Rohde & Schwarz NGU401

[atx]

I bought this Source Meter mainly for its modulation capability.  This is the first time I am quite disappointed by a Rohde & Schwarz instrument. The graphical view function only has a single time base 5 s/div in which the current is heavily low pass filtered.  Thus, you cannot display any of the high speed logging.  Rather, you need to save a .cvs file on a USB stick.  Then, you can display it in Excel. My only hope is that the graphical view function will be improved. For a $5k instrument that is not what I expect. There is a Logging & Charting Tool you can download but it does not work.  I installed it and every time I search for the instrument, I get "No NGx devices found".  This rather clumsy tool needs the VISA library and some drivers which I installed but no success. The second tool available is a Sweep tool which has pretty much the same interface and that one works. I can successfully connect to the instrument.  So, I am pretty sure the Logging & Charting Tool has some bug.

Anybody have the same experience?

atx

[trophosphere]

I have a NGU401 and my experience with it was similar to yours. The graphing function is pretty primitive compared to other SMUs such as the Keithley 2461. That being said, the user manual does state in section 6.16 (page 82) that the "Time axis scale fixed [is] at 5 s/div." I agree that hopefully R&S will work on expanding the graphing function as the hardware is already in place. I haven't used any of the logging software so I am unable to comment on that portion as far as experience goes; however, in regards to no devices being found, maybe try installing the library/drivers prior to installing the application?

[atx]

No I don't think it has anything to do with the drivers as the other application works just fine.  I contacted Rhode & Schwarz and somebody is already working on it. 

Would be nice to know whether the graphing function will be improved.  Maybe Rich from Rhode & Schwarz could give some insight if he reads this thread.

[Rich@RohdeScopesUSA]

No I don't think it has anything to do with the drivers as the other application works just fine.  I contacted Rhode & Schwarz and somebody is already working on it. 

Would be nice to know whether the graphing function will be improved.  Maybe Rich from Rhode & Schwarz could give some insight if he reads this thread.

Hi atx and trophosphere - just seeing this.  A couple comments:

1.  Don't ever hesitate to PM me to check out a thread like this - I get notifications on those and unfortunately, I haven't been able to be on EEVBlog as much here recently as I'd like. 
2.  The NGU is has a number of updates coming for it.  For the graphical view, it will get more timebases.  For the charting tool bug, this is being worked.

Unfortunately, I don't have any timing for the releases yet, but they're actively being worked on. 

-Rich

[atx]

Thanks Rich,
good to know. Please keep us updated.  I haven't heard back from R&S support other than they are looking into it.  A bit weird that they would release this product without a decent graphical view function and/or some decent support software.  Very un-German.
atx

[pdenisowski]

Just FYI:  there was a firmware release since the last post to this thread:

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/firmware/ngu/

There are also a number of app notes and utilities that have been released to support the NGU (and other R&S power supplies)

Logging and Charting Tool:
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/applications/logging-and-charting-tool-for-power-supplies-r-s-ngm200-ngu201-ngu401-ngl200-ngp800-nga100-and-nge100-application-note_56280-720790.html

Battery Simulation and Modeling:
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/au/applications/battery-simulation-with-dc-power-supply-r-s-ngm200-and-source-measure-unit-r-s-ngu201-application-note_56280-1028864.html

Sweep Tool:
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/applications/sweep-tool-for-r-s-ngu201-ngu401-and-ngm200-application-note_56280-1029542.html

and there's a "Getting Started with the NGU" presentation on the R&S YouTube channel:

[jezd]

Have to disagree sorry, we have an NGM202 and have made many many support requests on the GUI and in the graphs in particular - tried chasing for news on updates and we simply can't get a response.

The last time R&S replied they said big improvements where due for release soon, this was last Summer - we are still waiting.

[pdenisowski]

Have to disagree sorry, we have an NGM202 and have made many many support requests on the GUI and in the graphs in particular - tried chasing for news on updates and we simply can't get a response.

Just sent you a PM.  If you could email me with what what issues / requests you have, I'd be very happy to see what I can find out.  I'm assuming you're using the latest FW.

I recently did an entire series of how-to videos on (literally) every one of our power supplies, which involved me trying out just about every function on every supply, and I don't recall finding any real "bugs."  As I mentioned above, the graphing is an area where enhancements are planned, but in the meantime, you may want to look at the software tools listed in my previous post.

Looking forward to hearing from you!