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Visual Measurements

Visual measurements provide interactive, drag-and-drop markers for precise measurements directly on the waveform display. This guide covers how to use visual measurement markers effectively.

Overview

Visual measurements allow you to:

  • Add interactive markers to the waveform display
  • Drag markers to measure specific points
  • Calculate deltas between markers automatically
  • Snap markers to waveform data points
  • Label and customize markers
  • Export measurement data

Marker Types

Voltage Markers (Horizontal)

  • Measure voltage values
  • Horizontal lines across display
  • Multiple markers for delta measurements

Time Markers (Vertical)

  • Measure time values
  • Vertical lines across display
  • Calculate time differences

Frequency Markers

  • Measure periods
  • Calculate frequency from period
  • Useful for periodic signals

Adding Markers

Using the Visual Measurements Tab

  1. Open Visual Measurements tab in control panel
  2. Click Add Voltage Marker or Add Time Marker
  3. Marker appears on display
  4. Drag to desired position

Using Right-Click Menu

  1. Right-click on waveform display
  2. Select Add Marker Here
  3. Choose marker type
  4. Marker placed at click position

Using Keyboard

Press Ctrl+M to add marker at cursor position

Voltage Markers

Creating Voltage Marker

Method 1: Add from Tab

1. Click "Add Voltage Marker" button
2. Marker appears at center
3. Drag to desired voltage

Method 2: Right-Click

1. Right-click at voltage position
2. Select "Add Voltage Marker"
3. Marker placed at click position

Voltage Marker Features

Display:

  • Horizontal line spanning display
  • Label showing voltage value
  • Color-coded for visibility

Interaction:

  • Click and drag vertically to move
  • Snaps to waveform if enabled
  • Shows real-time voltage value

Label Format:

V1: 2.345 V

Multiple Voltage Markers

Add multiple markers for delta measurements:

V1: 3.500 V
V2: 1.200 V
ΔV: 2.300 V  (automatic)

Delta Calculation:

  • Automatically calculated between markers
  • Shows voltage difference
  • Updates as markers move

Time Markers

Creating Time Marker

Method 1: Add from Tab

1. Click "Add Time Marker" button
2. Marker appears at center
3. Drag to desired time

Method 2: Right-Click

1. Right-click at time position
2. Select "Add Time Marker"
3. Marker placed at click position

Time Marker Features

Display:

  • Vertical line from top to bottom
  • Label showing time value
  • Dotted or solid line style

Interaction:

  • Click and drag horizontally to move
  • Shows real-time time value
  • Snaps to grid if enabled

Label Format:

T1: 125.3 µs

Multiple Time Markers

Add multiple markers for timing measurements:

T1: 100.0 µs
T2: 125.0 µs
Δt: 25.0 µs   (automatic)
f = 40.0 kHz  (1/Δt)

Delta Calculations:

  • Time difference (Δt)
  • Frequency (1/Δt)
  • Updates in real-time

Frequency Markers

Period Measurement

Use two time markers to measure period:

1. Add Time Marker at start of cycle (T1)
2. Add Time Marker at end of cycle (T2)
3. Δt = period
4. f = 1/Δt = frequency

Example:

T1: 0.00 µs
T2: 10.0 µs
Period: 10.0 µs
Frequency: 100.0 kHz

Duty Cycle Measurement

Measure pulse width and duty cycle:

1. Add marker at pulse start (T1)
2. Add marker at pulse end (T2)
3. Add marker at next pulse start (T3)
4. High time: T2 - T1
5. Period: T3 - T1
6. Duty cycle: (T2-T1)/(T3-T1) × 100%

Marker Management

Marker List

All markers shown in Visual Measurements tab:

Columns:

  • Type (Voltage/Time)
  • Label
  • Value
  • Color
  • Visible (checkbox)

Actions:

  • Click to select
  • Checkbox to show/hide
  • Delete button to remove
  • Edit button to configure

Selecting Markers

Click on Marker:

  • Selects marker
  • Highlights in list
  • Shows properties

Click in List:

