Tektronix WSTRO User Manual
User Manual
WSTRO
WaveStart Software
for Oscilloscopes
071-0220-08
This document supports firmware version 2.7 and
above.
www.tektronix.com
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.
Tektronix, Inc., P.O. Box 500, Beaverton, OR 97077
TEKTRONIX, TEK, and WaveStar are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
WaveStar is a trademark of Tektronix, Inc.
Table of Contents
Preface v............................................
Contacting Tektronix vii.................................
Getting Started
Product Description 1--1.................................
System Requirements 1--3...............................
Supported Instruments 1--4..............................
Installing and Running WaveStar 1--5.....................
Installing WaveStar Software 1--5..........................
Setting Up PC to Instrument Communications 1--5.............
Running WaveStar for Oscilloscopes or WaveStar Reader 1--9...
Uninstalling WaveStar 1--10................................
Instrument Manager Service
Main Screen 2--1........................................
Menu Bar 2--2..........................................
Toolbar 2--4............................................
Instrument List (Main Screen) 2--5..........................
Adding an Instrument 2--5................................
Removing an Instrument from IMS 2--9.....................
Switching an Instrument Online or Offline 2--9................
Shutting Down the Instrument Server (IS) Service 2--10..........
Display and Print the IMS Activity Log 2--10..................
Set Instrument Permissions 2--11............................
Operating Basics
Main Screen Overview 3--1...............................
The WaveStar Menu Bar 3--4..............................
The WaveStar Toolbar 3--10................................
The Explorer View 3--12...................................
The WaveStar Reader 3--19................................
WaveStar Software User Manual
i
Table of Contents
Data Sheet Overview
Data Sheet Pane 4--1.....................................
Common Sheet Functions 4--1.............................
Data Sheets and Compatible Data Types 4--6.................
Datalog Measurements Data Sheet 4--7......................
Datalog Tabular Data Sheet 4--9............................
Instrument Explorer Sheet 4--11.............................
Notes Sheet 4--14........................................
Power Harmonics Data Sheet 4--17..........................
Scalar-Viewer Data Sheet 4--21.............................
StripChart Data Sheet 4--22................................
Waveform Measurement Data Sheet 4--25.....................
Waveform Tabular Data Sheet 4--27..........................
XY Data Sheet 4--30......................................
YT Data Sheet 4--32......................................
Procedures
Display Waveforms in the YT Data Sheet 5--1................
Display Two Waveforms in the XY Data Sheet 5--2............
Dynamically Position Waveforms 5--3.......................
Zoom the YT, XY, or StripChart Data Sheets 5--3..............
Change the YT or XY Waveform Display (Properties) 5--4......
Creating a New Mask 5--6................................
Measure Waveforms using the Waveform Measurement
Data Sheet 5--7......................................
Measure StripChart Plots using Cursors 5--7..................
Set Up Instrument (Data Source) 5--7.......................
Copy the Instrument Screen 5--8...........................
Copy the Screen Image to a PC Application 5--9...............
Restore a Waveform to an Instrument 5--9....................
Install/Uninstall 5--9.....................................
Connect to Instrument (GPIB & RS-232) 5--10.................
Saving and Restoring Data Sheets 5--10.......................
Saving and Restoring Workbooks 5--11.......................
Saving and Printing Repetitive Snapshots of Data
(“Babysitting” or Untended Monitoring Mode) 5--12.........
ii
WaveStar Software User Manual
Viewing Long Record Lengths 5--13.........................
Exporting Data 5--13......................................
Converting .SHT files to .CSV files 5--14.....................
Importing Data 5--15......................................
User Proxy Table Utility
Proxy File Overview 6--1.................................
Records 6--1...........................................
Initialization Commands 6--2..............................
Main Screen 6--3........................................
Initialization Screen 6--8..................................
Registry Screen 6--9.....................................
RS-232
Setting RS-232 Default Values 7--1.........................
RS-232 General Hints 7--4................................
RS-232 Cable Issues 7--5.................................
RS-232 Cable Examples 7--6..............................
GPIB
Table of Contents
Index
WaveStar Software User Manual
iii
Table of Contents
iv
WaveStar Software User Manual
Preface
This manual supports the following WaveStart software products:
H WaveStar Software for Oscilloscopes (WSTRO) lets you control,
H WaveStar Software DEMO is a free, fully-functional version of
H WaveStar Software Reader is a free application that lets you view
This manual is organized to cover all common information about
WaveStar Software, and also includes specific information for each
product where applicable.
