Introduction
1MA236_0e
Rohde & Schwarz
Remote Operation of Windows Based T&M Instruments with Android Tablets
3
1
Introduction
Tablet computers, or simply "tablets", provide easy mobile access to networks while
offering a very good usability, especially regarding display, size, weight and handling.
Sometimes tablets replace notebooks, sometimes they open new applications. In-
creasingly, tablets have proven their capabilities in business areas.
Remote operation of Windows
®
-based Test & Measurement (T&M) instruments
1
is
done mainly from desktop computers, sometimes via notebooks. Tablets are also very
appropriate since they satisfy all requirements for remote control of T&M instruments
which are:
● A display for monitoring the ongoing operations and providing buttons and other
interactive GUI elements
● An interface to press the buttons, select or enter values, launch actions etc.
● The capability to access the network (a LAN or WLAN) with the T&M instrument
Typically, remote operation requires only the computing capacity of a modest client
application (while the main computing takes place on the T&M instrument) and only a
minimum of manual entries of numbers and letters.
The following descriptions refer to tablets with the Android
2
operating system. The
same considerations are valid for the Apple
®
iPad
®
(see application note 1MA216).
Procedures and handling for Windows RT tablets are similar.
The R&S CMW270/280/500
3
is used as example for a typical R&S T&M instrument.
The front page lists other R&S instruments that may be operated as described in this
document.
Use Cases
● Monitoring the T&M instrument outside the usual control room
● Presenting the operation of a T&M instrument in a meeting/teaching room
● Accessing T&M instruments without dedicated displays or instruments which have
been installed in places that are difficult to reach
Implementation Principle
Remote operation by tablet is adopted for T&M instruments running on Windows XP or
Windows 7. An App implements the common Windows "Remote Desktop" functionality
on the tablet. "Remote Desktop" is the standard mechanism for remote control of Win-
dows-based T&M instruments by a desktop computer. It allows to control the T&M in-
strument remotely as if working on it locally.
For accessing the T&M instrument from the tablet a WLAN connection is required. This
wireless connection can be established e.g. via a WLAN router between T&M instru-
ment and tablet or even directly between both devices if the instrument is equipped
with a WLAN USB adapter.
1
Supported Windows-based R&S products are referred to as "T&M instruments".
2
Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
3
The R&S CMW270/280/500 is referred to as "CMW" in this document.
