The most common need after making a measurement on a WaveSurfer oscilloscope is to transfer the data or image to a report or spreadsheet. WaveSurfer, like all other LeCroy DSO's, provides multiple ways of documenting your results.

Figure 1 shows the hardcopy set up dialog box which is used to transfer screen images to reports. The screen images can be in any of six commonly used graphic formats. The images can be transferred directly to a printer, via e-mail, by means of a file stored on a portable memory device like a USB memory key, or directly to a Windows application by way of the clipboard. Hardcopy transfers can be started locally via the oscilloscopes "Print Screen" button or initiated remotely from ScopeExplorer's display or virtual front panel.

Figure 1:

The Hardcopy setup dialog box enables screen images to be transferred to other applications using any of four methods.

Data can be transferred from the scope by means of a "Save Waveform" operation, shown in Figure 2, found under the "File" pull-down menu. Waveform data can be stored in any of 5 different formats: binary, ASCII text, comma delimited text files (Excel), and MATLAB/Mathcad compatible text files. These files can be stored on the internal hard drive, transferred to portable USB memory devices, or transferred via a local area network or direct computer connection under the control of ScopeExplorer. Figure 3 shows the ScopeExplorer "Trace" screen. The selected trace can be transferred remotely in either binary or ASCII format. Keep in mind that WaveSurfer is a Windows based instrument, and application programs like spreadsheets and word processors can run inside the scope. In these situations the data stored on the hard disk can be shared directly.

Figure 2:

The Save File dialog box allows users to save waveform data in any of five data formats

Figure 3:

The ScopeExplorer Trace screen showing the waveform transfer options

Windows applications can access data from the scope directly, either locally or remotely, by using Windows supported ActiveX communication. Figure 4 shows an Excel spreadsheet that uses a LeCroy supplied ActiveX component called ActiveDSO to transfer waveform data and measured parameter values directly to the spreadsheet from the WaveSurfer. ActiveDSO is available directly from the LeCroy Web site. The Web site also contains related examples and a video presentation showing how it can be used.

Figure 4:

An Excel spread sheet directly linked to the scope using the ActiveDSO ActiveX component.

Whatever your documentation needs you will find that the WaveSurfer is fully equipped to support it.