Tektronix Wavestar Software Ver. 1.3 Primary User

User Manual

WaveStart Software
070-9785-03

There are no current European directives that
apply to this product.

Copyright © Tektronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are
owned by Tektronix or its suppliers and are protected by United States copyright
laws and international treaty provisions.

Use, duplication, or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set
forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of the Rights in Technical Data and Computer
Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013, or subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2) of the
Commercial Computer Software – Restricted Rights clause at FAR 52.227-19, as
applicable.

Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending.
Information in this publication supercedes that in all previously published
material. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.

Printed in the U.S.A.
Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 1000, W ilsonville, OR 97070–1000
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.

Table of Contents

Preface

Conventions vii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contacting Tektronix viii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Getting Started
Installation Procedures

Installing the Software 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using the Windows Program Manager 3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using the File Manager 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using Windows 95 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

System Files Installed on Your Computer 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Starting the Software 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Uninstalling WaveStar 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Automatic Uninstall 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Custom Uninstall 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Operating Basics

Main Screen 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wave Sheet 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Waveform Selection List 11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Picture Sheet 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Settings Sheet 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notes Sheet 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Information on Notes 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Menu Bar 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Online Help 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Help Button 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Help Tool Bar Button 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Help Menu 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WaveStar Software User Manual

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Table of Contents

Procedures

Connecting an Oscilloscope to a Computer 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GPIB Communication Interface 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RS-232 Communication Interface 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acquiring Waveform Data from an Oscilloscope 20. . . . . . . . . . .

Acquire Waveforms 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acquire Settings 20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acquire Pictures 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Restoring Waveform Data to an Oscilloscope 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Restore Waveforms 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Restore Settings 21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Viewing W aveforms 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

XY or YT Views 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tabular View 22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Viewing the Waveform Preamble 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Viewing W aveform Measurements 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Measurement List 23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Calculating and Viewing W aveform Harmonics 26. . . . . . . . . . . .

Harmonic Graph View 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Harmonic Tabular View 26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Creating Power Waveforms 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Importing Waveform Data or Pictures 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exporting Waveform Data or Pictures 28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Viewing and Changing Waveform Information 28. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Applications

Measuring Time, Voltage, Current, and Power 29. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Copying the Graticule to the Clipboard 29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Copying a Picture to the Clipboard 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Copying Notes to the Clipboard 30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Copying Settings to the Clipboard 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pasting Spreadsheet Data into a Tabular View 31. . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pasting a Tabular View into a Spreadsheet 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Creating a Waveform in a Spreadsheet 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Printing Records 33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Printing Color Waveform Data 34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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WaveStar Software User Manual

Error Messages

General GPIB Errors 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General RS-232 Errors 37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Internal Errors 38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General and Common Resource Errors 38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Appendix A: Menu Commands

File Menu 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Open 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Close 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Save 41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Save As 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Export 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Import 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Page Setup 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Print 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Print Preview 43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Print Setup 43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

<recent file list> 43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Exit 43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Edit Menu 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cut - Ctrl+X 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Copy - Ctrl+C 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Paste - Ctrl+V 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cut Wave 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Copy Wave 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Paste Wave 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Delete Wave 44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Copy Sheet 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Paste Sheet 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Delete Sheet 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Waveform Preamble 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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WaveStar Software User Manual

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Table of Contents

V iew Menu 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Waveform YT 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Waveform XY 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tabular View 45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Measurements 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Harmonic 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Harmonic Tabular 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Toolbar 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Status Bar 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Zoom 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wave Information 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Insert Menu 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wave 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Picture 46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Settings 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notes 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Format Menu 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graticule Properties 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Picture 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Instrument Menu 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Select 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Configure Acquire 47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Acquire 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Configure Restore 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Window Menu 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cascade 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tile 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Arrange Icons 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

<open document list> 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Help Menu 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Contents 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Search For Help On 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Index 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Using Help 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Getting Started 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Technical Support 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

About 49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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WaveStar Software User Manual

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

Configure Acquire 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Export 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Format Picture 52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graticule Properties 52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Graticule Tab 52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Plot Tab 52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Color Tab 53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Text T ab 53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Import 53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Open 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Page Setup 54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Print 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Print Options 55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Print Setup 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rename Sheet 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Restore 57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Save / Save As 57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Select Instrument 57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

GPIB Settings Tab 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RS-232 Settings Tab 58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Waveform Preamble 59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Waveform Information 60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table of Contents

Appendix C: RS-232 Interface Reference

Oscilloscope Requirements 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11000 Series 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TDS 200 or 300 Series 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

TDS 400, 500, 600, 700, or 800 Series 62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2221 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RS-232 General Hints 63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RS-232 Cable Issues 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RS-232 Cable Examples 65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11000 Series Oscilloscope to Computer (DB25 male

to DB9 female) 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11000 Series Oscilloscope to Computer (DB25 female

to DB25 male) 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Table of Contents

TDS 200 and TDS 300 Series Oscilloscope to Computer

(DB9 female to DB9 male) 67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Connecting Two Like Devices Using a Null-Modem Cable 68

Index
List of Figures

Figure 1: Menu bar and tool bar locations 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Figure 2: Graticule features 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Figure 3: Waveform data, position, and scale 11. . . . . . . . . . . .

Figure 4: Sheet tabs and status bar 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

List of Tables

Table 1: Compatible oscilloscopes and available

functions 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 2: System files installed 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 3: WaveStar files you may not want to delete 6. . . . . .

Table 4: GPIB communication interface equipment 17. . . . . .

Table 5: RS-232 communication interface equipment 19. . . .

Table 6: Waveform measurement definitions 24. . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 7: General GPIB errors 36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 8: Printing results 43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 9: Acquisition results 48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 10: Utility/RS-232 settings 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 11: Pin assignments for 11000 series oscilloscope

(DB25 to DB9) 66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 12: Pin assignments for 11000 series oscilloscope

(DB25 to DB25) 67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

vi

Table 13: Pin assignments for TDS 200 or TDS 300 series

oscilloscope (DB9 to DB9) 67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Table 14: Pin assignments for DB25 female-to-female

null-modem cable 68. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WaveStar Software User Manual

Preface

This manual supports the WSTR31 WaveStart Software, and the
WSTR31U DocuWavet Upgrade to WaveStar software.

WaveStar software is a Windows utility application that acquires,
displays, prints, and exports waveforms and screen images from
digital storage oscilloscopes as graphic images or as data values.

WaveStar software includes tools to collect, organize, annotate, and
document measurements taken with Tektronix oscilloscopes. You can
use these tools to perform the following tasks:

H Export waveform images and settings in Excelt 4.0 (XLS) and

H Import waveform images and settings in TDS waveform (ISF and

H Copy waveform images and settings to the clipboard for use in

DocuWave (CSV) formats.

WFM), 11K series (WFB), and DocuWave (CSV) formats.

spreadsheet and documentation applications.

H Display waveform data in tabular, measurement, and harmonic

views.

H Create power waveforms.

Conventions

This manual uses the following conventions:
H The term “software” includes all WaveStar products unless noted

otherwise.

H The term “computer” refers to any system running Windows 3.1 or

Windows 95.

H The term oscilloscope refers to any Tektronix digital storage

oscilloscope that is compatible with WaveStar software.

WaveStar Software User Manual

vii

Preface

Contacting Tektronix

Product
Support

Service
Support

For other
information

To write us Tektronix, Inc.

For application-oriented questions about a Tektronix measure­ment product, call toll free in North America:
1-800-TEK-WIDE (1-800-835-9433 ext. 2400)
6:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Pacific time

Or contact us by e-mail:
[e-mail]

For product support outside of North America, contact your
local Tektronix distributor or sales office.

Contact your local Tektronix distributor or sales office. Or visit
our web site for a listing of worldwide service locations.

http://www.tek.com
In North America:

1-800-TEK-WIDE (1-800-835-9433)
An operator will direct your call.

P.O. Box 1000
Wilsonville, OR 97070-1000

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WaveStar Software User Manual

Getting Started

Your computer must meet the following minimum requirements:

H DOS-compatible 386 system (486 or greater recommended)
H Windows 3.1 or Windows 95 in 386 enhanced mode
H 4 MB RAM
H 5 MB hard disk space
H 3.5” high density floppy disk drive
H VGA monitor
H GPIB National Instruments IEEE-488 Interface Card, or a

compatible serial communications port and RS-232 cable

Table 1 lists oscilloscopes with which WaveStar software is
compatible. The restore and settings columns show if the software can
send information back to the oscilloscope. The picture column shows
if the software can acquire data in a graphic format.

T able 1: Compatible oscilloscopes and available functions

GPIB/

Tektronix instrument

11401, 11402/A, 11403/A, 11801/B2, 11802,
CSA404, CSA803/A

2212, 2216, 2430/A, 2432/A, 2440 GPIB Yes Yes No
2220, 2221A, 2230, 2232 Both Yes No No
TDS 200, TDS 300 Series Both Yes Yes Yes
TDS 400, TDS 500, TDS 600, TDS 700,

TDS 800 Series
THS 700 Series RS-232 Yes Yes Yes

1

2

, DSA601/A, DSA602/A

RS-232

Both Yes Yes No

GPIB Yes Yes Yes

Restore Settings Picture

1 Contact your T ektronix sales representative for a current list of instruments.
2 Differential TDR is not available.

WaveStar Software User Manual

1

Getting Started

NOTE. You can order and use the WSTROU WaveStar software if you
are upgrading your computer to run NT or Windows 98.

Upgrades

You can receive upgrades, if any, when they are available provided
that you have purchased WaveStar software version 1.0. The upgrade
installation aborts if it cannot find files for WaveStar V1.0 or later .

You can install the WSTR31U DocuWave upgrade that contains the
WaveStar software only if the S60 DWAV DocuWave software
already resides on your computer .

Web Site

You can download upgrades from the Tektronix, Inc. web site at
http://www.tek.com/Measurement/Support.

Floppy Disks

If you do not have access to the web site, Technical Support can send
you an upgrade on floppy disks. For information on how to contact
Technical Support, refer to Contacting Tektronix on page viii.

2

WaveStar Software User Manual

Installation Procedures

You can install the WSTR31 software on a computer that meets the
minimum system requirements described in Getting Started on page 1.

You can install WSTR31U DocuWave Upgrade to WaveStar only on a
computer that contains S60 DWAV DocuWave software and its related
data files. The WSTR31U installation aborts if the DocuWave
software files are not found during the installation process.

The installation process for upgrades checks for existing WaveStar
software files on your computer . You can not load the upgrade version
if you do not currently have WaveStar software on your computer .

If you have problems using other applications on your computer after
installing this software, refer to the INSTALL.LOG file in the
WaveStar directory for a list of system files replaced during the
installation. If you choose the backup option during installation, the
replaced system files are stored in the “backup” directory.

Installing the Software

There are several ways to install the WaveStar software: using the
Windows Program Manager, the File Manager , or Windows 95.

NOTE. You can order and install the WSTROU WaveStar software if
you are upgrading your computer to run NT or Windows 98.

Using the Windows Program Manager

1. Close all open applications on your computer.

2. Insert the first WaveStar floppy disk.

3. Open the Windows Program Manager dialog box and select Run

from the File menu.

