ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 077000013

xx
ArbExpress® AXW100
Waveform Creation and Editing Tool for AWG/AFG
ZZZ
Printable Help
*P077000013*
077-0000-13
ArbExpress® AXW100
Waveform Creation and Editing Tool for AWG/AFG
ZZZ
Printable Help
www.tek.com
077-0000-13
Copyright © Tektronix. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its
subsidiaries or suppliers, and are protected by national copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this
publication supersedes that in all previously published material. Specifications and price change privileges
reserved.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
ARBEXPRESS is a registered trademark of Tektronix, Inc.
Windows, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP Professional and Windows Me are
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
ArbExpress® AXW100 Waveform Creation and Editing Tool for Tektronix AWG/AFG version 3.4
Help part number: 076-0001-12
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14150 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:

In North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
Worldwide, visit www.tek.com to find contacts in your area.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Overview
About ArbExpress Version 3.4 AXW100 Software ............................................................ 1
Configuration........................................................................................................ 1
Installation........................................................................................................... 2
Using Help .......................................................................................................... 4
Printing from the Online Help..................................................................................... 5
Getting Started
Basic Operations.................................................................................................... 7
File Name Extensions .............................................................................................. 8
Application File Names and Directories ......................................................................... 9
Starting the Application........................................................................................... 10
Opening a Waveform.............................................................................................. 10
Creating a Waveform.............................................................................................. 12
Saving a Waveform................................................................................................ 13
Closing a Waveform............................................................................................... 14
Exiting the Application ........................................................................................... 15
Shortcut Keys ...................................................................................................... 15
Operating Basics
Menus
Menus .......................................................................................................... 17
File Menu ...................................................................................................... 18
Edit Menu...................................................................................................... 19
View Menu .................................................................................................... 21
Display Menu ................................................................................................. 21
Waveform Menu .............................................................................................. 23
Math Menu .................................................................................................... 24
Communication Menu........................................................................................ 26
Window Menu ................................................................................................ 27
Help Menu..................................................................................................... 28
Use Shortcut Menu for Waveforms ......................................................................... 28
Toolbars
Standard Toolbar .............................................................................................. 31
Waveform Toolbar ............................................................................................ 31
Zoom Bar ...................................................................................................... 33
Instrument Bar ................................................................................................ 34
Point Draw Toolbar........................................................................................... 35
ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help i

Table of Contents
Status Bar ...................................................................................................... 36

Shortcut View
Shortcut View ................................................................................................. 36
New Waveform View......................................................................................... 38
Easy Edit....................................................................................................... 39
Multi-Waveform Properties.................................................................................. 40
Import or Transfer Waveform ............................................................................... 41
Dialog Boxes
Dialog Boxes .................................................................................................. 41
Waveform Properties Dialog Box........................................................................... 42
Paste Option Dialog Box..................................................................................... 43
Shift/Rotate Dialog Box...................................................................................... 44
Point Draw Table Dialog Box ............................................................................... 45
Cursor Position Dialog Box ................................................................................. 45
Display Properties Dialog Box .............................................................................. 46
Equation Editor Dialog Box ................................................................................. 46
Sine Wave Dialog Box ....................................................................................... 48
Square Wave Dialog Box .................................................................................... 50
Triangle Wave Dialog Box................................................................................... 52
Pulse Wave Dialog Box ...................................................................................... 54
Noise Wave Dialog Box...................................................................................... 56
DC Wave Dialog Box ........................................................................................ 58
Exponential Rise Wave Dialog Box ........................................................................ 59
Exponential Decay Wave Dialog Box ...................................................................... 60
Sweep Wave Dialog Box..................................................................................... 62
Sinc Wave Dialog Box ....................................................................................... 64
Multi-Tone Wave Dialog Box ............................................................................... 65
Lorentz Wave Dialog Box ................................................................................... 67
File Transfer and Instrument Control Dialog Box ........................................................ 69
Waveform Math Dialog Box ................................................................................ 71
Filter Setup Dialog Box ...................................................................................... 72
Set IP Address Dialog Box .................................................................................. 72
Instrument Properties Dialog Box .......................................................................... 72
Import from Oscilloscope Dialog Box ..................................................................... 73
Set Pattern Dialog Box ....................................................................................... 74
How to ...
Create Waveforms
Using the Equation Editor ................................................................................... 75
Sine Wave ..................................................................................................... 79
Square Wave................................................................................................... 82
Triangle Wave ................................................................................................. 85
ii ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Table of Contents
Pulse Wave .................................................................................................... 88

Noise Wave .................................................................................................... 91
DC Wave....................................................................................................... 94
Exponential Rise Wave....................................................................................... 96
Exponential Decay Wave .................................................................................... 98
Advanced Waveforms
Sinc Wave............................................................................................... 101
Sweep Wave ............................................................................................ 103
Multi-Tone Wave....................................................................................... 106
Lorentz Wave........................................................................................... 109
Create Marker Patterns
Marker ....................................................................................................... 112
Edit Markers................................................................................................. 112
Display
Cursor ........................................................................................................ 113
Cursor Position.............................................................................................. 113
Zoom In ...................................................................................................... 114
Zoom Out .................................................................................................... 114
Horizontal Zoom In......................................................................................... 115
Fit to Window ............................................................................................... 115
Crosshair ..................................................................................................... 116
Graticule .................................................................................................... 116
Time Scale ................................................................................................... 116
Properties .................................................................................................... 116
Edit Waveforms
Undo.......................................................................................................... 117
Redo .......................................................................................................... 117
Cut ............................................................................................................ 118
Copy.......................................................................................................... 118
Paste .......................................................................................................... 119
Select All .................................................................................................... 120
Copy to System Clipboard ................................................................................. 121
Copy as Bitmap ............................................................................................. 122
Invert ......................................................................................................... 122
Mirror ........................................................................................................ 123
Freehand ..................................................................................................... 123
Horizontal Draw ............................................................................................ 124
Vertical Draw................................................................................................ 124
Point Draw................................................................................................... 125
Use Math
Addition...................................................................................................... 128
Subtraction................................................................................................... 130
ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help iii

Table of Contents
Multiplication ............................................................................................... 131

Division ...................................................................................................... 133
Communicate with Other Instruments
AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control .................................................................... 135
Transfer Files to an AWG/AFG ........................................................................... 137
Control an AFG ............................................................................................. 140
Control an AWG ............................................................................................ 142
Import from Oscilloscope.................................................................................. 144
Send Waveform to Arb ..................................................................................... 148
Scope Acquisition Wizard ................................................................................. 149
Normalize ........................................................................................................ 157
Use MATLAB Support
Creating Waveforms Using Matlab ....................................................................... 158
Transferring Files from Matlab............................................................................ 159
Controlling the Instrument................................................................................. 161
Commands................................................................................................... 163
NewSession Command..................................................................................... 164
CloseSession Command ................................................................................... 165
Write Command............................................................................................. 166
Read Command ............................................................................................. 167
LoadWfm Command ....................................................................................... 168
TransferWfm Command ................................................................................... 169
Query Command............................................................................................ 170
Reference
Error Messages and Warnings I ................................................................................ 171
Error Messages and Warnings II ............................................................................... 180
Error Messages and Warnings III .............................................................................. 188
Default Settings .................................................................................................. 190
Default Settings Cont... ......................................................................................... 192
Valid Parameter Ranges......................................................................................... 197
Equation Editor Reference I .................................................................................... 201
Equation Editor Reference II ................................................................................... 205
Index
iv ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Overview About ArbExpress Version 3.4 AXW100 Software
About ArbExpress Version 3.4 AXW100 Software

ArbExpress AXW100 Waveform Creation and Editing Tool for Tektronix AWG/AFG is PC-based
software that runs on the Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP
Professional, and Windows Me operating systems.
ArbExpress generates waveforms for Tektronix signal-source instruments. You can create and edit
waveforms: transfer waveforms to and from Tektronix oscilloscopes, Arbitrary Waveform Generators
(AWG), and Arbitrary Function Generators (AFG), and remotely control AWGs and AFGs. ArbExpress
generates the following standard waveforms: — Sine, Square, Triangle, Pulse, DC, Exponential Rise,
Exponential Decay, Noise, Sinc, Sweep, Multi-Tone, and Lorentz.
Configuration
The minimum requirements for the ArbExpress AXW100 application:
OS supported Minimum requirements

Windows 7 Enterprise Pentium III @ 800 MHz and higher
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1 256 MB RAM
Or 300 MB Free Disk Space
Windows 2000 Microsoft Windows® Internet Explorer® 5.01
Or 800 X 600 Display Resolution
Windows 98/Me
Or
Windows NT Service Pack 6a
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The following table lists the conditions under which ArbExpress uses TekVisa version 4.0.0.80 and newer
to send data to a Tektronix arbitrary waveform generator. If TekVisa is not already installed on your PC,
you can download the software from www.tektronix.com/downloads.
ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 1

Overview Installation
Communication type AWG/AFG Oscilloscope

LAN The AWG400, AWG500, AWG600, TekVisa required
and AWG700 series of instruments
are supported through raw sockets
(TekVisa may not be required 1).
The AFG2000, AFG3000, and
AWG4000 series instruments are
supported through VXI 11 server.
These instruments are not supported
through raw sockets (TekVisa is
required).
MDO3000 and MDO4000C Series
oscilloscopes with AFG option
enabled.
GPIB TekVisa required TekVisa required
RS232 Not supported TekVisa required
USB TekVisa required 2 TekVisa required
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1 * AFG300 and AWG2000 series instruments do not support LAN

2 ** Only the AFG2000, AFG3000, and AWG4000 series instruments support USB
ArbExpress supports file transfer and control from MATLAB version 6.1, release 12.1. To use this feature,
install TekVisa.
Installation
This section describes how to install the ArbExpress AXW100 application using the InstallShield Wizard.
1. Insert the ArbExpress CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
2. If the installation program does not automatically start, double–click setup.exe in the folder
\ArbExpress on the CD-ROM. The installation wizard opens.
3. Follow the onscreen instructions. To navigate through the wizard, click Next or Back to move to
the next or previous screen.
The installation wizard sequence of screens:
Welcome
License Agreement
Choose Destination Location
Start Copying Files
Setup Status
View Release Notes
4. In the Welcome screen, click Next.
2 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Overview Installation
5. In the License Agreement screen:

a. Read the License Agreement carefully.
b. Select I accept the terms of the License agreement, and then click Next.
6. In the Choose Destination Location screen:
a. To install ArbExpress in the default folder C:\Program Files\Tektronix\ArbExpress, click Next.
—or—
b. To install ArbExpress elsewhere, click Browse.
7. In the Start Copying Files screen, click Next.
The Setup Status screen opens and displays a progress bar. ArbExpress is installed in the folder you
selected in the Choose Destination Location screen, and a shortcut is added to the Start menu.
When the installation is complete, the message "ArbExpress Software Setup completed successfully"
is displayed. If TekVisa is not already on your computer, ArbExpress displays a message to install
them. The installation programs are located on the ArbExpress CD-ROM in the folders \TekVisa
and \DotNet Framework.
If the USB Device Driver does not install automatically, you must install it manually:
a. Power on the USBTMC-compliant instrument and connect it to the computer.
b. In the Found New Hardware wizard, follow the onscreen instructions.
c. Choose Install from a list or specific location.
d. Select Don't choose, I will choose the driver to install.
e. For the location of the driver, enter C:\vxipnp\winnt\tekvisa\bin.
f. Select TekUSB.inf, and then click Open.
The driver is installed. For more information, see the TekVisa readme.pdf file.
8. Click Finish to exit.

Overview Using Help
Using Help
Select Help on the right side of the application menu bar to show the Help.
Table of Contents (TOC) tab — organizes the Help into book-like sections. Select a book icon to open a
section; select any of the topics listed under the book.
Index tab — enables you to scroll through alphabetical list of keywords. Select the topic of interest to
show the appropriate help page.
Search tab — allows a text-based search.
To search with the Search tab:
1. Type the word or phrase you want to find in the search box.
2. Select some matching words in the next box to narrow your search.
3. Choose a topic in the lower box, and then click Display.
To print a topic, click Print on the Help Topics menu bar.
Select Options from the menu bar to access other commands, such as annotating a topic or keeping the
help window on top, or to use system colors.
Click Back to return to the previous help window. Use the hyperlink to jump from one topic to
another. If the Back button is grayed out or a jump is not available, click Help Topics to return to
the originating help folder.
Browse buttons (Next and Previous) allow you to move forward and backward through topics in the
order of the Table of Contents (TOC).
Notes indicate particularly important information.
NOTE. Certain aspects of the online help are unique. Blue-underlined text indicates a jump (hyperlink) to
another topic. Click the blue text to jump to the related topic. For example, select the blue text to jump to
the topic on Online Help and Related Documentation and the Back button to return to the previous page.
You can tell when the cursor is over an active hyperlink (button, jump, or pop-up), because the cursor
arrow changes to a small hand.
For help on specific dialog boxes, display the TOC for this help file, and then navigate to Operating
Basics > Dialog Boxes.
See Also:
Printing from the Online Help (see page 5)

Overview Printing from the Online Help
Printing from the Online Help

You can print topics and information from the Help viewer. Some help topics have color images that might
not print if you use a monochrome printer. Instead, print the topic from the PDF file that corresponds to the
Online Help. You can find the file in the main directory on the CD-ROM disk. Images in the PDF file are
gray scale, so the relevant information appears in print.
To print a single topic:
1. Find the topic in the Table of Contents (TOC) pane.
2. Click Print from the menu.
3. Click Print the selected topic.
4. Click OK.
To print all topics in a TOC book:
1. Find the book in the TOC pane.
2. Click Print from the menu.
3. Click Print the selected heading and all subtopics.
4. Click OK.
TIP. If topics include expanding or drop-down hotspots, click the hotspots to display the information
before you print.

Overview Printing from the Online Help

Getting Started Basic Operations
Basic Operations
ArbExpress AXW100 Waveform Creation and Editing Tool for Tektronix AWG/AFG is Windows-based
software with a graphical user interface that you can use to create, edit, and transfer standard waveforms to
an Arbitrary Waveform Generator, an Arbitrary Function Generator, or an oscilloscope.
In this online help, all menu selections are indicated as Menu name > Menu options. You can access a
command or a menu option in more than one way. Several main menu options are available as toolbars
that you can use instead of selecting the option from the main menu. You can show or hide the toolbars
and also create customized toolbars. Shortcut menus, which open with a right-click, are provided for
waveform editing, connecting to an instrument, and transferring a waveform to an arbitrary waveform
generator or an arbitrary function generator.
The Shortcut View on the left of the screen shows options that are available in the main menu or in the
toolbars. The Shortcut View provides the most common commands.
Some dialog boxes also have a Help button that displays help for that dialog box. Some other dialog boxes
have a toolbar for basic operations like Open, Save, Connect, Disconnect, and Show/Hide Properties.
The following figure shows the application screen, the menu, and the toolbars.

Getting Started File Name Extensions
In the ArbExpress software, you can enter values in fields in different ways. In some fields, you type in the
values. In others, you select from a drop-down list, and in others, you can use the spin-box to increase
or decrease the values. You can type in the characters K for Kilo, G for Giga, M for Mega, u for Micro,
m for milli, and n for nano.
File Name Extensions

The application uses these file name extensions to identify the file type. The following table lists the
file name extensions.

Getting Started Application File Names and Directories
File name extensions Description

.wfm Oscilloscope waveform files AWG waveform files created
by AWG400-700, and AWG2000 series of waveform
generators
.pat AWG pattern format files
.tfw Waveform files for the AFG2000, AFG3000, and
AWG4000 series arbitrary function generators
.isf Waveform files for the TDS3000
.csv Comma separated variable files
.txt Text files
.equ/.eqa Equation files
.set AWG setup information files
.p MATLAB compiled files
.m MATLAB equation files
.ico Icon files
.chm Compiled HTML Help files
.dll Application extension files
.exe Application file
xxx
Application File Names and Directories

The application uses specific directories to save files. The following table lists the default directory names.
Directory Function
C:\Program Files\Tektronix\ArbExpress\System Stores the application file — .exe, .dll, Release notes.c,
and .chm
C:\Program Files\Tektronix\ArbExpress\Documentation Stores the user manual and the installation manual (.pdf)
C:\Program Files\Tektronix\ArbExpress\Samples\Waveform Stores the sample waveform files (.wfm)
C:\Program Files\Tektronix\ArbExpress\Samples\Equation Stores the sample equation files (.eqa)
C:\Program Files\Tektronix\ArbExpress\Samples\Tools\Mat- Stores the sample MATLAB equation files (.m)
lab
xxx
You can install ArbExpress in a directory of your choice.

Getting Started Starting the Application
Starting the Application

1. Run the application from the Windows Start menu by clicking Start > Programs > Tektronix
ArbExpress > ArbExpress Application.
—or—
2. Go to the folder where you have installed ArbExpress, and double-click ArbExpress.exe.
—or—
3. Start the application from OpenChoice Instrument Manager.
Opening a Waveform
File > Open
To open a waveform, select File > Open. Browse and select the waveform file to open. You can open
files with .wfm, .pat, TekScope .wfm, .tfw, .csv, and .txt, extensions.
When more than one waveform is opened in a window, the active waveform is a solid line and the inactive
waveform is a dashed line.
Working with Waveforms

To select the active waveform, select Waveform1 or Waveform2.
Set the cursor positions by entering values in the Cursor1 and Cursor2 fields.
Drag the cursors to change the cursor readout values.
A tool tip dynamically displays the voltage values at the cursor position.

Getting Started Opening a Waveform
See Also:
Creating a Waveform (see page 12)
Saving a Waveform (see page 13)
Closing a Waveform (see page 14)

Getting Started Creating a Waveform
Creating a Waveform
File > Blank sheet
File > Standard Waveform
File > Equation Editor

The File menu contains three options for creating a waveform: Blank Sheet, Standard Waveform, and
Equation Editor.
Blank Sheet — opens a blank sheet in a window. By default, the application opens the waveform with
1024 points, which you can change using Waveform > Properties. After you specify the number of
points using Waveform Properties, the next time you create a new blank sheet, the application opens a
blank sheet using the number of points that you specified.
Example
1. Click File > Blank Sheet.
2. Click Waveform > Properties, and then change the number of points to 500.
The new blank sheet has 500 points.
The new blank sheet has 1024 points.
Standard Waveform — displays the Standard Waveform dialog box. Use the Standard Waveform to
create any of the standard waveforms that are available.
Equation Editor — displays the Equation Editor dialog box (see page 46). Use the Equation Editor to
create a waveform or edit an existing waveform equation.
See Also:
Sine Wave (see page 79)
Square Wave (see page 82)
Triangle Wave (see page 85)
Pulse Wave (see page 88)
Noise Wave (see page 91)
DC Wave (see page 94)

Getting Started Saving a Waveform
Exponential Rise Wave (see page 96)

Exponential Decay Wave (see page 98)
Sinc Wave (see page 101)
Sweep Wave (see page 103)
Multi-Tone Wave (see page 106)
Lorentz Wave (see page 109)
Using the Equation Editor (see page 75)
Saving a Waveform
File > Save
File >Save As
You can save the waveform in the following formats: AWG Wfm (.wfm), AWG Pat (.pat), AWG
2000 Wfm (.wfm), AWG. csv (.csv), MDO3000 csv (.csv), MDO4000 cvs (.cvs), and AFG Tfw (.tfw).
The application automatically saves a .set file with the same name as the waveform file. The .set file
contains the voltage values and the offset of the waveform, and the .wfm file contains the normalized
waveform.
See Also:
Opening a Waveform (see page 10)
Closing a Waveform (see page 14)

Getting Started Closing a Waveform
Closing a Waveform
File> Close
When you close a waveform, the application closes the current window. If the waveform is not saved, you
are prompted to save it. In a multiple waveform display, Close closes the active waveform.
See Also:
Opening a Waveform (see page 10)
Saving a Waveform (see page 13)

Getting Started Exiting the Application
Exiting the Application

File> Exit
If you have not saved the waveforms, you are prompted to do so.
Shortcut Keys
You can use the following shortcut keys for the application commands:
Menu item Shortcut key

File> Blank Sheet Ctrl + N
File> Standard Waveform Ctrl + W
File> Open Ctrl + O
File> Save Ctrl + S
File> Exit Ctrl + E
Edit> Undo Ctrl + Z
Edit> Redo Ctrl + Y
Edit> Cut Ctrl + X
Edit> Copy Ctrl + C
Edit> Paste Ctrl + V
Edit> Select All Ctrl + A
Edit> Invert Ctrl + I
Edit> Mirror Ctrl + M
Edit> Freehand Ctrl + F
Display> Zoom In Alt + Shift + Z
Display> Zoom Out Alt + Shift + X
Display> Fit to Window Alt + Shift + F
Display> Cursor Ctrl + Shift + C
Display> Marker Ctrl + Shift + M
Display> Properties Ctrl + Shift + P
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Getting Started Shortcut Keys

Operating Basics Menus
Menus
The application menu bar changes depending on whether a waveform is displayed. If no waveform is
open, the menu bar is:
When a waveform is open, the menu bar is:
See Also:
File Menu (see page 18)
Edit Menu (see page 19)
View Menu (see page 21)
Display Menu (see page 21)
Waveform Menu (see page 23)
Math Menu (see page 24)
Communication Menu (see page 26)
Window Menu (see page 27)

Operating Basics File Menu
Help Menu (see page 28)
File Menu
Menu selection Description

Blank sheet (see page 12) Opens a blank waveform file (.wfm)
Standard Waveform (see page 12) Opens the Standard Waveform dialog box that you can use
to create standard waveforms
Equation Editor (see page 12) Opens the Equation Editor dialog box that you can use to
create waveforms
Open (see page 10) Opens a waveform file (.wfm, .pat, .tfw, . csv, .txt )
Close (see page 14) Closes an open waveform file
Save (see page 13) Saves changes to the currently open waveforms
Save As (see page 13) Saves files to a different file name using the Save as dialog
box (.wfm, AWG wfm, AWG2000 wfm), .pat, .csv, .tfw)
Exit (see page 15) Exits the application
xxx
See Also:

Operating Basics Edit Menu
Edit Menu
The Edit menu is visible only if a waveform window is open.

