Forum - Recent Threads

Observing 96MHz clock signal and its divisions leads to "strange" results

obones — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:52:32 GMT

Hello all,

I'm toying (pun intended) with ideas in the context of a future challenge and while I'm not settled on what the thing should do, I'm decided on using the MAX32666FTHR2 board that I was gifted with a couple of years back.

The "Light Up Your Life Challenge" gave me a push to finally use the 8*8 WS2812B matrix that I once bought because it looked nice and was not expensive, and so I'm trying to hook it up to the board.

As I can't seem to get the proper output signal to send to the LEDs, I decided to observe what's coming out of the MAX32666 pins.

My first experiment was to use a continuous timer, whose clock is half the system clock (96MHz) and which toggles the output pin every time the counter reaches the comparison value. Here is what I get with two relatively high values:

The signal should be a nice square wave, it does not look that clean, but I know there's always some rise and fall time coming into play.

But things get worse when the comparison value for the timer is even lower, like here with 3:

After further fiddling with the various peripherals on the MCU, I was able to output the 96MHz clock signal, and this is what I get:

I had to stop the oscilloscope because it was not able to see a proper trigger level, let alone compute the frequency from such small signal.

Now, if I read the graph properly, there's about 10ns between two peaks, which is consistent with a 96MHz frequency for the signal.

However, what I'm really wondering about is the fact that the faster the signal, the more distorted I observe it, to the point where it won't even reach full voltage swing between 0V and 3.3V.

Out the top of my head, I can see three reasons for these results:

Reaching the limits of the MAX32666 pin switching capabilities
Reaching the limits of what the oscilloscope can see
Reaching the limits of my own stupidity

For point 1, I tried looking for rise and fall time on output pins in the electrical characteristics for the MAX32666 but could not find anything related to this in the (somewhat confusing) datasheet.

For point 2, the DSO is said to be "100MHz" so as 96 is lower than 100, it should be fine. But maybe Shannon law should be taken into account and 100/2 being lower than 96, the results are expected.

For point 3, well, it could come on top of the two other points, and so I won't rule it out just yet.

I know there is a "Oscilloscope 101" webinar in the works which might actually answer those questions just fine. If that's the case, I'd gladly wait for it.

Thanks for your attention.

Hantek HT20COP probe safe to use or not?

Pappy19 — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 04:19:54 GMT

I brought the PicoScope 2204a recently that has the +/- 20v max voltage input. The HT20COP secondary ignition coil probe has a 10:1 built in attenuator.
some direct injection engine secondary coils can output up to 40kV even with a 20:1 attenuator added into the line I can potentially still damage this 20v max scope?
Voltage max protection spec is 100v but I’d rather not use a cop probe if there’s any risk. I have the hantek HT25 ignition lead clamp pickup also that has its own ground clamp. Maybe that be safer to use. Thanks very much if anyone can point me in the right direction if I wanna use this in an automotive application. Maybe il just stick to 20:1 attenuated primary voltage patterns. I assumed a secondary COP probe touching a coil only picks up a waveform pattern until I found out it’s attenuated. I guess it just comes down to myself not knowing much about scopes in general

Does anyone have any experience with the FNIRSI®︎ SAG-55 Intelligent 550W Hot Air Gun?

genebren — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:27:00 GMT

I have a few tools from the FNIRSI product line (including the DSO-TC2, FNB58 and recently the LCR-ST1). I have generally found these devices to be pretty good and very affordable. Recently I have been teased on Facebook with a new product, the FNIRSI SAG-55, an Intelligent 550W Hot Air Gun. They are currently offering this item for $44.99 (USD) which seems very affordable. While the cost is great, I would hate to buy it and have it melt down in my hand or just end up in the trash, so I thought I would hit pause and ask my friends here if they have any experience with this item.

Any thoughts? Thank you in advance for your opinions.

New Rigol dho804 oscillocope

ahmedfotoh — Tue, 06 May 2025 15:46:57 GMT

I just bought a new Rigcommunity.element14.com/.../Video.mp4ol Dho804 Oscilloscope, but there is a problem, I connect the attached power supply to the 220 v power source and turn it on but the display stays black and no boot to the operating system, What should I do?

Tenma 72-14525 no signal

duquep — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:53:45 GMT

Hi everyone,

On my Tenma oscilloscope, i have no trace for both channel.

The probe works fine, but nothing on the screen

Can someone help me?

Where can i find the lastest firmware for the oscilloscope 72-14525

Contact technical support of Farnell, he can't help me...