WaveStar Software User Manual

3

Installation Procedures

4. Type “a:\setup” or “b:\setup” in the Command Line entry field,

depending on which directory your floppy disk drive is assigned.

5. Click OK, or press Return.

Using the File Manager

1. Close all open applications on your computer.

2. Insert the first WaveStar floppy disk..

3. Double-click the File Manager icon in the Program Manager

dialog box.

4. From the File Manager toolbar, select the disk drive containing the

WaveStar floppy disk.

5. Double-click the “setup.exe” file in the file list, or select

“setup.exe” and choose Open from the File menu.

Using Windows 95

1. Close all open applications on your computer.

2. Insert the first WaveStar floppy disk.

3. Click Start in the Windows 95 main screen. This displays a task

list.

4. From the task list, select Run... This displays the Run dialog box.

5. Type “a:\setup.exe” or “b:\setup” in the entry field and click OK.

System Files Installed on Your Computer

The WaveStar software installs many files, shown in Table 2, in the
WaveStar and System directories on your computer . All replaced files
will be preserved in the Backup directory if you choose that option
during installation.

NOTE. Do not delete these files when uninstalling this software, until
you verify that the file will not be used by any other applications.

4

WaveStar Software User Manual

Installation Procedures

Table 2: System files installed

Installed file Directory location

HYPERVIEW.HLP WAVESTAR
HYPRFIND.DLL WINDOWS\SYSTEM
HYPRVIEW.DLL WINDOWS\SYSTEM
COMPOBJ.DLL WINDOWS\SYSTEM
MFCOLEUI.DLL WINDOWS\SYSTEM
OLE2.DLL WINDOWS\SYSTEM
OLE2DISP.DLL WINDOWS\SYSTEM
OLE2NLS.DLL WINDOWS\SYSTEM
STRAGE.DLL WINDOWS\SYSTEM
TOOLHELP.DLL WINDOWS\SYSTEM
CTL3DV2.DLL

1

This file is commonly used by other applications. Do not delete

1

this file during the Custom Uninstall process unless you are sure
it is not used by other applications.

Starting the Software

The software installation procedure automatically creates a Windows
Group window and icons.

To start the software, follow these steps:

1. After starting Windows, open the WaveStar program group

window.

2. Double-click the WaveStar notebook icon.

WINDOWS\SYSTEM

See Operating Basics on page 9 for detailed information on the
WaveStar features and user interface.

WaveStar Software User Manual

5

Installation Procedures

Uninstalling WaveStar

There are two uninstall processes: automatic and custom.

NOTE. To avoid accidentally deleting files needed by other pr ograms,
read Automatic Uninstall and Custom Uninstall before you proceed.

To uninstall the software, open the WaveStar program group window
in the Program Manager window. Double-click the uninstall WaveStar
icon. The Select Type of Uninstall window appears and asks you
which type of uninstall process you want to perform.

Automatic Uninstall

The Automatic Uninstall process deletes all WaveStar files and all
associated data files. If you are sure that you want to permanently
remove all WaveStar data files, use the automatic uninstall process.
Read through the Custom Uninstall information before proceeding
with an Automatic Uninstall. Deleting certain data files may interrupt
other applications that may also use the files.

Custom Uninstall

Choosing Custom Uninstall allows you to select which WaveStar data
files you want to remove. You might want to do this because there are
some data files that may be used by other applications. Table 3 lists
some data files you may not want to remove.

Before deleting all data files, make sure that other applications are not
using the files listed in Table 2 and T able 3.

Table 3: WaveStar files you may not want to delete

Filename What the file does

UNWISE.EXE

After installing WaveStar software, do not delete this file.
UNWISE is the uninstall program. If you delete this file, you
will not be able to uninstall the WaveStar software simply.

6

WaveStar Software User Manual

Table 3: WaveStar files you may not want to delete (cont.)

Filename What the file does

Installation Procedures

INSTALL.LOG

HYPRFIND.DLL
HYPRVIEW.DLL

During the Custom Uninstall process you are asked to select data files,
system files, directories, and icon files you want to remove.

Below are the prompts tht appear during the uninstall process and a
description of the files you are asked to delete.

“Files to Remove”. Lists data files in the WaveStar directory.
“Select System Files to Remove”. WaveStar software places some files

in your Windows System directory: UNWISE.EXE, INSTALL.LOG,
HYPRFIND.DLL, and HYPRVIEW.DLL. Refer to the file descrip­tions in Table 3 to determine which Windows System files to remove.

This is a file associated with the uninstall program. It is
created when you install WaveStar software, and contains an
ASCII list of all files installed on your computer during the
WaveStar installation process. Use Notepad to view this file.

These files enable the HyperView and Find+ commands in
WaveStar Online Help. They are located in the Windows
System directory, and may be used by other software
applications. Deleting these files may disrupt other files that
use the .DLL files, so it’s important to determine if these files
are used by other software applications before deleting them.

“Select Directories to Remove”. During the install process you are asked

to choose a name for the directory where the WaveStar data files are
placed. By default, this directory is titled “WaveStar.”

NOTE. Do not delete this directory if you are leaving any data files in
place. To do so deletes all files contained within the directory.

“Select Icons to Remove”. Choose which WaveStar icons you wish to

remove. If you are only deleting certain files, refer to the list of files in
Table 3 to determine which icons to retain.

WaveStar Software User Manual

7

Installation Procedures

When you choose OK in the Select Icons to Remove dialog box, the
uninstallation process begins. A dialog box appears showing the
percent of the process that is complete. If you want to cancel the
process while it is running, click the Cancel button.

8

WaveStar Software User Manual

Operating Basics

This section contains information on operating basics. Specific
procedures are shown in the Procedures section on page 17.

Main Screen

The software main screen displays waveforms and pictures exactly as
they appear on your oscilloscope and contains four individual sheets
in each notebook file.

NOTE. If a feature, button, or command is not supported, the software
grays out or disables the control.

Wave Sheet

The Wave sheet displays waveform data exactly as it appears on your
oscilloscope. There are a number of different controls on the Wave
Sheet dialog box.

Menu Bar. The menu bar contains pulldown menus that contain features

and commands. To pull down a menu, click the name of the menu or
use an Alt key combination as described on page 14.

Tool Bar. The tool bar contains buttons that control various features.

When you point to a button with the mouse, the software displays an
abbreviated title of the feature.

Figure 1 shows the location of the menu bar and the tool bar.

Menu bar

Tool bar

Figure 1: Menu bar and tool bar locations

WaveStar Software User Manual

9

Operating Basics

Waveforms. Waveforms are displayed in the graticule area of the Wave

sheet exactly as they are shown on the oscilloscope. You can use the
Waveform Information command under the View menu to change the
colors (as described on page 28) and display options.

Waveform Number. Each waveform is assigned a unique waveform

number. You can use the mouse to select and move, cut, copy, or paste
waveforms on the graticule.

Graticule. This is the grid on which the waveforms are displayed.
Trigger Point. A “T” on the graticule represents the trigger point.

Figure 2 shows the location of the waveform, the waveform number,
the graticule, and the trigger point.

Waveform

Waveform

number

Figure 2: Graticule features

Cursor Positions and Type. The cursor type list box lists the

different types of cursor displays: none, vertical, horizontal, paired,
and crosshair. When a cursor type is selected, cursor position values
appear in the dX, X, and Y fields in the list box.

Vertical Scale. Controls the vertical scale value of the graticule.

Graticule
(white grid lines)

Trigger point

10

Vertical Position Buttons. Controls the vertical position of a waveform.
Horizontal Scale. Controls the horizontal scale value of the graticule.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Operating Basics

Horizontal Position Buttons. Controls the horizontal position of a

waveform.

Waveform Selection List

Each acquired waveform in the open notebook is listed by its
waveform number, measurements, and name.

Waveform Numbers. Each waveform is assigned a number which is

listed in the waveform selection list and on the graticule. Select a
waveform selection button to display that waveform on the graticule.

Waveform Selection Buttons. Select and deselect the check boxes to

toggle the selection and display of the waveform on the graticule.

Figure 3 shows the location of the cursor positions, the type list boxes,
the vertical and the horizontal scale list boxes, the vertical and the
horizontal position buttons, and the waveform selection list, number,
and selection buttons.

Vertical scale

Waveform selection list

Buttons

Numbers

Measurements

Names

Figure 3: Waveform data, position, and scale

Cursor
positions

Cursor
type

Vertical
position
buttons

Horizontal
position
buttons

Horizontal scale

WaveStar Software User Manual

11

Operating Basics

Status Bar. The status bar displays messages.
Sheet Position Buttons. Use these buttons to scroll through the sheet

tabs if you have a large number of sheets in your notebook file and
your monitor is not wide enough to display all of the tabs.

Figure 4 shows the location of the sheet tabs and status bar .

Wave
sheet

Status bar

Picture

sheet

Settings

Figure 4: Sheet tabs and status bar

Picture Sheet

The Picture sheet contains a hardcopy image of the oscilloscope
display. You can use the Picture command under the Format menu to
control the picture image.

You can copy a picture image to the clipboard for use in other
applications as described on page 30; however, you cannot edit the
picture image from within the WaveStar software. The only changes
you can make to the picture image are changing the position of the
picture and setting the rotation in the Format Picture dialog box.

sheet

Notes

sheet

Sheet position

buttons

12

NOTE. The software can also export or import picture files as
described in the procedures on page 27.

Settings Sheet

The Settings sheet contains ASCII text settings acquired during the
waveform acquisition. You can copy text from the Settings sheet for
use in other applications. You can restore these settings to the
oscilloscope using the Restore command under the Instrument menu.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Operating Basics

Refer to Restoring Waveform Data to the Oscilloscope on page 21 for
further information.

Notes Sheet

You can use the Notes sheet to record notes about the open notebook
file. These are NOT the same notes that appear on the graticule.

You can edit, cut, copy, and paste notes from the Notes sheet to and
from the clipboard for use with other applications.

NOTE. There are three separate areas for notes in a notebook file.
Each area controls different aspects of notebook file notes.

Information on Notes

There are three different ways in which you can record notes: the
Notes sheet, the Rename Sheet dialog box, and the Waveform
Information dialog box.

Notes Sheet. The Notes sheet is a place to record and save notes about

the notebook file.

You can not display these notes on the graticule.

Rename Sheet Dialog Box Notes. The Notes field in the Rename Sheet

dialog box is where you can enter notes about the waveform to display
on the graticule.

NOTE. To display notes on the graticule, you must enter the text in the
Notes field of the Rename Sheet dialog box and choose to display them
in the Graticule Properties Text dialog box.

Waveform Information Dialog Box Notes. Each waveform has its own

Waveform Information dialog box. The Notes field in this dialog box
allows you to save text notes related to the selected waveform.

You can not display these notes on the graticule.

WaveStar Software User Manual

13

Operating Basics

Menu Bar

The menu bar controls a number of features not contained in the tool
bar . You can access the menu commands using the mouse to pull
down the menu or the ALT buttons.

The ALT button combinations and function are as follows:

H <ALT-F> pulls down the File menu.
H <ALT-E> pulls down the Edit menu.
H <ALT-V> pulls down the View menu.
H <ALT-I> pulls down the Insert menu.
H <ALT-R> pulls down the Format menu.
H <ALT-N> pulls down the Instrument menu.
H <ALT-W> pulls down the Window menu.
H <ALT-H> pulls down the Help menu.

