EasySpectrum for SSA3000X - Is it useful?

[dpenev]

Hi Guys,

I think not a separate topic about it so I thought people can share here what they are using it for.

I am reluctant to even install EasySpectrum as it uses big NI VISA drivers I don't want on my PC.
Do you know why they always need those drivers?
As far as I know now the SSA3000X supports socket based scpi interface.

Do you guys use EasySpectrum?
 

[tautech]

Member Bicurico wrote this as an alternative to EasySpectrum:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/vma-simple-spectrum-analyser-for-siglent-ssa3021x/

Have a study, it might be better suited to your needs.

[dpenev]

Hi tautech,

Yes I have tested it and it is nice.

However I want to get the peoples opinion about EasySpectrum now.

[Siglent America]

Hi Guys,

I think not a separate topic about it so I thought people can share here what they are using it for.

I am reluctant to even install EasySpectrum as it uses big NI VISA drivers I don't want on my PC.
Do you know why they always need those drivers?
As far as I know now the SSA3000X supports socket based scpi interface.

Do you guys use EasySpectrum?

The SSA3021X / SSA3032X do have open sockets for direct programming without using Visa.
The port number is 5025.

We also have an example program of using the open socket on out website:
Open socket communication with Python
It is located at
http://siglentamerica.com/prodcut-pxzl.aspx?id=5113&tid=227&T=2

I hope this helps.
Regards

[Bicurico]

"EasySpectrum for SSA3000X - Is it useful?"

That is the question.

My answer:

Yes, it is useful. The EasySpectrum software allows you to remote operate your SSA3000X over an ethernet connection. All functionality is supported and you will see the spectrum as if looking at the physical device. So yes, definitly useful. I use EasySpectrum when I need to grab a screenshot, for example. Much quicker than using a USB disk.

Also, the 3D histogram function is nice and can be a good alternative if you don't have the advanced measurment option active on your device.

Regarding my "VMA Simple Spectrum Analyser for SSA3000X" software:

It follows a different purpose than the EasySpectrum software. In my software, I am NOT remote controlling all functionality of the SSA3000X like EasySpectrum does. I only set the spectrum parameters and read out the live spectrum. The whole data processing is done by my software.

The goal is to implement my own measurment and display functions. For instance, my software will recognize satellite transponders (or any other kind of transponders if you edit the respective setting files).

I implemented SWR measurement, as well as, bandwidth measurements.

Finally, my software offers Excel export, printing, trace overlay, amongst other functionality.

In reality it kind of feels like a different spectrum analyser, using just the hardware of the SSA3000X, if that makes any sense.

So again, I think it is worth installing the Easy Spectrum software and actually I am not sure if you still need the NI VISA drivers since the v8.2 firmware? I have not checked this (I have it installed for other devices, too). But even if you do, it is worth it. If you don't like to have it on your PC due to the services it installs, just setup a virtual machine and install it there - the interface is ethernet, so no problems here).

Regards,
Vitor

[bozidarms]

Hi,
just my opinion for EasySpectrum for SSA3000X -
it is very nice  software, work flawlessly, and you have
opportunity of use even bigger screen than on SSA itself.
On this way, you overcome a lack of direct connecting SSA
to external LCD screen.
3D plot is very handsome, but this possibility, so far as i can see, is even better on Vitors(Bicurico) software.

Regards
 

[Bicurico]

I forgot to mention:

EasySpectrum seems to work with any Windows version (XP, 7, 8, 10), while my software only works from Windows 8 upwards.

Regards,
Vitor

[videobruce]

The better answer is, it probably would be if you didn't need that utterly bloated National Instruments (I believe that is the name) diver software.