transfer access and when internal memory is being read out. Use a USB 2.0 Type A to Type B cable for this connection
Fig: USB Type A to B cable
Fig: RTM 3004 USB and Ethernet Ports
Fig: Accessing the RTM 3004 via USB at PC
Fig: Internal Memory of the RTM 3004
Fig: Device Driver Properties of the RTM 3004
R&S Forum Control of the RTM 3004
Here I have also experimented with the R&S Forum tool which allows VISA based remote scripting. R&S Forum is a tool, designed for easy and powerful remote control of instruments with Python scripts. It also allows plotting via Matlab scripts.
The core features of the R&S Forum tool (Ref )are
- VISA based remote scripting using Python language.
- Stand-alone tool with installer (including R&S VISA).
- Multiple remote connections are supported.
- Python shell prompt for interactive remote control.
- Integrated Debugger: Breakpoints, stepping through source code, inspecting variables.
- Macros: Assign code snippets to buttons in the GUI.
- Window manager: Docking windows allow for user-defined window layout.
- Extensible due to Python: Easy integration of custom python libraries.
- Graphics: matplotlib and numpy are integrated.
Setting up successful connection with RTM 3004
Fig: Software settings for RTM 3004
Testing sample python scripts with Python
Here I have tested the connection between RTM3004 and R&S Forum using sample python scripts. Due to lack of time I was not able to dedicate more time to this but below I present the method to run the scripts and how the R&S Forum works. I will investigate this remarkable feature from R&S in future.
Fig: Establishing Connection between RTM3004 & R&S Forum
Fig: R&S Forum Main Window with Sample Code
R&S RSCommander display trace control
This software tool is another nice offering from R&S where traces can be seen live in the software window and all sorts of diagnostics can be run on the oscilloscope via command line. I played around with this software and a few tests were done using the LAN connection. It works good but there is a delay between the screen and the data seen on the window. I prefer the live screen works better for measurements. This tool also allows to access multiple Rhode&Schwarz devices all in one window with capability to change between channels and traces.
It is a versatile tool with full support for PyVisa and quickly allows execution of SCPI commands for instrument query.
Fig: Supported R&S devices list
Fig: Quick Look in the RSCommander Window
In the end; I would like to conclude that R&S offers many diverse solutions to remotely operate their devices which includes RTM3004 oscilloscope. Since the library and support files are already available from their website; a newbie can easily start with the oscilloscope control without having to write much code. One does not need to be an expert code writer to get it off the ground and working.