After pulling down a menu, select a menu command by typing the
letter underlined in the command. For example, to start a new file,
press <ALT-F> to pull down the File menu, and then type “n”, since
the “n” is underlined in the N

Appendix A: Menu Commands, beginning on page 41, contains
detailed information about what each menu command controls.

Online Help

The software contains a detailed online help system. The help contains
information on menu commands, main screen features and controls,
procedures, dialog boxes, error messages, GPIB and RS-232
connections, and technical support.

Help Button

ew command.

14

Each dialog box and error message box contains a Help button. Click
the Help button to access the help related to that particular dialog box
or error message.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Operating Basics

Help T ool Bar Button

The tool bar contains a Help button. Click the Help button and then
click an area of the screen to display help about the selected feature.

F1

Pressing F1 and then using the mouse to click a screen or menu area
works the same way as using the Help button in the tool bar .

Help Menu

The Help menu contains six menu commands that all access help as
follows:

Contents. Activates the software main help screen.
Search For Help On... Activates a search dialog box that allows you to

search for help topics using a keyword search.

Index. Activates the help index where all topics are listed alphabetical-

ly.

Using Help. Activates the Using Online Help dialog box that describes

how to use help in general (not specific to the help).

Getting Started. Activates an online tutorial in the software help. The

Getting Started help takes you through a series of procedures to
familiarize you with the software.

Technical Support. Activates the help screen containing information on

how to contact Tektronix T echnical Support.

WaveStar Software User Manual

15

Operating Basics

16

WaveStar Software User Manual

Procedures

This section describes how to connect your oscilloscope to a
computer, and includes procedures on how to use the WaveStar
software to perform the following tasks:

H Acquire and restore waveforms
H Import and export waveforms
H View and manipulate settings
H Take power analysis measurements

Connecting an Oscilloscope to a Computer

You can connect your oscilloscope to a computer through one of two
communication interfaces: GPIB or RS-232.

GPIB Communication Interface

Table 4 list the equipment you need to make a GPIB connection.

T able 4: GPIB communication interface equipment

Equipment Minimum requirements

GPIB interface card National Instruments IEEE-488.2 interface card.
GPIB cable -­Oscilloscope Compatible with WaveStar software (Table 1 on page 1)
Computer 386, 4MB RAM, 5MB hard disk space, VGA monitor,

Windows 3.1 or Windows 95, 3.5I high density floppy
drive. See Getting Started on page 1.

WaveStar Software User Manual

17

Procedures

To connect your oscilloscope to a GPIB port, follow these steps:

1. Check the GPIB address of your oscilloscope. This is an

oscilloscope function, so refer to the oscilloscope user manual for

information on how to check the GPIB address.

2. Click the Instrument Select button located in the toolbar (or choose

Select from the Instrument menu). The Instrument Select dialog

box appears. Select your oscilloscope from the instrument list.

3. If you want to save the type of oscilloscope, change the instrument

select defaults by checking the Save As Defaults box.

4. Select the GPIB Settings tab in the Instrument Select dialog box

and change the Address to match the GPIB address of your

oscilloscope.

5. When you’re finished with the previous steps, select the TEST

button to test your GPIB connection. One of three messages will

appear:

H “GPIB Connection OK” -- Your GPIB connection is good.

H “No GPIB Board Found” --There is an error in your GPIB

connection. Either refer to your National Instruments user
manual for further GPIB information or contact National
Instruments.

H “Scope Mismatch” -- You are trying to connect to an

oscilloscope different than the oscilloscope selected. Verify
that you have chosen the correct oscilloscope from the list in
the Instrument Select dialog box.

6. When you have successfully established a GPIB connection to

your oscilloscope, click OK.

Resolving GPIB Problems. If you have difficulty with establishing a

GPIB interface connection, follow these steps:

1. Disconnect all GPIB cables from your computer .

18

2. Run the hardware diagnostics supplied with the GPIB card.

3. Run the software diagnostics supplied with the GPIB card.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Procedures

4. If the GPIB diagnostics fail, or if you have difficulty running them,

contact National Instrument Technical Support.

5. If the GPIB diagnostics pass and you still cannot establish a GPIB

connection, contact Tektronix T echnical Support as described on
page viii.

RS-232 Communication Interface

Table 5 lists the equipment you need to make an RS-232 connection.

T able 5: RS-232 communication interface equipment

Equipment Minimum requirements

RS-232 cable Verify that the cable has the same pin numbers and

assignments to match both the oscilloscope and computer

RS-232 (serial) ports.
Oscilloscope Compatible with WaveStar software (Table 1 on page 1)
Computer 386, 4MB RAM, 5MB hard disk space, VGA monitor,

Windows 3.1 or later, 3.5I high density floppy drive. See

Getting Started on page 1.

To connect your oscilloscope to an RS-232 port, follow these steps:

1. Click the Instrument Select button located in the WaveStar toolbar
or select Select from the Instrument menu.

2. The Instrument Select dialog box appears. Select your oscilloscope
from the instrument list in this dialog box.

3. Change the instrument select defaults by selecting the Defaults
button and set the instrument defaults to match your oscilloscope:

H PORT: Select the computer port through which you’ll make

the RS-232 connection.

H BAUD: This selection appears for oscilloscopes that do not

automatically detect the baud rate. If this appears, select the
baud rate at which the RS-232 connection will operate.

H TIMEOUT: Select the timeout time.

WaveStar Software User Manual

19

Procedures

H TEST button: After setting the RS-232 settings, select the

TEST button to test the connection. One of two messages will
appear:

H “RS-232 Connection OK” - The RS-232 connection is

successfully established.

H “Bad RS-232 Port” - There is an error in your RS-232

connection. Verify that the correct port and baud rates are
entered for your particular computer and oscilloscope.

4. When you have successfully established an RS-232 connection to

your oscilloscope, click OK.

If you have difficulty establishing an RS-232 interface connection,
refer to Appendix C: RS-232 Inteface Reference on page 61.

Acquiring Waveform Data from an Oscilloscope

The software allows you to acquire waveforms, settings, and pictures
from oscilloscopes.

Acquire Waveforms

To acquire a waveform from the oscilloscope, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the GPIB or RS-232 connection from the computer to

the oscilloscope is established and in working order .

2. Select the Wave sheet in the open WaveStar notebook.

3. Either click the Acquire Waveform button in the toolbar or select

Acquire from the Instrument menu.

Acquire Settings

To acquire settings from your oscilloscope, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the GPIB or RS-232 connection from the computer to

the oscilloscope is established and in working order .

20

2. Select the Settings tab in the open WaveStar notebook.

3. Either click the Acquire Waveform button in the toolbar or select

Acquire from the Instrument menu.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Acquire Pictures

To acquire a picture from your oscilloscope, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the GPIB or RS-232 connection from the computer to
the oscilloscope is established and in working order .

2. Select the picture sheet in the open WaveStar notebook.

3. Either click the Acquire Waveform button in the toolbar or select

Acquire from the Instrument menu.

Restoring Waveform Data to an Oscilloscope

The software allows you to restore waveforms and settings to
oscilloscopes.

Procedures

NOTE. You cannot restore pictur es to an oscilloscope.

Restore Waveforms

After you acquire and save a waveforn from an oscilloscope, the
software allows you to restore the waveform to the oscilloscope.

To restore a waveform to your oscilloscope, follow these steps:

1. Select the Wave tab at the bottom of the open WaveStar notebook.

2. Choose Restore from the Instrument menu; the Restore dialog box

appears.

3. Select the waveform name, the destination, and click OK.

Restore Settings

After you acquire and save settings from an oscilloscope, the software
allows you to restore the settings to the oscilloscope. The waveform
settings are located on the Settings sheet.

To restore waveform settings to your oscilloscope, follow these steps:

1. Select the Settings tab at the bottom of the open WaveStar
notebook.

WaveStar Software User Manual

21

Procedures

2. Choose Restore from the Instrument menu; the WaveStar

Windows Applications dialog box appears with the question ”Do
you want to copy the current settings to the scope?”

3. Click Yes.

Viewing Waveforms

The software allows you to view waveform data in many different
ways: XY, YT, tabular, measurement, harmonic bar graph, and
harmonic tabular views.

XY or YT Views

To display two waveforms in XY or YT view, follow these steps:

1. Select the Wave sheet.

2. If you want to display an XY view, click an X source and click a

Y source waveform box from the list of waveforms.
If you want to display a YT view, click the appropriate waveform

boxes in the list of waveforms.

3. Either click the View XY or View YT button in the toolbar or

select Waveform XY or Waveform YT from the View menu.

Tabular View

To display waveforms in tabular view, follow these steps:

1. Select waveforms to display from the waveform list box in the

lower left corner of the waveform sheet.

2. If you want to display an XY view, click an X source and click a

Y source waveform box from the list of waveforms.
If you want to display a YT view, click the appropriate waveform

boxes in the list of waveforms.

22

3. Either click the Tabular View button in the toolbar or select

Tabular View from the View menu.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Viewing the Waveform Preamble

In addition to the tabular view, the software also allows you to view
and edit the waveform preamble using the Waveform Preamble
command under the Edit menu.

Each point in the waveform returned from the oscilloscope is an
integer. For an 8-bit oscilloscope the range is -128 to 127. Any value
outside of the range will cause an error.

Each waveform has an associated waveform preamble. The data in the
waveform preamble determines how to convert the oscilloscope
waveform into real numbers, which you see in the Waveform
Preamble dialog box.

For additional information on the waveform preamble, refer to the
programmer manual for your oscilloscope.

Procedures

For a list of the fields and a brief description of each one, refer to
Waveform Preamble on page 59.

Viewing Waveform Measurements

To display waveform measurements, follow these steps:

1. Select waveforms to display from the waveform listbox in the
lower left corner of the waveform sheet.

2. Click the Measurement button in the toolbar or select Measure­ment from the View menu.

Measurement List

With the click of the Measurements button, WaveStar software
calculates more than twenty measurements on each waveform and
displays them in tabular view for easy side-by-side comparison.

Table 6 lists each measurement and its definition.

WaveStar Software User Manual

23

Procedures

Table 6: Waveform measurement definitions

Measurement Definition

AC RMS AC voltage measurement. The AC true Root Mean Square voltage

over the entire waveform.

Amplitude Voltage measurement. The high value less the low value

measured

over the entire waveform.

Burst width

Cycle mean

Cycle RMS

Timing measurement. The duration of a burst. Measured over the
entire waveform.

Voltage measurement. The arithmetic mean over the first cycle in
the waveform.

Voltage measurement. The true Root Mean Square voltage over
the first cycle in the waveform.

Cycle AC RMS AC voltage measurement. The AC true Root Mean Square voltage

over the first cycle in the waveform.

Fall time

Frequency

High

Timing measurement. Time taken for the falling edge of the first
pulse in the waveform to fall from a High Ref value (default = 90%)
to a Low Ref value (default =10%) of its final value.

Timing measurement for the first cycle in the waveform. The
reciprocal of the period. Measured in Hertz (Hz) where 1 Hz =
1 cycle per second.

