User manual

MAUI Oscilloscopes Remote Control and Automation Manual
Using The Waveform Command
Waveforms read with the WAVEFORM? query can be loaded back into the instrument using WAVEFORM
and related commands. Since the descriptor contains all of the necessary information, you don't need to
be concerned with communication format parameters. The oscilloscope learns all it needs to know from
the waveform.
Tip: Waveforms can only be sent back to the instrument internal memories (M1 to Mn). Consider
using the COMM_HEADER command to remove prefixes in the WFM? query response.
When synthesizing waveforms for display or comparison, always read out a waveform of the appropriate
size, and then replace the data with the desired values. This ensures the descriptor is coherent.
Here are some of the many ways to use WAVEFORM and its commands to simplify your work:
Partial Waveform Readout
Use WAVEFORM_SETUP to specify a short part of a waveform for readout and to select a sparsing factor
for reading only every nth data point.
Byte Swapping
The COMM_ORDER command allows you to swap two bytes of data presented in 16-bit word format, in
the descriptor or in the data/time arrays, when sending the data via GPIB or LAN ports. Depending on the
computer system used, this allows easier data interpretation.
For Intel-based computers, you should send the data with the LSB first; the command should be CORD LO.
For Motorola-based computers, send the data with the MSB first (CORD HI), the default at power-up.
Note: Data written to the instrument's hard disk, USB, or floppy always remain in LSB first format
(the default DOS format). You cannot use the CORD command in these cases, since it is only
meant for data sent using GPIB and RS-232-C ports.
Data Length, Block Format, and Encoding
COMM_FORMAT gives you control over these parameters. If you do not need the extra precision of the
lower order byte of the standard data value, the BYTE option enables you to save the amount of data
transferred or stored by a factor of two. If the computer you are using cannot read binary data, the HEX
option allows a response form where the value of each byte is given by a pair of hexadecimal digits.
Data-Only Transfers
COMM_HEADER OFF enables a response to WF? DAT1 with data only (the C1:WF DAT1 disappears). If you
have also specified COMM_FORMAT OFF,BYTE,BIN, the response is in binary bytes only (the
#90000nnnnn translation disappears). Refer to Using the Waveform Query for more information.
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