Operating Basics Edit Menu

Undo (see page 117) Undoes the last operation performed on a waveform
Redo (see page 117) Redoes the last operation performed on a waveform
Cut (see page 118) Cuts the portion of a waveform that is between cursors
Copy (see page 118) Copies the portion of a waveform that is between cursors
Paste (see page 119) Displays the paste options allowing you to choose where to
paste
Select All (see page 120) Selects and copies the entire waveform into the memory
Copy to System Clipboard (see page 121) Copies the waveform that can be pasted in Microsoft Excel
or Microsoft Word
Copy as Bitmap (see page 122) Copies the selected waveform window as a bitmap that can
be pasted into Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel
Invert (see page 122) Inverts the portion of a waveform between the cursors
Mirror (see page 123) Mirrors the portion of a waveform between the cursors
Shift/Rotate (see page 44) Shifts the waveform by the defined amplitude or rotates the
waveform by a defined number of points
Freehand (see page 123) Draws a waveform along the path you trace
Horizontal Draw (see page 124) Allows drawing only horizontally
Vertical Draw (see page 124) Allows drawing only vertically
Point Draw (see page 125) The submenu options are: Enable Point Draw, Edit Point
Draw Table..., Linear, Smooth, Staircase, Dynamic Compile,
Compile Point Draw, Next Point Draw Point, Previous Point
Draw Point, Delete Point, Clear All.
Validate active waveform Verifies whether the active waveform can be generated in
the target instrument
xxx
See Also:

Operating Basics View Menu
View Menu

Show/Hide Shortcut View (see page 36) Displays and hides the shortcut view
Standard Toolbar (see page 31) Displays and hides the standard toolbar
Waveform Toolbar (see page 31) Displays and hides the waveform toolbar
Zoom Bar (see page 33) Displays and hides the zoom toolbar
Instrument Bar (see page 34) Displays and hides the instrument bar
Point Draw Toolbar (see page 35) Displays the point draw toolbar
Status Bar (see page 36) Displays and hides the status bar
xxx
See Also:
Display Menu
The Display menu is available only when a waveform is displayed in the window.

Operating Basics Display Menu

Zoom In (see page 114) Zooms in to the area selected
Zoom Out (see page 114) Zooms out from the point selected
Horizontal Zoom In (see page 115) Zooms in horizontally from the point selected
Fit to Window (see page 115) Restores the view to the state that it was before the first
zoom operation
Cursor (see page 113) Shows or hides the cursors
Cursor Position... (see page 113) Positions the cursor exactly at the points or time specified
Marker (see page 112) Shows or hides horizontal markers that you can set patterns
and triggers
Crosshair (see page 116) Changes the cursor type to crosshair
Graticule (see page 116) Shows or hides the graticule for the waveform
Time Scale (see page 116) Displays time along the X-axis
Properties... (see page 116) Displays the properties – color, line style, line width, and
cursor colors – of the selected waveform
xxx
See Also:

Operating Basics Waveform Menu

Waveform Menu

Equation Editor... (see page 75) Creates a waveform using the equation editor
Sine... (see page 79) Creates a sine wave
Square... (see page 82) Creates a square wave
Triangle... (see page 85) Creates a triangular wave
Pulse... (see page 88) Creates a pulse wave
Noise... (see page 91) Creates a noise wave
Dc... (see page 94) Creates a DC wave
Exponential Rise... (see page 96) Creates a exponential rise wave
Exponential Decay... (see page 98) Creates a exponential decay wave
Sinc... (see page 101) Creates a sinc wave
Sweep... (see page 103) Creates a sweep wave
Multi-Tone... (see page 106) Creates a multi-tone wave

Operating Basics Math Menu

Lorentz ... (see page 109) Creates a Lorentz wave
Properties... (see page 42) Displays the multi-waveform properties, waveform
properties, and preferences
xxx
See Also:
Math Menu
The Math menu is available only when a waveform window is open.
Menu Selection Description

Waveform Math...
Operations:
Add Adds the points of the selected waveforms and displays the resulting
waveform
Subtract Subtracts the points of the selected waveforms and displays the
resulting waveform
Multiply Multiplies the points of the selected waveforms and displays the
resulting waveform
Divide Divides the points on the waveform and displays the resulting
waveform (available only when applying a scalar value)

Operating Basics Math Menu
Menu Selection Description

Scalar Value Performs a scalar operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division) on the waveform
Copy from Clipboard Performs an operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division)
on the selected waveform with points copied to the clipboard
Normalize (see page 157) Scales the waveform signal value to a ±1.0 range, with 0 as the
center
xxx
See Also:

Operating Basics Communication Menu
Communication Menu

AWG / AFG File Transfer... (see page 135) Connects and transfers files to and from an arbitrary
waveform or function generator and allows you to change
instrument parameters like clock frequency, voltage, offset
and others of the instrument connected
Import from Scope... (see page 144) Connects and acquires a waveform from an oscilloscope
Scope Acquisition Wizard (see page 149) Guides you through steps to acquire data from a connected
oscilloscope
Send Waveform to Arb (see page 148) Sends the waveform to a connected AWG/AFG
xxx
See Also:

Operating Basics Window Menu
Window Menu

Cascade Arranges the open windows in the application client area
from upper-left to lower-right so that they overlap one
another
Tile Horizontally Arranges the open windows horizontally in the application
client area without overlapping
Tile Vertically Arranges the open windows vertically in the application
client area without overlapping
Close All Closes all open windows in the client area
List of open windows Allows you to jump to an open or inactive window
xxx
See Also:

Operating Basics Help Menu
Help Menu
The Help menu is always visible.

Help Topics Displays the Help contents
Help on Window Displays the help topic for the active window
Technical Support... Displays the Tektronix Technical Support Web site for the
ArbExpress application
About... Displays version and copyright information
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See Also:
Use Shortcut Menu for Waveforms

View the shortcut menu by right-clicking inside an open waveform window.

Operating Basics Use Shortcut Menu for Waveforms

Open (see page 10) Opens a waveform file (.wfm, .pat, .csv, .txt)
Save Saves the currently selected waveform
Close Closes the currently selected waveform
Cut (see page 118) Cuts the portion of a waveform that is between cursors
Copy (see page 118) Copies the portion of a waveform that is between cursors
Paste (see page 119) Pastes the selected portion of a waveform at the cursor
which has a lower value
Select All (see page 120) Selects and copies the entire waveform into the memory
Zoom (see page 114) Opens a submenu with options to zoom in, zoom out, and
Fit to Window
Time Scale (see page 116) Displays the waveform with time as the X-axis and voltage
along the Y-axis
Set Cursor Position (see page 113) Positions the cursor exactly at the points or time specified
Freehand (see page 123) Draws a waveform along the path you trace
Horizontal Draw (see page 124) Allows drawing only horizontally
Vertical Draw (see page 124) Allows drawing only vertically
Waveform Properties (see page 42) The dialog box has three tabs: Active Waveform,
Multi-waveform, and Preferences.
Send Waveform to Arb (see page 148) Sends the waveform to the connected instrument
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Operating Basics Use Shortcut Menu for Waveforms
In Point Draw mode, right-click inside an open waveform window to display the following shortcut menu:
Menu item Description

Disable Point Draw Disables point draw mode
Zoom Has options that you can use to Zoom In, Zoom Out,
Horizontal Zoom In, and Fit to Window
Set Cursor Position... Opens the Cursor Position dialog box that you can use to
set the cursor position in points or seconds
Time Scale Changes the values on X axis into time domain
Select Previous Point Highlights the previous point in the sequence
Select Next Point Highlights the next point in the sequence
Edit Point Draw Table... Opens the point draw table where you can edit the points
and set the interpolation method
Delete Selected Point Deletes the selected point
Clear All Points Clears the display of all the points but the continues to
display the waveform
Interpolation Sets the interpolation method to use while generating the
waveform. You can choose form Smooth, Linear, and
Staircase.
Dynamic Compile Compiles the waveform as you click the points using the
interpolation method you have chosen
Compile Draw Points Compiles the waveform using the interpolation method you
have chosen only when you click Compile
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Operating Basics Standard Toolbar
Standard Toolbar
View> Standard Toolbar
The standard toolbar is displayed, by default, below the main menu. You can place the toolbar anywhere in
the application window.
The toolbar has icons for the standard functions — New blank waveform, Open existing waveform,
Save the waveform, Cut waveform between cursors, Copy waveform between cursors, Paste waveform,
Undo, Redo, and Help.
See Also:
Waveform Toolbar (see page 31)
Zoom Bar (see page 33)
Instrument Bar (see page 34)
Status Bar (see page 36)
Waveform Toolbar
View> Waveform Toolbar

Operating Basics Waveform Toolbar
The waveform toolbar is displayed, by default, below the standard toolbar. You can place the toolbar
anywhere within the application window. The waveform toolbar has icons for the functions — Cursors,
Markers, Freehand Draw, Horizontal Draw, Vertical Draw, Equation Editor, Basic Waveform, Advanced
Waveform, and Validate.
See Also:
Standard Toolbar (see page 31)

Operating Basics Zoom Bar
Zoom Bar
View> Zoom Bar
The zoom toolbar is displayed, by default, alongside the waveform toolbar. You can place the toolbar
anywhere within the application window. The zoom toolbar has icons for the functions — Zoom In, Zoom
Out, Zoom In Horizontally, and Fit to Window.
See Also:

Operating Basics Instrument Bar
Instrument Bar
View> Instrument Toolbar
The instrument toolbar is displayed, by default, below the main menu. You can place the toolbar anywhere
within the application window. The toolbar has icons for the standard functions — File Transfer and
Control, Scope Acquisition Wizard, Import from Scope, and Send Waveform to Arb.
See Also:

Operating Basics Point Draw Toolbar
Point Draw Toolbar

The point draw toolbar is displayed, by default, below the main menu. You can place the toolbar anywhere
within the application window.
The toolbar has icons for the functions — Enable Point Draw, Select Draw Point, Previous PD Point, Next
PD point, Delete Point, Edit PD Table, Interpolation Method, Dynamic Compile, and Compile.
See Also:

Operating Basics Status Bar
Status Bar
View> Status Bar
The application has two status bars: the Application status bar, and the Waveform status bar.
The Application status bar is displayed at the bottom of the application window. It shows the type of
instrument that is connected and its status. You can turn on or off the Application Status bar from
the View menu.
The Waveform status bar displays the sampling rate, points, signal voltage, editing mode, and cursor
difference. When you view a standard waveform, the voltage readout on the status bar displays the height
of the waveform where it crosses the active cursor or the vertical line of the pointer/crosshair. In draw
mode, the voltage readout is the actual vertical height of the draw pointer.
See Also:
Shortcut View
The Shortcut View occupies the left part of the display. You can keep the shortcut view open by clicking
the pin at the top right corner of the panel. You can show or hide each selection in the shortcut panel by
pressing the double arrow at the top right corner of each panel.

Operating Basics Shortcut View

New Waveform (see page 38) Allows you to create a new or blank waveform, standard
waveform, or a new equation
Easy Edit (see page 39) Allows you to shift or rotate the waveform

Operating Basics New Waveform View

Import/Transfer Waveform (see page 41) Allows you to acquire or import waveform from an
oscilloscope
Multi-Waveform Properties (see page 40) It also allows you to open a existing waveform in either a
new window or an existing window
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New Waveform View

View > Shortcut View
Use the New Waveform panel in the Shortcut View to create a standard waveform, a waveform using the
equation editor, or a blank waveform. You can view and modify the properties of one or more waveforms,
and set preferences. A single window displays a maximum of two waveforms.

Standard Waveform... Displays a Standard Function dialog box where you can
select the type of waveform to generate and set the
parameters
Equation Editor... Displays the Equation Editor dialog box where you can
select an equation from the standard equations provided,
modify it, or create a new equation
Blank... Displays a blank screen where you can draw or generate
a waveform
Properties... The dialog box has three tabs: Multi-waveform, Waveform,
and Preferences
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See Also:
Sine Wave (see page 79)
Square Wave (see page 82)
Triangle Wave (see page 85)
Pulse Wave (see page 88)
Noise Wave (see page 91)

Operating Basics Easy Edit
DC Wave (see page 94)

Using the Equation Editor (see page 75)
Waveform Properties (see page 42)
Easy Edit
Use the Easy Edit bar to shift or rotate the waveform by a defined number of points and amplitude. You
can shift the waveform or the portion of the waveform that is between cursors left, right, up, or down. You
can rotate the waveform left or right.
Type the number of points and amplitude by which to rotate or shift the waveform. If the option Rotate
Waveform is checked, the waveform is rotated. If the selection is cleared, the waveform is shifted.

Operating Basics Multi-Waveform Properties
Multi-Waveform Properties
Use the Multi-Waveform Properties panel in the Shortcut View to select the window for opening a new
or existing waveform.
When you select the New Window option, the waveform is opened in a new window.
When you select the Existing Window option, the waveform is opened in an existing window. Select the
existing window using the Wave Book list box in the panel.
To display the waveform in an existing window, ensure that the new waveform has:
The same sampling rate as the existing waveform; if the sampling rate is different, then select Change
the Incoming waveform’s Sampling rate to change the sampling rate of the new waveform to match
that of the existing waveform. Or, select Change the Existing waveform’s Sampling rate to change
the sampling rate of the existing waveform to match that of the incoming waveform.
Equal number of points as the existing waveform.

Operating Basics Import or Transfer Waveform
Import or Transfer Waveform

Use the Import/Transfer Waveform panel in the Shortcut View to import a waveform from a file or acquire
it from an oscilloscope, File Transfer and Control, and Scope Acquisition Wizard.

File Transfer and Control Displays the File Transfer and Control dialog box, which
you can use to transfer files to an AWG/AFG and control
the instrument.
Import Waveform from Scope Displays the Import Waveform from Scope dialog box, which
you can use to import a waveform from and oscilloscope
Scope Acquisition Wizard Launches the Scope Acquisition Wizard, which you can use
to acquire data from a connected oscilloscope
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See Also:
Import from Oscilloscope (see page 144)
File Transfer and Control (see page 135)
Scope Acquisition Wizard (see page 149)
Dialog Boxes
Most of the ArbExpress application dialog boxes have a corresponding help topic. To display descriptions
for the dialog boxes, display the dialog box and click Help.

Operating Basics Waveform Properties Dialog Box
For help on specific dialog boxes, display the Table of Contents for this help file, and then navigate
to Operating Basics > Dialog Boxes.
Waveform Properties Dialog Box

Waveform > Properties
Use this dialog box to view and modify properties of multiple waveforms, a selected waveform, and
the application preferences. The dialog box has three tabs: Active Waveform, Multi-waveform, and
Preferences.
Active Waveform
Select the Waveform tab to view and modify the properties of the selected waveform. For multiple
waveform display, choose the waveform by selecting the Waveform1 or Waveform2 button located just
above the waveform display.
To save the waveform, click File > Save or File > Save As.
Option Description
Instrument Select the instrument from the list.
Sampling Rate Displays the sampling rate of the selected waveform.
Resampling waveform using Shows the number of points used for resampling.
Select resampling method Select the algorithm to use when resampling and recreating
the waveform (Sinc, linear, or Add Points with zero
amplitude). Marker data is not resampled, but marker data
may be added or removed.
Normalize the waveform before saving the file Normalizes the waveform before saving it. The waveform
amplitude is set between – 1 and +1 before the waveform
is saved.
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Multi-waveform
Select the Multi-waveform tab to set up the window in which to display the waveforms.
When more than one waveform is displayed in a window or a wave book, you can select the waveform
to edit or work with by selecting the Waveform1 or Waveform2 button located just above the waveform
display. When you open or display a second waveform in the same window or wave book, the first
waveform is shown as a dotted line.
NOTE. A window or wave book can display a maximum of two waveforms. If you try to open or display
more than two waveforms in a single window or wave book, you are prompted with the message "Only two
waveforms can be opened or created in a Wave Book".

Operating Basics Paste Option Dialog Box
NOTE. Only waveforms with the same number of samples can be displayed in a wave book.
Option Description
New Window Displays or opens the waveform in a new window
Existing Window Displays or opens the waveform in an existing window
Wave book Displays the list of wave books to choose to display the
waveform
Change the incoming waveform's clock Changes the incoming or new waveform clock to match the
clock of the existing waveform
Change the existing waveform's clock Changes the existing waveform clock to match the incoming
or new waveform clock
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Preferences
Use the Preferences tab to set preferences for a waveform.
Option Description
Save .set file along with .wfm and .pat files The .set file contains the voltage and offset of the waveform.
Enable this before creating a waveform
Show paste option before pasting Displays the Paste option dialog box before pasting the
contents
Always enables the instrument's outputs after transferring Switches on the destination channel to which the waveform
the waveform is transferred and sets the instrument in the Run mode
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Paste Option Dialog Box

Edit > Paste
Use this dialog box to paste the copied portion of the waveform.
If you select Don't show this again and always paste at active cursor, the application does not display
the Paste Options dialog box and always pastes the contents at the active cursor.
Option Description
Paste at active cursor Pastes the contents at the active cursor. The active cursor
in indicated by a solid line.
Prepend to the waveform Pastes the copied contents at the beginning of the waveform
Append to the waveform Pastes the copied contents at the end of the waveform
Replace between cursors Pastes the copied contents the between the cursors
Don't show this again and always paste at active cursor If checked, always pastes the copied contents at the active
cursors and does not display the dialog box next time
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Operating Basics Shift/Rotate Dialog Box
Shift/Rotate Dialog Box

Edit > Shift/Rotate
Use this dialog box to set the number of points and amplitude by which to shift or rotate the waveform or
the portion of the waveform that is between cursors. The amplitude value is used only during waveform
shift and not during waveform rotation.
The direction of rotation is either left or right. The direction of shift is either up, down, left, or right.
Option Description
Points Sets the number of points by which to rotate the waveform
Amplitude Sets the amplitude by which to shift the waveform
Vertical Segment
Shift Up Shifts the waveform up by the specified amplitude
Shift Down Shifts the waveform down by the specified amplitude
Horizontal Segment
Rotate Right Rotates the waveform to the right by the specified number
of points
Rotate Left Rotates the waveform to the left by the specified number
of points
Shift Right Shifts the waveform to the right by the specified number
of points
Shift Left Shifts the waveform to the left by the specified number of
points
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Operating Basics Point Draw Table Dialog Box
Point Draw Table Dialog Box

Edit > Point Draw > Edit Point Draw Table
Use this dialog box to enter waveform points in a blank table or edit a point draw table that has points in it
already. This table works similarly to a Microsoft Excel worksheet.
Option Description
Insert Point Inserts a row (point) above the selected row
Delete Point Delete the selected row (point)
Clear All Clears all the rows (points) in the table
Interpolation Sets the interpolation method to Linear, Smooth, or
Staircase
X Value Displays the X value in Positions (points) or in Time
(seconds)
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The application checks the values you enter for the following:
X-value (sampling point) must always be unique. If you try to repeat this value, the message, “Values
of the sampling index should be unique” appears.
If you leave the amplitude (Y) blank, the applications fills it with a zero.
If you enter a Y value but no corresponding X value, an error appears.
Click OK. If the application finds no errors, the point draw table closes and the waveform in the Wave
Book window is updated to reflect the changes that you made in the point draw table.
Cursor Position Dialog Box

Display > Cursor Position
Use this dialog box to specify the cursor position in points or seconds.
Option Description
Points/Seconds
Points Select Points to set the cursor position in points.
Seconds Select Seconds to set the cursor position in seconds.
Cursor Position
Cursor 1 Enter the position for Cursor 1 in the units selected in the
previous option.
Cursor 2 Enter the position for Cursor 2 in the units selected in the
previous option.
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Operating Basics Display Properties Dialog Box
Display Properties Dialog Box

Display > Properties
Use this dialog box to view the waveform display properties.
Option Description
Waveform Name Lists the waveforms available in the active window
Enable Graticule Displays the graticule when checked
Background Color Changes the background color of the waveform window
Waveform Properties
Color Displays the waveform color and allows you to change the waveform color
Line Style Displays the waveform line style and allows you to change the style
Line Width Displays the waveform line width and allows you to change the line width
Marker Color
Marker1 Displays the color of Marker1 and allows you to change it
Marker2 Displays the color of Marker2 and allows you to change it
Cursor Color
Cursor1 Displays the color of Cursor1 and allows you to change it
Cursor2 Displays the color of Cursor2 and allows you to change it
Preview Displays the preview of the waveform
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When more than one waveform is displayed in one wave book or window, the inactive waveform has a
dashed line and the active waveform has a solid line.
See Also:
Marker (see page 112)
Cursor (see page 113)
Graticule (see page 116)
Equation Editor Dialog Box

File > Equation Editor, Waveform > Equation Editor
Use this dialog box to create a waveform using the Equation Editor.

Operating Basics Equation Editor Dialog Box
Option Description
Number of Points Indicates the number of samples, typically in one cycle of
the waveform
Sampling Rate Indicates the number of samples per second
Total Range Indicates the duration of the waveform in seconds
Lock Total Range Locks the Total Range value when checked. You can then
edit only the other two variables.
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The Equation Editor window has a toolbar that has icons for opening a file and saving a file. Click Open
to open an equation file (.equ ) from the sample files. Use the other toolbar icons to perform operations
such as Close, Cut, Copy, and Paste.
You can create an equation using either of these two methods:

Editing an existing equation. Sample equations are provided in the \ArbExpress\Samples\Equation
folder.
1. From the Equation Editor window, click the Open icon.
2. Browse the equations (.equ or .eqa) listed in the folder \ArbExpress\Samples\Equation.
3. Edit the equation using the Edit menu or by placing the pointer over the equation.
Using the functions, operators, and constants
1. Create an equation in the edit area, using the functions and operators available under Function.
Always define a range first.
2. Under Settings, set the Total Range to the sum of all the ranges you have defined in the equation. To
do this, enter the Number of Points and Sampling Rate. After you set the total range, you can lock it
and change the number of points or sampling rate.
3. Click Compile. The compiled equation is displayed in Preview. The compilation status and messages
are displayed in Output.