The value used as 100% whenever High Ref, Mid Ref, and Low Ref
values are needed (as in fall time and rise time measurements).
Calculated using either the min/max or the histogram method. The
min/max method uses the maximum value found. The histogram
method uses the most common value found above the mid point.
Measured over the entire waveform.

Low

Maximum

Mean

24

The value used as 0% whenever High Ref, Mid Ref, and Low Ref
values are needed (as in fall time and rise time measurements).
May be calculated using either the min/max or the histogram
method. With the min/max method it is the minimum value found.
With the histogram method, it refers to the most common value
found below the midpoint. Measured over the entire waveform.

Voltage measurement. The maximum amplitude. Typically the most
positive peak voltage. Measured over the entire waveform.

Voltage measurement. The arithmetic mean over the entire
waveform.

WaveStar Software User Manual

T able 6: Waveform measurement definitions (cont.)

Measurement Definition

Procedures

Minimum

Peak to peak

Period Timing measurement. Time it takes for the first complete signal

Postiive duty cycle

Voltage measurement. The minimum amplitude. Typically the most
negative peak voltage. Measured over the entire waveform.

Voltage measurement. The absolute difference between the
maximum and minimum amplitude in the entire waveform.

cycle to happen in the waveform. The reciprocal of frequency.
Measured in seconds.

Timing measurement of the first cycle in the waveform. The ratio of
the positive pulse width to the signal period expressed as a
percentage.

PositiveDutyCycle +

PositiveWidth

100%

Period

Positive overshoot

Voltage measurement over the entire waveform.

Max–High

PositiveOvershoot +

100%

Amplitude

Positive pulse width

Timing measurement of the first pulse in the waveform. The
distance (time) between MidRef (default 50%) amplitude points of a
positive pulse.

Negative duty cycle

Timing measurement of the first cycle in the waveform. The ratio of
the negative pulse width to the signal period expressed as a
percentage.

NegativeDutyCycle +

Negative overshoot

Voltage measurement. Measured over the entire waveform.

NegativeOvershoot +

Negative pulse width

Timing measurement of the first pulse in the waveform. The
distance (time) between MidRef (default 50%) amplitude points of a
negative pulse.

WaveStar Software User Manual

NegativeWidth

Period

Low–Min

100%

Amplitude

100%

25

Procedures

T able 6: Waveform measurement definitions (cont.)

Measurement Definition

Rise time

RMS

Timing measurement. Time taken for the leading edge of the first
pulse in the waveform to rise from a Low Ref value (default = 10%)
to a High Ref value (default = 90%) of its final value.

Voltage measurement. The true Root Mean Square voltage over
the entire waveform.

Calculating and Viewing Waveform Harmonics

The software includes harmonic calculations, and two types of views,
graph and tabular .

Harmonic data allows you to determine the distortion in your line
measurements. You can use this data to verify that your line distortion
measurements meet standards such as IEEE519 and IEC1000.

Harmonic Graph View

To view waveforms in harmonic graph view, follow these steps:

1. Select the wave sheet tab.

26

2. Either click the Harmonic Graph button in the toolbar or select the

Harmonic command from the View menu.

3. Select settings in each of the four list boxes: Voltage, Current,

Number of Harmonics, and Type.

4. Click the Calculate Harmonic Data button.

Harmonic Tabular View

To view waveforms in harmonic tabular view, follow these steps:

1. Select the wave sheet tab.

2. Click the Harmonic Tabular button in the toolbar or select the

Harmonic Tabular command from the View menu.

3. Select settings in each of the four list boxes: Voltage, Current,

Number of Harmonics, and Type.

WaveStar Software User Manual

4. Click the Calculate Harmonic Data button.

Creating Power Waveforms

If your oscilloscope is not capable of creating power waveforms from
voltage and current waveforms, you can acquire the voltage and
current waveforms and let the software do the work.

Make sure you have acquired both a voltage waveform and current
waveform. To create a power waveform, follow these steps:

1. Either click the Harmonic button in the toolbar or select Harmonic
from the View menu.

2. In the Harmonic view, select the voltage and current waveforms in
the Voltage and Current pulldown lists, respectively.

Procedures

3. Click the Create Power Waveform button.

The software multiplies the voltage waveform by the current
waveform, creating a new power waveform. This new power
waveform is listed in the waveform selection box in the wave sheet.

Importing Waveform Data or Pictures

The software allows you to import TDS waveform (ISF and WFM),
11K000 series (WFB), and DocuWave (CSV) files and convert them
into WaveStar files. If you attempt to import a file in any other format,
the software displays the “Improper File Format” error message.

You can also import images as picture files if the images are in a .bmp
or a .dib format.

To import waveform data or a picture file into the software, follow
these steps:

1. Click the appropriate tab, either Wave or Picture.

2. Select the Import command from the File menu.

3. Select the file to import from the file list in the Import dialog box.

4. Click OK.

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27

Procedures

The software lists imported waveforms in the Wave Sheet dialog box
and imported picture files in the Picture Sheet dialog box.

Exporting Waveform Data or Pictures

The software allows you to export waveform data in Excel 4.0 (XLS)
and DocuWave (CSV) formats.

You can also export picture files in a .bmp or a .dib format.
To export waveform data or a piucture file from the software, follow

these steps:

1. Click the appropriate tab, either Wave or Picture.

2. Select the Export command from the File menu.

3. Enter the destination filename and location in the Export dialog

box.

4. Click OK.
The exported file will appear in the destination location you specified

in step 3.

Viewing and Changing Waveform Information

The Waveform Information dialog box lists unique waveform
information about each waveform.

To view and make changes to the waveform information for the
selected waveform, including changing the display color, follow these
steps:

1. Double-click the waveform name in the waveform list box, or

select a waveform number on the graticule and then select Wave
Information... from the View menu.

28

2. Change the color of the waveform and add waveform notes in the

Waveform Information dialog box that appears.

3. When you are done, click OK.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Applications

You can use the software to help you perform the following tasks:

H Make measurements
H Transfer waveform data to other Windows applications, such as

word processors, spreadsheets, and desktop publishing

H Paste data from other Windows applications into a notebook
H Print records

Measuring Time, Voltage, Current, and Power

To measure time, voltage, current, or power of a single waveform or
between multiple waveforms on the graticule, follow these steps:

1. Select the Wave sheet.

2. Select a type of cursor from the Cursor list box.

3. Place the cursors on the waveforms where you want to make the

measurements.
X1 and X2 Cursor Positions measure absolute time.
Y1 and Y2 Cursor Positions measure absolute voltage, current, or

power.
dX and dY Cursor Positions measure the difference between the

two cursors positions.

Copying the Graticule to the Clipboard

The software allows you to copy the entire graticule with waveforms,
trigger points, scales and other information to the clipboard for use in
other Windows applications.

WaveStar Software User Manual

29

Applications

To copy the graticule to the clipboard, follow these steps:

1. Select the wave sheet.

2. Select Copy from the Edit menu.

3. Open another Windows application such as Microsoft Word.

4. Insert the cursor where you want to paste the graticule image.

5. Select Paste from the application’ s Edit menu.

Copying a Picture to the Clipboard

The software allows you to capture a hardcopy image of the
oscilloscope display. This image is located in the picture sheet.

To copy the picture image to the clipboard for use with other
applications, follow these steps:

1. Select the picture sheet.

2. Select Copy from the Edit menu.

3. Open another Windows applications such as Microsoft Word.

4. Insert the cursor where you want to paste the graticule image.

5. Select Paste from the application’ s Edit menu.

Copying Notes to the Clipboard

The software allows you to either copy the entire notes sheet to the
clipboard or copy only part of the notes to the clipboard.

To copy either the entire notes sheet or just a portion of the notes to
the clipboard, follow these steps:

1. Select the notes sheet.

30

2. Use the mouse to select the portion of notes you wish to copy to

the clipboard. If you are copying the entire notes sheet, go directly
to step 3.

3. Select Copy from the Edit menu.

WaveStar Software User Manual

4. Open another Windows applications such as Microsoft Word.

5. Insert the cursor in the Microsoft Word file where you want to

paste the notes.

6. Select Paste from Word’ s Edit menu.

Copying Settings to the Clipboard

The software allows you to either copy the entire settings sheet to the
clipboard or copy only part of the settings to the clipboard:

To copy either the entire settings sheet or just a portion of the settings
to the clipboard, follow these steps:

1. Select the settings sheet.

Applications

2. Use the mouse to select the portion of settings you wish to copy to
the clipboard. If you are copying the entire settings sheet, go
directly to step 3.

3. Select Copy from the Edit menu.

4. Open another Windows applications such as Microsoft Word.

5. Insert the cursor in the Microsoft Word file where you want to

paste the settings.

6. Select Paste from Word’ s Edit menu.

Pasting Spreadsheet Data into a Tabular View

The software allows you to paste areas from spreadsheet applications,
such as Microsoft Excel, into the tabular view of a notebook.

To paste an area from a spreadsheet application into a notebook,
follow these steps:

1. Open the spreadsheet file from which you wish to paste.

2. Use the mouse to select the spreadsheet area you wish to paste into

a notebook and select Copy from the Edit menu.

3. Open the notebook file in which you wish to paste.

WaveStar Software User Manual

31

Applications

4. Select the Wave sheet and set the waveform to tabular view. To do

this, click the Tabular View button in the toolbar or select Tabular
from the View menu.

5. Insert the cursor in the tabular view display and select Paste from

the Edit menu.

Pasting a Tabular View into a Spreadsheet

The software allows you to paste areas from the tabular view into
spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel. This feature is
especially helpful if you want to use a spreadsheet to create a new
waveform and then restore the waveform to your oscilloscope.

To paste an area from the tabular view into a spreadsheet application,
follow these steps:

1. Open the notebook file and select the wave sheet.

2. Display the waveform data in tabular view by selecting Tabular

from the View menu or click the Tabular View button in the
toolbar.

3. Use the mouse to select the tabular data you wish to paste into the

spreadsheet applications and select Copy from the Edit menu.

4. Open a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel.

5. Insert the cursor in the spreadsheet file where you want to paste

the tabular view and select Paste from the Edit menu.

Creating a Waveform in a Spreadsheet

The software allows you to create a waveform in a spreadsheet
application, such as Microsoft Excel, and then load the waveform into
your oscilloscope.

To create a waveform in Excel and load it onto your oscilloscope,
follow these steps:

32

1. Acquire a waveform from your oscilloscope using the software.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Applications

2. Export the waveform in .CSV or .XLS format from the software.

3. Open the .CSV or .XLS file in Excel.

4. Use the Excel file as a waveform template. Modify the voltage

values as needed.

5. Save the Excel waveform file in .CSV format.

6. Import the saved .CSV file into the software.

7. Select Waveform Preamble from the View menu. The Preamble

dialog box appears. Adjust the “trigger point” of the new
waveform in the pt_o field.

8. Restore the waveform to the oscilloscope using the Restore
command under the Instrument menu.

Printing Records

The software allows you to print records up to 500 divisions in length.
To print records, follow these steps:

1. Select Properties from the Format menu to open the Graticule
Properties dialog box.

2. In the Graticule tab, key in the horizontal divisions to any number
up to a maximum of 500 divisions and click OK. The list box
settings only go to 20, so you will have to manually key in any
setting over 20.

