GW Instek GDS-1000B Series - User Manual

Datalog App
GDS-1000B Series
USER MANUAL
GW INSTEK PART NO. V1.00
ISO-9001 CERTIFIED MANUFACTURER

Summary

GETTING STARTED

App Overview

Provides an overview of the GDS-1000B applications, including pre-installed and optional ones.

Installing Optional Apps

Step-by-step guide to download, unzip, and install optional software apps onto the DSO.

Uninstalling Optional Apps

Instructions for removing installed optional apps from the DSO via the APP menu.

Running Applications

Procedure for launching and selecting different applications hosted by the APP function.

USING THE DATA LOGGER

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications (related to Datalog App)
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The GW Instek GDS-1000B Series Datalog App is a software application designed to enhance the functionality of the GDS-1000B series oscilloscopes, primarily by enabling data logging capabilities. This user manual provides comprehensive instructions for installing, uninstalling, and operating the Datalog App, as well as an overview of other optional applications available for the GDS-1000B series.

Function Description:

The core function of the Datalog App is to record waveform data and/or screenshots at user-defined intervals for a specified duration. This allows users to capture transient events, monitor long-term signal behavior, or document specific waveform characteristics over time. The logged data can be invaluable for debugging, analysis, and reporting in various applications.

Beyond the Datalog App, the GDS-1000B series comes with several pre-installed and optional applications that extend its capabilities:

• Go/No-Go: This application enables users to set amplitude threshold boundaries for input signals. It performs tests to determine if a waveform fits within a user-specified maximum and minimum amplitude template. This is particularly useful for production testing, quality control, and automated pass/fail analysis.
• Mount Remote Disk: (Available for 4-channel models only) This app allows the oscilloscope to mount a network share drive. This feature facilitates easy transfer of logged data, screenshots, and other files to a network storage location, improving data management and collaboration.
• Digital Filter: This optional application adds a digital low-pass or high-pass filter to any of the input channels. Each filter can have a user-defined cutoff frequency, allowing users to remove unwanted noise or isolate specific frequency components from their signals. This is crucial for signal conditioning and improving measurement accuracy.
• DVM (Digital Voltage Meter): This application displays a digital voltage meter readout that floats on the top left-hand side of the screen. It provides a quick and convenient way to view voltage measurements directly on the oscilloscope display, complementing the traditional waveform view.

Important Technical Specifications (related to Datalog App):

• Logging Capacity: The Datalog App can log up to 100 hours of images or waveform data. This extensive logging capacity makes it suitable for long-duration monitoring tasks.
• Interval Times:
  • For waveform data: Interval times can be set from 2 seconds up to 2 minutes.
  • For images (screenshots): Interval times can be set from 5 seconds up to 2 minutes.
  • The manual also mentions a duration setting of 5 minutes to 100 hours for logging, indicating flexibility in setting the overall recording period.
• Source Channels: When logging waveform data, users can select specific input channels (CH1 to CH4) or choose to log "All Displayed" channels. This allows for focused data capture or comprehensive multi-channel recording.
• File Format: The installation file for the Datalog App is provided in a .gz (gzip compressed) format, specifically DataLog_1KB.gz. While the manual doesn't explicitly state the output file format for logged data, it implies that data and images are saved to a designated file path.

Usage Features:

• Installation of Optional Apps:
  1. Download the Datalog App zip file from the GW Instek website.
  2. Unzip the downloaded file, which contains the DataLog_1KB.gz installation file and the user manual.
  3. Copy DataLog_1KB.gz to a USB flash drive.
  4. Insert the USB flash drive into the front panel USB A port of the GDS-1000B.
  5. Press the Utility key, then the File Utilities soft-key.
  6. Use the Variable knob and Select key to navigate to DataLog_1KB.gz on the USB drive.
  7. Press the Select key to initiate the installation.
  8. After installation, a pop-up message will prompt the user to restart the GDS-1000B.
  9. Restart the device to complete the installation.
• Uninstalling Optional Apps:
  1. Press the APP key.
  2. Use the Variable knob to highlight the app to be uninstalled.
  3. Press Uninstall twice from the side menu. (Note: Pre-installed apps like Go/No-Go cannot be uninstalled).
• Running Applications:
  1. Press the APP key.
  2. Press APP from the bottom menu.
  3. Scroll through available applications using the Variable knob.
  4. Select an application by pressing the Select key twice.
• Using the Datalog App:
  1. Select the Datalog App from the APP menu.
  2. Press Setup.
  3. Press Log to from the side menu to choose between logging Image (screenshots) or Waveform data.
  4. Press Source to select the input channel(s) (CH1-CH4 or All Displayed) for waveform logging.
  5. Press Interval to set the logging interval time (2 secs to 2 mins for data, 5 secs to 2 mins for images).
  6. Press Duration to set the total logging duration (5 mins to 100 hrs).
  7. From the bottom menu, press File Utilities to set the save file path. (Refer to the File Utilities chapter of the main user manual for detailed instructions on setting file paths).
  8. Press Data Logging from the bottom menu and toggle it ON to start logging.
• Background Operation: The Datalog App can run in the background, meaning it will continue logging data even if other oscilloscope functions are turned on or being used. This allows for continuous monitoring without interrupting other measurement tasks.
• User Interface: The manual illustrates a clear and intuitive user interface with soft-keys and a variable knob for navigation and selection, making the operation straightforward.

Maintenance Features:

• Software Updates: The ability to download optional apps from the GW Instek website implies a mechanism for software updates and enhancements. Users can obtain the latest versions of applications or new functionalities as they become available.
• USB Flash Drive for Installation: The use of a USB flash drive for installing apps simplifies the process and allows for easy transfer of software files without requiring direct network connectivity for the oscilloscope itself during installation.
• File Management: The integration with File Utilities for setting save paths is crucial for organizing and managing the logged data and screenshots. This ensures that users can easily locate and retrieve their recorded information.

In summary, the Datalog App, along with other optional applications, significantly enhances the utility of the GW Instek GDS-1000B series oscilloscopes by adding powerful data logging, signal analysis, filtering, and remote file management capabilities. These features make the GDS-1000B a more versatile tool for a wide range of electronic measurement and analysis tasks.

GW Instek GDS-1000B Series Specifications