Operating Basics Sine Wave Dialog Box
If the equation compiles without any errors, the application displays the waveform in the specified window.
If compilation errors occur, the application displays a message in the output pane. The OK button is
enabled only if the compilation is successful.
The application supports the AWG2000 equation editor model. Equations created using the equation editor
cannot be used on the AWG400 through AWG700 series waveform generators. For more information, see
Equation Editor Reference (see page 201). Equations created using the equation editor cannot be used on
the AWG400 through AWG700 series waveform generators.
To transfer the waveform to an AWG or AFG, click Send to Arb (see page 148). This button is enabled
only when an instrument (AWG or AFG) is connected. You can select the channel to send the waveform to.
To view or vary the waveform properties, click Multi-Waveform Properties (see page 42). The Waveform
Properties dialog box opens.
NOTE. The Active Waveform tab is disabled when invoked from the Equation Editor dialog box.
Sine Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a sine waveform.
Option Description
Settings
Function Select a standard function from the list.
Instrument Select an instrument from the list.
Vertical
Amp/Offset Select Amp/Offset to set the amplitude and offset for the
selected waveform.
Amplitude Enter the amplitude of the waveform in volts.
Offset Enter the offset of the waveform in volts.
Max/Min Select Max/Min to set the amplitude voltage range for the
selected waveform.
Maximum Enter the maximum amplitude or the waveform in volts.
Minimum Enter the minimum amplitude or the waveform in volts.
Full DAC Value Select Full DAC Value to set the waveform values between
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
Show Advanced Mode Select this to show the advanced options for the horizontal
parameters.
Frequency Enter M for Megahertz, and G for Gigahertz.
Cycles Enter the number of cycles in the waveform.
Phase Enter the phase in degrees.

Operating Basics Sine Wave Dialog Box
Advanced Options
Horizontal
Frequency Displays the frequency as Samples per Second divided by
Number of Points per Cycle. You can set the frequency
by entering the number of Samples per Second and the
Number of Points per cycle.
You can lock the desired frequency and adjust either the
Samples per Second or the Points per Cycle to achieve
the frequency.
Samples/sec You can lock the desired Samples per Second and adjust
either the Frequency or the Points per Cycle to achieve the
sampling rate.
Points/cycle You can lock the desired Points per Cycle and adjust either
the Frequency or the Samples per Second to achieve the
number of points per cycles.
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The Show Advanced Mode option is not available for the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000,
or MDO4000 series of instruments. For the AFG2000, AFG3000, and AWG4000 series of instruments,
type the Total Number of Points, Frequency in Hertz, Phase in degrees, and Cycles. The Sampling Rate is
a fixed value for the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points. For
the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C, AFG3051C, and AFG3052C
instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from
1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3251C, AFG3252, and AFG3252C instruments, if the total
number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz.
For the MDO3000 and MDO4000 series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The
AWG4000 series sampling rate is fixed to 2.5 GHz.
To preview the waveform, click Preview.
To restore the default values for the waveform, click Default.
To save your current values and create the waveform, click OK.
To send the waveform directly to an arbitrary waveform or function generator that is connected, click Send
to Arb (see page 148). Send to Arb is enabled only when an instrument (AWG or AFG) is connected.
NOTE. The Active Waveform tab is disabled when invoked from the Standard Waveform dialog box.
If the number of points is fewer than the number of points supported by the instrument, the following
options appear when you click Preview:

Operating Basics Square Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
Manually change the Horizontal settings to reach minimum Select this and change the parameters to increase the total
number of points number of points in the waveform to achieve the minimum
number of points.
Add zeros to achieve minimum number of points Select this to achieve the minimum number of points by
appending points of zero voltage to the waveform.
Add last vector to achieve minimum number of points Select this to achieve the minimum number of points by
appending points with the voltage value of the last point
to the waveform.
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Select one of the options and click OK.
Square Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a square waveform.
Option Description
Settings
Vertical
selected waveform.
selected waveform.
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
parameters.
Duty Cycle Enter the Duty Cycle as a percentage of the waveform width.

Operating Basics Square Wave Dialog Box
Advanced Options
Horizontal
the frequency.
either the Frequency or the Points per Cycle to achieve
the sampling rate.
number of points per cycles.
Transitions
Rise Time Enter the Rise time in number of points or in seconds.
Ramp Select Ramp.
Sine2 Select Sine2.
Fall Time Enter the Fall time in points or seconds.
Ramp Select Ramp.
Sine2 Select Sine2 .
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The Show Advanced Mode option is not available for the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, or MDO3000
series of instruments. For the AFG2000 and AFG3000 series of instruments, type the Total Number of
Points, Frequency in Hertz, Phase in degrees, Cycles, and Duty Cycle. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value
for the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points. For the AFG3101,
AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C, AFG3051C, and AFG3052C instruments,
if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to
250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments, if the total number
of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. Under
Transitions (10%-90%), set the Rise Time and Fall Time parameters. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000
series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000
series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000 series sampling rate is
fixed to 2.5 GHz.

Operating Basics Triangle Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
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Triangle Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a triangle waveform.
Option Description
Settings
Vertical
selected waveform.
selected waveform.
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
parameters.
Frequency Enter M for Megahertz, and G for Gigahertz .

Operating Basics Triangle Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
Advanced Options
Horizontal
Frequency Displays the frequency as Samples per Second by Number
of Points per Cycle. You can set the frequency by entering
the number of Samples per Second and the Number of
Points per cycle.
the frequency.
sampling rate.
number of points per cycle.
xxx
series of instruments. For the AFG2000, AFG3000, and AWG4000 series of instruments, type the Total
Number of Points, Frequency in Hertz, Phase in degrees, and Cycles. The Sampling Rate is a fixed
value for the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points. For the
AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C, AFG3051C, and AFG3052C
1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments, if the total
number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For
the MDO3000 and MDO4000C series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The
to Arb (see page 148). Send to Arb is enabled only when an instrument (AWG, AFG, MDO3000, or
MDO4000C with AFG option enabled) is connected.

Operating Basics Pulse Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx
Pulse Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a pulse waveform.
Option Description
Settings
Vertical
selected waveform.
selected waveform
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
parameters.
Delay Enter the delay in seconds.
Pulse Width (50%) Enter the pulse width in seconds, typically 50% of the entire
waveform width.

Operating Basics Pulse Wave Dialog Box
Advanced Options
Horizontal
the frequency.
sampling rate.
number of points per cycle.
Transitions
Pulse Direction Select the pulse direction.
Positive Select positive pulse direction.
Negative Select negative pulse direction.
Rise Time Enter the Rise time in number of points or in seconds.
Ramp Select Ramp.
Fall Time Enter the Fall time in points or in seconds.
Ramp Select Ramp.
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series of instruments. For the AFG2000 and AFG3000 series of instruments, type the Total Number of
Points, Frequency in Hertz, Delay, Cycles, and Pulse Width. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value for
the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points. For the AFG3101,
of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. Under
Transitions (10%-90%), set the Pulse Direction, Rise Time, and Fall Time parameters. For the MDO3000
and MDO4000 series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000 series
sampling rate is fixed to 2.5 GHz.

Operating Basics Noise Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx
Noise Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a noise waveform. The waveform has no advanced options.
Option Description
Settings
Vertical
selected waveform.
selected waveform.
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal

Operating Basics Noise Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
Gaussian White Noise Select this to create a Gaussian White Noise waveform.
Pink Noise Select this to create a Pink Noise waveform.
Sampling Rate Enter the sampling rate for the waveform.
Total Number of Points Enter the total number of points.
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For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, or MDO4000 series of instruments, type the
Total Number of Points. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value for the selected instrument. The Sampling
Rate depends on the total number of points. For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C,
AFG3051C, AFG3052C, AFG3151C, and AFG3152C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds
16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252,
AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the
sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000 series of instruments,
the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000 series sampling rate is fixed to 2.5 GHz.
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

Operating Basics DC Wave Dialog Box
DC Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a DC waveform. The waveform has no advanced options.
Option Description
Settings
Vertical
selected waveform.
–1 and + 1.
Horizontal
Total Number of Points Enter the total number of points in the waveform.
xxx
For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, or MDO4000 series of instruments, type the
Total Number of Points. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value for the selected instrument. The Sampling
Rate depends on the total number of points. For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C,
AFG3051C, AFG3052C, AFG3151C, and AFG3152C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds
16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252,
AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the
sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000 series of instruments,
the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000 series sampling rate is fixed to 2.5 GHz.

Operating Basics Exponential Rise Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
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Exponential Rise Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create an exponential rise waveform. The waveform has no advanced options.
Option Description
Settings
Vertical
selected waveform.
selected waveform.
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
Damp Factor Enter the damp factor.
xxx
For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, or MDO4000 series of instruments, type the Phase
in degrees, Cycles, Total Number of Points, and Damp Factor. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value for

Operating Basics Exponential Decay Wave Dialog Box
of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the
MDO3000 and MDO4000 series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000
series sampling rate is fixed to 2.5 GHz.
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx
Exponential Decay Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create an exponential decay waveform. The waveform has no advanced options.
Option Description
Settings

Operating Basics Exponential Decay Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
Vertical
selected waveform.
selected waveform.
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
Damp Factor Enter the damp factor.
xxx
in degrees, Cycles, Total Number of Points, and Damp Factor. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value for
AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3051C, and AFG3052C instruments, if the total number of points
exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251,
AFG3252, AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16
K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000
series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000 series sampling rate is
fixed to 2.5 GHz.

Operating Basics Sweep Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx
Sweep Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a Sweep waveform. The waveform has no advanced options.
Option Description
Settings
Vertical
selected waveform.
selected waveform.
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
Start Frequency Enter the frequency that you want at the beginning of the
waveform.
End Frequency Enter the frequency that you want at the end of the
waveform.
Time Duration* Enter the time between the start and end of the waveform.

Operating Basics Sweep Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
Total Number of Points** Enter the total number of points that make up the waveform.
xxx
1 * For the AFG2000 and AFG3000 series of instruments, type the Start Frequency, End Frequency, and Total Number of Points. The Sampling
Rate is a fixed value for the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points. The Time Duration is calculated
according to the following equation:
For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3051C, AFG3052C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C,
and MDO3000 series instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the
sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C, and
AFG3252C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate
changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000 series of instruments, the sampling
rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000 series sampling rate is fixed to 2.5 GHz.
2 ** The field Total Number of Points is disabled for the AWG7xx, AWG6xx, AWG5xx, AWG4xx, AWG2xxx, and AFG3xx series of instruments. The
application calculates the Total Number of Points as the product of Time Duration and Sampling Rate.


Operating Basics Sinc Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx
Sinc Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a Sinc waveform. The waveform has no advanced options.
Option Description
Settings
Vertical
selected waveform.
selected waveform.
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
Number of Zero Crossings Enter the number of zero crossings for the waveform.
xxx
in degrees, Cycles, Total Number of Points, and Number of Zero Crossings. The Sampling Rate is a fixed

Operating Basics Multi-Tone Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx
Multi-Tone Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a Multi-Tone waveform. The waveform has no advanced options.
Option Description
Settings

Operating Basics Multi-Tone Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
Vertical
selected waveform.
selected waveform.
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
Start Frequency Enter the frequency that you want at the beginning of the
waveform.
End Frequency Enter the frequency that you want at the end of the
waveform.
Tone Spacing* Enter the frequency interval between the frequencies that
make up waveform.
Total Number of Points** Enter the total number of points.
xxx
1 * For the AFG2000 and AFG3000 series of instruments, type the Start Frequency, End Frequency, and Total Number of Points. The Sampling Rate
is a fixed value for the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points.
The Tone Spacing is calculated according to the following equation:
For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3051C, AFG3052C, and MDO3000 series
2 **The field Total Number of Points is disabled for the AWG7xx, AWG6xx, AWG5xx, AWG4xx, AWG2xxx, and AFG3xx series of instruments. The
Total Number of Points is calculated according to the following equation:

Operating Basics Lorentz Wave Dialog Box

Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx
Lorentz Wave Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to create a Lorentz waveform. The waveform has no advanced options.
Option Description
Settings
Vertical
selected waveform.

Operating Basics Lorentz Wave Dialog Box
Option Description
selected waveform.
– 1 and + 1.
Horizontal
Sampling Rate Enter the number of samples per second.
Total Number of Points* Enter the total number of points in the waveform.
Time Delay** Enter the delay in seconds.
Half Width Enter the half width.
xxx
1 * The field Total Number of Points is disabled for the AWG7xx, AWG6xx, AWG5xx, AWG4xx, AWG2xxx, and AFG3xx series of instruments. Type
the Sampling Rate of the waveform, the number of Cycles, and the Phase in degrees. Enter the Time Delay and Half Width. The Total number of
points is given by: The Total number of points is given by:
2 ** For the AFG2000 and AFG3000 series of instruments, type the Phase in degrees, Cycles, Half Width, and Total Number of Points. The
Sampling Rate is a fixed value for the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points for the AFG3101, AFG3102,
AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C, AFG3051C, and AFG3052C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K
points), the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments, if the total
For AFG3xx, AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, or MDO4000 series of instruments Time
Delay is calculated according to the following equation:


Operating Basics File Transfer and Instrument Control Dialog Box
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx
File Transfer and Instrument Control Dialog Box

Communication > AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control
Use this dialog box to control the instrument from the application.
Option Description
Arb List Lists the instruments that can be connected
Instrument Folders Lists the folders on the instruments hard disk drive
Instrument Files Lists the files in the folder selected on the instrument hard
disk
PC Folders Lists the folders on the PC hard disk
PC Files Lists the files in the folder selected on the PC hard disk
Instrument Control
Channel Selector Selects the channel that you want to control
Output ON Turns the output on or off
Load File to AWG Enter or select the file to load. You can drag and drop the file
from the Instrument file list and the file name automatically
appears here.
Vertical Control the vertical parameters.
Filter Use this to filter frequencies greater than the value specified.
Amplitude Enter the voltage for the waveform.
Offset Enter or select the offset for the waveform.
Marker1
High Set the High value for Marker1.
Low Set the Low value for Marker1.
Marker2

Operating Basics File Transfer and Instrument Control Dialog Box
Instrument Control
High Set the High value for Marker2.
Low Set the Low value for Marker2.
Clock Enter the clock frequency.
Run/Stop Changes the instrument from the Run to Stop mode or vice
versa.
Apply Applies the changes to the waveform.
xxx
For the AFG3xx series, you can transfer the waveform files in the following directions — PC to Edit
memory, PC to User memory, and Edit memory to User memory.
For the AFG2000 and AFG3000 series, you can transfer the waveform in the following directions — PC to
Edit memory, PC to User memory, Edit memory to User memory, and Edit memory to PC.
For the AWG4000, MDO3000, and MDO4000C series, you can transfer the waveform in the following
directions — PC to Edit memory and Edit memory to PC.
When you transfer a waveform from the Edit memory to the PC, the file has the name EMEM<n> in the
destination folder. When you transfer a waveform from the PC to the Edit memory, the EMEM<n>
waveform text box shows the waveform file name. When you drag the EMEM<n> file to User<n>, the
User<n> text box shows the file name as EMEM<n>.
When you drag a file from the PC Files list and drop it to the destination Edit or User memory, the
destination text "Drag source file and drop here" is replaced with the name of the transferred file. When
you close the dialog box or reinvoke it, the destination text reappears.

Operating Basics Waveform Math Dialog Box
Waveform Math Dialog Box

Math > Waveform Math
Use this dialog box to perform mathematical operation on the selected portion of the waveform. To operate
with the selected waveform, you can either use a standard waveform, a scalar value, or a waveform
that you have copied to the clipboard.
The mathematical operations that are available are Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide. Division is
applicable only when you use a scalar value or copy from the clipboard.
Option Description
Waveform Library
Select the waveform This appears in the Math Source preview.
Amplitude Pk-Pk Type the amplitude in volts of the selected waveform
Cycles Type the number of cycles of the selected waveform.
Phase Type the phase in degrees of the selected waveform.
Duty Cycle/Pulse Width/Damp Factor Type the duty cycle, pulse width, or the Damp Factor for
the selected waveform.
Scalar Value
Amplitude Type the amplitude in volts.
Copy from clipboard Uses the waveform copied to the memory to perform math
operations.
Operation
Add Adds every point of the selected waveform to every point on
the math source waveform.
Subtract Subtracts every point of the selected waveform from every
point on the math source waveform.
Multiply Multiplies every point on the selected waveform with every
point of the math source waveform.
Divide Divides every point on the selected waveform with every
point of the math source waveform This operation is not
available when you select a standard waveform from the list
to operate with.
Only between cursors Select this to perform the operation only on that section of
the waveform between the cursors.
xxx
The resultant waveform is displayed in the Resultant Waveform preview.

Operating Basics Filter Setup Dialog Box
Filter Setup Dialog Box
Communication > AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control >

Use this dialog box to set the filters for displaying waveform files.
1. Select one or more file type to show: . wfm, .tfw, .isf, .pat, . csv, . txt, *.*. The default filter type is *.*.
2. Click Default to restore the default file type.
3. Click Enable to enable the Filter On/Off button. If the filter is set to On, clicking Enable changes
nothing.
Set IP Address Dialog Box

Communication > AWG File Transfer and Control > Set IP Address (from the shortcut menu)
Use this dialog box to set the IP Address of the instrument you want to connect to. The application
displays the last ten recently connected instruments and their IP addresses. If you select any of these, the
corresponding IP address appears in the IP address field.
Instrument Properties Dialog Box
Communication > File Transfer >

Use this dialog box to view the instrument properties.
Option Description
Instrument Model Displays the model of the selected instrument
Connection Status Displays the status of the instrument — connected or not
connected
Interface String Displays the resource string or IP address of the connected
instrument
Bus Type Displays the bus type: Serial, GPIB, or Ethernet
xxx

Operating Basics Import from Oscilloscope Dialog Box
Import from Oscilloscope Dialog Box

Use the Import from Scope dialog box to connect to a Tektronix Oscilloscope and import a waveform
into ArbExpress in the AWG7xx waveform file format. Currently ArbExpress supports the TDS1000,
TDS2000, TDS3000, TDS5000, TDS6000, TDS7000, TBS1000, DPO2000, DPO3000, DPO4000,
MSO2000, MSO3000, MSO4000, MDO3000, and MDO4000 families of oscilloscopes. The following
steps describe how to use this dialog box.
Before you show the Import from Scopedialog box, refresh the TekVisa resource list.
Before Connecting
Ensure that the oscilloscope you intend to connect to is detected by the TekVisa Resource manager tool.
Without this, ArbExpress will not show it in its Scope list. Refer to the help on VisaRM for information on
how to search for an oscilloscope using the TekVisa Resource Manager tool.
Connecting to an Oscilloscope
The Scope list shows the oscilloscopes to which you can connect. You can choose any one of them and
connect to it. Once successfully connected, the Scope list shows the available data sources — Channels,
Reference waveforms, and Math waveforms in the oscilloscope.
Importing a Waveform
To import a waveform, you must first select a data source (a channel, ref or math). When you select one of
the available data sources, its status is displayed in the bottom half of the dialog box. After selecting the
data source, you can either drag and drop the source into one of the folders on the hard disk, or select the
Acquire option from the shortcut menu for the selected data source and paste it in a folder on the PC.
When the transfer is complete, a waveform file with the name of the form <model number>_<channel
number>.wfm is created in the selected folder.
NOTE. If you have a Ref waveform of a particular record length, you can successfully import the waveform
only if the oscilloscope current record length is the same as the Ref waveform record length.
Changing Parameters of a Channel

Right-click a channel to change the parameters. You can change the following parameters:
Run Mode (single sequence or continuous mode)
Record length (except for TDS1000, TDS2000, and TBS1000 family of oscilloscopes)

Operating Basics Set Pattern Dialog Box
Acquisition mode (supports Sample, Peak Detect and Average modes on all families of oscilloscopes.
In addition to these three, supports Hi Res, and Peak to Peak modes for TDS5000, TDS6000 and
TDS7000 series of oscilloscope)
Acquire
Directly Transferring a Waveform from the Oscilloscope to a Waveform View

You can acquire a waveform from the oscilloscope and open it in a Waveform view in a single action. To
do this, you have to select a data source as described above. Then click the "Open in New Window" button
on the oscilloscope toolbar. The file is transferred and saved to the current directory and then opened in a
Waveform View. You can close the Import from Scope dialog box to work with the acquired waveform.
NOTE. Closing the dialog box does not close the connection.
Set Pattern Dialog Box

Display > Marker
Use this dialog box to create a marker pattern. Right-click within the marker display area, and select
Set Pattern from the shortcut menu.
Option Description
Target
Marker1 Select Marker1 as the target to set the pattern for Marker1.
Marker2 Select Marker2 as the target to set the pattern for Marker2.
Data
Hex Select Hexadecimal as the data type to set the pattern in
hexadecimal.
Binary Select Binary as the data type to set the pattern in binary.
Pattern Use characters 0 – 9 and A– F to create a hexadecimal
pattern, and 0 and 1 to create a binary pattern.
xxx

How to ... Using the Equation Editor
Using the Equation Editor

File > Equation Editor
Waveform > Equation Editor

You can create waveforms using the equation editor. The application provides a set of sample equations
that you can use directly or modify and use.
Use the Equation pane to edit the equations, use the Command list to select the commands, functions,
units and operations, use the Settings pane to set the Total Range, and use the Preview pane to preview the

waveform after the equation is compiled. The OK button is enabled only when the equation compiles
successfully.
Equation Editor Tool Bar
The equation editor toolbar has icons for standard functions — Open, Save, Close, Cut, Copy, Paste,
and Instrument list.
Creating an Equation
To use a sample equation:
1. Select Waveform > Equation Editor.
2. From the Equation Editor window, select File > Open.
3. Browse the equations (.equ or .eqa) listed in the folder \ArbExpress\Samples\Equation.
4. Edit the equation using the Command list options or by placing the pointer over the equation and
typing in the equation.
NOTE. Ensure that the total range you specify in the equation and the total range defined in the Settings
match.
To create a new equation:

1. Select Waveform > Equation Editor. The equation editor screen is displayed with a sample equation.
2. Create an equation in the Equation pane, using the functions and operators available in the Command
list. Always define a range first.
3. Under Settings, set the Total Range to the sum of all the ranges you have defined in the equation. To
do this, enter the Number of Points and Sampling Rate. After you set the Total Range, you can lock it
and change the Number of Points or the Sampling Rate.