This manual describes system requirements, installation, operating
basics, data sheet overview and procedures, RS-232 and GPIB
reference information, the WaveStar Instrument Manager Service,
and the WaveStar User Table Proxy application. Refe r to the online
help for further information on the topics in this manual and for
information on the user interface and advanced procedures.
capture, display, analyze, measure, and document oscilloscope
signal waveforms on your PC.
WaveStar with a 30-day use limit.
data sheet and notebook files created by WaveStar Software for
Oscilloscopes. You can load WaveStar Reader on any number of
PCs.
WaveStar Software User Manual
v
Preface
The following table lists all of the documents included with your
purchase and the purpose of each document.
Documentation Set
Document Purpose and description
User Manual Instructional manual that details the application,
procedures, contacting Tektronix, and many other
aspects of the product. Use this manual together
with the online help.
Software License
Agreement Envelope
Software Key Label, located on the back of the CD-ROM software
CD-ROM booklet Contains installation information for each product on
Business Reply Card Complete and return the business reply card to
Envelope that contains the CD-ROM and software
key. The Tektronix Software License Agreement is
printed on this envelope. Breaking the envelope seal
means that you agree with the terms outlined in the
agreement.
installation instruction booklet, that contains a
14-character software installation key that you are
required to enter when you install this software. You
will be asked to enter this key each time you install
this software. You will not be able to install the
software without it. Do not lose the label.
the CD-ROM disc.
register your product.
vi
WaveStar Software User Manual
Contacting Tektronix
Phone 1-800-833-9200*
Address Tektronix, Inc.
Web site www.tektronix.com
Preface
Department or name (if known)
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
Sales support
Service
support
Technical
support
* This phone number is toll free in North America. After office hours,
please leave a voice mail message.
Outside North America, contact a Tektronix sales office or distributor;
see the Tektronix web site for a list of offices.
1-800-833-9200, select option 1*
1-800-833-9200, select option 2*
Email: techsupport@tektronix.com
1-800-833-9200, select option 3*
6:00 a.m. -- 5:00 p.m. Pacific time
WaveStar Software User Manual
vii
Preface
viii
WaveStar Software User Manual
Getting Started
Product Description
WaveStar Software is an application that connects your Tektronix
TDS/THS and CSA oscilloscopes to your PC desktop. Its features
include:
Capture
The WaveStar software provides the following features for setting up
and capturing data:
H Set up communication to instruments through the WaveStar
Connection Wizard.
H Use the WaveStar Explorer view to display connected instru-
ments and capture measurement waveforms and data easily
without the need for programming.
H Drag and drop instrument data into an active data sheet.
Analyze
The WaveStar software provides the following features for data
analysis:
H Analyze, annotate, and record information in a variety of data
sheets.
H Capture and graphically view multiple waveforms on a graticule
with the same scale and position as on the oscilloscope.
H Take measurements easily using zoom function.
WaveStar Software User Manual
1- 1
Product Description
Control
The WaveStar software provides the following control features:
H Step away from your desk and have WaveStar automatically
capture data changes.
H Establish instrument links to automatically update new
measurements.
H Control waveform information locally or over the network.
Document
The WaveStar software provides the following documentation and
print features:
H Archive information in Microsoft Office or other Microsoft
Windows applications.
H Print banner function allows printing of long record length
waveforms.
Create Masks
The WaveStar software provides the following mask creation
features:
1- 2
H Copy and load instrument test masks to or from YT data sheets.
H Edit masks in an intuitive, easy-to-use graphical editor.
H Load test masks from the WaveStar Mask Library.
H Create masks from scratch.
Distribute
The WaveStar Reader software provides the following features:
H Open, view, and manipulate existing WaveStar notebook and data
sheet files.
H You can load WaveStar Reader onto as many PC’sasyoulike.
H You cannot create new data sheets. You can save existing data
sheets and notebooks to new file names.
H You cannot link WaveStar Reader to an instrument.
