LeCroy SDA, Operator'S Manual

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SDA-OM-E Rev H
Summary
The examples above illustrate only the capability to use VBScript and MATLAB. The instrument
with the LeCroy XMAP software option allows you to use Excel, Mathcad, MATLAB, and VBScript
in this manner. Of course, you will need to load Excel, Mathcad, or MATLAB in the scope
(VBScript does not require any additional software) to take advantage of the capability. You can
think of these functions as "subroutines" of the instrument's main software, which take in
waveform data and other variables like vertical scale and offset and horizontal scale and offset.
These functions then return a waveform or a parameter as required. In addition, you can view the
calculated data directly in Excel, MATLAB, or Mathcad, if you desire.
What is Excel?
Excel is a program within Microsoft Office. With it you can place data in the cells of a
spreadsheet, calculate other values from them, prepare charts of many kinds, use mathematical
and statistical functions, and communicate with other programs in Office. From the instrument
you can send data to Excel (where processing can take place) and return the results to the
instrument.
What is Mathcad?
Mathcad is a software package from MathSoft. It provides an integrated environment for
performing numerical calculations and solving equations, and communicating with other
programs. Results can be presented in tabular or graphical form.
What is MATLAB?
MATLAB is a software package from MathWorks that provides an environment for work in
computation and mathematics. An interactive language and graphics are provided.
What is VBS?
VBS is a programming language, but you don’t write it in a special environment such as C++ or
Visual Basic; you write it within your own application. In the instrument, a few clicks or button
pushes will get you into an editing panel where you can write what you want. You cannot crash
the scope, or in any other way interfere with its workings, because the system is completely
protected.
A product of Microsoft and a subset of Visual Basic, VBS can be learned very quickly if you have
some experience in any programming language. The VBS processing function can collect a
number of useful variables from the scope, including waveform data and useful variables such as
volts per division and time per division. The output from a script can be a waveform or a
parameter, and you can choose your own values for variables such as volts per division.
The idea of a VBS function is that you start with an input waveform, operate on some or all of the
values with a script, and show the result on a scope grid, like any other waveform.
VBScript customization is built into the instrument, so no additional programs need to be loaded
to take advantage of this capability.
The following diagrams were made by changing a small part, in some cases just one line, of a
standard VBScript. VBS is a well-known standard language, with excellent support
documentation, and it is easy to use in several different environments.