For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, and MDO4000C series of instruments, the
sampling rate is replaced with the Equivalent Sampling Rate. If you lock the Total Range, the
Equivalent Sampling Rate is the calculated depending upon the Number of Points. The application
displays the sampling rate of the current instrument.
If the total range defined in the equation is greater than the total range in Settings, the equation fails to
compile. The output pane displays a message and the error.
If the number of points specified in the Settings is more than the range specified in the equation, then
the available extra points have a value of zero.

4. Click Compile. The compiled equation is displayed in Preview. The compilation status and messages
are displayed in Output. If the compilation is successful, you can click OK.
Click Send to Arb (see page 148) to transfer the waveform to an AWG or an AFG. This button is enabled
only when an instrument (AWG or AFG) is connected. You can select the channel to send the waveform
to. A progress bar displays the status of the operation. In the AFG3xx, AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000,
MDO3000, and MDO4000C series, the waveform is sent to the edit memory. A message "Are you sure
you want to overwrite EMEM<n> with this file?" warns you that the instrument edit memory will be
overwritten.
Click Multi-Waveform Properties (see page 42) to view or vary the waveform properties. The Waveform
NOTE. The Active Waveform tab is disabled when invoked from the Equation Editor dialog box.
The application supports the AWG2000 equation editor model and follows the same syntax. See Equation
Editor Reference (see page 201) for more details. Equations created using the equation editor cannot be
used on the AWG400 through AWG700 series waveform generators.

How to ... Sine Wave
See Also:
Send Waveform to Arb (see page 148)
Transfer Files to an AWG/AFG (see page 137)
Sine Wave
To create a sine wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Sine, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.
2. Under Vertical, choose one of the following:
Amp/Offset — to enter the Amplitude (Pk-Pk) and Offset in volts. The amplitude specifies the
amplitude of the waveform (along the Y-axis ) and the offset specifies the volts by which the
waveform will be offset from the origin along the Y-axis . The sum of the amplitude and offset
must not exceed the voltage range supported by the target instrument.
Max/Min — to enter the Maximum and Minimum voltage values for the waveform.
Full DAC Value — to create a waveform for the maximum amplitude supported by the instrument.

3. Under Horizontal, type the Frequency of the waveform in Hertz, the number of Cycles, and the Phase
in degrees. Select Show Advanced Mode to show advanced parameter options for the sine wave.
The Show Advanced Mode option is not available for the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, or
MDO3000 series of instruments. For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, or MDO4000C
series of instruments, type the Total Number of Points, Frequency in Hertz, Phase in degrees, and
Cycles. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value for the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends
on the total number of points. For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C,
AFG3152C, AFG3051C, and AFG3052C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384
(16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252,
AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points),
the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000C series of
instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000 series sampling rate is fixed
to 2.5 GHz.
4. If you have selected Show Advanced Mode, set the Frequency as the number of samples per second
divided by the number of points per cycle. You can lock any one of the parameters – Frequency,
Samples/sec, or Points/cycle – and vary the other two.
5. Click Preview to view the waveform.
options appear:

Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx
Click Default to restore the default values for the parameters.

Click Send to Arb (see page 148) to transfer the waveform to an AWG or an AFG. This button is
enabled only when an instrument (AWG, AFG, MDO3000, or MDO4000C series) is connected. You
can select the channel to send the waveform to.
Click Multi-Waveform Properties (see page 42) to view or vary the waveform properties. The
Waveform Properties dialog box opens.
6. Click OK to display the waveform in a new or an existing window. The window values are saved for
this waveform type and the selected instrument.
NOTE. To display the waveform in a new or existing window, select Multi-Waveform Properties in
the Shortcut view.
See Also:
Valid Parameter Ranges (see page 197)
Default Settings (see page 190)

How to ... Square Wave
Square Wave
To create a square wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Square, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.
2. Under Vertical, you can choose one of the following:
3. Under Horizontal, type the Frequency of the waveform in hertz, the number of Cycles, and the Phase
in degrees. Set the Duty Cycle to a percentage. Select Show Advanced Mode to show advanced
parameter options for the square wave.

The Show Advanced Mode option is not available for the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000,
MDO3000, or MDO4000C series of instruments. For these instruments, type the Total Number of
Points, Frequency in Hertz, Phase in degrees, Cycles, and Duty Cycle. The Sampling Rate is a fixed
instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes
from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments,
if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz
to 250 MHz. Under Transitions (10%-90%), set the Rise Time and Fall Time parameters. For the
MDO3000 and MDO4000C series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The
4. If you have selected Show Advanced Mode, set the Frequency as the number of samples per second
divided by the number of points per cycle. You can lock any one of the parameters – Frequency,
Samples/sec, or Points/cycle– and vary the other two. Another pane titled Transitions (10%-90%)
appears.
Set the number of points for Rise Time and select rise type to Ramp or Sine2.
Set the number of points for Fall Time and the fall type to Ramp or Sine2. The equivalent value is
displayed in seconds.

options appear:

Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

enabled only when an instrument (AWG or AFG) is connected. You can select the channel to send
the waveform to.
Click the Multi-Waveform Properties (see page 42) button to view or vary the waveform properties.
The Waveform Properties dialog box opens.
NOTE. To display the waveform in a new or existing window, select Multi-Waveform Properties in the
Shortcut view.
See Also:

How to ... Triangle Wave
Triangle Wave
To create a triangular wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Triangle, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.
3. Under Horizontal, type the Frequency of the waveform in Hertz, the number of Cycles, and the
Phase in degrees. Select Show Advanced Mode to show advanced parameter options for the triangle
wave. You can lock any one of the parameters – Frequency, Samples/sec, or Points/cycle – and
vary the other two.

The Show Advanced Mode option is not available for the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000,
MDO3000, or MDO4000C series of instruments. For the AFG2000 and AFG3000 series of
instruments, type the Total Number of Points, Frequency in Hertz, Phase in degrees, and Cycles. The
Sampling Rate is a fixed value for the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total
number of points. For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C,
AFG3051C, and AFG3052C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points),
the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C, and
changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000C series of instruments, the
sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000 series sampling rate is fixed to 2.5 GHz.

options appear:

Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

the waveform to.
the Shortcut view.
See Also:

How to ... Pulse Wave
Pulse Wave
To create a pulse wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Pulse, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.
3. Under Horizontal, type the Frequency of the waveform in Hertz, the number of Cycles, the Delay in
seconds, and the Pulse Width in seconds. Select Show Advanced Mode to show advanced parameter
options for the pulse wave. You can lock any one of the parameters – Frequency, Samples/sec, or
Points/cycle– and vary the other two.

The Show Advanced Mode option is not available for the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, or
MDO3000 series of instruments. For the AFG2000 and AFG3000 series of instruments, type the Total
Number of Points, Frequency in Hertz, Delay, Cycles, and Pulse Width. The Sampling Rate is a fixed
from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments,
if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz
to 250 MHz. Under Transitions (10%-90%), set the Pulse Direction, Rise Time, and Fall Time
parameters. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000C series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to
250 MHz. The AWG4000 series sampling rate is fixed to 2.5 GHz.
4. If you selected Show Advanced Mode, the Transitions (10%-90%) pane appears.
Set the Pulse Direction to Positive or Negative.
Set the number of points for Rise Time and the rise type to Ramp or Sine2.
Set the number of points for Fall Time and the fall type to Ramp or Sine2. The equivalent value is
displayed in seconds.

options appear:

Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

the waveform to.
the Shortcut view.
See Also:

How to ... Noise Wave
Noise Wave
To create a noise wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Noise, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.
Amp/Offset — to enter the Amplitude (Pk-Pk) and Offset in volts. The amplitude specifies
the amplitude of the waveform (along the Y-axis ) and the offset specifies the volts by which
3. Under Horizontal, select Gaussian White Noise or Pink Noise. Enter the Sampling Rate and the
Total Number of Points for the waveform. For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, or
MDO4000C series of instruments, type the Total Number of Points. The Sampling Rate is a fixed


from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments, if
the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to
250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000C series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to
The following figures show a preview of the Gaussian White Noise and Pink Noise waveforms.
options appear:

Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

enabled only when an instrument (AWG, AFG, MDO3000, MDO4000C with AFG option enabled) is
connected. You can select the channel to send the waveform to.
the Shortcut view.
See Also:

How to ... DC Wave
DC Wave
To create a DC wave:
1. Under Settings, set the Function to DC, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.
Amp/Offset — to enter the Offset value. Enter the offset value. This value cannot exceed the
maximum offset supported by the instrument.
3. Under Horizontal, enter the Sampling Rate and the Total Number of Points for the waveform.
For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, and MDO4000C series of instruments, type
the Total Number of Points. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value for the selected instrument. The
Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points. For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C,
AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C, AFG3051C, and AFG3052C instruments, if the total number of
points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the
AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C, and AFG3252C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds
16,384 (16 K points), the sampling rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and

How to ... DC Wave
MDO4000C series of instruments, the sampling rate is limited to 250 MHz. The AWG4000 series
sampling rate is fixed to 2.5 GHz.
options appear:
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

enabled only when an instrument (AWG, AFG, MDO3000, or MDO4000C with AFG option enabled)
is connected. You can select the channel to send the waveform to.
the Shortcut view.

How to ... Exponential Rise Wave
See Also:
Exponential Rise Wave

To create an exponential rise wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Exponential Rise, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.

How to ... Exponential Rise Wave
3. Under Horizontal, enter the Sampling Rate of the waveform, the Phase in degrees, and the number of
Cycles per second. Enter the Total number of Points, and Damp Factor.
For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, and MDO4000C series of instruments, type the
Phase in degrees, Cycles, Total Number of Points, and Damp Factor. The Sampling Rate is a fixed
AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C, AFG3051C, AFG3052C,
and MDO3000 series instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the
options appear:
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

Click the Multi-Waveform Properties (see page 42) button to view or vary the waveform properties.
The Waveform Properties dialog box opens.

How to ... Exponential Decay Wave
Shortcut view.
See Also:
Exponential Decay Wave

To create an exponential decay wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Exponential Decay, and set the Instrument to the target
instrument.
3. Under Horizontal, enter the Sampling Rate of the waveform, the Phase in degrees, and the number of
Cycles per second. Enter the Total number of Points, and Damp Factor.
Phase in degrees, Cycles, Total Number of Points, and Damp Factor. The Sampling Rate is a fixed
options appear:
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx


Shortcut view.
See Also:

How to ... Sinc Wave
Sinc Wave
To create a sinc wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Sinc, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.
3. Under Horizontal, type the Sampling Rate of the waveform, the number of Cycles, and the Phase in
degrees. Enter the Total number of Points and the Number of Zero Crossings.
For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, or MDO4000C series of instruments, type the
Phase in degrees, Cycles, Total Number of Points, and Number of Zero Crossings. The Sampling

How to ... Sinc Wave
Rate is a fixed value for the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of
points. For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C, AFG3051C,
and AFG3052C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the
options appear:
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

Click Send to Arb (see page 148) transfer the waveform to an AWG or an AFG. This button is
enabled only when an instrument (AWG, AFG, MDO3000, MDO4000C with AFG option enabled) is

How to ... Sweep Wave
Shortcut view.
See Also:
Sweep Wave
To create a sweep wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Sweep, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.

3. Under Horizontal, type the Start Frequency, End Frequency, Time Duration, and Sampling Rate. The
application calculates the Total Number of Points as the product of Time Duration and Sampling
Rate. This is applicable for the AWG7xx, AWG6xx, AWG5xx, AWG4xx, AWG2xxx, and AFG3xx
series of instruments.
Start Frequency, End Frequency, and Total Number of Points. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value for
the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points. The Time Duration
is calculated according to the following equation:
For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C, AFG3051C,

AFG3052C, and MDO3000 series instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K
points), the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C,
and AFG3252C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling
rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000C series of instruments, the
options appear:

Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

Click Send to Arb (see page 148) transfer the waveform to an AWG or an AFG. This button is enabled
only when an instrument (AWG, AFG, MDO3000, or MDO4000C with AFG option enabled) is
Shortcut view.
See Also:

How to ... Multi-Tone Wave
Multi-Tone Wave
To create a multi-tone wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Multi Tone, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.
3. Under Horizontal, type the Start Frequency, End Frequency, Tone Spacing, and Sampling Rate. The
Total Number of Points is calculated according to the following equation:

Start Frequency, End Frequency, and Total Number of Points. The Sampling Rate is a fixed value for
the selected instrument. The Sampling Rate depends on the total number of points.
The Tone Spacing is calculated according to the following equation:
For the AFG3101, AFG3102, AFG3101C, AFG3102C, AFG3151C, AFG3152C, AFG3051C,

AFG3052C, and MDO3000 series instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K
points), the sampling rate changes from 1 GHz to 250 MHz. For the AFG3251, AFG3252, AFG3251C,
and AFG3252C instruments, if the total number of points exceeds 16,384 (16 K points), the sampling
rate changes from 2 GHz to 250 MHz. For the MDO3000 and MDO4000C series of instruments, the
options appear:
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

To display the waveform in a new or existing window, select Multi-Waveform Properties in the
Shortcut view.
Shortcut view.
See Also:

How to ... Lorentz Wave
Lorentz Wave
To create a Lorentz wave:

1. Under Settings, set the Function to Lorentz, and set the Instrument to the target instrument.
3. Under Horizontal, type the Sampling Rate of the waveform, the number of Cycles, and the Phase in
degrees. Enter the Time Delay and Half Width. The Total number of Points is given by:

For the AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, and MDO4000C series of instruments, type
the Phase in degrees, Cycles, Half Width, and Total Number of Points. The Sampling Rate is a fixed
For AFG3xx, AFG2000, AFG3000, and AWG4000 series of instruments, Time Delay is calculated
according to the following equation:

options appear:
Option Description
number of points.
to the waveform.
xxx

Shortcut view.
See Also:

How to ... Marker
Marker
Display > Marker
Selecting Display > Marker from the menu toggles the display of the markers.
Select a marker to edit it. Right-click in the marker field to display a shortcut menu listing the following
options:
Option Description
Create 0/1 pattern Fills the entire marker area with a 0/1 pattern
Random pattern Fills the entire marker area with a random pattern
Clear Pattern Clears the entire marker area
Invert Pattern Inverts the marker area values
Freehand Use the mouse to enter 0,1 data in the marker area by
clicking the mouse to place a data point.
Shift Shifts marker bits one point to the right or left
Right Shifts the marker bits one point to the right
Left Shifts the marker bits one point to the left
Set Pattern Displays a dialog box where you can set the pattern type
(Hexadecimal or Binary) for the markers
Make High Sets the data values to high
Make Low Sets the data values to low
Rotate Rotates marker bits one point to the right or left
Right Rotates the marker bits one point to the right
Left Rotates the marker bits one point to the left
xxx
Edit Markers
To edit markers, select a marker and right-click in the marker pane. From the shortcut menu, select
Freehand to edit marker patterns. Click the points on the marker to edit. Right-click to end freehand
editing.
A tool-tip 'Right-click to end' appears when you are in the freehand editing mode.

How to ... Cursor
Cursor
Display > Cursor
Selecting Display > Cursor from the menu toggles the display of the cursors.
Point to a cursor and select it. The selected cursor or the active cursor is displayed with a solid line and
the other cursor is displayed with a dash-dot line.
See Also:
Cursor Position (see page 113)
Properties (see page 116)
Cursor Position
Display > Cursor Position
Selecting Display > Cursor Position from the menu sets the cursor position in points or seconds.
You can also double-click the cursor head to display the cursor position dialog box.
See Also:
Properties (see page 116)

How to ... Zoom In
Zoom In
Display > Zoom In
Select Display > Zoom In from the menu. You can zoom the area of interest by doing either of the
following:
Clicking near a point
Selecting an area of interest
ArbExpress supports unlimited zoom. The zoom extent is limited by the number of points (10) displayed
on the X-axis.
See Also:
Zoom Out (see page 114)
Horizontal Zoom In (see page 115)
Fit to Window (see page 115)
Zoom Out
Display > Zoom Out
Select Display > Zoom Out from the menu to zoom out. You can use Zoom out only after you have
zoomed in. If the markers are displayed, the corresponding marker area is also zoomed.
See Also:
Zoom In (see page 114)

How to ... Horizontal Zoom In
Horizontal Zoom In
Display > Horizontal Zoom In
Select Display > Horizontal Zoom In to zoom the area of interest horizontally. The voltage values
displayed on the Y-axis remain unchanged during horizontal zoom. You can zoom the area of interest
doing either of the following:
Clicking near a point
Selecting an area of interest
If the markers are displayed, the corresponding marker area is also zoomed. ArbExpress supports
unlimited zoom. The zoom extent is limited by the number of points (10) displayed on the X-axis.
See Also:
Fit to Window
Display > Fit to Window
Select this to fit the waveform in the window and restore the waveform to its state before the first zoom in.
This option is enabled only after a zoom in or a horizontal zoom. If you have turned on marker display, Fit
to Window also fits the markers within the marker window.
See Also:

How to ... Crosshair
Crosshair
Display > Crosshair
Display the crosshairs by selecting Display > Crosshair from the menu. This toggles the display of the
crosshairs . If there is a check mark next to this command, the crosshairs are on; if there is no check
mark, the crosshairs are off.
See Also:
Cursor Position (see page 113)
Graticule
Display > Graticule
Display the graticule by selecting Display > Graticule from the menu. This toggles the display of the
graticule . If there is a check mark next to this command, the graticule is on; if there is no check mark, the
graticule is off.
Time Scale
Display > Time Scale
Select Display > Time Scale to display the waveform with time as the X-axis and voltage along the Y-axis
. If there is a check mark next to this command, the waveform is displayed with Time along the X-axis; if
there is no check mark, Time Scale display is off.
Properties
Display > Properties
Display the waveform, cursor, and marker properties by selecting Display > Properties from the menu.

Waveform Name Select the waveform to view or change the properties.
Enable Graticule Select this to show or hide the graticule.

How to ... Undo

Background Color Changes the background color of the waveform window
Waveform Properties
Color Select the color for the waveform.
Line Style Select the line style for the waveform.
Line Width Select the line width for the waveform.
Marker Color
Marker1 Select the color for marker1.
Marker2 Select the color for marker2.
Cursor Color
Cursor 1 Select the color for cursor 1.
Cursor 2 Select the color for cursor 2.
xxx
When more than one waveform is displayed in one wave book or window, the inactive waveform is
displayed with a dashed line style and the active waveform is displayed with a solid line style.
Undo
Edit > Undo
Select this to undo the last operation performed on the waveform and restore it to its previous state. This
command can be repeated to undo the last operations indefinitely.
See Also:
Redo (see page 117)
Redo
Edit > Redo
Select this to redo the last operation performed on the waveform.
See Also:
Undo (see page 117)

How to ... Cut
Cut
Edit > Cut
To cut a portion of the waveform:
1. Select the portion of the waveform that you want to cut by turning on the cursors and positioning them
on the waveform. To see the cursors, select Display > Cursors.
2. Select Edit > Cut from the menu or click the icon in the toolbar. The portion of the waveform within
the cursors is cut. If the cursors are hidden, the portion of the waveform that is between the cursors
is cut.
See Also:
Select All (see page 120)
Copy (see page 118)
Paste (see page 119)
Copy
Edit > Copy
To copy a portion of the waveform:
1. Select the portion of the waveform that you want to copy by turning on the cursors and positioning
them on the waveform. To see the cursors, select Display > Cursors. To copy the complete waveform,
select Edit > Select All.
2. Select Edit > Copy from the menu or click the icon in the toolbar. The portion of the waveform
within the cursors is copied to the clipboard. If the cursors are hidden, the portion of the waveform
that is between the cursors is copied.
See Also:
Cut (see page 118)

How to ... Paste
Paste
Edit >Paste
To paste a copied portion of the waveform:
1. Select Edit > Paste from the menu. The following dialog box appears:
2. Select an option from the dialog box, and click OK.

Select Paste at active cursor to paste the contents at the currently active cursor. The active cursor
is indicated by a solid line style, and the inactive cursor by a dashed line type.
Select Prepend to the waveform to paste the contents at the beginning of the waveform.
Select Append to the waveform to paste the contents at the end of the waveform.
Select Replace between Cursors to paste the contents between the cursors.
Select Don't show this again and always paste at active cursor option to disable the dialog box
from appearing again and always paste the contents at the currently active cursor. To turn this
option off, select Waveform > Preferences and select Show paste option before pasting.
If the cursors are hidden, the copied portion of the waveform is still pasted. You can paste the
copied waveform across waveforms in any window. You can also paste the waveform into
Microsoft Notepad or Microsoft Excel.
NOTE. To display the cursors, select Display > Cursor.

How to ... Select All
NOTE. In multiple waveform display, ArbExpress pastes the contents to both waveforms to maintain
the same waveform length for both.
See Also:
Copy (see page 118)
Cut (see page 118)
Select All
Edit > Select All
To copy the entire waveform in an active window, select Edit > Select All from the application menu.
See Also:
Copy (see page 118)

How to ... Copy to System Clipboard
Copy to System Clipboard

Edit > Copy to System Clipboard
To copy the waveform and paste in Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word, select Edit > Copy to System
Clipboard. You can use these data points to generate the waveform in another application.

