Loss of Tektronix functionality with Signal Express 2.0 vs. Tektronix Edition?

[GAT]

Our lab has recently installed Signal Express 2.0 instead of Signal Express Tektronics Ed.  I would like to use our Tek. DPO 4034 scope and Tek. AFG 3022 arbitrary func. gen. with Signal Ex. 2.0.  I have installed the LabView 8.0 IVI drivers for those instruments, however I have lost some of the functionality of the Tek. instruments.

For example:

When controlling the func. gen. in setup view with Signal Express 2.0, the on screen control to change the duty cycle of a square (rectangular) wave does not work.  The AFG3022 produces variable duty cycle rectangular wave as a "Pulse" function.  Signal Express 2.0 does not have a pulse option when controlling an IVI class func. gen.  If I select arbitrary gen. instead of func. gen. the AFG3022 runs only in arbitrary waveform mode and all waveforms must be created by a “Create Signal” step in Signal Express, which is not our first choice for waveform generation control.

With the scopes, vertical scale control is replaced by "Range" in V instead of scale in V/div.  Horizontal is replaced by "Time per record" instead of s/div. 

**Is this typical of IVI instrument control?

Math functions are treated like a channel that can be turned on or off, however when I attempt to turn Math on, Signal Express 2.0 displays a configuration error.  The interesting part is that the command to turn on Math will be received by the scope and turn on.  The configuration error, however, prevents acquiring or displaying the waveform in the data view.

Signal Express 2.0 also seems quite slow to acquire signals and even slower to send control change commands to the scope.  It takes several seconds or more for a change to transmit to the scope.  We are using a USB connection between the instruments and the PC.  The Func. Gen. seems to receive commands relatively quickly only communication to the scope is so slow.

Few, if any, of these problems where noticed during our brief exposure to Signal Express Tek. Ed. 

**Are Labview 8.0 IVI drivers the correct drivers for Signal Express 2.0 ?     There are no drivers specifically listed in the driver index for Signal Express.

**Are there any plug-ins or other solutions to the Tektronix functionality issue?

**We plan on running some Agilent instruments with Signal Express as well.  Will Signal Express Tek. Ed. support them? (If we choose to return to the Tek Ed.)

Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Graham Thoman

[Chris_R.]

Hi Graham,

This may be a problem with the activation code for Signal Express 2.0.  Please see this KnowledgeBase for details.  If this it not the case, post back so we can explore other possibilities.

Have a great day!

[GAT]

Hi Chris R.,

Thank you for directing me to the article covering the Tektronix steps issue.  The question I have now is, do I install signal Express ver 2.0 as an upgrade to Sig. Ex. Tek. Ed.   ie. while the Tek. Ed. is still installed.  

Our lab had been using the base/evaluation edition of sig. Ex. Tek. Ed. that came free with our Tek. DPO 4034 scope.  I had uninstalled the Tek. Ed. prior to installling ver 2.0.

Should I un-install ver 2.0 and start over with Tek. Ed. first then "upgrade" it to ver 2.0?

Thank for your time,

Graham Thoman

[Chris_R.]

Hi Graham,

In order to keep your Tek steps, you will need to install Signal Express version 2.0 over version 1.2.  Once you do that, just follow what the KnowledgeBase linked above says on how to activate it, etc.

[GAT]

Hi Chris R.

I guessed that the correct approach should be Tek. Ed. first and then upgrade to 2.0.  I tried it this morning and things seem to work well.  The Tek. steps are still there and all the acquisition and command time issues are gone.  The next job I have is to configure a GPIB interface so that I can control our Agilent Freq. Counter and Power Supply with Signal Express.

That leads me to this question:

Which IVI drivers do I use with Signal Express ver 2.0?

The IVI drivers listed are for:

LabWindows/CVI 6.0, LabVIEW 7.1, LabVIEW 8.0, or LabVIEW 8.2.

Which is the appropriate IVI driver for LabVIEW Signal Express 2.0?

Thanks,

Graham Thoman

[Chris_R.]

Hi Graham,

Sorry about that, I missed that question in your original post.  You should be able to use LabVIEW 8.0 IVI drivers or 8.2 IVI drivers.  If you have already downloaded 8.0, they should still work fine, but for any new downloads, use the 8.2 drivers.

[GAT]

Hi Chris R.,

Thank you for your time and suggestions. I will be attempting to add the Agilent instruments through IVI control shortly.

Cheers,

Graham Thoman