WaveStar Software User Manual
System Requirements
To install and run WaveStar software, you must have an IBM-compatible PC with the following installed:
H Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, NT4.0 service pack 6, 2000, or
XP Professional operating system PC
H 128 MB RAM or greater recommended
H CD-ROM drive, 4X or better drive speed
H SVGA monitor or better
H 40 MB disk space
H Appropriate interface hardware to connect your PC to an
oscilloscope:
H National Instruments or equivalent IEEE 488.2 GPIB
Interface Card and driver software
H RS-232 serial communications port and RS-232 cable
H 10/100BaseT compatible Ethernet port or card
When using the Tektronix AD007 GPIB-LAN Adapter, you can
connect directly to the 10/100BaseT LAN (local area network)
connector with a RJ-45 UTP cable (provided with your AD007
GPIB-LAN Adapter). For a complete list of the system requirements
for the AD007 Adapter, refer to the AD007 GPIB-LAN Adapter User
Manual.
WaveStar Software User Manual
1- 3
Supported Instruments
For a list of supported products, please see the installation instruction
booklet included with the CD-ROM.
1- 4
WaveStar Software User Manual
Installing and Running WaveStar
This section describes how to install WaveStar, set up instrument/PC
communications, run WaveStar, and uninstall WaveStar software.
Installing WaveStar Software
To install WaveStar software, follow the installation instructions in
the Tektronix Software Solutions Installation manual that is enclosed
with the Software Solutions CD. This installation manual is also
located as a PDF file in the CD Documents directory.
Setting Up PC to Instrument Communications
You must establish a communication link from your PC to an
instrument before running WaveStar. WaveStar uses Virtual
Instrument Software Architecture (VISA) to communicate with
instruments. The Tektronix version of VISA (referred to as
TekVISA) is required to run WaveStar.
NOTE. TekVISA does not support VXI Mainframe communication.
To establish communications between WaveStar and instruments,
first run the TekVISA Configuration utility to locate and register
instruments. Then run the Instrument Manager Service (IMS)
program to enable communications between the instrument and
WaveStar.
The following sections describe how to use these programs to set up
instrument communications.
WaveStar Software User Manual
1- 5
Installation and Uninstallation
Running the TekVISA Resource Manager Configuration Program
Run the TekVISA Resource Manager Configuration program to
configure TekVISA preferences, locate, and add instruments.
1. Right-mouse click on the yellow VISA icon in the Taskbar
notification area to display a pop--up menu. This icon was
installed as part of the WaveStar/TekVISA installation. If this
icon is not present, select Start > Programs > Te kVISA >
TekVISA Configuration and wait for the icon to appear in the
Taskbar notification area.
2. Select Preferences to display the TekVISA Resource Manager
Preferences dialog. Use the dialog to specify which communica-
tion ports and how often you want TekVISA to search for
instruments. The search preferences have different settings
depending on whether TekVISA is installed on a Windows-based
oscilloscope or a PC. Pressing the Default Preferences button on
the Preferences dialog will set the configuration utility to
automatically search for instruments on RS-232, LAN and GPIB
ports.
Once the appropriate selections are made on this dialog, select
OK to close the dialog.
1- 6
3. From the yellow TekVISA icon pop-up menu, select Refresh to
refresh connected instrument information.
4. From the yellow TekVISA icon pop-up menu, select Configure...
to display the TekVISA Resource Manager Configuration dialog.
Wait until the message Status: Ready is displayed in the lower
left corner.
WaveStar Software User Manual
Installation and Uninstallation
5. Check that the instrument you want to communicate with is listed
in the TekVISA Resources field. If the LAN-connected
instrument with which you want to communicate is not listed, do
these steps to add an instrument to the Remote Host List:
NOTE. If you are attempting to communicate with a Tektronix
Windows-based oscilloscope, make sure the VXI--11 server is running
on the oscilloscope before doing the following procedure.
a. Select the Add button in the Remote Host List area. This
opens the Add Remote Host dialog.
b. Enter the IP address or location name (some instruments
use the VXI-11 server to define a name) in the Host Name
field.
c. Select OK. The dialog closes, returns to the main
TekVISA window, and adds the IP address or location
name to the Remote Host field.
d. Select the Find button. The utility attempts to locate the
specified remote host address and lists it in the TekVISA
Resources field. It may take the program a few moments
to locate instruments, depending on network speed and
load.
NOTE. The TekVISA Resource Manager Configuration program must
be able to locate and register an instrument before you can use IMS
to set up communications with connected instruments.
If the TekVISA Configuration utility cannot locate an instrument,
refer to the troubleshooting bullet items on page 1--9. Also refer to
the TekVISA Release Notes and TekVISA Resource Manager Help
items in the Start > Programs > TekVISA menu for more informa-
tion.