  • Selects from list
  • Highlights on display
  • Ready to edit

Moving Markers

Drag with Mouse:

  • Click and hold marker
  • Drag to new position
  • Release to set

Keyboard:

  • Arrow keys for fine adjustment
  • Shift+Arrow for larger steps
  • Works when marker selected

Numeric Input:

  • Double-click marker label
  • Enter exact value
  • Press Enter to apply

Deleting Markers

Individual:

  • Select marker
  • Press Delete key
  • Or click Delete button in list

All:

  • Tools menu → Clear All Measurements
  • Removes all markers

Marker Properties

Customizing Markers

Label Text:

  • Double-click to edit
  • Custom names (e.g., "Vmax", "Start Time")
  • Displayed on marker

Color:

  • Click color picker
  • Choose from palette
  • Custom RGB values

Line Style:

  • Solid, dashed, or dotted
  • Line width adjustment
  • Opacity/transparency

Font:

  • Label font size
  • Font family
  • Bold/italic

Snap to Waveform

Enable Snapping:

  • Checkbox in marker properties
  • Marker follows waveform data
  • Finds nearest data point

Behavior:

  • Voltage markers snap to Y values
  • Helps find peaks/troughs
  • More accurate measurements

Example:

Without snap: V = 2.347 V (approximate)
With snap: V = 2.350 V (exact data point)

Delta Measurements

Automatic Deltas

When multiple markers of same type exist:

Voltage Deltas:

V1: 3.5 V
V2: 1.2 V
ΔV: 2.3 V (V1 - V2)

Time Deltas:

T1: 100 µs
T2: 150 µs
Δt: 50 µs (T2 - T1)
f: 20 kHz (1/Δt)

Delta Display Options

Show in Label:

  • Delta shown near markers
  • Updates as markers move
  • Toggle on/off

Show in Table:

  • Delta measurements in list
  • Export with other measurements
  • Statistics tracking

Advanced Measurements

Rise Time Measurement

Measure 10%-90% rise time:

1. Find rising edge
2. Add V1 marker at 10% point
3. Add V2 marker at 90% point
4. Add T1 at V1 crossing
5. Add T2 at V2 crossing
6. Rise time = T2 - T1

Overshoot Measurement

Measure overshoot amplitude:

1. Add V1 at steady-state level
2. Add V2 at peak overshoot
3. Overshoot = ((V2-V1)/V1) × 100%

Phase Difference

Measure phase between channels:

1. Enable two channels
2. Find zero crossing on C1 (T1)
3. Find zero crossing on C2 (T2)
4. Phase difference = (T2-T1) × 360° / period

Measurement Accuracy

Precision

Time Measurements:

  • Limited by sample rate
  • Resolution = 1/sample_rate
  • Example: 1 GSa/s → 1 ns resolution

Voltage Measurements:

  • Limited by ADC resolution
  • 8-bit: ~0.4% accuracy
  • 12-bit: ~0.024% accuracy

Improving Accuracy

1. Increase Sample Rate:

  • Use shorter timebase
  • Higher resolution
  • Better time accuracy

2. Enable Snap to Waveform:

  • Uses actual data points
  • Eliminates interpolation error
  • More precise readings

3. Average Multiple Measurements:

  • Take several readings
  • Calculate mean
  • Reduces noise effects

4. Use Statistics:

  • Enable measurement statistics
  • View min/max/mean
  • See standard deviation

Working with Multiple Channels

Channel-Specific Markers

Markers can be assigned to channels:

Channel 1 Markers:

  • Snap to C1 waveform only
  • Color matches C1
  • Independent from other channels

Channel 2 Markers:

  • Snap to C2 waveform
  • Different color
  • Separate measurements

Cross-Channel Measurements

Measure between channels:

Time Delay:

1. Add T1 at C1 event
2. Add T2 at C2 event
3. Delay = T2 - T1

Voltage Difference:

1. Add V1 on C1
2. Add V2 on C2 (same time)
3. Difference = V1 - V2

Exporting Measurements

Export to CSV

Save marker measurements:

Marker, Type, Value, Unit
V1, Voltage, 3.500, V
V2, Voltage, 1.200, V
ΔV, Delta, 2.300, V
T1, Time, 100.0, µs
T2, Time, 150.0, µs
Δt, Delta, 50.0, µs
f, Frequency, 20.0, kHz

To Export:

  1. Visual Measurements tab
  2. Click "Export" button
  3. Choose file location
  4. Save as CSV

Include in Waveform Export

When saving waveform data:

  • Checkbox: "Include markers"
  • Marker positions saved
  • Reload with waveform

Tips and Best Practices

Effective Measurement

!!! tip "Marker Placement" - Use snap-to-waveform for accuracy - Zoom in for precise positioning - Use cursors for reference - Label markers clearly

Organization

!!! tip "Managing Many Markers" - Use consistent naming (V1, V2, V3...) - Color code by function - Hide markers not currently needed - Group related markers

Accuracy

!!! tip "Precise Measurements" - Enable snap to waveform - Increase sample rate for time measurements - Use multiple markers and average - Enable measurement statistics

Workflow

!!! tip "Efficient Workflow" - Right-click to add markers quickly - Use keyboard shortcuts - Save marker configurations - Export measurements for documentation

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
Ctrl+M Add marker at cursor
Delete Remove selected marker
Arrow keys Fine-tune marker position
Shift+Arrow Large steps
Tab Select next marker
Shift+Tab Select previous marker

Troubleshooting

Marker Not Snapping

Problem: Snap to waveform not working

Solutions:

  1. Enable "Snap to Waveform" in marker properties
  2. Ensure channel is enabled and visible
  3. Check waveform has data at marker position
  4. Zoom in if waveform is too small

Inaccurate Measurements

Problem: Measurements don't match expected values

Solutions:

  1. Check probe ratio settings
  2. Verify voltage scale calibration
  3. Enable snap to waveform
  4. Increase sample rate for time measurements
  5. Check for aliasing

Markers Disappeared

Problem: Markers not visible

Solutions:

  1. Check visibility checkbox in marker list
  2. Markers may be off-screen (reset zoom)
  3. Verify markers weren't accidentally deleted
  4. Check if correct channel is displayed

Can't Move Marker

Problem: Marker won't drag

Solutions:

  1. Click directly on marker line
  2. Ensure marker is selected
  3. Try using arrow keys instead
  4. Check if marker is locked

Examples

Example 1: Measure Pulse Width

Objective: Measure positive pulse width

Steps:
1. Enable channel with pulse signal
2. Set trigger to rising edge
3. Add Time Marker (T1) at rising edge
4. Add Time Marker (T2) at falling edge
5. Read Δt = pulse width

Result: Δt = 125.3 µs

Example 2: Measure Peak-to-Peak

Objective: Measure signal Vpp

Steps:
1. Capture waveform
2. Enable snap to waveform
3. Add Voltage Marker (V1) at maximum
4. Add Voltage Marker (V2) at minimum
5. Read ΔV = Vpp

Result: ΔV = 5.02 V

Example 3: Measure Frequency

Objective: Measure signal frequency

Steps:
1. Capture periodic signal
2. Add Time Marker (T1) at zero crossing
3. Add Time Marker (T2) at next zero crossing (same direction)
4. Read period (Δt)
5. Frequency automatically calculated

Result:
  Period = 10.04 µs
  Frequency = 99.6 kHz

Example 4: Rise Time (10%-90%)

Objective: Measure 10%-90% rise time

Steps:
1. Capture rising edge
2. Calculate 10% and 90% levels:
   Vmin = 0 V, Vmax = 5 V
   V10% = 0.5 V, V90% = 4.5 V
3. Add V1 marker at 0.5 V
4. Add T1 marker where waveform crosses V1
5. Add V2 marker at 4.5 V
6. Add T2 marker where waveform crosses V2
7. Rise time = T2 - T1

Result: Rise time = 2.3 ns

Next Steps