How to ... Copy as Bitmap
Copy as Bitmap
Edit > Copy as Bitmap
You can paste the captured image as a bitmap in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel.
Invert
Edit > Invert
To invert a portion of the waveform:
1. Select the portion of the waveform that you want to invert by turning on the cursors and positioning
them on the waveform. To see the cursors, select Display > Cursors.
2. Select Edit > Invert from the menu or click the icon in the toolbar. The portion of the waveform
within the cursors is inverted along the X-axis. If the cursors are hidden, the portion of the waveform
that is between the cursors is still inverted.
See Also:
Mirror (see page 123)

How to ... Mirror
Mirror
Edit > Mirror
To mirror a portion of the waveform:
1. Select the portion of the waveform that you want to mirror by turning on the cursors and positioning
them on the waveform. To see the cursors, select Display > Cursors.
2. Select Edit > Mirror from the menu or click the icon in the toolbar. The portion of the waveform
within the cursors is mirrored along the Y-axis . If the cursors are hidden, the portion of the waveform
that is between the cursors is still mirrored.
See Also:
Invert (see page 122)
Freehand
Edit > Freehand
Select Edit > Freehand to enable the freehand drawing mode or click the icon in the toolbar. Use this
mode to draw a new waveform or to edit an existing waveform. Move the pointer to the point on the
waveform that you want to edit. Click and move the selected point; it moves in the direction the pointer
moves. The voltage readout in the status bar is the actual vertical height of the draw pointer.
Turn off the freehand draw mode by selecting Edit > Freehand or by clicking the corresponding icon.
See Also:
Horizontal Draw (see page 124)
Vertical Draw (see page 124)
Point Draw (see page 125)

How to ... Horizontal Draw
Horizontal Draw
Edit > Horizontal Draw
Select Edit > Horizontal Draw to enable the horizontal draw mode or click the icon in the toolbar. Use
this mode to draw a new waveform or to edit an existing waveform. You can move the selected point
only in the horizontal direction. All vertical movement is restricted.
Move the pointer to the point on the waveform that you want to edit. Click and move the selected point; it
moves only horizontally. The voltage readout in the status bar is the actual vertical height of the draw
pointer.
Turn off the horizontal draw mode by selecting Edit > Horizontal Draw or by clicking the corresponding
icon.
See Also:
Freehand (see page 123)
Vertical Draw
Edit > Vertical Draw
Select Edit > Vertical Draw to enable the vertical draw mode or click the icon in the toolbar. Use this
mode to draw a new waveform or to edit an existing waveform. You can move the selected point only in
the vertical direction. All horizontal movement is restricted.
Move the pointer to the point on the waveform that you want to edit. Click and move the selected point; it
moves only vertically. The voltage readout in the status bar is the actual vertical height of the draw pointer.
Turn off the vertical draw mode by selecting Edit > Vertical Draw or by clicking the corresponding icon.
See Also:

How to ... Point Draw
Point Draw
Edit > Point Draw
Select Edit > Point Draw > Enable Point Draw to enable the point draw mode or click Enable Point
Draw in the toolbar.
You can use the point draw feature to define points and create a waveform. Before you can enable point
draw, you must have a blank or existing wave book window open. The markers disappear and the Point
Draw toolbar items are enabled.
You can use the Point Draw feature in two ways to create a waveform in a new or existing window:
Enable Point Draw and click points within the waveform window.
Enable Point Draw and select Point Draw Table. Type the coordinates (X, Y) of the points in the
Point Draw Table.
Using Point Draw

Select Point Draw in the toolbar. By default, Dynamic Compile mode is enabled. When Dynamic
Compile mode is enabled, the application generates the waveform dynamically as you click the points.
Select Interpolation mode — Smooth, Linear, or Staircase — to use when then application generates the
waveform. By default, the interpolation method is Smooth.
The Shortcut Menu options are:

Disable Point Draw Disables the point draw mode
Zoom Has options that you can use to Zoom In, Zoom Out,
Horizontal Zoom In, and Fit to Window
Set Cursor Position... Opens the Cursor Position dialog box that you can use to
set the cursor position in points or seconds
Time Scale Changes the values on X axis into time domain
Select Previous Point Highlights the previous point in the sequence
Select Next Point Highlights the next point in the sequence
Edit Point Draw Table... Opens the point draw table where you can edit the points
and set the interpolation method
Delete Selected Point Deletes the selected point
Clear All Points Clears the display of all the points but the continues to
display the waveform
Interpolation Sets the interpolation method to use while generating the
waveform. You can choose form Smooth, Linear, and
Staircase


Dynamic Compile Compiles the waveform as you click the points using the
interpolation method you have chosen
Compile Draw Points Compiles the waveform using the interpolation method you
have chosen only when you click Compile
xxx
To Add a Point with Point Draw:

Click a point inside the wave book window. A mark appears at that point indicating the point. In dynamic
compile mode, the point is linked to the nearest two points and the waveform points are recalculated using
the selected interpolation method. If dynamic compile mode is turned off, then the points are compiled
only when you click Compile.
To Delete a Point with Point Draw:

Use the shortcut menu or the toolbar to select a point on the waveform. Select Delete from the Shortcut
Menu or press the Delete key to delete the point. To move to the next or previous point, use the left
and right arrow keys.
To Move a Point with Point Draw:

Press Shift and the left or right arrow keys to move a point by 10 units along the X-axis.
Using the Point Draw Table

You can either enter points in a blank table or edit a point draw table that already has points in it. The
following figure shows the Point Draw table.

To Add a Point with the Point Draw Table:

You can insert a point in the table by positioning the cursor over a row or point and clicking Insert Point.
Insert Point inserts a row above the selected row or point. Type the X,Y values of a point in the new row.
To Delete a Point with the Point Draw Table:

You can delete a point in the table by positioning the cursor over a row and clicking Delete Point. Delete
Point deletes the currently selected row or point.
You can set the interpolation method to use to any one of these – Linear, Smooth, or Staircase. This setting
determines the method to use while creating a waveform using the points that you defined.
You can clear all the points by clicking Clear All.
You can set the X value to either Time (seconds) or Points. The table refreshes to display the X-value in
the selected unit. This is similar to selecting Display> Time Scale from the application’s main menu.

How to ... Addition
The application checks the values you enter for the following:
X-value (sampling point) must always be unique. If you try to repeat this value, the message “Values
of the sampling index should be unique” appears.
If you leave the amplitude (Y) blank, the applications fills it with a zero.
If you enter a Y value but no corresponding X value, an error appears.
Click OK and if the application finds no errors, the Point Draw Table closes and the waveform in the Wave
Book window is updated to reflect the changes that you made in the Point Draw Table.
If you change from the point draw mode to other modes like Freehand, Horizontal Draw or Vertical Draw
modes, the point s are not lost. If you return to the point draw mode, the points reappear.
From the point draw mode, if you edit the waveform using Cut, Paste, Invert, Mirror, Shift/Rotate, or Math
operations the following message appears: “This edit operation would flush the draw point and you might
lose the current draw points. Do you want to proceed?”
See Also:
Point Draw Toolbar (see page 35)
Addition
Enable the math operations by selecting Math > Waveform Math from the menu. A Waveform Math
screen is displayed.
Adding from the Waveform Library

To add a waveform to an existing waveform:
1. Select the type of waveform to add from the Waveform Library. Enter the peak-peak Amplitude,
number of Cycles, and the Offset in degrees for the selected waveform.
The original waveform, the standard waveform to add, and the resulting waveform are displayed in the
Selected Waveform, Math Source, and Resultant Waveform panes.
2. Select Add from Operation.
Adding a Scalar Value

To add a scalar value to the waveform:

How to ... Addition
1. Select Scalar and type a scalar value to add to the waveform.

2. Select Add from Operation.
Adding a Waveform Copied to the Clipboard

To add a waveform from the clipboard:
1. Copy the waveform, or portion of it, by selecting Edit > Copy or Edit > Cut. To define the portion
of the waveform to copy or cut, select Display > Cursor Position to position the cursors over the
waveform. To copy the entire waveform, select Edit > Select All, and Edit > Copy.
2. Select Math > Waveform Math.
3. Click Copy from clipboard and from Operation, click Add. Click OK.

How to ... Subtraction
Subtraction
Subtracting from the Waveform Library

To subtract a waveform from an existing waveform:
1. From the Waveform Library, select the type of waveform to subtract. Enter the peak-peak Amplitude,
number of Cycles, and the Offset in degrees for the selected waveform.
The original waveform, the standard waveform to subtract from, and the resulting waveform are
displayed in the Selected Waveform, Math Source, and Resultant Waveform panes.
2. Select Subtract from Operation.
Subtracting a Scalar Value

To add a scalar value to the waveform:
1. Select Scalar and type a scalar value to subtract from the waveform.
Subtracting a Waveform Copied to the Clipboard

To subtract a waveform that has been copied to the clipboard:
of the waveform to copy or cut, select Display> Cursor Position to position the cursors over the
waveform. To copy the entire waveform, select Edit > Select All and then Edit > Copy.
3. Click Copy from clipboard and from Operation, click Subtract. Click OK.

How to ... Multiplication
Multiplication
Multiplying from the Waveform Library

To multiply a waveform with an existing waveform:
1. Select the type of waveform with which to multiply from the Waveform Library.

How to ... Multiplication
The original waveform, the standard waveform to multiply with, and the resulting waveform are
2. Select Multiply from Operation.
Multiplying with a Scalar Value

To multiply the waveform with a scalar value:
1. Select Scalar and type a scalar value to multiply the waveform with.
Multiplying with a Waveform Copied to the Clipboard

To multiply with a waveform that has been copied to the clipboard:
3. Click Copy from clipboard and from Operation, click Multiply. Click OK.

How to ... Division
Division
screen is displayed. Waveform division is available only with scalar operations and with a waveform
copied to the clipboard.
Dividing with a Scalar Value

To divide points on an existing waveform with a scalar value:
1. Select Scalar and type a scalar value with which to divide the waveform.

How to ... Division
The original waveform, the standard waveform to multiply with, and the resulting waveform are
2. Select Divide from Operation.
Dividing with a Waveform Copied to the Clipboard

To divide with a waveform that has been copied to the clipboard:
3. Click Copy from clipboard and from Operation, click Divide. Click OK.

How to ... AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control
AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control

You can use ArbExpress to transfer files to and from an arbitrary waveform generator, a function generator,
or an MDO3000 or MDO4000C (with AFG option enabled) connected to the computer. From the main
menu, select Communication > AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control.
The screen shows a toolbar and the panes — Arb List, PC Folders, PC Files, Instrument Folders,
Instrument Files, and Instrument Control.

How to ... AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control
Toolbar
The toolbar contains the following buttons:
Option Description
Filter setup Shows the file types to select from
Filter On/Off Toggles between the enable filter and disable filter modes
Instrument Properties Displays properties of the instrument selected from the Arb
list
Connect Connects to a selected instrument
Disconnect Disconnects a selected instrument if it is connected
Refresh Instrument List Rereads the instrument file list and updates the Arb list
Show/Hide Instrument Control Hides the instrument control panel
Help Displays the help
xxx
Arb List
The instrument list shows a list of Tektronix waveform or function generator models that are supported by
ArbExpress. When you invoke AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control, ArbExpress automatically refreshes
the Arb List and disables the Refresh icon in the toolbar. Refresh is enabled once the Arb List is updated.
When no instruments are available to connect to either over LAN or over GPIB, this view shows only
“AWG Ethernet ” and the IP address last used. Expand the list to display the Visa resource string. Select
the Visa resource string and right-click to display the shortcut menu.
NOTE. It is recommended that you refresh the TekVisa instrument list by right-clicking and selecting
"Refresh" on the system tray TekVisa option to display an active list of instruments in the application
Arb List.

How to ... Transfer Files to an AWG/AFG
Shortcut Menu for the Instrument

Select an instrument and right-click. The shortcut menu displays three options — Connect, Disconnect,
and Properties for GPIB resources. For resources over LAN, the shortcut menu displays four options —
Connect, Disconnect, Set IP Addr, and Properties. Click Connect to connect to the instrument, click
Disconnect to disconnect the instrument, and click Properties to display the properties of the instrument.
The Instrument Properties displayed are Instrument Model, Bus Type (such as GPIB or LAN), Interface
String (such as GPIB0::09:: INSTR — if it is a Visa resource) and connection status (connected or not
connected). Set IP Addr allows you to enter a new IP address for the instrument that is connected over the
LAN.
To prevent multiple connections to an instrument, the Connect button is disabled following a successful
Connect command. When no instrument is connected, the Disconnect button is disabled.
File and Folder Views

The file folder view has two sections. The upper section always shows the PC folder list. This list is shown
whether an instrument is connected or not. When an instrument is connected the lower section shows the
files and folders on the instrument. If the instrument connected is an AFG300 series instrument, it shows
the user memories and edit memories instead of files and folders.
When no instruments are connected, the remote file folder or remote memories are not visible. The
instrument control pane is shown only when an instrument is connected, otherwise it is hidden.
See Also:
Import from Oscilloscope (see page 144)
Transfer Files using MATLAB (see page 159)
Control an Instrument using MATLAB (see page 161)
Transfer Files to an AWG/AFG

You can use ArbExpress to transfer files to and from an arbitrary waveform or function generator
connected to the computer.
To transfer a file to an AWG or an AFG:
1. Select Communication > AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control from the menu.
2. Select the AWG or AFG from the Arb list and expand the tree to see the Resource ID used to connect.
If no AFGs or AWGs are available, the Arb list view displays — AWG Ethernet, with the IP address
used for the last connection. No instrument properties are shown.

3. Select the resource string (for example, GPIB1::01:: INSTR ) and right-click to display the shortcut
menu. Click Connect in the shortcut menu. If you connect to the instrument successfully, the
instrument File and Folder views show the data files of the connected AWG or the edit and user
memories of the AFG.
4. Expand the Folder tree to view the list of folders and files within. Select a file in the instrument File
view and right-click to display the shortcut menu. Select Copy.
5. Select a PC folder, right-click the PC file list, and select Paste. A progress bar shows the percentage of
task completed.
6. You can transfer the waveform using one of the following methods:
Directly on a USB flash drive.
Wherever a .set file is created for a waveform (.wfm or .pat) file in ArbExpress, it contains
information including the name of the waveform file, the voltage, offset, and clock information.
You can save the .wfm, .pat, and the .set file to a USB flash drive and transfer it manually to
an AWG or an AFG.
By dragging and dropping the .wfm file from the PC to the instrument or from the instrument to
the PC. The application automatically drags and drops the .set file.
Follow these steps to drag and drop a waveform file to the instrument:
a. Select Communication > AWG/AFG File Transfer and Instrument Control.
b. Use the shortcut menu or the toolbar to connect to the instrument.
c. Drag and drop the required .wfm/.pat file from PC list view to instrument files view
for an AWG. The application automatically transfers the .set file to instrument (not for
AWG2000 series).
d. For an AFG, drag and drop the .wfm or .pat file to the Edit memory or User memories.
For the AFG3xx series, you can transfer the waveform files in the following directions — PC
to Edit memory, PC to User memory, and Edit memory to User memory.
For the AFG2000 and AFG3000 series, you can transfer the waveform in the following
directions— PC to Edit memory, PC to User memory, Edit memory to User memory, and
Edit memory to PC.
For the MDO3000 series, you can transfer the waveform in the following directions — PC to
Edit memory and Edit memory to PC.
When you transfer a waveform from the Edit memory to the PC, the file has the name
EMEM<n> in the destination folder. When you transfer a waveform from the PC to the Edit
memory, the EMEM<n> waveform text box shows the waveform file name. When you drag
the EMEM<n> file to User<n>, the User<n> text box shows the file name as EMEM<n>.
When you drag a file from the PC Files list and drop it to the destination Edit or User memory,
the default destination text "Drag source file and drop here" is replaced with the name of

the file transferred. When you close the dialog box or reinvoke it, the default destination
text reappears.
e. In the AWG, load the .wfm or .pat file using the Load/Restore button.
Directly send the waveform from a Wave book, Standard Waveform dialog, or Equation Editor
dialog to the instrument.
Use the Send to Arb option to select a channel on the target instrument and send the waveform
directly from the wave book, Standard Waveform dialog box, or Equation Editor dialog box.
The application provides an option in the Preference tab – Channel output On after waveform
transfer using "Send to Arb" – to turn the target channel on and output the waveform data. The
waveform is sent to the target channel and loaded on to it. The corresponding amplitude and offset
will also be set on the instrument.
In the AFG3xx, AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000, MDO3000, and MDO4000C series, the
waveform is sent to the edit memory. A message "Are you sure you want to overwrite EMEM<n>
with this file?" warns you that the instrument edit memory will be overwritten.
Follow these steps to transfer the waveform directly to the instrument from a Wave book:
a. Select Communication > AWG/AFG File Transfer and Instrument Control and establish
connection between the instrument and the PC. Once the connection is successfully
established, you can close the File Transfer dialog box. The connection is not lost by closing
the file transfer dialog.
b. Create a waveform and from the shortcut menu, click Send Waveform to Arb and choose the
target channel to which to transfer the waveform.
c. The voltage, offset, and other parameters that are set while creating the waveform, are set on
the instrument automatically. After the file is transferred successfully the parameters are
set, and if the preference Channel Output ON after waveform transfer using "Send to
Arb" is selected, the target channel is switched on, and instrument is set in Run mode. If this
preference is not selected, then the target channel is switched off.
NOTE. When you use this mode of file transfer, an associated .set file is not created. The
transferred file is loaded in the instrument internal memory.
In an AFG, the transferred file is loaded in the Edit memory, and in an AWG it is loaded
on the destination channel.
d. Repeat step b and step c to transfer a waveform form the Equation Editor or Standard
Waveform dialog boxes.

How to ... Control an AFG
Control an AFG
You can use ArbExpress to control an AFG, MDO3000, or MDO4000C series (with AFG option enabled)
connected to the computer. The AFG3xx series parameters can be controlled from the instrument control
pane.
NOTE. The MDO3000 and MDO4000C series with option AFG enabled provides some, but not all, of
the AFG controls described in the section. Features or functions that do not apply to the MDO3000
will be noted as such.
To control an AFG:
1. Select an AFG from the instrument list. Even though the PC is physically connected to an AFG, the
screen does not show the Instrument Control panel. Select an AFG, and from the shortcut menu select
Connect. The instrument control panel appears. All the controls are updated for the selected channel.

How to ... Control an AFG
AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control screen. This screen will look slightly different if you are using an MDO3000 or
MDO4000C series instrument with option AFG.
2. Select the channel in the channel selection box to output data. The number of channels shown depends
upon the number of channels of the instrument that is connected. You can select only one channel at a
time. Channel 1 is the default. (The MDO3000 and MDO4000C only have 1 channel.)
You can set the Function parameter in the list by selecting the function form the function list. Click
Apply to reflect the new selection.
The Vertical parameters — Phase, Amplitude, and Offset values — are loaded from the file. The
Function field displays the waveform type that is loaded.
3. Set the Operating Mode, Output Frequency in Hertz, and EMEM size in bytes, or use the default
settings for the instrument.

How to ... Control an AWG
The operating modes available for the AFG2000, AFG3000, and AWG4000 series are: Continuous,
Sweep, Burst 1-cycle, Burst N-cycle, Burst Gated, Burst Inf cycle, Modulation AM, Modulation FM,
Modulation PM, and Modulation FSK. The operating mode depends on the function that you have
selected. The operating modes available for AFG3xx series are: Continuous, Trigger, and Burst. The
operating mode available for the MDO3000 and MDO4000C series is Continuous.
The operating mode available for the MDO3000 is Continuous.
4. Select the Output On check box to generate the waveform output for the channel selected. Clear the
check box to stop generating the output.
5. You can change the Phase, Amplitude, and Offset values and click Apply to reflect the new values in
the output waveform.
NOTE. Run/Stop is disabled for all AFGs.
Control an AWG
You can use ArbExpress to control any AWG parameters that are displayed in the Instrument Control pane.
To control an AWG:
1. Connect an AWG from the Arb list. All the controls are updated for the selected channel.

How to ... Control an AWG
2. Select the channel in the channel selection group box. The number of channels shown depends
upon the number of channels of the instrument that is connected. You can select only one channel
at a time. Channel 1 is the default.
3. Select the Output On check box to enable the selected channel. In case of AWG2xxx, the selected
channel is enabled and the waveform is output.
NOTE. It is recommended that you load a file in this channel and then enable or disable the channel.
4. Drag and drop a .wfm or .pat file from the instrument files list to the File Name field or type the
file name and click Load. The Vertical parameters — Filter, Amplitude, Offset, and Clock values
— are updated.

How to ... Import from Oscilloscope
If you click once on a file in the Instrument Files view, the name of the selected file appears in the Load
File to AWGtext box. If you click twice (double click) on the file in the Instrument Files view, the
name of the selected file appears in the Load File to AWGtext box and is also loaded in the instrument.
5. Change the Clock frequency to set the output frequency for the selected channel.
6. Set the High and Low values for Marker1 and Marker2. When no file is loaded, these fields display
the values for the selected channel.
7. Click Run/Stop to generate or stop the waveform output for the selected channel.
NOTE. It is recommended that you load a file on the selected channel and then click Run/Stop.
8. You can change the Filter, Amplitude, and Offset values and click Apply to reflect the new values in
the output waveform.
Import from Oscilloscope

Communication > Import from Scope
You can use ArbExpress to acquire data from an oscilloscope connected to the computer.
To import from an oscilloscope:
1. Select Communication > Import from Scope from the menu.
2. Select the oscilloscope from the instrument list and right-click. From the shortcut menu, select
Connect.
3. Expand the oscilloscope tree to view the channels. Select a channel and right-click to set or change
the parameters.
4. Select Import from Scope from the shortcut menu.
5. Move to the computer file folder view and select a folder. Right-click and select Paste. A progress bar
shows the percentage of task completed. ArbExpress automatically assigns file names in the form
<Model Name>_<Channel Number>. wfm . For example, if you have acquired the waveform from
Ref3 of a Tektronix TDS2024 Oscilloscope, the file name would be TDS 2024_Ref3.wfm.
The screen shows a toolbar and the panes — Scope List, PC Folders, PC Files, and Status.