3. Select Print Setup from the File menu to open the Print Setup
dialog box. Set Paper Orientation to landscape and click OK.

NOTE. Printing records works best if you use a printer that allows
banner or continuous printing. Dot matrix printers work best.

4. Select Print from the File menu. Set the print settings and click
OK.

The software has a limitation on record length as follows:
Printer Dots Per Inch (DPI) * Graticule size (in inches) ≤ 32767

WaveStar Software User Manual

33

Applications

Printing Color Waveform Data

If the oscillscope you are using includes the COLORBMP hardcopy
format, you can capture and print pictures in color using a color
printer.

To print color waveform data, follow these steps:

1. From your oscillscope, select either COLORBMP or BMP from

the Hardcopy Format Menu. Use COLORBMP for color printing
and BMP for monochrome printing.

2. Acquire the picture. See Acquire Picture on page 21 for informa-

tion on how to capture pictures.

3. Select Print from the File menu. From the Print dialog box click

Options... to open the Print Options dialog box.

4. Click OK in the Print dialog box.

34

WaveStar Software User Manual

Error Messages

This section explains error messages you might see while using
WaveStar Software. When possible, procedures for resolving each
error are provided.

There are four types of errors:

GPIB. Steps to resolve GPIB errors are listed in the General GPIB

Errors section.

RS-232. Steps to resolve RS-232 errors are contained in the General

RS-232 Errors section.

Internal. WaveStar is designed to not display internal error messages. If

an internal error message appears, contact Tektronix T echnical
Support as described on page viii.

General. These errors either don’t require extensive resolution

procedures or have similar procedures to other errors listed in this
section. Procedures for resolving general errors are located in the
General and Common Resource Errors section.

If you are unsure as to what type of error you receive, click the Help
button in the error message dialog box. This takes you to the
corresponding help file for the error message and gives you
information on how to resolve the error.

WaveStar Software User Manual

35

Error Messages

General GPIB Errors

Table 7 shows most GPIB problems caused by general errors.

Table 7: General GPIB errors

Problem Solution

Loose cable Make sure cables are securely connected to both the

computer and the oscilloscope.

Improper cable Make sure pin numbers and assignments are correct for

both the computer and oscilloscope.

Wrong GPIB address WaveStar provides addresses 1 through 30. Make sure you

have selected the correct address.

Timeout value too slow Slower baud rates require very long timeouts. Long

timeouts cause long error recoveries, so if you have a
problem with the timeout value being too slow, set the
timeout value to a faster time.

Windows GPIB drivers not
installed

Old version of GPIB drivers Upgrade to National Instruments Version 2.7.2 or later.

Install the proper Windows GPIB drivers.

The following messages are related to the GPIB connection between
the computer and the oscilloscope:

H “No GPIB Board Found”
H “Not System Control”
H “Instrument failed to respond to GPIB write. Check instrument

address and GPIB cable.”

H “GPIB read error”
H “No Listener on Bus”
H “GPIB Timeout”
H “GPIB Failed”

36

H “Power On”

WaveStar Software User Manual

Error Messages

If one of the previous messages appears while you are using the
software, use the steps below to try to resolve the problem. Most
problems have a simple cause such as an incorrect address or faulty
cable.

To attempt to correct the GPIB problem, follow these steps:

1. Check that you are using the correct equipment as follows;

a. National Instruments GPIB Interface card (IEEE Std 488.2)

Version C.12 or later

b. GPIB Cable

2. Disconnect all GPIB cables from computer .

3. Run the hardware diagnostics supplied with the card.

4. Run the software diagnostics supplied with the card.

5. If the GPIB diagnostics fail, or if you have difficulty running them,

contact National Instrument Technical Support.

6. If the GPIB diagnostics pass and the software still does not work,
contact Tektronix T echnical Support as described on page viii.

General RS-232 Errors

The following messages are related to the RS-232 connection between
the computer and the oscilloscope:

H “Bad RS-232 Port”
H “Bad RS-232 Parameters”
H “Failed to set RS-232 parameters”
H “Failed writing to RS-232 device”
H “Failed to read from RS-232 device”
H “Timeout on RS-232 device”
H “RS-232 owned by another application”

WaveStar Software User Manual

37

Error Messages

If one of the previous messages appears while you are using the
software, use the steps below to try to resolve the problem. Most
problems are caused by something simple such as an incorrect COM
port or faulty cable.

To attempt to correct the RS-232 problem, follow these steps:

1. Check the baud rate. Use of slow baud rates (such as 300 or 600) is

not recommended as they require long timeouts which in turn
increases the recovery time from error conditions.

2. Check the type of device. There are two types of RS-232 devices:

Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Communications
Equipment (DCE). Most printers, plotters, and computers are DTE
devices. Most modems are DCE devices.

3. Check the cable. The user manual for the oscilloscope lists cables

that work.

a. Use a straight-through RS-232 cable when connecting two

different types of devices (DTE to DCE).

b. Use a null-modem cable when connecting similar types of

devices (both DTE or both DCE). Null-modem cables
enable similar devices to communicate by crossing the
send/receive pairs and crossing the handshaking pairs.

Internal Errors

WaveStar is designed not to display internal error messages. Internal
errors are errors that occur within the application. If an internal error
message is displayed while you are using WaveStar, contact Tektronix
Technical Support as described on page viii for help.

General and Common Resource Errors

General and common resource errors are errors that can usually be
solved using simple procedures. These are errors not related to the
GPIB or RS-232 connection.

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WaveStar Software User Manual

Error Messages

Use the following procedures and check to see if the error is corrected.
If after using the following procedures and exhausting all other
sources of WaveStar help you cannot resolve the error, contact
Tektronix T echnical Support as described on page viii.

The following messages are related to the general and common
resources:

H “Specified Scope does not Match Connected Scope”
H “No Interface or Interface not Set”
H “No Handle Set Up”
H “Can’t Open Driver File”

To attempt to resolve general and common resource errors, follow
these steps.

1. Make sure you are not trying to open a file owned by another
application.

2. Verify that the oscilloscope you select from the instrument list is
the oscilloscope to which your computer is connected.

3. Try closing other windows/applications to free up more memory.

4. Make sure you have either a GPIB or RS-232 connection

successfully established between the computer and the oscillo­scope.

WaveStar Software User Manual

39

Error Messages

40

WaveStar Software User Manual

Appendix A: Menu Commands

This section contains information about menu commands. Selecting a
menu command may activate a dialog box. Each dialog box contains a
Help button that, when clicked, displays the help for that specific
dialog box.

File Menu

The File menu offers the following commands:

New

Use the New command to create a new WaveStar notebook. Each new
notebook contains empty wave, picture, settings, and notes sheets.

Open

Use the Open command to open an existing notebook in a new
window. You can open multiple notebooks at the same time.

Close

Use the Close command to close the active notebook. If you close a
notebook without saving it, you lose all changes made since the last
time you saved it. Before closing an untitled notebook, WaveStar
displays the Save As dialog box and prompts you to name and save
the file before closing the application.

Save

Use the Save command to save the active notebook to its current name
and directory. When you save a notebook for the first time, WaveStar
displays the Save As dialog box so you can name the notebook and
select a directory where the file will be stored. If you want to change
the name and directory of an existing document before you save it,
choose the Save As command.

WaveStar Software User Manual

41

Appendix A: Menu Commands

Save As

Use the Save As command to name the active document and choose a
directory where the file will be stored. WaveStar displays the Save As
dialog box when you save a file for the first time. After you name and
save a file, you can use the Save As command to rename the file or
select an alternate directory in which to store the file.

Export

The Export command under the File pulldown menu exports the
selected waveform from the Wave sheet in either Excel 4 (XLS)
format or DocuWave (CSV) format.

This command can also export a picture file from the Picture sheet in
a .bmp or a .dib format.

Import

The Import command imports waveform images and settings in TDS
waveform (ISF, WFM), 11K series (WFB), or DocuWave (CSV)
formats. If you attempt to import a file format other than the
DocuWave .CSV format, WaveStar displays the “Improper File
Format” error message.

This command can also import a picture file in a .bmp or a .dib
format.

Page Setup

Use the Page Setup command under the File menu to set the page size
and alignment.

Print

Use the Print command to print a notebook or part of a notebook.
What is printed depends on what sheet you select.

42

WaveStar Software User Manual

Appendix A: Menu Commands

Table 8: Printing results

Selected for printing What gets printed

Wave sheet Graticule with waveforms
Wave sheet/tabular view Waveform data in tabular format; you

can also select which pages you want

to print.
Picture sheet Picture
Settings sheet ASCII text settings
Notes sheet ASCII text notes

Print Preview

The Print Preview command under the File menu activates an
on-screen view that previews what the file will look like when printed.

Print Setup

The Print Setup command under the File menu activates the Print
Setup dialog box. Use Print Setup to select a printer and set all of the
printing features before sending a file to the printer.

<recent file list>

The recently opened file list contains the last four most recently
opened WaveStar files. To open one of the listed files, select it from
the numbered list.

Exit

Use the Exit command to leave WaveStar. If any open documents
have not been saved you will be warned and given the option of
saving the file before exiting WaveStar.

WaveStar Software User Manual

43

Appendix A: Menu Commands

Edit Menu

The Edit menu offers the following commands:

Cut - Ctrl+X

The Cut command copies the selected item to the clipboard and
removes it from its current location.

Copy - Ctrl+C

The Copy command copies the selected item to the clipboard.

Paste - Ctrl+V

The Paste command pastes the current clipboard item into the current
location.

Cut Wave

Use the Cut Wave command to cut a waveform from the wave tab and
move it to the clipboard. To cut a waveform from the wave tab, select
the tab and select Cut Wave from the Edit menu.

Copy Wave

Use the Copy Wave command to copy a waveform to the clipboard.
To copy a waveform to the clipboard, select the waveform number to
the left of the graticule and select Copy Wave from the Edit menu.

Paste Wave

Use the Paste Wave command to paste a waveform from the clipboard
to a wave tab. To paste a waveform to the graticule, select Paste Wave
from the Edit menu. This will paste the waveform from the clipboard
into the open notebook.

Delete Wave

Use the Delete Wave command to delete a waveform from the
graticule. To delete a waveform from the wave tab, select the
waveform number to the left of the graticule and select Delete Wave
from the Edit menu.

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WaveStar Software User Manual

Appendix A: Menu Commands

Copy Sheet

Use the Copy Sheet command to copy an entire sheet, or tab, to the
clipboard. To copy a sheet to the clipboard, select the tab and select
Copy Sheet from the Edit menu.

Paste Sheet

Use the Paste Sheet command to paste an entire tab from the clipboard
to the open notebook. To paste a tab to the clipboard, select Paste
Sheet from the Edit menu. This will paste the tab from the clipboard
into the open notebook.

Delete Sheet

Use the Delete Sheet command to delete an entire sheet from the
notebook. To delete a sheet from the notebook, select the tab and
select Delete Sheet from the Edit menu.

Waveform Preamble

The Waveform Preamble command brings up the Waveform Preamble
dialog box. See Viewing the Waveform Preamble on page 23 for
further information on this menu command.

For more information on the waveform preamble, refer to the
programmer manual for your specific oscilloscope.

View Menu

The V iew menu offers the following commands:

Waveform YT

The Waveform YT command displays the graticule in YT view.

