Rigol DS1052E as a DAQ

[hithesh123]

Hi, I just saw the review of DS1052E and read some of the comments. I just had some questions before I hit the buy button.
Can the scope be used as a data acquisition device? Any limitations?
The intention is to acquire some analog data and manipulate it in a software like labview or matlab.
Can this scope be used to debug buses like I2C, SPI, USB?

[xani]

Well its pretty easy to save data to USB drive and then get it on pc, long memory helps. I didnt used PC software tho (i dont need it)

[rossmoffett]

There's a MSO version with a logic analyzer.  I think that this version can be hacked to include it, there are photographs and circuit diagrams of the head.  The firmware for the MSO is posted on the net also, I'm just a little afraid to install it.

[EEVblog]

As Xani said, it's easy to save the data onto a memory stick and import into the PC, although I have not actually tried sucking the raw data into another package yet.

The problem with using a DSO in this way is that it's only 8 bit resolution. If that is adequate for your needs then go for it, otherwise you'll need a proper data logger with better resolution.

The Rigol does not have built in serial protocol triggering, but you can still use it for serial debugging of course because of it's big memory.

Dave.

[xani]

Also, u can't record more than 50s worth of data, so u can't just set it up to record every second and get few hours of logging. But for things like that its better to get multimeter with USB/RS232 out, or even hook some micro with builtin a/d to pc as simple recorder

Edit. 50s/div, my mistake so its 50s x 12

[joelby]

If you're using Matlab, there's a script that imports the binary data files that works very well at http://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/18999-read-binary-rigol-waveforms .

[hithesh123]

Thanks guys.
At the moment, I can only afford the 1052E or the cheaper Atten scopes.
xani, why the 50s/div limitation. I think 50secs*12div (10mins) is good enough.
I think same limitation applies if I use a usb stick?
Btw, dealextreme has 1052e for ~400USD w/free shipping. Cheaper than ebay.
Does the Rigol use interleaved sampling to get 1Gsps.

[xani]

U can export data to plain CSV and read it using anything.
1GS/s (real sampling not equiv) is only when u use 1 channel and on "normal" memory so to get 1M only in 1x500Msps or in 2x250Msps which is still good
Basically every 10 minutes u have to stop, save to usb and restart probing. At 50s/div u get 873 Sa/second, or twice that if u use only one channel.
But then if u want to get data from long period of time u could hack some micro with a/d to send it to serial prot every second or so, u dont need scope for that ;]