Uploaded a huge major new version of the RUU software (2.0). There is so much changed - and so many new features - that there is too much to describe in detail. But here are some notes (and images) to start with (and I'll respond to any questions as/if needed).
RUU auto-scrolling in Zoom mode - using 10 division full ADC graphing plus 1s persistence:#1: RUU is now a standalone program - running without the DSO connected. That means you
MUST press the 'Connect' button if you want to communicate with the DSO (you can also press it again to disconnect). The reason for this is because RUU can now load previously saved Frame Arrays (there are two sample .fra files in the Data [now the default directory instead of 'Images'] directory to play with). These files can be played back in RUU just like playing back recorded frames on the Rigol - but with added features that the Rigol doesn't have - such as plotting the frames as either 3D, 2D, or intensity bitmap images. There are many many settings for the Frame Arrays - with a non-modal window devoted to them. Play around with these and ask questions as needed.
Frame array settings window:One setting which requires a bit more explanation is the 'Z Scale: Frame #' vs. 'Frame Time' choice. As mentioned in this post
here, the Rigol doesn't allow you to easily recognize the time difference between frames when playing them back on the DSO. When you select 'Frame #', all plotting and playing back is done based solely on the frame number (i.e. equidistant divisions between frames). But selecting 'Frame Time' means that the division will be based on the real time difference (from the time tag) between adjacent frames. This setting affects both, plotting, playing back, and even the delay times per frame when creating animated GiFs of the frame array. You can play around with the sample 'glitch.fra' file included to see the effect.
2D plot of glitch using 'Frame #' (equidistant) setting:2D plot of glitch using 'Frame Time' setting:Normally, the '@ XX ms' box in RUU sets the playback speed for frame arrays - the fastest possible setting is 15ms - or about 65 FPS. When you use the 'Z Scale: Frame Time' setting in the Frame Array Settings window, the '@' symbol will change to 'Zx', and RUU will play all frames scaled from the 'XX ms' setting as the minimum. So if you have it set to 15ms - and a 40us frame is the fastest frame time in your frame array, then it will play at 15ms - but a 100us frame will play at 37.5ms (2.5 x 15ms).
Keep in mind - since you can now be playing back frames or saving files from either the DSO or RUU itself - you
MUST choose which you are targeting with the 'DSO / FrA' radio buttons - you'll notice that the title of the Play and Save groupboxes will reflect which is currently active. For example, if you just made a plot which is gorgeous and you want to save it - make sure 'FrA' is selected before choosing 'Display' -> 'Bitmap' -> and 'Save'.
2D and 3D plots are rather self-explanatory, with the following note: when doing 3D plots I do NOT extrapolate data - if it exists, I plot it - otherwise it's empty space. For best results, use at least 350 frames for 3D plots - even more if you want more detail. Also, to create the 3D plot at the normal 1x scale, the 700x400 waveform bitmap is mapped to a 350x200 cube. This can result in a loss of data because of scaling (see images) - so the best 3D plots will be achieved when you use a larger display scale (as mentioned below) then let RUU auto-scale to 800p afterwards if you want to save the resulting bitmap.
Square wave with missing portions because of waveform scaling:Square wave re-plotted at higher-res, than scaled down after:Note: the 'Start Frame' and 'End Frame' boxes in the Play groupbox set the span of frames which will be plotted (when FrA is checked).
For intensity bitmaps, a map is created just one time for a given frame array (unless you change the window scale or number of vertical divisions as mentioned below) - with a count of pixel crossings for every point at the current display scale. Once the map is created, subsequent changes to color, transparency, etc, are almost instantaneous - in fact, if you use the Z offset sliders, you can alter the map color/transparency real-time without needing to re-click 'Plot'.
3D plot of sweep:2D plot of the same sweep:Intensity bitmap of the same sweep:You load .fra files from the Frame Array window - and you can also load the CLUTs (Color Lookup Tables - Photoshop standard .act file) there - select .ACT from the file type pull-down menu - which can be used for generating the plots. The default CLUT is named 'color_lookup_table.act' and MUST reside in the Data directory - it's loaded by RUU at startup. It's a false color table with white as both 00 and FFh - to denote clipping of the ADC (see image). There is also another sample CLUT to play around with (black body) - and others can be easily created in Photoshop.
Plotted noise using default CLUT. Note the white dots at the top and bottom where the waveform has clipped the limits:You'll notice the animated GIF check-box is missing if you used earlier versions of RUU - in it's place is now a check-box called 'Compile' - which indicates saving just one 'compiled' file for a group of frames - as opposed to individual ones.
Currently there are 3 types of 'Compile' saves:
Compiled CSVs = a single CSV file with individual tables for each frame (with frame and time tag entries).
Compiled Bitmaps = an animated GIF of either Rigol screen grabs of frames (DSO checked), or RUU FrA playback (FrA checked).
