This tutorial was written along with this review that shows the connectivity features in action.
The Tektronix MDO3104 (and all MDO3000 series) scopes have a USB 'Device Port' and an Ethernet port on the back which allows the user to connect the scope to a computer, printer, or network. The Ethernet connection is very capable, enabling full remote control. The USB connection behaves exactly like the older scope GPIB connections which can be a handy feature in automated environments. Test equipment is known for having poor user interfaces when it comes to connecting instruments, so this tutorial is intended to help out and encourage new users.
MDO3104 USB Functionality:
- Capture the current screen
- Capture the current waveform
- Save and load scope settings
- Capable of sending scope commands (but no user interface, requiring custom software to control the scope)
MDO3104 Ethernet e*scope Functionality:
- Capture the current screen
- Capture the current waveform
- Save and load scope settings
- Capable of controlling the scope with an integrated user interface.
How to Install Software and Connect for a USB connection:
- Download OpenChoice Desktop from Tek which includes TekVISA and drivers for most of their scopes (you must be logged in an given approval to download, which took about 5 minutes).
- Install OpenChoice Desktop (which runs a bunch of sub-routines)
- Turn on the scope, wait for it to boot, and plug the back USB-B scope connector into the computer's USB port. Make sure it is detected properly in the device manager (below)
- Run the OpenChoice Desktop program
How to Connect an MDO3104 over Ethernet:
- Turn on the scope, let it boot, and use an Ethernet cable to connect the scope to a router.
- The scope automatically sets up a connection to the router, and states the assigned IP address on-screen.
- On a browser with a computer, connect to the assigned IP address to reach the home screen:
- Click on 'Instrument Control' and enter the user name (default: lxiuser) and password (set on the scope by: utility button > Ethernet & LXI > e*scope password) to see the scope screen:
- Use the scope just like sitting in front of it. The buttons are along the row at the bottom, and the bezel buttons (the ones that surround the screen) are replicated by clicking on the screen itself. By clicking on the buttons under 'subsystem' one can access buttons for vertical, horizontal, trigger, measurement, etc... control.
Still need more info? Check out page 26 of the user manual.