Data Logger Mode

In the Data Logger mode, the computer's clock controls measurement start/stop/interval, and readings are stored in a data log on the computer.

Note: For more efficient file management, file partitioning is used for data logs that generate large data files. The file size limit varies by bench application and is based on the number of data points, traces, and captures. If the data file size exceeds the file size limit for the bench application, BenchVue saves that file, closes it, and then opens a new file.

Data Log Mode

Configure the oscilloscope application to log either Measurement data or Trace data. Be sure to note that changing the data log mode will clear the measurement data from the previous data log.

Data Log Name

The default file name consists of the oscilloscope model number followed by "Data Log" and a numeric index. For example, MSO6104A Data Log 2.

To change the default name, click on the existing name to open the file name editor. You can edit the prefix name and also have the option to include or exclude the date, current time, and numeric index. The date is in the form yyyy-mm-dd and the time is in the form hh-mm-ss (24-hour time format). For example, <model> Data Log 2013-09-20 11-40-26 1 – September 20, 2013 at 11:40:26 with a numeric index of 1.

If included, the date, time, and numeric index fields are automatically updated with each subsequent data log operation from this bench application.
The date and time fields are based on your computer's internal clock setting.

Note: By default, data logs are stored in the "My Documents" folder on your computer and are organized by instrument type. For example – C:\Users\<user_name>\Documents\Keysight\BenchVue\Oscilloscope\Data Logs\.

Measurement or Trace Selection

Select the desired measurements or traces to be included in the data log. Click the "Enable All" button to select all available measurements or traces. Select the "Disable All" button to unselect all available measurements or traces.

To add or modify the measurements to be displayed in the configuration panel, click the "Measurements..." button on the Instrument Settings tab or go to the oscilloscope front panel. For more information, see Waveform Measurements.

Start Data Logging

Immediately with Start Button - Start data logging when you click the button or the button.

At Specific Time - Start data logging at a specific time and date. Enter the desired date in the form yyyy (year), mm (month), and dd (day). Enter the desired time in the form hh (hours), mm (minutes), and ss (seconds).

Logging Interval

Enter the desired interval between samples in the form dd (days), hh (hours), mm (minutes), ss (seconds), and ms (milliseconds). Select Minimum to select the shortest interval based on the instrument's current settings or select Custom to specify a specific sample period.

Note: To log measurement data based on the oscilloscope trigger, set the trigger mode to "Normal" from the Instrument Settings tab.

Stop Data Logging

Immediately with Stop Button - Terminate data logging when you click the button or the button.

After X Captures: Terminate data logging after the specified number of captures have occurred (available in the Trace mode only).

After Elapsed Time - Terminate data logging after the specified amount of time has elapsed. Enter the desired duration in the form dd (days), hh (hours), mm (minutes), and ss (seconds).

Limit Testing

Check readings against upper and lower limits. A limit failure occurs when the measured signal goes above the upper limit, or below the lower limit.

Enable Limit Testing - Check here to enable limit testing.

Choose Limit Measurement - From the drop-down list, select the desired measurement to be used for limit testing.

Upper Limit - Specify the upper limit in the units of the selected measurement (must be greater than the lower limit). Select +INF/+OVLD to set the upper limit to positive infinity or a positive overload condition.

Lower Limit - Specify the lower limit in the units of the selected measurement (must be less than the upper limit). Select -INF/-OVLD to set the lower limit to negative infinity or a negative overload condition.

Actions to Take When Limit Reached

Send Computer Beep - The PC and the instrument beep on each limit failure.

Send E-mail Message - Sends an e-mail to the specified recipient upon the first limit failure (multiple failures per test result in just one e-mail). To specify an e-mail recipient, go to the main Global Settings menu in BenchVue and select "Settings".

Execute Batch File - Execute a custom batch file upon first limit failure (multiple failures per test result in executing the batch file just once). After enabling this mode, click ... and browse to the file location where you have stored custom batch files that you have created.