2. Productivity Tips

FlexDCA Essentials

Save valuable time and effort with the following powerful productivity tips.

1. Hot Swap N1000A and 86100D Modules

You do not need to turn off the mainframe to install or remove a module. You can swap modules while the DCA-X is turned on.

Do not remove a module from the DCA-X during a calibration.

To ensure the instrument meets all published specifications there must be a good ground connection between the module and mainframe. The RF connectors on the rear of the module are spring-loaded; therefore, finger-tighten the knurled screw on the module's front panel to ensure the module is securely seated in the mainframe.

2. Copy-To-Clipboard

Right click on the display to use the Copy-To-Clipboard feature. This allows you to copy and paste waveforms and measurement results into other applications such as word processors and spreadsheets.

3. Change Values Using Mouse Wheel

If you have a scroll-wheel mouse, you can use it to swiftly change displayed values such as a channels scale and offset.

4. Acquire an Entire Pattern

You can acquire data for an entire pattern. In Eye/Mask mode you can save the pattern in an ASCII file (*.csv) or internal format file (*wfmx).

5. Find a Symbol Sequence in a Pattern Waveform

Locate a specific sequence of UIs within a pattern waveform. Easily find and observe how your device responds to a symbol sequence, for example 1110. A sequence of up to 128 UIs can be searched and the "?" wildcard character can be used.

6. SCPI Recorder and Macros

The SCPI Recorder allows you to change instruments settings while capturing the equivalent SCPI remote programming commands. When you've recorded your commands, you can play them back and save them as a macro.

7. Undo/Redo/History

As you change instrument settings, you can undo and redo your previous settings and traverse the history of your changes.

8. Full-Zoomed Mode

Full-zoomed mode formats the display for improved viewing when making presentations on a large screen. On the DCA-X, you can connect a second, large display to the rear-panel connection.

9. Signals Palette

Use the Signals Palette to quickly turn waveforms on and off, adjust scaling, and change a waveform's color. The Signals Palette shows all available channels, simulated channels, functions, and memories.

10. Swap and Float Windows

You can drag and swap a measurement panel with the main waveform window. Simply click on the panel's tab (not the center of the panel) and drag it over the waveform. You can also float windows free of the main application.

11. Enhancing Waveforms for Presentations and Reports

Due to FlexDCA's high screen resolution, some waveforms may be difficult to view in screen captures printed in reports or when the waveforms are viewed at a distance, such as during a presentation. With Waveform Pixel Intensity, data points that are normally represented by one pixel are instead represented by several adjacent pixels. Essentially, this makes the traces appear thicker and so more easily seen. Don't forget to reset pixel emphases after your presentation!

You can also save screen captures by selecting a light Aluminum screen theme (versus the default dark theme). This can make images in reports much easier to see.

12. Multi-Purpose Button

Configure the DCA-X's front-panel Multi-Purpose button to capture screen images, run recorded SCPI scripts, or load instrument setup files.

13. Documentation Wizard

Use the Documentation Wizard to place all of the following items into a zip file so that you can archive and transport them:

  • Screen capture
  • Instrument setup
  • Waveform window data
  • Results window data
  • System information