Waveform XY

The Waveform XY command displays the graticule in XY view.

Tabular View

The T abular command displays the waveform coordinates in table
format.

WaveStar Software User Manual

45

Appendix A: Menu Commands

Measurements

The Measurements command displays the waveform measurements.

Harmonic

The Harmonic command displays the waveform harmonics.

Harmonic Tabular

The Harmonic Tabular command displays the waveform harmonics in
tabular format.

Toolbar

The Toolbar command toggles the toolbar display.

Status Bar

The Status Bar command toggles the Status Bar display. The status bar
displays tooltip information and progress information during an
application process.

Zoom

The Zoom dialog box is activated by selecting the Zoom command.

Wave Information

The Wave Information command activates the Waveform Information
dialog box which contains information such as scope type, WFID,
waveform color and notes, and time and date of acquisition.

Insert Menu

The Insert menu offers the following commands:

Wave

Select the Wave command to insert a new, empty wave tab in the
active file.

46

Picture

Select the Picture command to insert a new, empty picture tab in the
active file.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Settings

Select the Settings command to insert a new, empty settings tab in the
active file.

Notes

Select the Notes command to insert a new, empty notes tab in the
active file.

Format Menu

The Format menu offers the following commands:

Graticule Properties

The Graticule command activates the Graticule Properties dialog box
which controls Graticule, Plot, Color, and Text properties.

Appendix A: Menu Commands

Picture

Use the Picture command to format the image on the Picture tab.
WaveStar allows you to rotate the picture image with one of four
settings: No Rotation, Landscape, 180 degrees rotation, or 270 degrees
rotation.

Instrument Menu

The Instrument menu offers the following commands:

Select

The Select command activates the Select Instrument dialog box. In
this dialog box, select the instrument you are using and set either the
RS-232 or GPIB connection settings.

Configure Acquire

The Configure Acquire command brings up the Configure Acquire
dialog box where you set the waveform acquisition settings. Acquire
modes include Add and Replace.

WaveStar Software User Manual

47

Appendix A: Menu Commands

Acquire

The Acquire command initiates the acquisition sequence. The actions
of the Acquire command depend on the currently selected tab object.

Table 9: Acquisition results

Selected sheet/tab Acquisition result

Wave Actual waveform images from scope
Picture Picture image of scope display
Settings Scope settings

Configure Restore

The Configure Restore command brings up the Configure Restore
dialog box where you can set the destination for restored waveforms.

Window Menu

The Window menu of fers the following commands:

Cascade

Use Cascade to arrange multiple opened windows in an overlapped
fashion.

Tile

Use Tile to arrange multiple opened windows in a non-overlapped
fashion.

Arrange Icons

Use Arrange Icons to arrange the icons for minimized windows at the
bottom of the main window.

48

<open document list>

The WaveStar software displays a list of currently open document
windows at the bottom of the Window menu. A check mark indicates
which document is currently in the active window.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Help Menu

The Help menu offers the following commands:

Contents

The Contents command activates WaveStar Online Help.

Search For Help On

The Search for Help On command activates the WaveStar Online Help
search system. This feature allows you to search for help topics by
keyword.

Index

The Index command activates the WaveStar Online Help index. All
WaveStar information is listed in the index alphabetically. Each index
entry links to the related help topic in WaveStar Online Help.

Appendix A: Menu Commands

Using Help

Selecting the Using Help command activates the How to Use Help
online help screen. You can also activate the How to Use Online Help
screen from WaveStar Online Help by pressing the F1 key.

Getting Started

The Getting Started command activates a short tutorial within
WaveStar Online Help to help familiarize you with the software.

T echnical Support

The Technical Support command brings up the help screen explaining
the different methods of contacting Tektronix Technical Support.

About

The About command activates the About WaveStar dialog box which
contains version, copyright, and registration information.

WaveStar Software User Manual

49

Appendix A: Menu Commands

50

WaveStar Software User Manual

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

This section contains information about dialog boxes. Selecting a
menu command may activate a dialog box. Dialog boxes in this
section are listed in alphabetical order .

Each dialog box contains three common buttons: OK, Cancel, and
Help.

H Click OK when you are finished editing dialog box fields and want

to apply the new settings.

H Click Cancel to exit the dialog box without making any changes.
H Click Help to bring up the help file corresponding to the current

dialog box.

Screen captures of all dialog boxes are available in the Online Help.
Click on the Help button in any dialog box to find complete help for
the selected dialog box including image-mapped screen captures and
descriptions of each field. This section of the manual lists definitions
of all dialog fields.

Configure Acquire

Use the Configure Acquire dialog box to set the waveform acquisition
parameters.

Export

Use the Export dialog box to select the file format and destination for
exported files. The Export dialog box contains the following fields:

File Name. Enter the name of the file to be exported.
Save File as Type. Select either Excel (XLS) or CSV format.
Directories. Select a destination directory for the exported file.
Drives. Select a drive where the destination directory is located.

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51

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

Format Picture

Use the Format Picture dialog box to set the rotation of the picture
image. The Format Picture dialog box contains the following fields:

Normal (no rotation). Sets the picture to the original acquisition position.
Landscape (90 degrees). Rotates the picture image 90 degrees

clockwise.

180 degrees. Rotates the picture image 180 degrees clockwise.
270 degrees. Rotates the picture image 270 degrees clockwise.

Graticule Properties

Graticule Tab

Use the Graticule tab in the Graticule Properties dialog box to set the
graticule properties. The Graticule tab contains the following fields:

Graticule list box. Select the graticule display type: Full, Grid,

Crosshair, or Frame.

Divisions. Set the number of horizontal and vertical divisions for the

graticule.

Size/Div. Set the size per division for the graticule.

Plot Tab

Use the Plot tab in the Graticule Properties dialog box to set the plot
properties. The Plot tab contains the following fields:

Plot As. Set the plot display to either vectors or dots. Vectors displays a

continuous line. Dots displays a series of dots at selected points.

Lock Horizontal Scales. Select the checkbox to lock the horizontal

scales on the graticule.

52

Lock Trigger Points. Select the checkbox to lock the trigger points on

the graticule.

Trigger T on Graticule. Select the box to display waveform trigger points

on the graticule. Trigger points are displayed as a “T” on the graticule.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

Fast Draw. Select the checkbox to activate Fast Draw. If you experience

a slowing in processing, deselect the checkbox, as Fast Draw requires
more system resources.

Color Tab

Use the Color Tab to set waveform display , copying, and printing
colors. The Color tab contains the following fields:

Graticule. Sets the color of the graticule lines.
Readout. Sets the color of text displayed on the graticule.
Background. Sets the background color of the graticule.
Default Waveform Color at Acquire. Sets the default waveform color at

acquisition. To set the waveform color after acquisition, use the color
selector button in the Waveform Information dialog box.

Import

Copy . Select the color scheme for data copied to the clipboard: color,

grayscale, or black lines on white.

Print. Select the color scheme for printed data: color, grayscale, or

black lines on white.

Text Tab

Use the Text tab to control the display of text on the graticule.

Scales. Select the checkbox to display graticule scales.
Cursor Positions. Select the checkbox to display cursor positions on the

graticule.

Notes. Select the checkbox to display the notes on the graticule. Notes

displayed on the graticule are notes entered in the Notes field of the
Rename Sheet dialog box.

Use the Import dialog box to select the file and file format of imported
data. The Import dialog box contains the following fields:

File Name. Enter the name of the file to be imported.

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53

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

Save File as Type. Select the file format of the imported data.
Directories. Select the directory location of the imported file.
Drives. Select the drive where the imported file directory is located.

NOTE. You can import waveforms only, not pictures.

Open

Use the Open dialog box to open a saved file. The Open dialog box
contains the following fields:

File Name. Name of the file to be opened.
List Files as Type. Choose a file format from the list box. All files in the

selected directory that match the file format selected in this field will
be displayed in the file list.

Directories. Select directory location of file to open.
Drives. Select drive where directory is located.

Page Setup

Use the Page Setup dialog box to set the size and alignment of printed
data. The Page Setup dialog box contains the following fields:

Actual Size. Displays the data in actual size.
Best Fit to Page Size. Proportionately increases or decreases the image

size on the page to best fit the page.

Full Page Size. Increases or decreases the image size to fill the entire

page. The image may lose its aspect if you choose this size selection.

54

Center Page. Centers the image vertically and horizontally on the page.
Center Horizontal. Centers the image horizontally on the page.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Print

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

Center Vertical. Centers the image vertically on the page.

Use the Print dialog box to set the printing parameters for the open
file. The Setup... button brings up the Print Setup dialog box. See the
Print Setup dialog box information on page 56 for further information.

The Print dialog box contains the following fields:

Print Range, All. Prints the entire file.
Print Range, Selection. Prints only selected parts of the file.
Print Range, Pages From. Prints the range of pages specified in the

From: and To: fields.

Print Quality. Select a printer resolution setting from the list.
Copies. Set the number of copies you want printed.
Collate Copies. Select the checkbox to have the printer collate multiple

printed copies.

Print Options

Use the Options... dialog box to set print options. Click the Ad­vanced... button to set advanced printing options. Click the Send
Header button to send a header page to the printer.

Print To Printer. Select this field to send print jobs to the printer

specified in the Print Setup dialog box.

Print to Encapsulated PostScript File. Select this field to send print jobs

to a postscript file. Use the entry field to enter the pathname of the file
location to which you want to print.

Margins, Default. Select this field to set page margins to the default

printing margins set by the selected printer.

Margins, None. Select the field to print without margins.

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55

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

Scaling (%). Use this field to set the printing scale. This is the percent

scale of the printed data.

Color Checkbox. Select this checkbox when using a color printer.
Send Header with Each Job Checkbox. Select this checkbox to send a

header with each print job.

Print Setup

Use the Print Setup dialog box to select a printer, paper size,
orientation, and source. Click the Options... button for more printing
options.

Default Printer. Select Default Printer to use the default printer set in the

Windows Print Manager.

Specific Printer. Use this field to select a printer other than the Default

Printer. A list of available printers is available in the pulldown list.

Orientation. Set the paper orientation to either portrait or landscape.

This setting applies only to the paper and not to the image display.

Paper Size. Select the paper size from the pulldown list.
Paper Source. Select the paper source from the pulldown list.

Rename Sheet

Use the Rename Sheet dialog box to rename the selected sheet and
enter notes. The notes entered in this dialog box are the notes
displayed on the graticule. This is the only place you can enter notes
to display on the graticule. See Information on Notes on page 13 for
more information on the three types of Notes fields in the software.

The Rename Sheet dialog box contains the following fields:

Tab Text. Enter the new sheet name in this field.

56

Notes. Use this field to enter notes you want displayed on the graticule.

To display the notes on the graticule, open the Graticule Properties
Text tab and select the Notes checkbox.

WaveStar Software User Manual

Restore

Use the Configure Restore dialog box to set the restore parameters.
The Configure Restore dialog box contains the following fields:

Waveform. Select the waveform to be restored from the pulldown list.
<Scope Name>. The name of this field is the name of the oscilloscope

to which you are restoring waveform data. Select the destination
oscilloscope from the pulldown list.

