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| test-and-measurement:electronics-explorer:getting-started-guide:linux [2022/09/08 15:51] – changed forum.digilentinc.com to forum.digilent.com, and one type-o jeff.greenberg_ni.com | test-and-measurement:electronics-explorer:getting-started-guide:linux [2022/10/04 11:38] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1 | ||
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| + | ======Getting Started with the Electronics Explorer (Linux)====== | ||
| + | ~~TechArticle~~ | ||
| + | |||
| + | ----- | ||
| + | Congratulations on your purchase of the Electronics Explorer! This guide will take you from opening the box, through installation, | ||
| + | |||
| + | One of the best parts about Linux is that it is open source, and there is a whole community of developers. This is amazing because it means that there is a Linux tool out there for anything, and a shell in any style that you'd like. \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | However, this means that we can't possibly make our software install perfectly in every distribution. In each of the zip file downloads that you'll encounter later, there is a README with the officially supported distributions. If a distribution is on there it means that the installer should run and you should be able to get WaveForms up and running without a problem. \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | If the distribution you are using isn't on there, it doesn' | ||
| + | |||
| + | --> | ||
| + | Nothing but an internet connection! Once you have a Electronics Explorer this guide will take you through what's in the box, installation of WaveForms and taking your first measurement. Then you can get started with any of your embedded projects. However, WaveForms can also be operated in Demo mode. If you don't yet have a Electronics Explorer, feel free to follow along with this guide and test out WaveForms in " | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | <-- | ||
| + | |||
| + | -->Whats in the Box?# | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | * EE Board | ||
| + | * USB A to micro B cable | ||
| + | * Starter Parts Kit | ||
| + | * 12 V external power supply | ||
| + | * US and EU plug adapters | ||
| + | |||
| + | <-- | ||
| + | |||
| + | --> | ||
| + | |||
| + | WaveForms is the software that configures, calibrates, and controls the Digital Discovery. Through WaveForms you have access to the EE Board' | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 1:**\\ | ||
| + | Go to [[waveforms3: | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | The file you need to download depends on your distribution of Linux. Since I have a 32-bit Ubuntu system, I needed the 32-bit .deb file. | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 2:**\\ | ||
| + | Go to [[: | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | You'll need to download the same type of file for Adept as you did for WaveForms. So again, I need the 32-bit .deb file. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <-- | ||
| + | |||
| + | --> | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 1: Launch the Digilent Adept Installer**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Double-click on the 'Adept file' you downloaded in the previous step to open the installer. | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 2: Start the Install**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Click ' | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 3: Give Privileges**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Depending on your security settings you may need to 'enter your password' | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 4: Close the Installer**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | In the event that you want to remove Adept, you can open the same file and click the remove button. | ||
| + | |||
| + | 'Close the installer' | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 5: Launch the WaveForms Installer**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Launch the installer by clicking on the ' | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 6: Start the Installation**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | Launch the installation by clicking ' | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 7: Close the Installer**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | Wait for the installer to finish. It should only take a few minutes. Click the red x to close the installer. | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 8: Launch WaveForms**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | Search for WaveForms and double-click on the WaveForms icon to start it. \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 9: Click OK**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | If your EE Board is not connected or you do not have one, this window will appear. Click OK. To connect your board, plug the EE Board into your computer by connecting the USB cable between the EE board and your computer, switching the Ready switch on the EE Board to “On”, and plugging in the 12 V auxiliary power supply. | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | If you see this window when your EE Board is connected, go to the scopes and instruments section of [[http:// | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 10: Select Your Device**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Once the EE Board is connected or you select okay in the previous image, you'll see the Device Manager. Here you can select to either connect the EE Board, or if a EE Board is not connected run it in Demo mode. \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 11: Explore the Main Window**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Once you select the device or demo mode, you can explore the main WaveForms Window. On the left-hand side the navigation bar contains a button to open each of the tools. \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | <-- | ||
| + | |||
| + | --> The Tools# | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 1: Explore the Navigation Bar**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | On the left-hand side of the screen you'll see the navigation bar. Each of the tools are represented by buttons. Click on '' | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 2: The Oscilloscope**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The oscilloscope has four separate channels that can sample at 40 MS/s and at 100 MHz bandwidth. The input voltage range is ±20 V. You can adjust the offset and range for the individual channels in their individual boxes on the right-hand side as well as being able to adjust the the time base for the viewing screen. Users can also click on the " | ||