Thanks,

Philippe

SMD Passives Storage: Work in Haste, Repent at Leisure

shabaz — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 01:48:40 GMT

These were neatly organized! Then the tray went flying : (

Tenma 72-7732A Comport / HID

Zacory — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 07:53:59 GMT

Hello,

I'm trying to write a Python Script that reads the output of Tenma 72-7732A Digital Multimeter, while I am aware of the software that comes with it on the installation disk, I want a Python Script.

When plugging in the Optical to USB lead into the machine, it appears as a "HID Vendor Compliant Device" not as a comport.

I have attempted to read the USB, all I get is B[0,0,0,0,0,0]

I am wondering if anyone has successfully read this device with Python, as a comport or as a HID Device?

Thank you!

Rigol DSA875 spectrum analyzer Pyvisa datatransfer

chriss — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 13:44:31 GMT

Hello,

Currently I am making a test setup with a Rigol DSA875. Altough most things I have figured out with VISA, I have no clue how to data dump a full measurement.

The test right now is with a signal generator that will sweep trough 10-100Mhz. The DSA is connected to this DSG and at every new frequency the DSG will produce, the DSA will have to take a full measurement of a spectrum and has to be exported with x and y axis to recreate what was visable on the Spectrum analyzer(to make a graph)

Now I can not seem to find a command to export the x and y values from everypoint within the set span (So the DBm and the corresponding frequency).

anyone have an idea of how to do this? I am connected trough ethernet with the devices.

Thanks!

D3000AUTB Software Package

Cesarevna — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 14:51:23 GMT

Hi,

I have a oscilloscope that is MSOX3024G model number. But I can't decode CAN bus line with this oscilloscope. I figured out that I have to install some software package to oscilloscope. I researched about this issue and I found D3000AUTB software package for this oscilloscope. And the question is how can I install the software package. I saw that they will send license with e mail and I should upload to USB and I install to the oscilloscope with USB. So I couldn't be sure is this true? Can you help me?

Thanks.

MP780905 Sound Meter

Prashnat — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 06:20:18 GMT

Can we communicate MP780905 device with 3rd party software's like Python or LabVIEW?

if yes can i get programmer manual or drives link.

Thank you for your supports.

AMP/CURRENT FOR SOLENOID VALVE

Afiq — Thu, 07 Mar 2024 10:02:00 GMT

For solenoid valve 18W, I have test the supply and result for Amp is 1.38mA. Can the solenoid valve be trigger when not enough Amp supply to the solenoid valve? After supply not enough power, is there anything parameter can be ensure to works the solenoid valve.

Mac (potentially) for Engineers/Developers who use Windows.. Recommended or not? What issues did you encounter?

shabaz — Sun, 04 Feb 2024 21:46:17 GMT

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has made the transition from Windows to Mac and what difficulties were encountered. (I don't wish to move to a Linux desktop; as much as I love Linux for development, I would not like it for a desktop).

I need to start considering replacing my laptop, and it's tempting, from looking at the hardware specifications alone, to buy a Macbook Pro.

However, I will have some legacy software that uses Windows. ARM64 Windows can run in a VM, and ARM64 Windows will perform x86 emulation, but I can't tell if x64 emulation is supported. I also have no idea, with typical engineering software, what problems may occur with connecting USB devices like debuggers. I don't know which hypervisor is most suitable for that.

For sure I'd need to move over to native Mac software to minimise the need to bring up a VM, but for a year or two at least, I'm sure I'd need a Windows VM to make as much of a transition as possible.

Depending on the above, I'd also need to think about whether it is worth it - because there would be a productivity hit since I've never used a Mac (apart from for a week or two about 15 years ago, when I decided to give it a go, and I didn't get on with it. Maybe I didn't make enough effort).

Any thoughts/opinions are gratefully appreciated!

DIY AC power measure (240 V, 50 Hz, < 10 W)

Jan Cumps — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 19:31:06 GMT

Looking for your advice to make an AC power meter.

requirements:

can handle 240 V
50 Hz sinus
from low power (50 mW) to up to (say) 10 W
1% accuracy would be great

bonus:

power factor

If you know a makeable circuit, or a device that works in that low range, chime in please

Run C++ Code in your spice schematic with QSPICE!

scottiebabe — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 01:20:31 GMT

Looks like we all got an early Christmas present from Mike Engelhardt and Qorvo with QSPICE. www.qorvo.com/.../qspice

I am still just learning how to use some of the new features in QSpice that differentiate it from other spice based circuit simulators.

One of the new differentiating features is the ability to define spice components in c++ or Verilog.

I followed the recommended procedure in the help manual for an Ø(.dll) device:

I made a simple test schematic for a 2-bit counter:

Here is the source code of a counter in a spice schematic!