Save / Save As

Use the File Save As dialog box to either save a new file or to resave a
currently saved file to a new filename. The File Save As dialog box
contains the following fields:

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

File Name. Enter the name of file to be saved.
Save File as Type. Select the file format in which you wish to save the

file.

Directories. Select the directory location where the file will be saved.
Drives. Select the drive where the saved file directory is located.

Select Instrument

Use the Select Instrument dialog box to select and set up your
oscilloscope for waveform acquisition. The Select Instrument dialog
box contains the following fields:

Scope. Select your oscilloscope from the oscilloscope list. This list is

from the WaveStar driver files. If your oscilloscope is not listed in the
oscilloscope list, check to see if the software supports your oscillo­scope; then, verify you are using the latest version of WaveStar
Software. Upgrades are available from the Tektronix web site at
http://www.tek.com/Measurement/Support.

Interface. There are two selections in this field: GPIB and RS-232.

Which interface is selected depends on what oscilloscope you are
using. After selecting your oscilloscope from the list, the software

WaveStar Software User Manual

57

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

enables the GPIB or RS-232 fields, or both. See GPIB Settings Tab
and RS-232 Settings Tab for more information.

Serial Number. Enter the oscilloscope serial number in this field to

automatically enter default instrument settings.

Defaults. Click Defaults... to bring up the Instrument Defaults dialog

box. Click Use Defaults to use the current instrument settings. Click
Change Defaults to save the current settings as the default.

GPIB Settings Tab

Use the GPIB Settings tab to set the GPIB interface settings. The
GPIB Settings tab contains the following fields:

Address. Select the GPIB address from the pulldown list. Addresses

range from 1 to 30.

Timeout. Use this field to set the timeout rate. Either select one of the

preset timeout rates or enter your own value. The timeout rate is the
length of time the software will attempt to make a GPIB interface
connection. If a connection is not made in the specified timeout time
you will get an error message.

TEST Button. Click TEST to test your GPIB interface connection.
Defaults. Click Defaults... to bring up the Instrument Defaults dialog

box. Click Use Defaults to use the current instrument settings. Click
Change Defaults to save the current settings as default. Click Factory
Settings to use the factory default settings. Factory default settings are
located in the driver files.

RS-232 Settings Tab

Use the RS-232 Settings tab to set the RS-232 interface settings. Click
Custom RS-232 to set custom RS-232 settings. The RS-232 Settings
tab contains the following fields:

Port. Select the COM port through which you’ll make the connection.

58

Baud. Select the baud rate at which you’ll make the connection.
Timeout. Use this field to set the timeout rate. Either select one of the

preset timeout rates or enter your own value. The timeout rate is the
length of time the software will attempt to make an RS-232 interface

WaveStar Software User Manual

connection. If a connection is not made in the specified timeout time
you will get an error message.

Defaults. Click Defaults... to bring up the Instrument Defaults dialog

box. Click Use Defaults to use the current instrument settings. Click
Change Defaults to save the current settings as default. Click Factory
Settings to use the factory default settings. Factory default settings are
located in the driver files.

Waveform Preamble

Use the Waveform Preamble dialog box to set waveform preamble
settings. See Viewing the Waveform Preamble on page 23 for
information on editing the waveform preamble.

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

The Waveform Preamble dialog box contains the following fields:

Waveform Names. Lists names of currently-displayed waveforms.

Select a waveform from this list for which you want to view the
waveform preamble.

pt_o. The pt_o value is the index of the sample following the

oscilloscope trigger. In the TDS and THS series oscilloscopes, pt_o is
the value of the TDS or THS waveform preamble parameter PT_Off.
In the 11000 series oscilloscopes, pt_o comes from dividing the
waveform preamble value Xzero by the XINcr value and multiplying
by -1:

pt_o = (Xzero / XINcr) * (-1)

xincr. The xincr value is the value of the waveform preamble value

XINcr.

xzero. The xzero value in the 11000 series oscilloscopes (DSA60x) is

set to the DSA60x waveform preamble parameter TSTime.

y_off. In the TDS and THS series oscilloscopes, the y_off value is set

to the TDS/THS waveform preamble parameter PT_Off. In the 11000
series oscilloscopes, the y_off value is set to zero.

ymult. The ymult value is the value of the waveform preamble

parameter YMUlt.

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59

Appendix B: Dialog Boxes

yzero. The yzero value is the value of the waveform preamble

parameter YZero.

v units. This field sets the graticule vertical units.
h units. This field sets the graticule horizontal units.

Waveform Information

Use the Waveform Information dialog box to view and edit waveform
information. Each waveform has a unique Waveform Information
dialog box. See Viewing and Changing the Waveform Information on
page 28 for more informaton on editing the Waveform Information
dialog box.

The Waveform Information dialog box contains the following fields:

Scope. Lists the brand, name, and model number of the oscilloscope

used to acquire the selected waveform. You can not edit this field.

Serial. Lists the serial number information of the oscilloscope when

available. You can enter the serial number of the oscilloscope in the
Select Instrument dialog box prior to capturing waveforms.

WFID. Waveform ID lists information such as channel, V/div , s/div,

number of points, and acquire mode. You can not edit this field.

Date. Lists the date the waveform was acquired.
Time. Lists the time the waveform was acquired.
Name. Lists the waveform name. You can edit this field to change the

name of the selected waveform.

Color. Click this button to select a new waveform color from the color

palette.

Notes. Lists waveform notes. You can edit this field to add or change

waveform notes. The display of waveform notes is controlled by the
Notes checkbox in the Graticule Properties Text dialog box.

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WaveStar Software User Manual

Appendix C: RS-232 Interface Reference

Refer to the information in this section regarding RS-232 interface
connections for your specific oscilloscope.

Oscilloscope Requirements

This section lists specific requirements for some oscilloscopes when
using the RS-232 interface.

11000 Series

If you are using an 11000 series oscilloscope (includes DSA and CSA
series), make sure the following are set in the Utility/RS-232 menu:

Table 10: Utility/RS-232 settings

Field or feature Set to...

Echo Off
Verbose Off
Debug Off
Delay Off

Use the Debug facility to see if any characters are being sent from the
software to the oscilloscope. To use this facility, go to the Utility/
RS-232 menu and toggle the Debug selector to the on position. The
top four lines of the instrument display will show any characters
which come in over the RS-232 port.

Be sure to set the Debug value to off when you are finished. Software
transfers will not work if Debug is set to on.

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61

Appendix C: RS-232 Interface Reference

TDS 200 or 300 Series

If you are using a TDS 200 series or TDS 300 series oscilloscope, you
can use the Set RS-232 Parameters to Default Values button to set the
RS-232 settings on the oscilloscope to the software default values.

Follow the steps below to access the Set RS-232 Parameters to
Default Values button:

1. Press the Utility button on your oscilloscope.

2. Push the bottom left bezel button on the oscilloscope repeatedly

until I/O is selected.

3. On the oscilloscope push the RS-232C bezel button. The side

bezel buttons now control RS-232 settings.

4. To set the RS-232 settings to software default values, push the

fourth bezel button.

You can examine the Error Log for clues about your RS-232 interface
connection. Follow the steps below to access the Error Log:

1. Push the Utility button on the oscilloscope.

2. Push the bottom left bezel button on the oscilloscope repeatedly

until Diag is selected.

3. On the oscilloscope, push the Error Log bezel button.

4. Push the side bezel button labeled Display Log.

Check the lines in the Error Log titled RS-232 Line Snapshot and
RS-232 Errors. See your TDS 200 or TDS 300 Programmer Manual
for information on interpreting information in the Error Log.

TDS 400, 500, 600, 700, or 800 Series

The TDS 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 series oscilloscopes support
RS-232 printers but cannot be controlled over the RS-232 connection.
Software can only communicate with these series of oscilloscopes
using a GPIB interface connection.

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WaveStar Software User Manual

Appendix C: RS-232 Interface Reference

2221

The following reference information applies specifically to the 2221
oscilloscope, but may or may not apply to other 2200 series
oscilloscopes.

H Make sure the oscilloscope is in STORE mode and not NON-

STORE as selected by the front panel button in the upper right
corner of the oscilloscope front panel.

H After changing the dip switch settings on the oscilloscope, you

must cycle the power in order for the new settings to take effect.

H Use a baud rate of 2400 or less. The instrument has better

performance at 2400 baud than at faster baud rates. Set switches 1
through 4 to 0110 when using a 2400 baud rate.

H Set the parity switch to off (switch 5 = 0).
H Set the EOL switch to CR/LF (switch 8 = 1) and set the software

terminator to CRLF in the Custom RS-232 dialog box.

H Switches 6, 7, 9, and 10 can be ignored.
H In the software Custom RS-232 dialog box, set Data Bits to 8, Stop

Bits to 1, Parity to None, and make sure software handshaking is
not selected.

H In the 2221 oscilloscope Communications menu, set Stop Bits to

One and Flow to OFF.

H Make sure you are using the correct port for your cable. The sex of

the cable is not necessarily an indication of which port you should
be using.

RS-232 General Hints

H Make sure the communication parameters are set correctly on both

the oscilloscope and software. For oscilloscopes that do not
automatically detect some settings, the baud rates should match,
the Parity should be set to None, the Data Bits should be set to 8,
and the Stop Bits should be set to 1.

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63

Appendix C: RS-232 Interface Reference

For all oscilloscopes, check that the port number matches the port
number of the computer to which the oscilloscope is connected
and that the period of time for the Timeout parameter matches.

Soft flagging should never be used for waveform and hardcopy
transfers. This is because waveform data and hardcopy output
contain binary characters which can easily include the XON and
XOFF characters used to implement soft flagging. Soft flagging
should only be used for transferring stored setups since stored
setup information generally consists of printable ASCII text.

H Although it generally shouldn’t matter if the EOL characters are

the same, to be sure, set the EOL to CRLF.

H WaveStar usually remembers the settings which were selected the

last time the software was used. To force the software to use the
default settings each time you open the application, exit the
software and delete the WAVESTAR.INI file in the system
directory.

H Not all instruments support full RS-232 communications. Some

instruments only support GPIB communication, while others
support limited RS-232 functions, such as printer functions.

H If you are able to connect to an instrument but unable to transfer

waveforms successfully, you may have a cable which is not wired
correctly for hard flagging.

If you can successfully transfer settings to and from the instrument
at the fastest supported baud rate, hard flagging is probably
working. If not, try soft flagging. If you can successfully transfer
settings using soft flagging but not with hard flagging, there is a
good chance the hard flagging lines of your cable are not
connected properly .

H Make sure that the entire setting is restored when you send settings

back to the instrument. It is easy for a setting to be only partially
restored if hard flagging is not working or if you are not using any
flagging. Try using flagging of any kind and use a slow baud rate.
If waveform transfers work under these conditions, there is a good
chance the hard flagging lines of your cable are not connected
properly.

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WaveStar Software User Manual

RS-232 Cable Issues

If the information provided so far in this section fails to resolve your
RS-232 problems, it may be that you are using an incompatible
RS-232 cable. There is no such thing as a standard RS-232 cable, so
you may need to use an ohmmeter to verify that your cable is wired
correctly. Many cables don’t have all the pins connected.

The first thing you need to know is whether the computer and
oscilloscope are DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) or DCE (Data
Communications Equipment) devices. This information is in the
documentation provided with your oscilloscope and with your
computer.

