Command interface: Issue stop and download data from oscilloscope

Hello,

I have a Tektronix MDO3104 oscilloscope and I am not familiar with it's programmer interface. I am investigating an event for which I look at a device's response and when I see an event, I manually press the stop button on the scope and then go to the scope's web browser application to download the captured data as a .csv file. How would I go about scripting this? I use MATLAB and I can achieve TELNET communication using MATLAB to write/read commands. As far as my objective: stop acquisition (equivalent to pressing run/stop button) -> download data from scope (.isf or .csv format).

I tried following the commands in Appendix D: Example 1 (MDO3000 Series Oscilloscopes Programmer Manual). However, I am not sure how to achieve the above mentioned sequence.

Thank you.

Hi Anirudhh,

To stop the acquisition you'll want to use acquire:state stop.

To transfer waveform points, you'll want to use curve? .  The format isn't .csv or anything like that, it's essentially just raw points (either ASCII or binary).
It is also possible to save a waveform as a file and then "download" it using filesystem:readfile.

From what you're describing it sounds like you might want to use the Act on Event function that's available on the instrument to automatically save waveforms.

Thank you. I am trying to capture 1M points and response from "curve?" takes about a minute. If I want to capture for all 4 channels, then that would take about 4 minutes. Is there any faster way to obtain data from the scope? Prior to this, I have used the web interface to download the data as ".isf" file and it only takes a couple of seconds. 

Hi Anirudhh,

You can choose the format of the data the curve? returns. If you set it to return 1 byte per point in an integer format then it should be fast (depends on your connection of course), other modes like ASCII and floating point can take significantly longer.

If you configure it properly it should not take anywhere close to 1 minute for 1Mpts.

Thank you for all your ideas. I was able to setup what I needed.

I have an issue with the web browser interface now (eScope function). I am able to get the "Home" and "Network Configuration" pages but not the "Instrument Control (eScope)" page. When I click on the eScope link, it says "Site cannot be reached". I have attached screenshots for your reference.
 

Hi Anirudhh,

eScope uses port 81, which is often blocked by routers and other IT devices, I'm pretty sure that's what's causing that issue.
I would suggest making sure the scope and PC are on the same router (routers will often have port blocking). If that doesn't work, you can try using a peer to peer ethernet connection.

Thanks for the suggestion. The scope did reset to an IP address on the network but still cannot get to the eScope interface.

Hi Anirudhh,

The connection reset error really make it seem like something with the network setup is wrong and not allowing the connection to go through.
Make sure eScope is configured for port 81 and that that port is not blocked by a firewall on your PC or network.