There is a lot of extra boilerplate code, but that gets generated for you if you follow the recommending procedure in the help file.

The code increments an internal count variable on the rising edge of the input clock pin.

Press f5 to run, and tada!

C++ code running in a spice simulator, love it!

How to transfer data from a Keysight Spectrum analyser N9020B to my local control PC

Matteogala — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:45:51 GMT

Hello All,

I am fairly new to using, yet alone automating test equipment. Although I am trying to use the latter to automate a standard tests we do when releasing new software that produces RF frequencies.

I created a python script to connect to the spectrum analyser and I can set it up correctly for the tests I need to do through SCPI commands.

I also save the data as screenshots through the command " :MMEM:STOR:SCR <filename.png>"

I now want to transfer these screenshots to my local PC and I am struggling to understand which command to use. I have attempted to use the :MMEM:COPY:DEV command although it fails.

This seems to be as I am only connected to the Spectrum analyser through port 5025 (SCPI port) and this does not allow file transfer? How would I then use the above command to achieve what I want?

Does anyone have more experience with this test equipment and could give me some hints where to look?

Thank you in advance for your responses!

(Spectrum Analyser I am using is a N9020B)

Qi sniffer

ccappelli — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 06:11:33 GMT

Good morning,

due to a computer failure I have to reinstall the "Qi Development System" software version 1.7.21333.1 or later.

Unfortunately I lost the installation program and the link you provided me last year is no longer valid.

Could you please send the updated link to download the Qi Development System program?

Here you will find the purchase document.

Thank you in advance.

Regards,

Christian.

Seeking Feedback - How often have you used a Low Resistance Micro-Ohmmeter?

rscasny — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 20:59:55 GMT

If you have the time, I'd appreciate if you voted in this poll. I'd like to get a sense of your need and use of low resistance micro-ohmmeters. Thanks.

[Please visit the site to access the poll]

TENMA 72-13210 & Python UDP

cfauvel — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:23:51 GMT

Hi everyone,

Does anyone has been able to send UDP commands to a TENMA 72-13210 Power Load using a python 3.0 script ?

When I send an UDP command (*IDN? for example), I am unable to retrieve data from the UDP socket.

Best regards,

import os, sys
import re, string
import socket
import time
import logging


# Register logs from the module to the
# root logs
logs = logging.getLogger(__name__)




"""
    Power load class
"""
class Load():
    """
        Initialize everything
        @param  context     instrument context (ie. ip and port)
        @param  timeout     instrument timeout
        @return             none
    """
    def __init__(self,
                 context,
                 timeout = .5):
        # Open a pyvisa ethernet link to control the
        # power load
        try:
            self.ip = context['ip']
            self.port = context['port']
            logs.info("Open load (ip: %s, port: %d)" % (context['ip'],
                                                        context['port']))
        except:
            logs.error("Unable to open load (ip: %s, port: %d)" % (context['ip'],
                                                                   context['port']))

        # Configure power load by reading it's identifier
        # and resetting the device
        self.timeout = timeout
        print(self.query('*IDN?'))
        try:
            self.query('*REBOOT')
            time.sleep(1)
        except:
            logs.error("Unable to retrieve load identifier")
            logs.error("Ensure that load is VISA capable !")

    """
        Write function
        @param  self        object pointer
        @param  data        data command
        @return             none
    """
    def write(self, data):
        self.dev.sendto(data.encode(), (self.ip, self.port))
        logs.debug("Send data: %s" % data)

    """
        Read function
        @param  self        object pointer
        @return             data command
    """
    def read(self):
        try:
            data = self.dev.recv(64)
            print(data, server)
            logs.debug("Receive data: %s" % data)
            return data
        except:
            pass
           
    """
        Query function
        @param  self        object pointer
        @param  data        data command
        @return             data command        
    """
    def query(self, data):
        self.dev = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_DGRAM)
        self.dev.connect((self.ip, self.port))
        self.dev.settimeout(self.timeout)
        self.write(data + '\n')
        return self.read()




if __name__ == "__main__":
    load = Load(context = { 'ip' : "172.16.169.70",
                            'port' : 18190 })

Issue with a tenma-12v- 72-6180A

Former Member — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 10:42:51 GMT

I'm a new member if I posted this incorrectly I apologize. My issue is I have a 12v tenma 72-6180A power supply. The supply shows 3v draw with nothing hooked up? Could this be a bad Volt adjustment potentiometer?

The # on the pot. alpha 10c10k just FYI.

Any help is greatly appreciated and welcomed.

