|
Direct Ethernet Connection
The Advantages Are Numerous
LAB
in PDF format
LeCroy's WaveSurfer oscilloscope
is easily controlled via a built-in Ethernet connection. This port can be used for a connection
to a local area network or for a direct connection to a personal computer. Since
WaveSurfer uses standard Windows XP connectivity tools, setup is
very fast and automatic. LeCroy supplies a full featured interface
and control program called ScopeExplorer that provides all the tools necessary to
interface to and control the oscilloscope. ScopeExplorer can be
downloaded free of charge from the LeCroy website (www.LeCroy.com).
Figure 1 shows a composite ScopeExplorer screen, which includes
a fully interactive scope display and virtual front panel. All the display's pull down
menus and front panel controls can be used to operate the scope
remotely, just as if you were controlling the scope locally. There is a bidirectional terminal
interface for sending and receiving remote commands and responses.
Figure 1: LeCroy's ScopeExplorer provides all the tools needed to interface and control a WaveSurfer directly by means of a direct Ethernet connection
ScopeExplorer also
provides a tool to transfer traces back and forth between the scope
and the PC. There is also a translator that can convert scope binary files into ASCII. Finally,
there is a mass storage tool for moving files directly between the
scope and PC. ScopeExplorer operates under Windows 98 or later versions of the Windows
operating system that use automatic private IP addressing (APIPA) to automatically configure
network addresses when a server is not on the network. If a server is present, then Windows
will use DCHP addressing to establish connection.
The simplest way to connect a
PC to WaveSurfer is to make a direct connection using a commercially
available crossover cable. The crossover cable connects the Ethernet ports of the
scope and PC directly, without the need for a server. This is shown in the top of Figure 2.
Figure 2: The two basic WaveSurfer remote connections: direct and network
The WaveSurfer can also be connected
to any 10Base T or 100Base T Ethernet network as shown in the lower section of
Figure 2. Before placing the scope on a network you should check with your company's information
systems group and comply with any network security requirements.
WaveSurfer, like all LeCroy Scopes supports the latest anti-virus software.
Once you have connected the scope to the computer, either directly
or via a network, you can set up ScopeExplorer to control the scope. From the
ScopeExplorer opening display, pull down the "Scope" menu, then select "Scope Finder". You
will see the "Scope Selector" page shown in figure 3. Press the "Add" button and then select
"Network" from the "Add Device popup".
Figure 3: The Scope selection page of ScopeExplorer
The "Network Device" menu allows
you to select the WaveSurfer by simply typing in the scope's serial number, as
shown in figure 4, and then pressing OK. The Scope's serial number can be found at the rear
of the unit or in the "About" selection in the scope's "Help"
pulldown. Once the serial number is entered, ScopeExplorer will connect to the scope and report
its status, as shown in Figure 3. The status "Alive" indicates
that the connection has been made. From this point you can use any of ScopeExplorer's
features to control the WaveSurfer or access any of its data or waveforms.
Figure 4: Enter the WaveSurfer's serial number to connect to
it
Other PC tools for remote viewing
via internet or network, including but not restricted to
PCanywhere, VNC, and Netmeeting, can be similarly configured.
|
;)
;)
;)