Compiled FrA = a compilation file of all the raw display and voltage data from a group of frames. These files are my own creation - and are 2816 bytes per frame + 48 bytes overhead. The speed at which the data for these can be extracted from the Rigol is pretty fast - about 1400 FPM for single channel / 1100 FPM for dual channel - this is currently the fastest method for getting frame data out of the DSO. In later versions of RUU, it will be possible to convert these files to/from CSV and WFM files - and also to edit, stack, and re-save them.
Whenever you save a compiled FrA file, RUU automatically generates a plot of it after saving (using the current plot settings).
#2: The display in RUU has been completely changed; I finally had a chance to sit down and write some real-time display code for the scope. As of now, the only thing I'm updating regularly are the waveforms (and the zoom window and markers in Delayed Sweep), but the next version will add ALL the other screen data (trigger levels, numbers, arrows, etc. that are normally displayed on the Rigol screen). Keep in mind, the speed at which I can update the waveform is wholly dependent on the Rigol - which will NEVER slow itself down or interrupt what it's doing to send data to the PC (I guess Rigol learned their lesson after the DS1000 - which I was able to glitch spectacularly by asking for data too quickly). On my PC, using a USB connection, I'm able to get about 25 FPS with a single channel - about 17 FPS with two channels enabled. Your mileage may vary - check the built-in FPS counter.
Also with the display:
- You can set the color of channel 1 and channel 2 waveform data from the Frame Array Window - just click the color bars and choose a new color.
- There is a persistence slider built into RUU. It works on both the real-time display from the Rigol or playback of FrA files.
- You can click 'Full ADC' and get 10 vertical divisions with almost the entire data set from the ADC (03h - FCh = 250 points scaled, instead of 200) mapped to the display - for real-time display from the Rigol - or playback and plots of FrA data (which saves the data set unlimited).
- You can set the screen to 1x, 1.5x, or 2x scale - so 800x600 (700 w/full ADC), 1200x874 (1024 w/full ADC), or 1600x1114 (1314 w/full ADC). This is especially handy for plotting 3D files as mentioned above. Plotting to higher resolutions and saving to 800p (as mentioned below) will give you the best results.
Screen scale set to 1.5x normal for a 3D plot (this image has been scaled down):- When running at higher scales than 1x, ALL bitmap saves - either from the Rigol or RUU itself - will be saved at the current screen size - unless you have '@ 800p' checked - which will constrain bitmap saves to 800 pixels wide. So if this is unchecked, screen grabs from the Rigol will be scaled up.
- There is a 'Fill Disp' check-box which makes it easy to snap the RUU window to any monitor. If you drag RUU onto a connected 800 x 600 LCD and click the box, it will fill the full screen without borders - giving a pseudo-SVGA output.
Example of running RUU on a SVGA monitor at 800x600:- Use 'CLR DISP' to clear plots, bitmaps, etc. back to currently selected DSO or FrA display.
#3: The Zoom Markers Mode has had a major overhaul:
It no longer needs to get a bitmap image from the Rigol for display - and so is much faster entering and exiting.
The Tracking feature is greatly improved - no need to look at the PC screen when using it - just turn the multi-function knob to adjust the cursor and you will see the Rigol's display grid disappear when a marker is ready to be dropped. Then just either keep moving the cursor to the desired position or - if in position - just move the Zoom Window and a marker will be left at the spot you last left the cursor - and the grid will reappear. Rinse and repeat, then just turn off Tracking when done dropping markers. You can use either the Tracking OR Auto-Scroll (mentioned below) - but not both simultaneously.
Clicking the 'Left' markers label, 'Total', or 'Right' are shortcuts which will send the Zoom window respectively to the left, center, and right of the screen.
An Auto-Scroll feature has been added allowing you to start the zoom window scrolling left or right at an adjustable rate, dropping markers as it moves (if desired). Turn on the feature and then use the Left / Right Arrow buttons (or keyboard keys) to stop and start the scroll (and the trackbar to adjust Horizontal window movement). If you want super-smooth scrolling on your Rigol's display (and don't care about updates on the RUU screen), just click 'No Update' and RUU won't refresh itself while scrolling the Zoom window. Smoothest scrolling happens with a stopped DSO - if the Rigol is triggering while in Delayed Sweep, any adjustments will cause it to 'blink' as it refreshes the display. Markers can be dropped using the 'D' (changed from last version's 'S' = Set) or 'Insert' keys on the keyboard (make sure the display has focus) while the Zoom Window scrolls - regardless of whether you have 'No Update' checked or not.
Ok, that's all for now - there's much more I could write - but not enough time. As I mentioned, if there seems to be a desire for more doc, I'll see what I can do. Enjoy
AND PLEASE GIVE FEEDBACK