Capturing a waveform with no trigger using the Tektonix instrument driver TKDS30XX

[FE]

My intention is to capture a waveform with no trigger (auto trigger, immediate trigger, untriggered roll).

I was told that using the Tektonix instrument driver TKDS30XX version 3.16 and setting the trigger type to Immediate I could accomplish that. However, doing so I get an error message that says that that is an unknown value for the trigger type.

The instrument driver download web page says that this instrument driver version allows continuous acquisition, and IT LOOKS that is feasible to acquire a waveform at any time.

How can I capture a waveform with no trigger, e.g. a DC signal (without using an external trigger)?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[gagi1]

This instrument doesn't support the Immediate Trigger.
Here are some thoughts. There are a few ways to make a dc measurement:

1) to use Initiate and ForceTrigger functions (ForceTrigger is an instrument specific function)
2) to configure a Trigger Modifier to AUTO
3) to set Initiate Continuous to TRUE

Question: Why would you want to use a scope instead of a DMM to make a DC measurement?!

[FE]

Gagi, thank you so much for your prompt response.

I use your thought 1), and can capture the waveform with some delay. For one of my two purposes, that delay (~ 1 sec) is irrelevant. For my second one, that is really inconvenient. I will try 2) and 3) to see what happens.

Regarding your question, actually I do not want to measure a DC signal. For my first purpose, I need to analyze a signal like this:

||||----||||----

and each cycle (||||----) lasts around one hour. Since I cannot capture a one-hour waveform, I am trying to capture parts of that waveform every 3 seconds, for example, so at the end of the hour I could analyze those 20 captured waveforms. As it can seen, at some times I need to capture 0 volt signals, and I need to use a 'scope.

Tha
nks again for any help.

[FE]

Correction to my last comment: 20x60 captured waveforms, instead of 20.