If you are connecting a DTE device to a DCE device you will need a
straight-through cable. This is a cable that has the same pin assign­ments on both ends of the cable.

Appendix C: RS-232 Interface Reference

If you are connecting two devices of the same type, you need a null
modem cable. This is a cable whose lines are crossed such that the
inputs of one device are connected to the outputs of the other .

CAUTION. Do not connect the output lines of two same-type devices to
each other. Doing so would damage one or both of the devices.

For hard flagging to work, the RTS (Request To Send) and CTS (Clear
To Send) lines must be connected. Use an ohmmeter to verify that
they are actually connected since not all cables connect these lines.
The RTS line is sometimes referred to as RFR.

The DCD (Data Carrier Detect) line is not used by the software so it
does not matter whether or not it is connected. The DCD line is
sometimes referred to as RLSD.

RS-232 Cable Examples

The information in this section provides correct wiring and pin
assignments for RS-232 interface connections with each type of
oscilloscope supported by the software.

WaveStar Software User Manual

65

Appendix C: RS-232 Interface Reference

11000 Series Oscilloscope to Computer (DB25 male to DB9 female)

Table 11 below lists the correct wiring for connecting an 11000 series
(including DSA and CSA series) oscilloscope with 25 pins to a 9 pin
serial port on a DTE computer. Tektronix 11000 series instruments are
DCE devices.

Table 11: Pin assignments for 11000 series oscilloscope
(DB25 to DB9)

DB25 male

11000 line

Chassis Ground 1 Connector Chassis Ground
(TxD) 2 3 (TxD)
(RxD) 3 2 (RxD)
(RTS) 4 7 (RTS)
(CTS) 5 8 (CTS)
(DSR) 6 6 (DSR)
(GND) 7 5 (GND)
(DCD) 8 1 (DCD)
(DTR) 20 4 (DTR)

pin number

Computer
pin number

DB9 female
line name

11000 Series Oscilloscope to Computer (DB25 female to DB25 male)

Table 12 below lists the correct wiring for connecting an 11000 series
(including DSA and CSA series) oscilloscope with 25 pins to a 25 pin

66

WaveStar Software User Manual

Appendix C: RS-232 Interface Reference

serial port on a computer . Tektronix 11000 series instruments are DCE
devices.

Table 12: Pin assignments for 11000 series oscilloscope
(DB25 to DB25)

DB25 male

11000 line

Ground 1 1 Chassis Ground
(TxD) 2 2 (TxD)
(RxD) 3 3 (RxD)
(RTS) 4 4 (RTS)
(CTS) 5 5 (CTS)
(DSR) 6 6 (DTR)
(GND) 7 7 (GND)
(DCD) 8 20 (DCD)
(DTR) 20 8 (DSR)

pin number

Computer

pin number

DB9 male
line name

TDS 200 and TDS 300 Series Oscilloscope to Computer (DB9 female to
DB9 male)

Table 13 below lists the correct wiring for connecting a TDS 200
series or TDS 300 series oscilloscope with 9 pins to a 9 pin serial port
on a DTE computer . TDS 200 series and TDS 300 series instruments
are DTE devices.

Table 13: Pin assignments for TDS 200 or TDS 300 series oscilloscope
(DB9 to DB9)

TDS line

(RxD) 2 3 (TxD)
(TxD) 3 2 (RxD)

WaveStar Software User Manual

DB9 female

pin number

Computer

pin number

DB9 female
line name

67

Appendix C: RS-232 Interface Reference

Table 13: Pin assignments for TDS 200 or TDS 300 series oscilloscope
(DB9 to DB9) (cont.)

DB9 female
line name

TDS line

DB9 female

pin number

Computer
pin number

(DTR) 4 6 (DSR)
(GND) 5 5 (GND)
(DSR) 6 4 (DTR)
(RTS) 7 1, 8

1

(CTS)

(CTS) 8 7 (RTS)

1

Pins 1 and 8 are wired together .

Connecting Two Like Devices Using a Null-Modem Cable

Table 14 below lists the correct wiring for connecting two like devices
together using a 25-pin DB25 female to 25-pin DB25 female cable.

T able 14: Pin assignments for DB25 female-to-female null-modem cable

68

Computer

DB25 connector Pin number

pin number

Line name

Chassis Ground 1 1 Chassis Ground
(TxD) 2 3 (RxD)
(RxD) 3 2 (TxD)
(RTS) 4 5 (CTS)
(CTS) 5 4 (RTS)
(DSR DCD) 6,8
(DTR) 20 6,8

1

20 (DTR)

1

(DCR DCD)

(Signal GND) 7 7 (Signal GND)

1

Pins 6 and 8 are wired together .

WaveStar Software User Manual

Index

A

Acquire command, 48
acquisition results, 48
ALT button combinations, 14
applications, 29

B

baud rate, 19

C

common resource errors, 38

resolving, 39
compatible oscilloscopes, 1
Configure Acquire, 47
Configure Restore, 48
connection procedures

GPIB communication interface,

17

RS-232 communication interface,

19
contacting Tektronix, viii
conventions, vii
copy

graticule to clipboard, 29
notes to clipboard, 30
picture to clipboard, 30
settings to clipboard, 31

creating waveforms, using Excel,

32

cursor positions, dX, dY, X, Y, 10

D

Data Communications Equipment,

38
Data Terminal Equipment, 38
DocuWave software, upgrading to

WaveStar Software, 2
dX, cursor position, 10
dY, cursor position, 10

E

Edit menu, 44

Copy, 44
Copy Sheet, 45
Copy Wave, 44
Cut, 44
Cut Wave, 44
Delete Sheet, 45
Delete Wave, 44
Paste, 44
Paste sheet, 45
Paste Wave, 44
Waveform Preamble, 45

Error messages, 35

general, 35
GPIB, 35
internal, 35

RS-232, 35
Exit, Print Preview, 43
export, file formats allowed, 28

WaveStar Software User Manual

69

Index

F

File menu, 41

Close, 41
Export, 42
Import, 42
New, 41
Open, 41
Page Setup, 42
Print, 42
Print Preview, 43
Print Setup, 43
Recent file list, 43
Save, 41
Save As, 42

Format menu, 47

Graticule, 47
Picture, 47

G

general errors, 35, 38

resolving, 39

GPIB communication interface

connecting to an oscilloscope, 17
required equipment, 17
resolving problems, 18

GPIB errors, 35, 36

common errors, 36
resolving, 37

graticule

copying to clipboard, 29
waveform display, 10

H

Tabular view, 26
Help button, 14
Help menu, 15, 49

About, 49

Contents, 49

contents, 15

Getting Started, 49

getting started, 15

Index, 49

index, 15

Search for Help On..., 15, 49

technical support, 49

Using Help, 49

using Help, 15
horizontal position button, 11
horizontal scale, 10

I

import, file formats allowed, 27
Insert menu, 46

Notes, 47

Picture, 46

Settings, 47

Wave, 46
installation, 3

File Manager, 4

Program Manager, 3

System files, 5

Windows 95, 4
Instrument menu, 47

Acquire, 48

Configure Acquire, 47

Configure Restore, 48

Select, 47
internal errors, 35, 38

h units, 60
hardcopy picture, 12
harmonic measurement, 26

Graph view, 26

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WaveStar Software User Manual

Index

L

list box

cursor type, 10
harmonic measurements, 26
waveforms, 11

M

Main screen, 9
measurements

creating power waveforms, 27
current, 29
harmonic, 26
power, 29
time, 29
viewing waveforms, 23
voltage, 29

Menu bar, 9, 14

using keyboard, 14
using mouse, 14

operating basics, 9
oscilloscopes, compatible, 1

P

paste, spreadsheet data into tabular

view, 31
Picture sheet, 12
pictures

acquiring from oscilloscope, 21
copying to clipboard, 30
exporting, 28

importing, 27
port, 19
position, waveforms

horizontal, 11

vertical, 10
power analysis, 27
pt_o, 59

R

N

note information

copying to clipboard, 30
displayed on the graticule, 13
Notes Sheet, 13
Rename Sheet dialog box, 13
types, 13
Waveform Information dialog

box, 13
Notes sheet, 13
NT operating system, WSTROU

software, 2

null-modem cable, 38

O

Online Help, 14

Rename Sheet dialog box, 13
requirements, 1
restoring data

settings, 21

waveforms, 21
restrictions, 1
RS-232 communication interface

connecting to an oscilloscope, 19

required equipment, 19
RS-232 errors, 35, 37

Data Communications Equip-

ment, 38
Data Terminal Equipment, 38
null-modem cable, 38
resolving, 38
slow baud rate, 38
straight-through cable, 38

WaveStar Software User Manual

71

Index

S

scale, waveforms

horizontal, 10

vertical, 10
scrolling through sheets, 12
Select Instrument, 47
settings

copying to clipboard, 31

restoring to oscilloscope, 21
Settings sheet, 12
sheet position buttons, 12
slow baud rate, RS-232, 38
spreadsheet

creating waveforms, 32

pasting into tabular view, 31
straight-through cable, 38
system files, installed, 5

T

Tabular view, 45

pasting into a spreadsheet, 32

viewing waveforms, 22
technical support, viii
terms used in this manual, vii
TEST button, 20
timeout, 19
Tool bar, 9
trigger point, 10

U

uninstall, 6

Automatic, 6

Custom, 6

files to remove

data, 7
directories, 7
for consideration, 6

icons, 7
system, 7

system files, do not delete, 4

upgrades, 2

V

v units, 60
vertical position button, 10
vertical scale, 10
View menu, 45

Harmonic, 46
Harmonic Tabular, 46
Measurements, 46
Status Bar, 46
Tabular view, 45
Toolbar, 46
Wave Information, 46
Waveform XY, 45
Waveform YT, 45
Zoom, 46

viewing, waveform

harmonics, 26
measurements, 23
preamble, 23

viewing, waveform, data, 22

W

Wave sheet, 9
waveform data

capturing

oscilloscope, 20
pictures, 21
settings, 20

restoring to, oscilloscope, 21

Waveform Information

changing, 28
dialog box, 13

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WaveStar Software User Manual

Index

Waveform list box, 11

selection button, 11

Waveform Preamble, 23, 45

h units, 60
pt_o, 59
v units, 60
xincr, 59
xzero, 59
y_off, 59
ymult, 59
yzero, 60

waveforms

acquire, 48
color on the display, 28
displayed on graticule, 10
exporting, 28
importing, 27
number, 10
power analysis, 27
restoring to oscilloscope, 21
selection buttons, 11
selection list, 11
viewing, 22

Harmonic Graph view, 26
Harmonic Tabular view, 26
measurements, 23
preamble, 23
Tabular view, 22
Waveform Information dialog

box, 28

XY view, 22

YT view, 22
WaveStar software, starting, 5
Window menu, 48

Arrange Icons, 48
Cascade, 48
Open document list, 48
Tile, 48

Windows 98 operating system,

WSTROU software, 2
WSTR31U DocuWave upgrade, 2
WSTROU software

NT operating system, 2
Windows 98 operating system, 2

X

X, cursor position, 10
xincr, 59
xzero, 59

Y

Y, cursor position, 10
y_off, 59
ymult, 59
yzero, 60

WaveStar Software User Manual

73

Index

74

WaveStar Software User Manual