Overview

This application note describes the features and usage of the Tektronix compatibility mode for remote control of the SIGLENT SDS5000X and SDS6000A oscilloscope series. In many cases, a SIGLENT SDS5000X/6000A scope can replace a similar Tektronix product without many changes to the existing code. Furthermore, it describes in detail the limitations of the individual emulations and the remaining differences between the emulated and the original commands.

Instrument Compatibility

An emulated instrument having fewer features than, or the same features as the SDS5000X/6000A can be replaced without special care.

However, replacing an emulated instrument having more features than the SDS5000X/6000A or features that differ from those of the SDS5000X/6000A requires additional care.

The user must:

• Ensure that the SDS5000X/SDS6000A complies with the functional requirements of the test
• Verify the application code does not use features in the emulated instrument which are not available with the SIGLENT SDS5000X/SDS6000A.

Command Compatibility

Most of the remote emulations in the SDS5000X/SDS6000A implement the basic commands of the original instrument. Due to functional differences in hardware and software, in certain remote emulations, the SDS5000X/SDS6000A can only be compatible with some parts.

The command table below shows the compatibility information for a command and the difference between Siglent and Tektronix:

NOTE: Parameters in red are not supported:

Activating Remote Emulation

In order to use a specific remote emulation, it must first be activated by the user. Activation is done either

• Manually using the SDS5000X/SDS6000A front panel
• Remotely using SCPI commands

Manual Operation

Follow the steps below:

Utility＞Tek Mode, and set the mode to ON

Remote Operation

Send the following command to turn on Tek Compatibility mode:

:SYSTem:REMote:STYLe TEKtronix

Send the command back to Siglent mode:

:SYSTem:REMote:STYLe SIGLent

Example

The following program code realizes the following functions: Setting channel, triggering, and measure delay between waveforms.

 Environment: Windows 7 32-bit, Python v3.6.5, pyvisa-1.9

Python Code:

import visa

def main():
    _rm = visa.ResourceManager()</p>
    sds = _rm.open_resource("TCPIP0::10.12.255.21::inst0::INSTR")</p>
#Set channel parameters
    sds.write("SELect:CH1 ON")
    sds.write("SELect:CH2 ON")
    sds.write("CH1:SCAle 1")
    sds.write("CH2:SCAle 1")
    sds.write("CH1:POSition 0")
    sds.write("CH2:POSition 0")
#Set the timebase
    sds.write("HORizontal:SCAle 2e-6")
#Trigger the signal stably
    sds.write("TRIGger:A:TYPe EDGE")
    sds.write("TRIGger:A:EDGE:SOUrce CH1")
    sds.write("TRIGger:A:EDGE:COUPling DC")
    sds.write("TRIGger:A:LEVel 0")
#Measure the delay between C1 and C2
    sds.write("MEASUrement:MEAS3:STATE ON")
    sds.write("MEASUrement:MEAS3:SOUrce1 CH1")
    sds.write("MEASUrement:MEAS3:SOUrce2 CH2")
    sds.write("MEASUrement:MEAS3:TYPe DELay")
    sds.write("MEASUrement:MEAS3:DELay:DIRection FORWards")
    sds.write("MEASUrement:MEAS3:DELay:EDGE1 RISing")
    sds.write("MEASUrement:MEAS3:DELay:EDGE2 RISing")
    sds.query("MEASUrement:MEAS3:VALue?")
if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()