Toolbar
The toolbar contains the following buttons:

Option Description
Filter Setup Selects types of files available
Filter On/Off Enables or disables filters
Instrument Properties Displays properties of the selected oscilloscope
Connect Connects to a selected oscilloscope
Disconnect Disconnects a selected oscilloscope if it is connected
Refresh Instrument List Rereads the instrument file list and updates the instrument
view
Open in New Window Acquires data from selected channel and displays it in a
new window
Help Displays the help for the dialog box
xxx
Instrument List
The instrument list shows a list of Tektronix oscilloscope models that are supported by ArbExpress.
ArbExpress supports TDS1000, TPS2000, TDS2000, TDS3000, TDS5000, TDS6000, TDS7000,
TBS1000, DPO2000, DPO3000, DPO4000, MSO2000, MSO3000, MSO4000, MDO3000, MDO4000,
and MDO4000C series oscilloscopes. When the oscilloscopes are not connected, the channels are not
visible. Before you acquire data, you must connect to the oscilloscope. You can do this either by selecting
one of the listed oscilloscope models and clicking the Connect button in the toolbar or by bringing up the
shortcut menu by right clicking on an oscilloscope in the instrument view. When you connect successfully
to the selected oscilloscope, you will see the available Channels, Math, and Ref channels.
Assigning friendly names to listed oscilloscopes: You can associate a "Friendly name" with the
oscilloscope you want to connect to. You can do this by giving the VISA resource string associated
with the Oscilloscope an alias in the TekVisa Resource Manager dialog box. The Alias appears in the
instrument list within brackets as shown in the following figure.

Shortcut Menu for the Oscilloscope

Select an oscilloscope and right-click. The shortcut menu displays three options — Connect, Disconnect,
and Properties. Click Connect to connect to the oscilloscope and click Disconnect to disconnect the
oscilloscope. Click Properties to show the Instrument Model, Connection Status, Interface String, and
Bus Type.
Shortcut Menu for Each Channel

Select an oscilloscope channel and right-click. The shortcut menu is displayed showing the channel
parameters that you can set. This shortcut menu is available only when the oscilloscope is connected.
Option Description
Run Mode Displays the second level of menu with item — Continuous,
and Single Sequence. Continuous acquisition puts the
oscilloscope in the Run mode. Single Sequence acquisition
stops the acquisition as soon as the oscilloscope acquires
one full waveform.
Acquisition Mode Displays a submenu with the acquisition modes that
ArbExpress supports. The mode currently selected is
checked. To change the mode, select it from the drop-down
list.
Record Length Displays the available record lengths for the connected
instrument. A check mark shows the currently selected
record length. If you are connected to a model other than
the TDS1000, TPS2000, TDS2000, or TBS1000 series, you
can change the record length to any other value in the list.
Acquire Copies the waveform into ArbExpress application buffer.
xxx
File Folder View

The File folder view displays the directory tree of the computer hard disk drive. You can navigate the
files as you do with Windows Explorer. Right-click the file list to see a shortcut menu with the Paste
command . You can copy a waveform from a Channel, Ref or Math, and paste it in the current folder.
You can also select a Channel, Ref or Math from the Instrument List view and drop it into the selected
folder to acquire the waveform.
Channel Status
Channel status is a list of read-only data, displayed below the PC file folder view. This shows the details of
the currently selected channel.
NOTE. An entry – Math Equation – appears only for Math channels. This entry displays the equation
used for creating the math waveform.
When no oscilloscopes are connected, this list contains no data.

How to ... Send Waveform to Arb
See Also:
AWG/AFG File Transfer and Control (see page 135)
Send Waveform to Arb

Communication > Send Waveform to Arb
Select this option to send the waveform to an AWG/AFG. If no instrument is connected, the message “No
Arb is connected. Do you want to connect now?” appears. If you are connected to an AWG/AFG, then the
waveform is transferred to the instrument. A progress bar displays the status of the operation. You can use
the Send to Arb option to select a channel on the target instrument and send the waveform directly from
the Wave book, Standard Waveform dialog box, or Equation Editor dialog box. Once connected, all the
channels available on that instrument are displayed in the toolbar and menu.
The application provides an option in the Preference tab – Channel output On after waveform transfer
using “Send to Arb”– to turn the target channel on and output the waveform data. The waveform is
sent to the target channel and loaded on to it. The corresponding amplitude and offset will also be set
on the instrument.
In the AFG3xx, AFG2000, AFG3000, MDO3000, and MDO4000C series, the waveform is sent to the edit
memory. The message "Are you sure you want to overwrite EMEM<n> with this file?" warns you that
the instrument edit memory will be overwritten.
Follow these steps to transfer the waveform directly to the instrument from a Wave book:
1. Select Communication > AWG/AFG File Transfer and Instrument Control and establish
connection between the instrument and PC. Once the connection is successfully established, you can
close the File Transfer dialog box. The connection is not lost by closing the File Transfer dialog box.
2. Create a waveform. In the shortcut menu, click Send Waveform to Arb and choose the target channel
to which to transfer the waveform.
3. The voltage, offset, and other parameters that are set while creating the waveform are set on the
instrument automatically. After the file is transferred successfully the parameters are set, and if the
preference Channel Output ON after waveform transfer using "Send to Arb" is selected, the
target channel is switched on, and instrument is set in Run mode. If this preference is not selected,
then the target channel is switched off.
NOTE. When you use this mode of file transfer, an associated .set file is not created. The transferred
file is loaded in the instrument internal memory.

How to ... Scope Acquisition Wizard
In an AFG, the transferred file is loaded in the Edit memory, and in an AWG it is loaded on the
destination channel.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to transfer a waveform from the Equation Editor or Standard Waveform
dialog boxes.
See Also:
Transferring Files to an AWG/AFG (see page 137)
Scope Acquisition Wizard

Communication > Scope Acquisition Wizard
The wizard guides you through a series of steps to acquire data from a connected oscilloscope.
1. Select Communication > Scope Acquisition Wizard from the application main menu. The wizard
starts with the Welcome to the Scope Acquisition Wizard screen.

2. Click Next. The wizard displays the next screen, searches and displays a list of instruments that are
connected to your PC. If no instruments are found, the message “No instruments found” appears.
Connect an instrument and click Refresh in the Wizard.

3. Select an instrument to see its details. The first instrument in the list is selected by default. To refresh
the instrument list, click Refresh.

Click Next to connect to the selected instrument and display the Set Up Acquisition screen.
Depending on the selected oscilloscope, the channel, math, and ref details are displayed. Select the
channel, math, or ref from which to acquire data. If no math and ref are available for the selected
instrument, the following text appears:
No math channels were found.
No reference channels were found.

In the Select Instrument screen, the following happens:

If the instrument is already connected through the Import from Scope menu, then the connected
instrument is selected in the list.
Selecting another instrument disconnects the connected instrument.
Scanning for instruments does not happen if it has already happened through the Import from
Scope menu. The scanned instruments are displayed in the instrument list.
4. Select the record length from the drop-down list. Choose from the list of record lengths supported
by the instrument connected.
5. Select the acquisition mode form the drop-down list. Choose from Sample, PeakDetect, Average,
Hires, and Envelope.
6. Browse for the target directory to save the data in a .wfm format. The target directory
defaults to the directory that you last selected. The default path and file name are –
C:\AcquiredFiles\<Oscilloscope_channel>.wfm. Scope Acquisition Wizard. If you have a file with
the same file name as that specified in the path, the warning message “A file already exists with this
name in this folder. Do you want to overwrite?” appears. Click Yes to overwrite the file, and No
to specify another file name.
7. Click Next to display the Preview Waveform screen.

Choose one of the following:

No changes: Make no changes to the waveform before importing.
Extract a segment manually: Extract a part of the waveform by defining the cursor positions.
The wizard opens another screen.
8. Click Next to import or extract a sample of the waveform.


To import a waveform:
a. Enter the number of points.
b. Select whether to rotate left or right. This would help to locate any disconnect toward the end of
the waveform. The waveform will be rotated only in this view.
c. Select whether to open the waveform in a new window.
d. Click Finish to import the waveform.

How to ... Normalize
To extract a segment of the waveform:

a. Enter the position of Cursor1.
b. Enter the position of Cursor2.
c. Select the target instrument and click Validate to validate the waveform against the instrument.
The application presents a dialog that indicates whether the currently selected instrument can
accommodate the waveform. If the waveform is not valid for the selected instrument, text in the
dialog indicates the waveform is not valid and provides details about the selected instrument’s
capability.
d. Click Next. The Ready to Import Waveform screen appears. Follow the steps as in importing a
waveform with no change.
e. Click Finish to import the waveform.
9. The waveform acquired is opened in a new window or will be stored in the path shown.
Normalize
Math > Normalize
You can normalize a waveform such that all points on it lie between +1 and – 1.

How to ... Creating Waveforms Using Matlab
1. Select the waveform to normalize.

2. Select Math > Normalize.
The resulting waveform is as shown.
Creating Waveforms Using Matlab

This section describes how to use MATLAB software to connect to Tektronix AWGs . To use the
MATLAB support, you must:
Ensure that you have installed MATLAB version 6, release 12. The function supplied might work with
lower release numbers but they are tested on MATLAB release 12.
Ensure that you have installed TekVisa.
Ensure that the system path includes the path where ArbEther.dll is installed. By default, this
ArbEther.dll is copied to the directory where ArbExpress is installed. You need this DLL if you
connect to AWGs over Ethernet.
This ArbExpress MATLAB utility is installed, by default, in the path ArbExpress\Tools\Matlab. The
directory contains a “.p” file for each command and a corresponding “. m ” file that has the documentation

How to ... Transferring Files from Matlab
for the command. A sample MATLAB Script, “ Sample.m ” is provided to show how to use the commands
in a MATLAB Environment.
The MATLAB script is stored in a .m file that is created using the MATLAB built-in editor. When you
compile a .m file, you get a .p file.
The following files must be present in the directory before you start using the commands documented here:
Commands
NewSession.p
CloseSession.p
query.p
read.p
write.p
LoadWfm.p
TransferWfm.p
Sample Script File

sample.m
DLL File with Gateway Routine

matarb.dll
Transferring Files from Matlab

1. Start MATLAB.
2. Go to the directory where you stored the MATLAB library files that are supplied with ArbExpress
(C:\ProgramFiles\Tektronix\ArbExpress\Tools\Matlab).
3. Open a session on an AWG connected either through LAN, GPIB, or USB to your PC.
Connecting through GPIB:
You can connect to the AWG using the NewSession command as follows for an instrument connected
through GPIB.

How to ... Transferring Files from Matlab
[ SessionID , StatusMsg ] = NewSession ('GPIB0::9::INSTR', 'GPIB')
This command works only if the GPIB resource string is found by TekVisa resource Manager. For
more information, refer to the TekVisa Resource manager documentation for help on adding new
instruments to the PC.
Connecting through LAN:
through LAN. Since TekVisa does not support connection over raw sockets, TekVisa does not list the
resource name.
Connecting to an AFG2000, AFG3000, and AWG4000 series instrument using Visa:
[SessionID, StatusMsg] = NewSession ('TCPIP::10.20.30.40::INSTR', 'LAN')
Connecting to AFG300, AWG2000, AWG400/500/600/700 series not using Visa (support through
raw sockets):
[SessionID, StatusMsg] = NewSession ('10.20.30.40', 'TCPIP')
Connecting through USB:

through USB.
[ SessionID , StatusMsg ] = NewSession
('USB0::0x0699::0x0343::JU010107::INSTR', 'USB')
If the command is executed successfully, the session ID is available in the SessionID variable and the
StatusMsg is a null string. If the command is not successful, the SessionID contains an error code with
the StatusMsg containing the text describing the failure.
4. Create a Waveform using the MATLAB mathematical functions such as Sin or Exp.
The following script for example, creates a sine waveform having a thousand points and stores it in a
variable called Data. Enter the text in the MATLAB editor and save it as a .m file.
Frequency = 1e2;
Period = 1/Frequency;
Pts = [1:1000] * Period;
Data = sin(Pts );
5. Use this variable to transfer the Sine wave created to the AWG as shown:
[Status,StatusMsg] = SendWfm (SessionID, 'example.wfm', Data, 1000)
where the SessionID is the session you have opened earlier, example.wfm is the name of the waveform
file, and 1000 is the number of points in the waveform.
If the file transfer is successful, you should see the waveform file with the selected name in the
current directory of AWG.

How to ... Controlling the Instrument
NOTE. Current directory refers to the directory path returned by MMEM : CDIR command – not the
directory as seen on the instrument display.
6. Close the session using the CloseSession command as shown:

CloseSession( <SessionID>)
where SessionID is the session you created.
Controlling the Instrument

You can control the instrument from the MATLAB environment.
1. Open a session using the NewSession command.
2. Once connected to the AWG, use the Write command to send any command that is supported by
the current AWG.
3. Use the Query command to query the instrument parameters.
For example, the following command shows how to load a file and output it from channel 1 of the
AWG:
[Status, StausMsg ] = LoadWfm(SessionID , 'example.Wfm', 1)
This attempts to load the file “example.Wfm” from the current directory path and output it from
Channel 1 of the AWG. This command fails if the file is of a wrong format or not found in the
current directory. You may not see any output if the channel number chosen is not supported by the
connected instrument.
NOTE. ”Current directory” here refers to the directory path returned by MMEM : CDIR command – not
the directory as seen on the instrument display.
Example Program:
%A very preliminary sample code to show how to use MATLAB functions %to talk
to an AWG from MATLAB %Please compile this using 'PCODE <filename>' before
%running it.
%This script only with Visa resource strings %Turn off echo
echo off
%Open a session. If you are connecting over LAN to an AWG %the first
parameter to NewSession would be the IP address %and the second parameter
would be the string 'tcpip'
s=NewSession('gpib0::9::instr','gpib');

How to ... Controlling the Instrument
%IDN query outputs two values: Status of the query, and the %Response from
the instrument.
[status,idn]=query(s, '*idn?');
%Writes a single command to the connected AWG. The status will %be Zero if
write is successful
status=Write(s,'Output1:State 1');
%Following script creates a sine waveform with %1000 points
Frequency = 1e2;
Period = 1/Frequency;
Pts = [1:1000] * Period;
Data = sin(Pts);
%Following command transfers the waveform in %'Data' variable to the current

%directory of %AWG.
TransferWfm(s, 'example.wfm', Data, 1000)
%Closes the connection
CloseSession(s);

How to ... Commands
Commands
ArbExpress implements the following commands for communication with Tektronix AWGs:
Session Management
NewSession
CloseSession
Instrument Control and Data Transfer

Read
Write
LoadWfm
TransferWfm
Query
See Also:
NewSession.p (see page 164)
CloseSession.p (see page 165)
query.p (see page 170)
Read.p (see page 167)
Write.p (see page 166)
LoadWfm.p (see page 168)
TransferWfm.p (see page 169)

How to ... NewSession Command
NewSession Command
Description
This command opens a communication session with a Tektronix AWG connected to the PC using GPIB or
LAN cable.
Syntax
[nSessionID, strErrMsg] = NewSession(strResourceID, strBusType)
Parameters
strResourceID — A MATLAB string containing the resource name in the standard Visa format.
strBusType — Communication bus used for connection. Supported values are "GPIB" and "TCPIP".
Return Values
nSessionID — A numeric variable that holds the session ID to be used in subsequent communication
with the instrument.
strErrMsg — Contains the error description if you fail to connect to the instrument. When the connection
is successful it contains a null string.
NOTE. Before trying to connect to the instrument, make sure that the instrument is accessible by TekVisa
Resource manager. See the TekVisa VisaRM documentation for help on how to configure VisaRM to
detect the instrument.
Example
[SessionID , StatusMsg] = NewSession ('GPIB0::9::INSTR', 'GPIB')
[SessionID , StatusMsg] = NewSession ('TCPIP::10.20.30.40::INSTR', 'TCPIP')
[SessionID , StatusMsg] = NewSession ('USB0::0x0699::0x0343::JU010107::INSTR',

'USB')

How to ... CloseSession Command
CloseSession Command
Description
This command closes the connection with instrument.
Syntax
CloseSession(nSessionID)
Parameters
nSessionID — A Numeric value of the session obtained when NewSession command was called.
Return Values
None.
NOTE. You must have an active connection with an instrument before calling CloseSession.
Example
CloseSession( <SessionID>)

How to ... Write Command
Write Command
Description
This command sends a SCPI command to the connected instrument.
Syntax
[nStatus, strErrMsg] = Write (nSessionID, strCmd)
Parameters
nSessionID — Session ID obtained by NewSession command.
strCmd — SCPI command string
Return Values
nStatus — Zero if successful, error code if the operation failed.
Example
[nStatus, strErrMsg] = Write (nSessionID, '*IDN?')

How to ... Read Command
Read Command
Description
This command reads responses from instruments. Response to the query sent in a previous call to Write
command or error message if the query failed.
Syntax
[nStatus, strResponse] = Read(nSessionID)
Parameters
nSessionID — Session ID obtained from NewSession command
Return Values
nStatus — Zero if successful, error code if the operation failed.
strResponse — Response to the query sent in strQuery parameter or error message if the query failed.
NOTE. Read will return a proper response only when it is called immediately after a Write operation that
wrote one of the SCPI query commands.
Example
Read(nSessionID)

How to ... LoadWfm Command
LoadWfm Command
Description
This command loads a waveform into the connected AWG internal memory and outputs it from the
selected channel.
Syntax
[nStatus, strErrMsg] = LoadWfm(nSessionID, strWfmName, nCh)
Parameters
nSessionID — Session ID obtained by calling NewSession command
strWfmName — Name of the Waveform file with or without the extension.
nCh — Channel number.
Return Value
The command always returns Zero as the return value.
NOTE. The waveform file you are trying to load must be in the current directory. If the file is in any other
directory, change the path to the directory where the desired file is located by using the MMEM:CDIR
command. When the load command is sent, the instrument takes time to load the file, especially if they
are big files. Because the call is synchronous, the program does not return until the load operation is
completed on the instrument.
If the waveform file is corrupt or in the wrong format, the instrument does not load it.
Example
[Status, StausMsg ] = LoadWfm(SessionID , 'example.Wfm', 1)

How to ... TransferWfm Command
TransferWfm Command
Description
This command transfers a waveform from the MATLAB environment to the connected instrument mass
memory.
Syntax
TransferWfm[nSessionID, strWfmName,double dDataPoints[], nSize)
Parameters
nSessionID — Session ID obtained from NewSession command
strWfmName — The name of the waveform file to be created in the instrument
dDataPoints — One-dimensional array of doubles containing data points
nSize — Number of data points in the file.
Return Values
None.
NOTE. Use this function to transfer an array of data values into an AWG and store it in the form of a
waveform file. Be cautious while using this function because if you choose a file name that already exists
in the current directory of the Instrument, it will be overwritten without warning.
Also note that this is only a transfer command and the transferred file is not loaded into the internal
memory of the instrument.
Example
TransferWfm(SessionID, 'example.wfm', Data, 1000)

How to ... Query Command
Query Command
Description
This command sends a query and returns the response from the instrument.
Syntax
[nStatus, strResponse] = Query(nSessionID, strQuery)
Parameters
nSessionID — Session ID obtained from NewSession Command
strQuery — Standard SCPI query
Return Values
nStatus — Zero if successful, error code otherwise
strResponse — Response to the query sent in strQuery parameter or error message if the query failed.
NOTE. This is a combination of Write and Read commands. The return value always returns the result
of the read operation
Example
[nStatus, strResponse] = Query(nSessionID, '*IDN?')

Reference Error Messages and Warnings I
Error Messages and Warnings I

Error code Error message Description Possible solution
Main Application
1001 ArbExpress instance The application displays Close ArbExpress and try
already running this message if you try to again.
run ArbExpress when an
instance is already open.
1002 Do you want to overwrite? A file with the same name Rename the file in the
is found in the currently selected folder or select a
selected folder. different folder.
1003 Do you want to proceed? This message appears Choosing "Yes" would
when user tries to do any continue with edit operation
edit operations in point but all the draw points
draw mode. will be flushed. Choosing
"No" would abort the edit
operation.
1004 Total number of points in This error message For minimum points
the waveform is less than appears when the user tries required by the instrument,
minimum points required to transfer the waveform refer to the Instrument
by the instrument (or when user validates Specifications.
the waveform manually)
to a connected/selected
instrument and the total
points is less than the
minimum points supported
by the instrument.
1005 Total number of points This error message Change the total points
exceeds maximum memory appears when the user tries such that it does not exceed
supported by the instrument to transfer the waveform the maximum memory limit
(or when user validates of the instrument. For
the waveform manually) maximum memory limit of
to a connected/selected the instrument, refer to the
instrument and the total Instrument Specifications.
points exceeds the
maximum memory limit
of the instrument.


Main Application
1006 Total number of points This error message The total points should
is not a multiple of point appears when the user tries be a multiple of point
step supported by the to transfer the waveform step supported by the
instrument (or when user validates instrument. For step size
the waveform manually) of the selected instrument,
to a connected/selected refer to the Instrument
to instrument and the total Specifications.
points is not a multiple of
the point step.
1007 This waveform can be This error message This message indicates the
loaded successfully into the appears when user waveform conforms to the
instrument selected validates the waveform specification of the selected
for the selected instrument instrument.
and the waveform can
successfully generated in
the selected instrument.
File Handling
7001 Invalid file or no data points The file you tried to open Ensure that you are
available is either corrupt or the file opening a valid file. If you
does not have enough need help to open your file
data points to create a or want to verify your file
waveform. send the file to techsupport
@tektronix.com with the
description and format of
the file.
7002 Error in file format The file you opened is of Ensure that the file format
the wrong format. is one of the following —
wfm, .pat, TekScope .wfm
csv, .txt.
7003 Do you want to Save This message appears Select Yes to save the
changes to the file when you try to close the file or No to close without
<filename>? waveform or application saving.
without saving.
7004 Unexpected file format This error message Verify that the file is not
appears when the file is not corrupted. Verify that the
supported by ArbExpress file format is supported by
or if it is a corrupted file. ArbExpress. If the file is not
corrupt and is valid, please
contact customer support
for more clarification.

