Operating Tips

SDG800 Series

Calculating Output Amplitude Accuracy using dB

October 1, 2018

Some specifications, like the SDG800 and 1000 series, describe the vertical accuracy using dB The SDG1000, for example, states: Vertical Accuracy = ± (0.3 dB + 1 mV) First, let’s convert the dB part… Vertical Accuracy(dB) = 20 log (1 + (Error(%)/100)) ±0.3 dB = 20 log (1 + (Error(%)/100)) Error (%) = 3.5% So, … Continued

Create an arbitrary waveform using Coordinate Mode with EasyWave software

August 24, 2018

There are a number of ways to create waveforms for arbitrary generators. The correct method depends on: The number of segments of the waveform? Required precision of the location of each sample? Complexity of the waveform? Is it a number of pulses or a number of complex curves/small details? For sequences of pulses/square waves or to … Continued

USB Connectivity Checklist

April 24, 2018

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is very popular and has added a tremendous level of convenience and flexibility to computer and peripheral controls, including test and measurement instrumentation. As with all technology, it isn’t always sunshine and blue skies. Here are some common troubleshooting steps for USB connection issues: – Is the instrument plugged in … Continued

Potential Solutions to Easy software window rendering/font issues

March 8, 2018

The installation of SIGLENT EasySpectrum and other “Easy” software is typically uneventful. But, there may be an occasional issue. Here are some steps that may help clear up any issues that you may encounter: Here is an example of a mis-rendered window view of EasySpectrum: Here are some steps that may help fix the issue: … Continued

Format for programmatically building an Arbitrary Waveform for SDGs

February 26, 2018

The SDGs require UTF8 formatting for the words used to build an arbitrary waveform. The code may report “UnicodeDecodeError: ‘ascii’ codec can’t decode byte 0x80 in position 77: ordinal not in range(128)” This indicates that the arbitrary waveform data is coded as “ascii” which is not the expected data format “utf8”. Here is the proper … Continued

What instruments accept SCPI commands for remote control?

October 25, 2017

All SIGLENT instruments (except for the SHS1000 and SHS800 hand-held oscilloscopes) support SCPI remote control commands. For more information, download the specific instrument programming guide located on the product page.

How to install the USBTMC driver

October 24, 2017

SIGLENT Technologies uses a broad range of products that utilize the USBTMC unified protocol to communicate with the host computer and control. Users can use SIGLENT provided PC software to send commands to remotely control the instrument. In addition, you can use NI-MAX (National Instruments Measurement and Automation Explorer) for instrument control. Here is an … Continued

Generating Multi-Phase Waveforms

October 23, 2017

Applications for multi-phase waveforms are everywhere – in Power-related applications, I/Q modulation, Automobile applications, Components, etc. While Siglent’s SDG2000X, and SDG5000, (& SDG1000) arbitrary waveform function generators all have two independent outputs with adjustable phase offsets, some applications call for three or more different signals, each with a phase relationship that is locked-to but adjustable … Continued

Custom waveforms using EasyWave and CSV Templates

October 23, 2017

Arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) are programmable voltage sources. They can be extremely useful tools when your application requires the output of waveforms that contain complicated features or shapes. Many AWGs come pre-loaded with arbitrary waveforms like cardiac, voice, and a host of trigonometric functions. These “built-in” waveforms can be useful, but the real power of … Continued

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