| + | Go back to the main window by clicking the Welcome tab, and open the Waveform Generator by clicking '' | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 3: The Arbitrary Waveform Generator**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The arbitrary waveform generator has two channels that have a bandwidth of 20 MHz each. You can select your signal type from a number of preset types (such as sine, trapezium, noise, and others) and its corresponding frequency, phase, amplitude, and aspects of the waveform. Users can also choose to perform a simple waveform generation, play a premade waveform, create a frequency sweep, and others. Go back to the main window and click '' | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 4: The Power Supplies**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The power supplies let you choose a variable positive and negative supply option ranging from 0 to +9 V and 0 to -9V, respectively, | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 5: The Voltmeter**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The voltmeter provides the measured voltages on the 4 channels including the measured DC, true RMS, and AC RMS voltage. All of the voltmeter ports are available on the Analog section of the EE board. Go back to the main screen and select '' | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | **Step 6: The Data Logger**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The data logger takes over the oscilloscope channels (the oscilloscope will take control back if it is re-enabled) and windows the oscilloscope sweeps and plots the measured DC, true RMS, and AC RMS voltage. Go back to the main window and select '' | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 7: The Logic Analyzer**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | With the logic analyzer, you can add up to 32 Digital input channels. By clicking on "Click to Add Channel", | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 8: The Pattern Generator**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The pattern generator allows you to send out a wide variety of digital signals. By clicking "Click to add channels", | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 9: The Static I/O**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Static IO allows you to test how your system communicates with several types of circuit IO. If you select Bit IO or change the channels individually, | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 10: The Network Analyzer**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The network analyzer takes control of both the oscilloscope and waveform generator; typically a channel of each the waveform generator and oscilloscope are used to create (and measure) a signal going into a filter and then a second oscilloscope channel reading the output signal coming from the filter. Users can set a desired start and stop frequency in addition to the number of steps to take between the two frequencies at the top of the GUI. The " | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 11: The Spectrum Analyzer**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The spectrum analyzer uses the oscilloscope channels to measure the magnitude of a signal in relation to its frequency. Users may select the frequency range (which determines the sample rate) that the oscilloscope channel samples the signal of interest as well as displaying the type of trace you wish to see. Users may also adjust the y-axis of the viewing screen to different ranges, increments, or different units. Go back to the main window and select '' | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 12: The Protocol Analyzer**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The protocol analyzer turns the EE Board into a UART, SPI, or I²C device, allowing you to send and receive data through the interface. Users can change a number of settings including the frequency, polarity, and data to send. Custom scripts for SPI and I²C can be used as well. Go back to the main window and select '' | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 13: The Script Editor**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the case that any of the previous tools don't allow you to complete the test and analysis that you need, the script editor provides a JavaScript editor that you can use to run custom tests. Different examples are available in the " | ||
| + | |||
| + | <-- | ||
| + | |||
| + | --> Taking Your First Measurement# | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 1: Plug in your EE Board**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | \\ If you have not done so, plug in your EE Board into your computer by connecting the USB cable between the EE board and your computer, switching the Ready switch on the EE Board to " | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 2: Select Your Device**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | If you have not done so, select the EE Board in the Device Manager. The Device Manager can be accessed anytime from the main toolbar. Open the settings menu and select Device Manager. | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 3: Start the Waveform Generator**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Open the Waveform Generator by clicking '' | ||
| + | |||
| + | Choose what type of signal you want to generate by choosing it in the drop-down menu next to " | ||
| + | |||
| + | The channel you are using can be selected in the " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Click Run. If you choose the same settings that I did, you will see a very similar screen as to what is shown above. | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 4: Start the Pattern Generator**\\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Open the Pattern Generator by clicking Patterns. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Click on the green plus sign and select signal. Other types of digital outputs are available as well. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Select DIO 31, and click the green plus sign. Click " | ||
| + | |||
| + | In the type column, use the drop-down to select Clock. Other types can be chosen as well. You can adjust the clock rate by clicking on the pencil edit button located between the listed digital pin that is being used and the output type. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Click Run. If you choose the same settings, your screen should look like the image above. | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 5: Prepping for Measurement**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The EE Board comes with the starter parts kit which contains a number of pre-trimmed jumper wires which can be used to make a number of crisp circuits. This tutorial uses the oscilloscope to measure the signal from the arbitrary waveform generator, so a pair of wires (or a single wire) should be used to connect the AWG 1 to the DC input of Scope 1 on the EE board. Similarly, the logic analyzer is measuring the data from the pattern generator, so a wire (or a pair wires) should be connecting digital pin 31 to pin 27 on the Digital 4 section of the EE Board. | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | **Step 6: View your First Measurement**\\ | ||
| + | {{: | ||
| + | |||
| + | Go to the main window and click Logic to open the Logic Analyzer and Scope to open the Oscilloscope tabs. Multiple tools can be viewed simultaneously within WaveForms by clicking on the small windows button in the upper right hand corner of the WaveForms GUI. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The time bases on the Logic Analyzer and Oscilloscope can be set to nicely capture your signals; this tutorial is running the waveform generator at 200 kHz, so the oscilloscope is set to a time base of 10 μs/div. Channel 1 on the oscilloscope is used to capture data from the AWG (available on the Scope section of the EE Board. Click run to start collecting data on the oscilloscope. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The pattern generator has a default rate of 1 kHz for the clock, so the logic analyzer can use a time base of 1 ms/div for a viable view. Click on the the green plus sign to bring up a menu to select what type of signal to analyze. This tutorial is generating a clock so choose " | ||
| + | |||
| + | Congratulations! You now have four different tools operating simultaneously! Keep playing around with the tools and visit forum.digilentinc.com for questions or technical issues. | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | \\ | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | <-- | ||
| + | |||
| + | ---- | ||