Multiple Waveforms
6001 Only two waveforms can A maximum of two Open or create the
be opened or created in a waveforms can be opened waveform in another Wave
Wave Book in a Wave Book. You have Book or a new window.
tried to open or create more
than two waveforms in a
Wave Book.
6002 You can open only files with Only waveforms with files of You can:
"####" points in this Wave the same number of points
Book. in size can be opened Select a new
or created in the same window by setting
To open the file <filename> the Multi-Waveform
in a new window, set window.
Properties to New
Multi-Waveform Properties Window.
to New Window and select
File> New or Open. Select a waveform with
You can also use the the same number of
Open or New icon from the points as the existing
toolbar waveform in the Wave
Book.
6003 You can create only Only waveforms with files of You can:
waveforms with #### the same number of points
points in this Wave Book in size can be opened Select a new
or created in the same window by setting
To create a waveform
window. the Multi-Waveform
in a new window, set
Properties to New
Multi-waveform properties
Window.
to New window and select
File> New Select a waveform with
the same number of
points as the existing
waveform in the Wave
Book.
Standard Waveform
1201 Enter a value This message appears when For more details refer to the
no value has been entered in instrument specification.
a field.
1202 Invalid value This message appears if you The value must not cross
have entered an invalid value the selected instruments
in the editable fields. specification. For more
details, refer to the Instrument
Specifications.
1203 Invalid amplitude. Voltage The value entered is not Enter a value that lies
range supported is xx–xx within the instrument range. within the amplitude range
supported by the instrument.
For more details, refer to the
Instrument Specifications.
1204 Invalid Offset, Range +x.x to This message appears when Enter a value that lies within
–x.x offset crosses the range the range.
supported by the instrument.

Standard Waveform
1205 Instrument cannot generate This message appears Enter the frequency such that
this frequency when the instrument cannot there are at least 2 points per
generate the frequency cycle for Sine and Triangle
entered because the points and at least 10 points per
per cycles is less than 2 for cycle for Square and Pulse.
sine and triangle and less
than 10 for square and pulse.
1206 Invalid Sampling Rate Range This message appears if the Enter a value that lies within
supported by the instrument sampling rate exceeds range the range of the selected
is xx - xx supported by the instrument. instrument. Refer to the
instrument specifications for
the range supported.
1207 Start frequency greater than This message appears when Start frequency entered
end frequency the start frequency entered should be less than the end
for sweep and multi-tone frequency.
waveforms is greater than the
end frequency.
1208 Points per Cycle*Cycle, This message appears Enter values for points
exceeds the Maximum for sine, triangle, pulse, per cycle and cycle such
memory limit of the instrument and square waves when it does not exceed the
Points per Cycle multiplied maximum memory limit of
by Cycles exceeds the the instrument. For more
maximum memory limit of the details, refer to the instrument
instrument. specifications.
1209 Invalid cycles, points per This message appears if Increase the number of
cycle less than 2. number of points per cycle points per cycle. For sine and
for the sine and triangle triangle waves, the points
waveforms is less than 2. per cycle should be greater
than two to generate a good
waveform.
1210 The number of points per This message appears if Increase the number of
cycle is less than 10, change number of points per cycle for points per cycle. For square
the points per cycle the square and pulse waves and pulse waves, the points
is less than 10. per cycle should be greater
than two to generate a good
waveform.
1211 Points per cycle = Total This message appears when Change the cycle or total
Points/Cycle points per cycle is less points such that points per
Number of points per cycle than 10 for exponential rise, cycle is greater than 10.
less than 10. Change cycles exponential decay, and Sinc
or total points waveforms.
1212 Points per cycle = This message appears when Increase the points per
TotalPoints/Cycles. points per cycle is less than cycle change cycle or total
Number of points per cycle 10 for Lorentz waveform. points (Total points = Delay
less than 10. Change cycles * Sampling Rate). Change
or total points (Sampling Rate the total points by changing
* Delay) sampling rate or delay.

Standard Waveform
1213 The value exceeds the total This message appears when The maximum value that can
number of points the value entered for Rise be entered for Rise Time or
Time or Fall Time for Square Fall Time should be less the
or Pulse waveform exceeds than total number of points.
the total number of points. Rise Time plus Fall Time
should not cross the Total
number of points.
1214 Rise Time + Fall Time of the This message appears Enter values for Rise Time
waveform should be less than when Rise Time + Fall Time and Fall Time, such that Rise
the total number of points exceeds the total number of Time plus Fall Time do not
points. cross the total number of
points.
1215 Number of zero crossings This message appears when Enter number of zero
greater than the total number the number of zero crossings crossings that lies within the
of points entered for Sinc exceeds the total number of points.
total number of points.
1216 Total Points = Duration * This message appears for Change the sampling rate or
Sampling Rate. the Sweep waveform when the duration so that the total
Total points exceeds the the total points (Duration points is within the instrument
maximum memory limit of the *Sampling Rate) exceeds the specification.
instrument maximum memory limit of the
instrument.
1217 Total Points = Delay * This message appears for Change the sampling rate
Sampling Rate Lorentz waveform when or Delay so that the total
Total points exceeds the the total points (Delay * points is within the instrument
maximum memory limit of the Sampling Rate) exceeds the specification.
instrument.
1218 Total Points = Sampling Rate This message appears for Change the sampling rate or
/Tone Spacing Multi Tone waveform when tone spacing so that the total
Total points exceeds the the total points (Delay * points is within the instrument
maximum memory limit of the Sampling Rate) exceeds the specification.
instrument.
1219 Total Points = Duration * This message appears if total Change the duration or
Sampling Rate points is zero for sweep. sampling rate so that total
Change duration or sampling points is greater than zero.
rate
1220 Total Points = Delay * This message appears if total Change the Delay or
Sampling Rate points is zero for the Lorentz sampling rate so that total
Change delay or sampling waveform. points is greater than zero.
rate
1221 Total Points = Sampling This message appears if total Change the Tone Spacing or
Rate/Tone Spacing points is zero for multi-tone sampling rate such that total
Change sampling rate or tone waveform. points is greater than zero.
spacing

Standard Waveform
1222 Total number of points This message appears Enter total number of points
exceeds the maximum when total number of points such that it does not exceed
memory limit of the instrument exceeds the maximum the memory limit of the
memory limit of the instrument instrument selected.
selected. For more details refer to the
instrument specification.
1223 Total Points not a multiple This message appears for For the sine, triangle, square,
of 4. Change frequency or the sine, triangle, square, and pulse waveforms,
cycles. and pulse waveforms (in total points = points per cycle
the basic mode) when total * cycles. When total points is
points is not a multiple of four not a multiple of four, change
and the instrument selected the frequency so that points
is AWG710, AWG520, and per cycle changes or use the
AWG510. advanced option to change
points per cycle directly.
You can also change the
number of cycles.
1224 Total Points not a multiple of This message appears Ensure that the total points
4. when the total number of are a multiple of 4.
4 for waveforms other than
sine, triangle, square, and
pulse waveforms, when
the selected instrument
is AWG710, AWG710B,
AWG615, AWG510, and
AWG520.
of 8. Change frequency or the sine, triangle, square, and and pulse waveforms,
cycles. pulse waveforms (in the basic total points = points per cycle
mode) when the total points * cycles
is not a multiple of eight and
When the total points is not
the instrument is AWG2021.
a multiple of eight, change
the frequency so that points
per cycle changes or use the
advanced option to change
points per cycle directly.
You can also change the
number of cycles.
1226 Total Points not a multiple of This message appears Ensure that the total points
8. when the total number of are a multiple of 8.
8 for waveforms other than
sine, triangle, square, and
pulse waveforms, when
the selected instrument is
AWG2021, and AWG610.

Standard Waveform
1227 Delay + Pulse width + Rise This message appears for Enter values so that with the
Time + Fall Time should be pulse if the value given for given parameters when the
less than total points delay, pulse width, rise time waveform is generated it is
and fall time added together within the total points.
exceeds or is equal to the
total points.
1228 Delay + Pulse Width exceeds This message appears for Enter Delay and Pulse width
total number of points pulse waveform if the sum so that it does not exceed
of delay and pulse width total points.
exceeds total points.
1229 Rise Time + Fall Time + Duty This message appears for Ensure that the sum of rise
Cycle should be less than the square waveform when time, fall time, and duty cycle
total points the sum of rise time, fall time, does not exceed total points.
and duty cycle exceeds or is
equal to the total points.
1230 Value range 0 – 360 degree This message appears when For phase, range is between
value entered for the phase 0–360.
in not within the range. Enter a value within this
range.
1231 Half Width exceeds Delay For the Lorentz waveform, For the Lorentz waveform,
Half Width should not exceed enter a value for Half Width
delay. so that it does not exceed the
delay.
1232 Sampling rate should be at This message appears Enter end frequency so that
least twice than that of the when the end frequency the sampling rate is at least
highest frequency component (the highest frequency twice that of the highest
component) entered for frequency component.
the sweep and multi-tone
waveforms is less than the
sampling rate.
1233 Tone Spacing is greater This message appears for Enter value such that
than difference between the multi-tone if the tone spacing tone spacing is within the
frequencies is greater than the difference difference between start and
between the start and end end frequency.
frequency.
1234 Total Range = Total This message appears for the Change duration so that
Points/Sampling Rate. sweep waveform when the it is within the total range.
Duration greater than total duration entered is greater Total range = Total Points /
range than the total range. Sampling rate
1235 End frequency should be This message appears if End frequency should be
greater than start frequency the end frequency is greater always greater than start
than start frequency for frequency.
the multi-tone and sweep
waveforms.

Standard Waveform
1236 Value range 1 – 99.9 This message appears for the Enter a value within the range
square waveform when the specified.
duty cycle is not within the
limits.
1237 Cycles exceeds the maximum This message appears when So the maximum cycles than
limit of the instrument the number of cycles exceeds can be entered is half the
half the maximum memory maximum memory limit.
limit.
1238 Invalid amplitude: change This message appears when There should at least two
voltage entered you enter an invalid voltage points per cycle. Enter a
in the Max/Min mode. voltage value that lies within
the voltage range supported
by the instrument.
1239 Total Points = Cycles * Points This error message appears Change points per cycle or
per cycle .Change cycles or for the sine, triangle, square, cycles to change the total
points per cycle and pulse waveforms if the points.
total points is zero.
1240 Frequency range supported This error message appears Enter a value that lies
is x mHz – x MHz for the AFG2000, AFG3000, within the frequency range
and AWG4000 series of supported by the instrument.
instruments when the value For more details, refer to the
entered is not within the Instrument Specifications.
instrument range.
1241 Total number of points: XX. This error message appears Increase the total points such
Minimum number of points when the total points entered that it meets the minimum
required is XXX is less than the minimum number of points supported
number of points required by by the instrument.
the instrument.
1242 Total Points less than the This message appears when Make sure total points
minimum points required the total points is less than is within the instruments
minimum points required and specification. For any
the user selects OK button. instrument selected the
Min and Max memory limit
is mentioned in the Notes
section of the dialog box.
1243 Unable to generate this This message appears when The parameters given to
waveform the parameters given to generate the waveform
generate the waveform is should be within the selected
not valid and the user has the instrument specification.
selected OK button.

Standard Waveform
of 4. Change either the the sine, triangle, square, and pulse waveforms,
frequency, sampling rate and pulse waveforms (in the total points = points per cycle
points per cycle, or cycles. advanced mode) when total * cycles.
points is not a multiple of four
When total points is not a
and the instrument selected
multiple of four, change the
is AWG710, AWG520, and
frequency so that points per
AWG510.
cycle changes or change
points per cycle and sampling
rate directly. You can also
change the number of cycles.
of 8. Change either the the sine, triangle, square, and and pulse waveforms,
frequency, sampling rate pulse waveforms in advanced total points = points per cycle
points per cycle, or cycles. mode when total points is * cycles.
not a multiple of eight and
When total points is not a
the instrument selected is
multiple of eight, change the
AWG2021.
frequency so that points per
cycle changes or change
points per cycle, sampling
rate directly. You can also
change the number of cycles.
1246 Invalid Amplitude Voltage This error message appears The amplitude supported by
range supported is Vamp ≤ for the AFG310 and AFG320 the instrument is
2(|Vmax|-|Voffset|) when the amplitude entered Vamp ≤ 2(|Vmax|–|Voffset|)
is not within the range of the
Where Vmax is the maximum
instrument.
output voltage (Vmax) that
the instrument can produce
(±5 V) when terminated with
50 ohm.
For example, if offset is zero
then amplitude is 10 = 2(5– 0)
1247 Invalid Offset. Range This error message appears The valid range for the offset
supported is – 0.75 V to for the AFG310 and AFG320 voltage setting is in the range
+0.75 V when the offset entered is ± 0.75 V when the amplitude
not within the range of the setting is 500 mVp-p or
instrument. smaller.

Reference Error Messages and Warnings II
Standard Waveform
1248 Invalid Offset. Range This error message appears The valid range for the offset
supported is |Voffset| ≤ for the AFG310 and AFG320 voltage setting is restricted
|Vmax| - Vamp/2 when the offset entered is according to the following
not within the range of the formula when the amplitude
instrument. setting is 505 mVp-p or
larger, for a Vmax
value of ±5 V.
|Voffset| ≤ |Vmax|- Vamp/2
Example: if amplitude is 10
the offset is
0 = 5 – 10/2.
1249 Total Points = Delay * This error message appears For Lorentz wave,
Sampling Rate. For given when the value entered for Total points = Delay *
delay total points exceeds delay multiplied by sampling sampling rate.
maximum memory limit rate exceeds the maximum
The value entered for delay
memory limit of the instrument
multiplied by sampling rate
should not exceed maximum
memory limit of the selected
instrument.
1250 Connected instrument and This message appears The connected instrument
selected instrument do not in standard waveform and the selected instrument
match. Do you want to and equation editor when should match for a successful
continue? connected instrument and transfer. If they differ, a
selected instrument do not warning message appears.
match. You can select Yes to
proceed, however, depending
on the connected instrument
memory size and step size
the transfer may fail.
xxx
Error Messages and Warnings II

Waveform Math
1301 Cursors 1 and 2 are in the This message appears If Change the cursor
same location both cursors 1 and 2 are at locations.
the same point.
1302 No waveform data in This message appears Copy a waveform, or part
clipboard when nothing has been of it, to the clipboard.
copied to the clipboard.


1401 Cannot access the folder You do not have enough Go to folder properties
permission to see the on Windows Explorer and
contents of this folder. change the permissions to
have enough permission.
1402 A file with this name already A file with the same name Rename the file in the
exists in this folder. Do you is found in the currently selected folder or select a
want to overwrite? selected folder. different folder.
1403 Switch on Ref# on the The reference memory Switch on the reference
oscilloscope on the oscilloscope is memory on the
switched off. oscilloscope using front
panel buttons.
1404 FFT Waveforms cannot be FFT waveforms are NA
imported. Select a Dual frequency domain
Math waveform waveforms. This version
of ArbExpress does
not support this type of
waveforms.
1405 Disconnect failed. Refresh Communication with Check the physical
Visa resource list and try to the oscilloscope is lost. connection, refresh the
reconnect Therefore all commands Visa resource and try to
including 'Disconnect’ fail. reconnect.
1406 Connect failed. Refresh This message can appear Do one of the following:
Visa resource list, check if for several reasons.
the instrument is properly Check the physical
connected and try again. Physical connection connection to ensure
between PC and that everything is fine.
oscilloscope is
improper or does not Refresh VisaRM if
exist. and Instrument list
in the Oscilloscope
The connected Acquisition dialog.
oscilloscope is not
in the Visa resource Using oscilloscope
list. front panel, select
Talk/Listen mode.
The oscilloscope is not Refresh Visa resource
in the Talk/Listen mode and refresh the
(If it is connected using Instrument list in
GPIB cable). the Oscilloscope
Acquisition dialog.
1407 Visa not found on this PC. Visa was not found on the Install TekVisa.
PC.
1408 Error finding Visa resources. The application cannot find Refresh the VisaRM
Visa resources. and then refresh the
ArbExpress instrument list.
1409 An oscilloscope is already You are trying to connect Disconnect the
connected. Disconnect to a second oscilloscope oscilloscope currently
it before connecting a while you are already connected, select the other
different oscilloscope. connected to one. and try to connect.


1410 No resources are found. ArbExpress did not find Refresh TekVisa resource
Refresh TekVisa Resource any oscilloscopes that can manager and wait until
manager and click Refresh be connected. Therefore, the TekVisa Resource
button again. the Scope List is empty. Manager dialog shows
"Ready" state. Then, click
the Refresh button on
Import From Oscilloscope
dialog.
1411 No Math equation is set on You have not set a Set a math equation that
the Oscilloscope. math equation for this generates a time domain
math source on the signal for this math source.
Oscilloscope.
File Transfer and Control
1601 Could not connect to the When the instrument is Verify the GPIB
instrument. Check: connected to the PC via (Talk/Listen)/LAN
the GPIB or LAN, and connection. Ensure
the GPIB connection the user fails to connect there is no loose
the instrument mode because connection.
the IP Address The GPIB /LAN cable Refresh the Visa

is not connected resource list.
properly.
Check that the
The instrument may instrument is
be switched off. powered on and is
in GPIB/Network mode.
The instrument is not
in GPIB/LAN mode. For LAN connection,
ping from the
The IP Address is instrument to the PC
incorrect for the LAN and vice versa.
connection.
Verify that instrument
VISA resource list is is ready for
not updated. communication.
Try reconnecting to the
instrument.
Connect only one
PC connected to an
instrument.
1602 Error getting instrument's The instrument is Verify that instrument
file list, folder list. successfully connected is ready for
via the GPIB bus but the communication.
user cannot get instrument
folder/file list. This may Try reconnecting to the
happen if the connection to instrument.
the instrument is lost.


1603 Visa32.dll not found. This message appears Do the following:
Install TekVisa. when you try to access the
File Transfer dialog. 1. Ensure that the
Windows Operating
TekVisa files not found System is installed on
in Windows' system the PC.
folder (system32
or system folder 2. Uninstall TekVisa
depending on the if already installed.
Windows Operating Reinstall TekVisa.
System). 3. Ensure that the
TekVisa files may be Tekvisa32.dll is placed
corrupt. in the Windows system
folder (system or
system32 folder).
1604 Error finding VISA The user has set up the Start> Pro-
resources physical connection to this grams>TekVISA>TekVISA
instrument via GPIB bus Configuration. Refresh the
but is unable to get the TekVisa resource list.
instrument resource in the
instrument list.


1605 Unable to write to the The user tried to transfer Check instrument
instrument a file from the PC to the connection
instrument. The transfer
failed due to: Check hard disk space
lost instrument Check whether the

connection file is being used by
another application
insufficient hard disk
space Check whether the
instrument file size
the file that is being and file format are
transferred is opened compatible
by another application
Ensure that the file
The write operation failed
being transferred
due to:
from the PC to the
Large file size. The AWG2000 series
edit memory can have instrument is
a maximum of 16000 compatible with the
points AWG2000 file format
or NVRam has enough
Incompatible file memory.
format
No communication
between the application
and the instrument.
This message also
appears while transferring
a file from the PC to
an AWG2000 series
instrument whose file
format is incompatible with
the AWG2000 file format or
NVRam may be full.
1606 Failed to get the You tried to transfer a Verify whether the
instrument's default file from the instrument’s instrument is connected
directory memory to the PC. The and is ready to
application failed to get communicate.
the instrument’s current
default directory (MAIN)
because the connection
to the instrument was lost
during file transfer.
1607 A file with this name already You tried to transfer a file to Rename the existing file
exists in this folder. Do you the destination folder in a and then transfer the file
want to overwrite? PC or an instrument but a again. Or select Yes to
file with the same file name overwrite the existing file.
exists in this folder.


1608 An instrument is already The software allows one Disconnect the connected
connected. Disconnect connection at a time instrument and connect a
it to connect to a new — either through GPIB new instrument.
instrument. or LAN. The user tried
to connect to a second
instrument.
1609 This file is empty. Cannot You tried to transfer an NA
transfer this file. empty file from the PC
to the instrument or vice
versa.
1610 Unable to load the file. You tried to load a file by Do one of the following:
Check the instrument pressing the Load button
connection. in the instrument control Check the instrument
pane. The application connection and
failed to load the file whether the
because: instrument is ready
to communicate
The connection to the
Instrument is lost. Check if the file is a
.wfm, .pat, or .set file.
The file format is
invalid. Check if the file is
present.
1611 No waveform/sequence file This message appears Load a waveform into
is loaded. when the waveform or the internal memory of
sequence file is not loaded the connected AWG
in the instrument’s internal instrument, then perform
memory, and user presses Run/Stop.
Run/Stop button in the
instrument control pane.
This also appears when
the user tries to enable the
AWG channel by selecting
the On/Off Channel in the
instrument control pane.
This is applicable only to
AWGs.
1612 Enter a value. This message appears Enter a valid value for the
when no value has been field that is supported by
entered in a field. the application.


1613 Failed to write to the PC This message appears Check whether
when the user tries to
transfer the remote file from The instrument
the connected instrument connection is alive.
to the PC file list. The The instrument is
application fails to do so ready.
because:
The destination folder
the instrument is not exists.
ready.
the destination folder
in the PC has a file
with same name that
is being accessed by
another application.
the destination folder
in the PC may not exist.
Instrument connection
is lost.
1614 Invalid amplitude. Voltage The value entered is Enter a value that
range supported is xx – xx. not within the instrument is supported by the
range. instrument.
1615 Invalid offset. Voltage range The value entered is Enter a value that
supported is xx – xx. not within the instrument is supported by the
range. instrument.
1616 Invalid marker voltage. The value entered is Enter a value that
Voltage range supported is not within the instrument is supported by the
xx – xx. range. instrument.
1617 Invalid clock. Frequency The value entered is Enter a value that
range. instrument.
1618 Invalid phase. Range The value entered is Enter a value that
supported is xx – xx. not within the instrument is supported by the
range. instrument.
1619 Invalid output frequency. The value entered is Enter a value that
Frequency range supported not within the instrument is supported by the
is xx – xx. range. instrument.
1620 Invalid EMEM size. Point The value entered is Enter a value that
range. instrument.


