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Wanted: Tek 576 computer control Tek module Option card & info
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Apologies if this has already been asked, or is well known:
Is there some Tektronix Option card or module that was made by Tek to operate the Tek 576 Curve Tracer via computer ? -- If so, Does anyone have the Board & manual, schematic & photos of this board ? I would like to do this with my 576. Please contact me off-list ! I noticed in the recently posted article, that the author describes a little known Tek 576 Option for this: But, no detailed information. " ... All of this becomes very handy when the 576 is programmed EXTERNALLY. Many are not aware of this option! So when you remove the hand-operated unit from the bottom right, you can replace it by a card unit. The card unit will automatically do the complete settings, and you will see that on the dot matrix display. With some technical skills, I think it is not even difficult to operate a TEK576 from a computer that way. All you need is the programmable module, it had all connectors. ... " thank you, rick |
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Rich,
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Unfortunately I do not see how this would be possible with a 576 as it is not a logic controlled device it is a mechanical switch controlled device. I would like to see a why to get a computer connected to it for read out and there is some work going on there by others but in terms of a GPIB input for a 576 I do not believe such a thing existed giving the design and internal workings of the curve tracer. I could be wrong and would be interested if I am but it would take a massive undertaking to programmatically control a 576. If I remember correct GPIB is an option on the 300 series though? Eric -----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of garp66 Sent: Tuesday, February 2, 2021 2:24 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [TekScopes] Wanted: Tek 576 computer control Tek module Option card & info Apologies if this has already been asked, or is well known: Is there some Tektronix Option card or module that was made by Tek to operate the Tek 576 Curve Tracer via computer ? -- If so, Does anyone have the Board & manual, schematic & photos of this board ? I would like to do this with my 576. Please contact me off-list ! I noticed in the recently posted article, that the author describes a little known Tek 576 Option for this: But, no detailed information. " ... All of this becomes very handy when the 576 is programmed EXTERNALLY. Many are not aware of this option! So when you remove the hand-operated unit from the bottom right, you can replace it by a card unit. The card unit will automatically do the complete settings, and you will see that on the dot matrix display. With some technical skills, I think it is not even difficult to operate a TEK576 from a computer that way. All you need is the programmable module, it had all connectors. ... " thank you, rick |
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Looking for detailed info on the Tek 576 Programmable Fixture Option,
Please contact me off-list, thank you, rick again, .....Quoting directly from the published article, regarding the Tek 576 Programmable Fixture Option: " ... you can access all connectors and wiring to control the TEK576 by computer, using some USB relay cards. May be you don't know, but most settings are relay controlled anyway. So when you choose 20V per division, it's just some relays you operate, also when you use the rotate knob. The knob itself doesn't do the switching, but it switches the relays. WIth the programmable fixture you can access all those relays yourself. " |
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rick wrote:
You are quoting from some random blog post, not from any kind of officially published article. As has already been said, it is very unlikely that an option ever existed to "program" the 576 remotely from a computer, even though (or if) the switches do not directly change the settings of the device but, instead, operate internal relays (again, some random blog post can not be considered "authoritative"). If you look at the scanned catalog description of the 576 at the top of the blog entry you will not find any mention of a remote or computer programming option. Consulting the 1990 catalog entry for the 576 similarly reveals no mention of a programmable fixture option, so your repeated pleas for information are pointless. Also, IF a "programmable fixture option" ever existed it is likely that it did not do what you wish it did: in all likelihood the "programmable" part of such an option would rewire the test fixture for different components under test, not "program" the curve tracer from a remote computer. -- Jeff Dutky |
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Only some of the functions are actuated via relays from cold switches. Most are done by the actual front panel controls. There was some discussion here in the past year or two about how nice it would be to have remote control of the functions, and digital storage of the display. It is doable, but not practical.
A quick look inside will tell you that there are far too few relays present to cold switch the vast number of functions and ranges. Ed |
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He might be thinking of the 172 front porch. It is somewhat programmable with cards & pins, and there's one on the bay right now. The manual is on TekWiki. There would be a lot of homebrewing involved, but it might give you some amount of automated testing without getting into the S3260 class :-)
-ls- |
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Haha - that 172 is an interesting box. It looks like they built a programmable mini-curve tracer inside, and it uses the 576 for power and display. I've often wondered why the plug-in deck interface has so many connectors that weren't heavily used by the regular plug-ins (standard and high power). I think it is mostly for the 172 or anticipation of other possible extensions.
Ed |
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