WaveStar Software User Manual
1- 7
Installation and Uninstallation
e. Repeat steps a through d to continue adding instrument
addresses.
f. Select the X button in the upper right corner to save your
changes and exit the TekVISA Resource Manager
Configuration utility program.
Running the Instrument Manager Service (IMS)
To open a communication connection between a PC and a connected
instrument, do the following:
1. Run the IMS program:
Start > Programs > Wav eSt ar for Oscillos cop es > Instrument
Manager
The program opens the IMS window and then opens the Instrument
Connect wizard if there are no defined ins tru ments .
2. Select the instrument family to which you want to c onnect.
3. Select Next. The program searches the PC communication ports
for instrument addresses and lists them in the instrument field. If
IMS does not find an instrument that is connected to your PC or
LAN, verify that the instrument and PC communication settings
(such as baud rate, stop bits, and so on, for RS-232) are the same
and that the instrument is powered on.
1- 8
4. Select the instrument to which you want WaveStar to connect.
5. Select Next. The connection wizard displays an alias field in
which you can enter a name or label for the instrument. This alias
appears in the WaveStar instrument explorer view, and makes it
easier to identify an instrument (for example, TDS3K-QualLab).
If you do not enter an alias, IMS and WaveStar use the
instrument series as the alias (for example, TDS3000B).
6. Select Next. The connection wizard displays a Configure button
that lets you change PC communication settings for the selected
instrument communication protocol, restore default settings, or
test new settings.
7. Select Next. The connection wizard displays a Test button that
lets you test the selected instrument communication connection
and returns a pass or fail message.
WaveStar Software User Manual
Installation and Uninstallation
8. Select Next. The connection wizard displays a connection
verification message.
9. Select Finish to close the connection wizard and return to the
IMS window.
10. To add more instruments, select Edit > Ad d I ns tru men t... from
the IMS menu and repeat steps 2 through 9.
11. Minimize the IMS window. You are now ready to run WaveStar.
Troubleshooting IMS/PC Communications Problems
If IMS cannot locate a particular instrument that you know is
connected to a LAN, work with your system administrator to resolve
the problem. Some items to check for are:
H The IP address you are looking for is actually assigned to the
correct instrument.
H The instrument LAN settings are correct.
H The instrument is powered on.
H You have network access permissions if you are connecting to an
instrument through multiple networks or firewalls.
H Run the TekVISA Configuration program to locate and register
the instrument (see page 1--6).
H Refer to the Instrument Manager Service (IMS) section of this
manual (starting on page 2--1) for more information on using the
IMS program.
Running WaveStar for Oscilloscopes or WaveStar Reader
To run WaveStar for Oscilloscopes or WaveStar Reader, select
Start > Programs > Wav eSt ar for Oscillos cop es > WaveStar for
Oscillosco pes .
Refer to the rest of this manual, as well as the WaveStar online help,
for information on running WaveStar Software for Oscilloscopes or
the WaveStar Reader.
WaveStar Software User Manual
1- 9
Installation and Uninstallation
Uninstalling WaveStar
To uninstall WaveStar for Oscilloscopes software, use the
Add/Remove program in the Microsoft Windows Control Panel to
activate the Uninstall wizard, which takes you through the uninstall
process for the selected software.
1- 10
WaveStar Software User Manual
Instrument Manager Service (IMS)
Instrument Manager Service (IMS)
The Instrument Manager Service (IMS) application connects your
PC to an instrument and displays connectivity status information.
Any connections you make during a session are saved when you exit
the IMS program.
T o run the IMS program, select Start > Programs > WaveStar for
Oscillosco pes > Instrument Manager
The program opens the IMS window. If there are no defined instruments, IMS automatically opens the Instrument Connect wizard.
Main Screen
The illustration below shows the Instrument Manager Service main
screen.
WaveStar Software User Manual
2- 1
Instrument Manager Service
Menu Bar
The menu bar contains five menus, each with submenu commands to
control the application.
Control
Refresh Lists Refreshes the instrument list and updates the
Auto Shutdown Configures the application to automatically shut
Connect Service Configures the connection to the Instrument
Shutdown Service Shuts down the Instrument Server (IS). This
Exit User Interface Exits the Instrument Manager and leaves the
connection status of all instruments.
down the Instrument Server when you exit the
IMS.
