Tektronix TDS2014B. The scope free runs just fine under it's own control but under SignalExpress control it repeatedly triggers creating a recording that is discontinuous bursts of data.

[DrElectrode]

I am using a Tektronix TDS2014B.  The scope free runs just fine under it's own control but under SignalExpress control it repeatedly triggers creating a recording that is discontinuous bursts of data. The scope's memory is not sufficient for the duration of some tests that I need to run, so, I was hoping SignalExpress was the answer.

By the way, this is a recently installed instance of the SignalExpress software running in 30 day trial mode.

The story is the same as found in the thread "http://forums.ni.com/t5/SignalExpress/Using-SignalExpress-for-data-logging-on-oscilloscope-Tektronix...".

[Nathan-P]

In the "horizontal" settings tab, what are all the options you can select for "Acquisition Mode"?  The other setting of interest is the "Type" on the "Trigger" tab.

Unfortunately I don't have the hardware in order to test this, and I can't find it documented in the SignalExpress Tektronics Users Manual.

[DrElectrode]

Please see the attached pdf for setup information. Let me know if there are more specifics that will help solve this.

[Nathan-P]

I don't have the hardware so I can't try this, but you might try changing the "Acquisition mode" to something other than "Sample".  Is there a "Continuous" Opton?

[DrElectrode]

Unfortunately, no continuous option. If only I could fool the system with a trigger condition that would always be met,

[Nathan-P]

What are all the different trigger types you can select on the "Triggers" tab?

[DrElectrode]

Trigger tab has these options:

Type - Edge; Video or Pulse

My present choices of other settings under the trigger tab are:

Source - For this portion of my test I am using only channels 3 and 4 and have tried triggering from either one

Coupling - DC

Level - 0.00V (have tried various other small levels with the same result

Slope - Rising

Holdoff - 500ns

To ensure there were no conflicts, I uninstalled the Tektronics OpenChoice software and the NI software as well. Then, I reinstalled the NI package. I found a threead that mentioned a .dll file for the USB connection could be a problem if OpenChoice was installed after LabVIEW SignalExpress is installed. Still trigger, stop, trigger, stop, trigger, stop............... and so on.

[Nathan-P]

Another thing to try is to use the generic IVI drivers.  So setup your step to use a IVI Scope Acquire instead.  I simulated a scope and used IVI drivers and was able to get continuous measurements.  (In Signal Express 2012).

[Nathan-P]

What is the firmware version on your Scope?  The firmware is the code on the device that determines how the instrument responds to different commands.  

Also, which version of Signal Express are you using?

[DrElectrode]

Haven't had a chance to try generic IVIs yet. Regarding the scope firmware, it is listed in the Utilities / Misc. screen as follows:

Misc.

TDS2014B

Version FV:v23.08

Serial Number C101067

GBIP Setup         Address: 2

TEK-USB-488

      None

The NI SignalExpress is Version 2.5.1 (2007 vintage, however, this was recently downloaded from the Tektronics site).

I am beginning to wonder if the scope's USB interface can handle the data rate produced by free running. I have tried even the slowest horizontal rate to minimize the sample rate (to no avail, though).