1621 Insert a floppy. This is caused when Ensure that the floppy
you select "DISK" on the disk is inserted in
Instrument Folder/PC the disk drive and is
folder. working.
Floppy drive may not Instrument/PC floppy
have a disk. drive is working.
Floppy drive or the
floppy disk may be bad.
1622 Are you sure you want to This message appears NA
overwrite EMEM<n> with when user transfers file
<PC file name>? from PC to the Edit memory
of the instrument (AFG).
overwrite USER<n> with when user transfers file
EMEM<n>? from Edit memory to
the User memory of the
instrument (AFG).
overwrite USER<n> with when user transfers file
<PC file name>?" from PC to the User<n>
memory of the instrument
(AFG).
1625 No Arb is connected. Do This message appears if NA
you want to connect now? the "Send To Arb" button is
pressed in the application
when no instrument is
connected. Pressing Yes
invokes the File Transfer
and Control dialog.
1626 Unable to load the file, This message is displayed NA
format not supported. when the user tries to load
a .seq file in File Transfer
and Instrument Control
dialog box.
xxx

Reference Error Messages and Warnings III
Error Messages and Warnings III

Scope Acquisition Wizard
1701 No resources are found. This error message Refresh TekVisa.
Refresh TekVisa Resource appears when the user
manager and click Refresh tries to refresh or select
button again. “Select Instrument” page
and when there are no
instruments listed after the
scan.
1702 Connect failed. This error message Refresh TekVisa.
Refresh Visa resource list, appears when the user
check if the instrument is tries to connect to a
properly connected and try particular instrument and
again. connection fails.
1703 Switch on Ref# on the This error occurs when the Turn on the Reference
oscilloscope. user tries to acquire from memory.
Reference memory and
reference is turned off.
1704 No Math equation is set on This error occurs when the Check whether the math
the Oscilloscope. user tries to acquire from equation is valid.
Math data source when the
equation is null.
1705 No data points available. This error occurs when the Change the acquisition
Please change the settings user tries to acquire data settings and acquire again.
and acquire again. from a source and when no
points are available.
1706 Frequency Domain This error appears when Select a Dual Math
Waveforms cannot be the user tries to acquire waveform.
imported. Select a Dual waveform in frequency
Math waveform. domain. For this error
to happen the data
source should be a MATH
waveform.
1707 Number of points match This message appears NA
the instrument - "Selected when the user selects
Instrument Name." Validate button in the
“Extract Segment" page
and the number of
points should match the
instrument selected.
1708 A file already exists with This message appears NA
this name in this folder. Do when the file is about to be
you want to overwrite? overwritten.

Reference Error Messages and Warnings III
Point Draw
1801 Only 100 PD Points are This message appears Remove the existing PD
allowed. when PD points exceed point and then add new PD
100. point.
1901 Enter units in right place. This message appears Enter the units
when units are not entered appropriately.
properly for the time value.
Time value can be entered
when Time button is
selected under XY group.
The user will not be able to
click the next cell until the
right value is entered.
1902 Please enter only digits. This message appears Enter the time value
when input is not correct correctly.
for the time value. Time
value can be entered when
Time button is selected
under XY group. The user
will not be able to click
the next cell until the right
value is entered.
1903 Please enter the units This message appears Enter the units
correctly. when units are not entered appropriately.
properly for the time value.
when Time button is
The user will not be able to
click the next cell until the
units are entered correctly.
1904 Please enter correct double This message appears Enter the correct voltage
value. when the input value for value.
Voltage is not correct. The
user will not be able to click
voltage value is entered.
1905 The time value entered The maximum time The time value entered
should be within maximum value will depend on should be within the range.
time range. the waveform length. Time
value can be entered when
Time button is selected
under XY group. The user
will not be able to click
voltage value is entered.

Reference Default Settings
Point Draw
1906 Sampling Index should be This message appears Enter the point within the
within Maximum Sampling when the point value range.
value. exceeds the waveform
length. Point mode can be
selecting the Points under
the XY group.
1907 Value of the Sampling Index The sampling index should Enter unique sampling
should be unique. always be a unique value. index.
1908 There should be minimum This message appears Entering the time
time difference of at least when time values value in the cell such
MinimumTimeDifference. in two cells have a that they have the
difference of less than the MinimumTimeDifference
MinimumTimeDifference. between them.
when Time button is
xxx
Default Settings
Parameter Selection Default Setting
Edit> Paste Paste at active cursor Prepend to the Paste at active cursor.
waveform Append to the waveform
Replace between cursors.
Don't show this again and always Not selected by default.
paste at active cursor.
Shift/Rotate Points 10
Amplitude .5 V
Vertical Segment: Shift Up, Shift Shift Up
Down
Horizontal Segment: Rotate Right, Rotate Right
Rotate Left, Shift Left, Shift Right
Point Draw Table Interpolation: Linear, Smooth, Smooth
Staircase
X Value: Time, Points Depends on the X axis units of the
active wavebook or window
Display> Cursor Position Points The selection is based on the
Seconds waveform. If the X-axis is Time, the
setting is Seconds.
Cursor 1 Reflects the current location, in points
or seconds, of Cursor 1
Cursor 2 Reflects the current location, in points
or seconds, of Cursor 2

Reference Default Settings

Display> Properties Waveform Name Displays the name of the selected
waveform
Enable Graticule Enabled by default
Waveform Properties Displays the currently selected
waveform color, line style, and line
width
Marker Color Displays the marker colors of Marker
1 and Marker 2
Background Color Displays the background color of the
selected waveform
Cursor Color Displays the cursor colors of Cursor 1
and Cursor 2
Equation Editor Instrument AWG710
Sampling Rate 1000000
Number of Points 1000
Total Range 0.001
Equation #Change the range according to you
settings
range (0,1ms)
#Your equation goes here sin(w)
Waveform> Properties> Active Instrument Displays the currently selected
Waveform tab instrument in the waveform
Sampling Rate Displays the sampling rate of the
selected waveform
Resampling waveform using Shows the number of points used for
resampling
Resampling method: Sinc, Linear, Sinc
Add points with zero amplitude
Normalize waveform before saving Selected by default
the file
Waveform> Properties> New Window/Existing Window New Window
Multi-Waveform Properties tab Wave Book Selection Displays the currently selected wave
book
Change the incoming waveform's Change the incoming waveform
sampling rate. Change the existing sampling rate
waveform's sampling rate
Waveform> Properties> Preferences Save .set file along with the .wfm and All the options are selected
tab .pat files. When the channel is turned on or off,
Show paste option before pasting. the complementary channels are also
Always enable instrument's outputs turned on or off
after transferring the waveform.

Reference Default Settings Cont...

Math> Waveform Math Math Source Waveform Library Amplitude 2.0,
Waveform Library — Sine, Square, Cycles 1, Phase 0, Duty Cycle 50,
Triangle, DC, Noise, Pulse, Pulse Width 50, Damp Factor 50
Exponential Rise, Exponential Amplitude 1.0
Decay
Scalar
Copy from Clipboard
Operation Add
Add
Subtract
Multiply
Divide
Only Between Cursors Always selected
xxx
Default Settings Cont...

This table lists the default settings for the standard waveforms.

Waveform> Sine Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Points 1000
Vertical offset 0
Cycles 10
Frequency Maximum sampling rate / Points per
cycle(100)
Maximum sampling rate / Points per
cycle(128) (AWG7000 series)
Phase 0
Sampling Rate Maximum sampling rate supported by
the instrument
Points per cycle 100
128 (AWG7000 series)


Waveform> Square Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Points 1000
Vertical offset 0
Cycles 10
cycle(100)
Maximum sampling rate / Points per
cycle(128) (AWG7000 series)
the instrument
Phase 0
Duty Cycle 50
Rise Time / Fall Time 0
Rise Time / Fall Time Type Ramp
Waveform> Triangle Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Points 1000
Vertical offset 0
Cycles 10
cycle(100) Maximum sampling rate /
Points per cycle(128) (AWG7000 series)
Phase 0
the instrument


Waveform> Pulse Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Vertical offset 0
Cycles 10
cycle(100) Maximum sampling rate /
Points per cycle(128) (AWG7000 series)
the instrument
128 (AWG7000/ series)
Delay 0
Pulse Width 10
Rise Time / Fall Time 0
Rise Time / Fall Time Type Ramp
Transition Pulse Direction Positive
Waveform> DC Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Points 1000
Vertical offset 0
the instrument
Waveform> Exponential Rise Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Points 1000
Vertical offset 0
Cycles 1
Phase 0
the instrument
Damp factor 5
Waveform> Exponential Decay Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Points 1000
Vertical offset 0
Cycles 1
Phase 0
the instrument
Damp factor 5


Waveform> Noise Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Points 1000
Vertical offset 0
Noise Type Gaussian White Noise
the instrument
Waveform> Sinc Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Points 1000
Vertical offset 0
Cycles 1
Phase 0
Number of zero crossings 10
the instrument
Waveform> Sweep Amplitude Peak to peak 1000
Vertical offset 0
Points Duration * Sampling Rate
Start frequency 1M
End frequency 5M
Time Duration 1μ (AWG710 – AWG2021,
AWG5000 series, and AWG7000 series)
10μ (AWG2005 – AFG320)
1000/Maximum sampling rate
(AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000 series)
the instrument. The default sampling
rate for AWG2021 is 248.
The default sampling rate for
AWG7000 series is 3.2 G.


Waveform> Multi-Tone Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Vertical offset 0
Points SamplingRate/ToneSpacing
Start frequency 1M (AWG710 – AWG2021, AWG5000,
AWG7000, AFG2000, AFG3000, and
AWG4000 series) 1K (AWG2005 –
AFG320)
End Frequency 5M (AWG710 – AWG2021, AWG5000,
AWG7000, AFG2000, AFG3000, and
AWG4000 series) 5K (AWG2005 –
AFG320)
Tone Spacing 1M (AWG710 – AWG2021,
AWG5000 series, and AWG7000 series)
1K (AWG2005 – AFG320)
1000/Maximum sampling rate
(AFG2000, AFG3000, AWG4000 series)
The default sampling rate for AWG4000
is 2.5 G.

Reference Valid Parameter Ranges

Waveform> Lorentz Amplitude Peak to peak 2
Vertical offset 0
Points Delay * Sampling Rate
Cycles 1
Phase 0
Delay 1μ (AWG710 – AWG2021, AWG5000,
and AWG7000) 10μ (AWG2005 –
AFG320) 1000/Maximum sampling rate
* cycles (AFG2000, AFG3000, and
AWG4000 series)
Half Width 0.3 μs
Waveform Padding Options Manually change the Horizontal settings Manually change the Horizontal settings
to reach minimum number of points to reach minimum number of points
Add zeros to achieve minimum number
of points
Add last vector to achieve minimum
number of points
xxx
Valid Parameter Ranges

The table below lists the filters, amplitudes, offsets, and levels supported by the AWGs and AFGs.

The table below lists the output styles, number of channels, memory lengths, and marker out levels
supported by the AWGs and AFGs.

The table below lists the output types and number of channels supported by the AFG2000 series of
instruments.
The table below lists the output styles and the number of channels supported by the AFG3xxx series of
instruments.

The table below lists the output styles and the number of channels supported by the MDO3000 and
MDO4000C series of oscilloscope. The oscilloscope AFG is a 50 Ω source. The levels described in this
table apply when the output load impedance is set to 50 Ω.
The table below lists the output styles and the number of channels supported by the AWG7xxx and
AWG5xxx series of instruments.

Reference Equation Editor Reference I
Equation Editor Reference I

Use the equation editor to edit files with the extension of .equ, .eqa, or *.*. The default selection is *.eqa.
Equation file data takes the form of mathematical equations. An equation program file can have up to 100
lines. An equation file is compiled to create a waveform file and to output the waveform.
The component menu contains the items used to set the time range as well as functions, operators, variables,
constants, syntax items and characters. You can use these items to create equations and enter comments.
Component Symbol Meaning Example

Syntax Items () These are parentheses — NA
(and) — for specifying the
order of operations. Each
opening (left) parenthesis
must be paired with a closing
(right) parenthesis. When
there are two arguments – for
example, range, max, min –
they are separated with a ,
(comma).
Variables. Here are the t Time from the head of that NA
variables that can be used in x range() statement
an equation. Variable taking on a value
v
from 0.0 to 1.0 within that
range ( )
Variable showing the current
value of the waveform data at
that position statement


Operators +, –, *, / These add, subtract, multiply, NA
or divide the components.
The priorities are the same as
usual for these four operators
– * and / have priority over +
and –.
^ Expresses exponents. Only Example: pi * (2^3) * x where
integers can be raised to a 2^3 = two raised to the third
higher power. ^ has the same power.
priority as * and /. Therefore,
parentheses are required to
give priority to multiplication.
Comment # Comments are preceded by NA
a number sign (#). When a
number sign is entered, all
characters after that until the
end of the line are treated as
a comment. All of the items in
the component menu can be
used in a comment.
Characters a–z, %, $, &, @, A, _ The characters available in NA
the component menu are the
letters of the alphabet (a–z)
and several symbols (%, $, &,
@, A and _ ). These are used
in comments.
Other items pi, e, k, =, NA


pi The circumferential ratio. NA
e Exponent (for an implied Examples: 1e6=1,000,000,
10). The range for numbers 1e–3=0.001
expressed in this scientific
notation is from |5.9e–39| to
|3.4e38|.
k The k0–k9 can be specified; NA
these are constants that
may be used in equations.
Specifying a new value for
the same k# replaces the old
value with the new one. If no
constant
is defined for k, this value will
be automatically set to 0.
= Equals sign. = is used with k Example: k0=2*pi
constants.
Ends the line for the range or NA
equation; inserting a return
( ) in the middle of the
line partitions it.


Functions sin(, cos( The arguments for these Example:
trigonometric functions are in range(0,100 s)cos(2*pi*x)
radians. Example:
range(0,100 s)sin(2*pi*1e4*t)
exp(, log(, ln( Exponential function, Example: range(0,50 _s)
common log function, natural 1–exp(–5*x)
log function. The log and ln
range(50 _s,100 _s)
arguments must be positive.
exp(–5*x)
Example: range(0,100 _s)
log(10*(x+0.1))
Example: range(0,100 _s)
ln(2*(x+0.2))
sqrt( The square root; the Example: range(0,100 _s)
argument must be a positive sqrt(sin(pi*x))
value.
abs( The absolute value. Example: range(0,100 _s)
abs(sin(2*pi*x))
int( Truncates the fraction to Example: range(0,100 _s)
obtain the integer. int(5*sin(2*pi*x))/5
round( Rounds off the fraction to Example: range(0,100 _s)
obtain the integer. round(5*sin(2*pi*x))/5
norm( Normalizes the range Example: range(0,100 _s)
specified with range() and sin(2*pi*x)+rnd()/10
scales the amplitude values
norm()
so that the maximum absolute
value is 1.0 (that is, a value
of +1.0 or –1.0). The norm()
statement comprises an
entire line.
max( Takes the larger of two values. Example: range(0,100 _s)
min( Takes the smaller of two sin(2*pi*x) range(0,50 _s)
values. min(v,0.5) range(50 _s,100
_s) max(v,–0.5)
range( The equation must specify range(0,1ms) Time range
the time domain. If the sin(2*pi*x) Equation
time domain is not defined,
this is an error. The time
domain is specified with
range().
When making a new equation
file, range(0, is input in the
first line of equation. Next, the
time is specified. This setting
is valid until the next range(
item is specified. With the
first range() specification, any
number of lines of equation
can be input. Text written
after the range() on the same
line is invalid. Here is the
format for the range( item.
range( Equation starting time,
Equation ending time )
Reference Equation Editor Reference II
xxx
Equation Editor Reference II

Use the equation editor Units menu to specify the units for the parameters or variables used in the equation.
The following table lists the units that you can use and their descriptions.
Unit Meaning
m milli (e– 3 )
u micro (e– 6 )
n nano (e– 9 )
p pico (e– 12 )
s second
, comma separator
K Kilo (e3)
M Mega (e6)
xxx
Use the selection menu to confirm, backspace, or clear the equation.
The following table lists the units that you can use and their descriptions.
Button Meaning
Enter Confirms the selection and moves to the next line of the
equation
BKSP Backspaces over the last character. Works like the
backspace key on the keyboard
CLR Clears the entire equation
xxx

Reference Equation Editor Reference II

Index
Index
A Filter setup, 72 Exiting the application, 15

About ArbExpress, 1 Import from oscilloscope, 73
Add waveforms, 128 Instrument properties, 72 F
Application file names and Lorentz wave, 67
File Menu, 18
directories, 9 Multi-tone wave, 65
File name extensions, 8
Noise wave, 56
File transfer and instrument
Paste Option, 43
C Pulse wave, 54
control, 135
Communication Menu, 26 Fit to Window, 115
Set IP address, 72
Compile, 125 Free hand editing, 123
Set pattern, 74
Configuration, 1 Freehand editing, 123
Sinc wave, 64
Copy, 118 Sine wave, 48
Copy as bitmap, 122 Square wave, 50 G
Copy to clipboard, 121 Sweep wave, 62 Graticule, 116
Create marker patterns, 112 Triangle wave, 52 Properties, 116
Creating waveforms, 12 Waveform Math, 71
Creating waveforms using Waveform properties, 42
Matlab, 158 Display Menu, 21
H
DC wave, 94 Divide waveforms, 133 Help Menu, 28
Exponential Decay wave, 98 Dynamic compile, 35 Horizontal draw, 124
Exponential Rise wave, 96 Horizontal Zoom In, 115
Lorentz wave, 109
E
Multi-tone wave, 106
Edit Marker, 112
I
Noise wave, 91 Import from oscilloscope, 41
Pulse wave, 88 Edit Menu, 19
Editing waveforms, 124 Import or transfer
Sinc wave, 101 waveform, 41
Sine wave, 79 Copy, 118
Copy as Bitmap, 122 Scope acquisition wizard, 149
Square wave, 82 Instrument bar, 34
Sweep wave, 103 Copy to System
Clipboard, 121 Instrument control, 161
Triangle wave, 85 AWG/AFG file transfer and
Cursor, 113 Cut, 118
Freehand, 123 control, 135
Cursor Position, 113 Controlling an AFG, 140
Cursor position, 113 Horizontal Draw, 124
Invert, 122 Controlling an AWG, 142
Mirror, 123 Controlling an instrument
D Paste, 119 using Matlab, 161
Dialog boxes, 41 Point Draw, 125 Interpolation, 125
Cursor Position, 45 Select All, 120 Invert, 122
DC wave, 58 Vertical Draw, 124
Display Properties, 46 Equation Editor, 75 M
Equation Editor, 46 Creating a waveform, 12 Marker, 112
Exponential Decay, 60 Reference, 201 Edit marker, 112
Exponential Rise, 59 Using the equation editor, 75 Properties, 116
File transfer and instrument Error messages and warnings, 171 Math Menu, 24
control, 69

Index
Matlab commands, 163 Printing from the Online Help, 5 W

CloseSession command, 165 Waveform
LoadWfm command, 168 S Addition, 128
NewSession command, 164 Closing a waveform, 14
Scope Acquisition Wizard, 149
Query command, 170 Creating a waveform, 12
Select All, 120
Read command, 167 Creating a waveform using
Shortcut keys, 15
TransferWfm command, 169 Matlab, 158
Shortcut menu, 28
Write command, 166 Division, 133
Shortcut View, 144
Matlab support Edit operations, 19
Standard tool bar, 31
Creating waveform using Multi-waveform
Starting the application, 10
Matlab, 158 properties, 40
Status bar, 36
Transferring files from Multiplication, 131
Subtract waveforms, 130
Matlab, 159 Normalize, 157
System requirements, 1
Menus, 17 Opening a waveform, 10
Communication menu, 26 Saving a waveform, 13
Display menu, 21 T Sending waveform to
Edit menu, 19 Time scale, 116 Arb, 148
File menu, 18 Tool bars, 34 Subtraction, 130
Help menu, 28 Instrument bar, 34 Transferring files from
Math menu, 24 Point draw toolbar, 35 Matlab, 159
View menu, 21 Standard toolbar, 31 Waveform Math, 71
Waveform menu, 23 Status bar, 36 Waveform addition, 128
Window menu, 27 Waveform toolbar, 31 Waveform division, 133
Mirror, 123 Zoom bar, 33 Waveform Menu, 23
Multiply waveforms, 131 Waveform multiplication, 131
U Waveform subtraction, 130
N Using online help, 4 Window Menu, 27
Normalize waveforms, 157
V Z
P Vertical draw, 124 Zoom, 114
Parameter ranges, 197 View Menu, 21 Zoom bar, 33
Paste, 119 Zoom In, 114
Zoom Out, 114

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For product information, sales, service, and technical support:

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help i

Status Bar ...................................................................................................... 36

ii ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Pulse Wave .................................................................................................... 88

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help iii

Multiplication ............................................................................................... 131

iv ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

About ArbExpress Version 3.4 AXW100 Software

OS supported Minimum requirements

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 1

Communication type AWG/AFG Oscilloscope

1 * AFG300 and AWG2000 series instruments do not support LAN

2 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

5. In the License Agreement screen:

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 3

4 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Printing from the Online Help

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 5

6 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 7

File Name Extensions

8 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

File name extensions Description

Application File Names and Directories

You can install ArbExpress in a directory of your choice.

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 9

Starting the Application

Working with Waveforms

10 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 11

File > Standard Waveform

File > Equation Editor

12 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Exponential Rise Wave (see page 96)

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 13

14 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Exiting the Application

Menu item Shortcut key

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 15

16 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

When a waveform is open, the menu bar is:

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 17

Help Menu (see page 28)

Menu selection Description

18 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Help Menu (see page 28)

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 19

Menu selection Description

20 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Menu selection Description

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 21

Menu selection Description

22 ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help

Window Menu (see page 27)

Menu selection Description

ArbExpress AXW100 Printable Help 23

Menu selection Description

Menu Selection Description