Server.
closes the background instrument server
communication connection between instruments
and WaveStar.
Instrument Server (IS) running. If Auto Shutdown
is enabled, this command shuts down teh IS and
then exits IMS.
2- 2
Edit
Add Instrument Adds an instrument to the Instrument Manager list.
Instrument
Properties
Delete Instrument Deletes the selected instrument from the
Switch Instrument Toggles the selected instrument connection
Displays the connection properties of the selected
instrument.
connection list.
between online and offline. You select the
instrument in the IMS main window.
WaveStar Software User Manual
Instrument Manager Service
View
Toolbar Turns the toolbar on and off.
Status Bar Turns the status bar on and off.
Activity Log Turns the activity log display on and off. The
activity log lists the date, time, and results of
communication between the PC and the
instrument.
Print
Activity Log Prints the activity log.
Help
Contents and Index Displays the table of contents and index for the
online help.
What’s This Displays What’s This help on toolbar buttons and
menu items. Select this menu item, and then click
the button or menu item for which you want help.
InstMgr Overview Displays the IMS Window Overview online help
Technical Support Shows information about contacting Tektronix for
About InstMgr Shows the version information for the Instrument
WaveStar Software User Manual
topic.
technical help.
Manager.
2- 3
Instrument Manager Service
Toolbar
The Instrument Manager toolbar contains buttons that operate as
shortcuts to certain menu commands. Shown below is each button
with a description of what the button controls.
1234 56 7
Connect to a new instrument.
1
View the instrument properties of the instrument selected
2
from the list.
Delete the connection to the instrument selected from the list.
3
Toggles the selected instrument connection between online and
4
offline. You select the instrument in the IMS main window.
Display the Instrument Manager activity log. The activity log lists
5
communications, including communication errors, between your
PC and your instrument.
6
Print the Instrument Manager activity log.
Access the online help.
7
Display What’s This help on toolbar buttons and menu items.
8
Click this button, and then click the button or menu item for
which you want help.
8
2- 4
WaveStar Software User Manual
Instrument List (Main Screen)
The main screen of the Instrument Manager (see page 2--1) shows
all the instruments available for connection and the following
information (from left to right):
H The alias you have assigned each instrument (if available)
H The connection type ASRL (RS-232), GPIB, or TCPIP ports
H The permissions set for each connection
H Software status (running, not running) and hardware status
(responding, not responding)
Adding an Instrument
You must connect your instrument to a PC using a LAN, GPIB, or
RS-232 communication cable, and establish a communications link
between the instrument and WaveStar. Refer to your instrument
documentation to correctly set your instrument communication
protocols and settings. Also refer to page 1--6 in the Getting Started
chapter for steps to set up instrument to PC communications.
Instrument Manager Service
Follow the steps below to use the Instrument Manager Service (IMS)
to add an instrument to the IMS instrument list.
1. Power on the instrument.
2. Open the IMS program:
Start > Programs > Wav eSt ar for Oscillos cop es > Instrument
Manager
The IMS program searches for any connected instruments and
lists them in the Instrument List.
WaveStar Software User Manual
2- 5
Instrument Manager Service
NOTE. If there are no listings, there are no instrument connections
available. You should recheck your instrument-to-PC communication
cables/connections, make sure the instrument power is on, and verify
that both the instrument and PC communication settings are the
same.
3. If the IMS does not find any instruments, it opens the Instrument
Connection wizard. The first screen show a list of supported
instrument series.
4. Select the instrument series to which you want to connect and
then select Next.
5. Connection wizard step 2 lists all available connections to your
PC. Select the desired connection, and click Next.
NOTE. IMS labels Ethernet connections as
TCIP::xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx::INSTR, where x xx is each part of an
IP address.
2- 6
6. Connection wizard step 3 lets you enter an alias for your
instrument. This will be the name that appears in the IMS Alias
list and in the WaveStar Software instrument explorer view. If
you do not enter a name, the product family name is used by
default. Enter an alias or leave the field blank, and click Next.
7. Connection wizard step 4 lets you change your connection
settings. Click Next to use the current RS-232 or GPIB settings,
or click Configure to display an RS-232 or GPIB settings dialog
box:
RS-232 Settings
Baud. The Baud rate is the speed of communication between
your PC and instrument. The baud rate selected here must match
the baud rate of the instrument to which you are connecting.
WaveStar Software User Manual
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