CAT200                       Virtual Oscilloscope Control
Virtual Software for a Real Oscilloscope
 
Microbytes Daily News Service
Copyright (c) 1989, McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Developed by National Instruments, CAT200 Virtual Instrument
Software is the first shipping example of the company's DOS-based
virtual-instrument technology. It's used to control Tektronix's
222 Digital Handheld Oscilloscope through a standard RS-232C
serial link.
 
CAT200 recreates on your computer screen the entire front panel
of the oscilloscope, allowing you to acquire, analyze, reduce,
and store data using any IBM PC, PS/2, or compatible (including
laptops). Tektronix says the package is designed both for
experienced 222 users, as well as those who are learning how to
use the scope.
 
Using a mouse, you can point and click to activate any of the
222's controls. You can also store commonly-used setups for
nearly hands-free use in the field. The package can display up
to six different waveforms which you can store for later
analysis  or compare with incoming signals.
 
Tektronix says a unique feature of the CAT200 package is its
built-in support for Hayes-compatible modems. Using the
telephone lines, you can link a PC running the package to a
remotely-located 222 scope, turning the telephone network into
ultra-long probes. Once connected via modem, you can control the
scope from your PC just like it was next to you. You can also
upload and download captured waveforms between locations.
 
The CAT200 also expands the 222's abilities, says Tektronix. You
can use delta cursors to automatically measure the voltage,
time, and frequency of acquired signals. The package also
outputs waveforms to hardcopy using any standard printer.
 
The software requires 640K bytes of RAM, an EGA or VGA graphics
card, a hard disk drive, and a serial port.
 
Price: CAT200 Software, $395; 222 Digital Oscilloscope, $2450.
 
Contact: Tektronix, Inc., PO Box 500, Beaverton, OR 97077, (503)
627-7111.
 
                              --- Stan Miastkowski
 
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