Thank you

Multimeters everywhere all at once - Viewing multiple BLE meters on desktop or mobile

shabaz — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 14:51:49 GMT

Finally having two Bluetooth (BLE) multimeters to try this, it was interesting to see if they could both be used simultaneously! This could be handy to monitor voltage and current together for instance.

Of course, I shouldn't be surprised that more than one BLE device can be used at any one time, but still, it's good to test new code to confirm its functioning. I don't know in practice how many BLE connections Windows supports simultaneously, but I'm guessing it's a reasonable amount. I was using my BLE mouse at the same time as well.

In the screenshot above, one multimeter is model MP730026 and the other is MP730624 (discussed here: MP730624 Multimeter Quick Review: Surprisingly Accurate! ), and each one is using their own app, but I see no reason why the same multimeter models could not be used.

These are the apps: MP730026 app , MP730624 app

One benefit of BLE is that new functions can be added that do not already exist on the physical device. For model '624, the app now has a Statistics view; it would be nice to extend that view further with a little histogram chart too! I don't know why handheld multimeters do not offer that:

I think the statistics is working OK, but it probably needs a bit more testing before I can be sure.

Incidentally, it is possible to view multiple multimeters on a mobile phone too, but it is visually messy. It ideally needs a single app. The screenshot below shows on the right what the BLE connections look like when adding a second meter to either mobile or desktop.

SLA Battery stuck at 10.5 volts

Shreyas_Kumar_103 — Fri, 19 May 2023 04:51:31 GMT

I have a maintenance free SLA battery (12v)

From a UPS not old than 2 years

Yet the battery problem came along .. I tested it and found it was showing somewhere around 10.6 - 10.7 volts .. I thought maybe putting some new distilled battery water in each cell might help so I put around 3-5 ml liquid in each cell

(Enough to see floating liquid above the dried cell which I saw while opening the cell caps)

I didnt knew that these battery were meant to always sealed and not to be added water

Since I charged it to 13.8 volts (standby use said on battery label) overnight .. nothing happend

Then I charged it to 14.9 volts 2 days later couple of hours (Cycle Use charge voltage on battery label) while opening the caps to release the gases …. Then charging 13.8v overnight temaining open battery

Nothing happen.. the next day (see image)

Only the cell was hot and bubbling sound could be heard

Still atick at 10.6v after disconnecting the charger

Charger current limit was set at 1.35 A (written on battery label)

Battery is still producing bubbling aound after disconnecting charger for about half an hour now

However .. the short circuit current it still pretty good .. about 5.7 Amps from the battery at 10.5 volts

Please help me how can I fix this if there is even a fix .. or now this battery is a complete trash and I discard it ?

I really want to repair/fix this battery

Please do reply and help me

hantek 1008

mamad — Wed, 17 May 2023 16:52:48 GMT

i have a question about HANTEK 1008 :

When I hit the start button in the acquisition mode, according to the time that passes, the number of samples in saved data txt file is 500 .

But this number is always 500 regardless of the running time,

i mean i always have a CSV file with 500 rows of numbers no matter i wait 1 minute or 15 minutes ! ( even if it is 1 sec )

what should i do ?

Malfunctions of Qi Sniffer Model 101-01 and its solution

sharp — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 06:53:54 GMT

I have updated the sniffer firmware from the initial state (version unknown) to "v3.0.1259.0".

Later, while checking the charging operation between the smartphone and the Qi charger using sniffer,

the smartphone side was charging, but the wattage was only output as 0W on the PC application.

The firmware update seems to have triggered the abnormal operation.

■Questions

1.Is it possible to provide the default firmware for Sniffer? Also, can you provide the latest firmware that has been tested?

2.Is there a way to initialize the Sniffer? If so, please let me know how.

3.Where can I get the latest PC-side application for sniffer?

Oscilloscope

AminAmin — Sat, 22 Apr 2023 19:14:06 GMT

I have oscilloscope Voltcraft Dscope 707.

I can,t found any data of Scope.

You help me for bandwidh of Scope?

Sound and Vibration Measurement: bug fix release 1.0.2 for Digilent DAQ HAT MCC172 services

Jan Cumps — Fri, 31 Mar 2023 12:20:14 GMT

I've released version 1.0.2 of the instrument services and LabVIEW driver for The Digilent MCC172 DAQ Hat (Road Test).
This version has better handling for bad networks or WiFi communication during continuous sampling.
It resolves this bug.

Here's a little demo of the instrument continuously sampling, calculating FFT and acceleration:

And a simple test using a youtube video that plays "Ten Hours of 40 Hz Pure Sine Wave":