Difference between revisions of "RadiMation Application Note 121"

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== Additional information ==
 
== Additional information ==
  
The power meter has now been successfully set up and the first test was successful. For more information see the links below.</br>
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The power meter has now been successfully set up and the first test was successful. For more information see the links below.
 +
 
 
If there are any issues please contact RadiMation support. This can be done by clicking the support e-mail address in the navigation pane of this website.
 
If there are any issues please contact RadiMation support. This can be done by clicking the support e-mail address in the navigation pane of this website.
  
* Application note 106   : Powermeter parameter configuration [https://wiki.dare.nl/wiki/index.php/RadiMation_Application_Note_106 Application_Note_106]
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* Application note 106: [[RadiMation Application Note 106|Powermeter parameter configuration]]
* RadiPower product page : Manuals + Datasheet [https://www.dare.eu/rf-power-meters Product page]
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* RadiPower product page: [https://www.dare.eu/rf-power-meters Manuals + Datasheet]
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
[[Category:RadiMation Application Note]]
 
[[Category:RadiMation Application Note]]
 
[[Category:RadiMation]]
 
[[Category:RadiMation]]

Revision as of 14:11, 13 October 2020

Using a RPR PowerMeter stand-alone with RadiMation® free version

In this application note we explain how you can use RadiMation free to use the RPR stand-alone.

Overview

Our PowerMeters are intended to be used in an automated test-setup. They can also be used stand-alone to measure power. To use it stand-alone you need to install the drivers, install RadiMation free, add the power meter in RadiMation and set it up. This application note will describe this step by step.

Installing the software

Download RadiMation free

RadiMation is available for download, without a required license. Without a license, RadiMation will start in free mode. The free mode will be shown on top of the RadiMation window. In this mode, the RadiMation functions are limited.

RadimationFree.png

A download link to the latest RadiMation version, is available on our support website.
The RadiMation download will also include the driver for the RadiPower.

Installing the USB driver for the RPR PowerMeter

Use the supplied USB cable to connect the sensor to your computer. Windows will prompt that new hardware has been found.
The USB-driver for the RadiPower® is Windows certified and will be loaded automatically from the Windows update.

If the drivers are not loaded automatically, the drivers can be installed manually from the supplied USBkey.
Follow the normal instructions from Windows to install the drivers manually.

Additional information regarding installing the RadiPower®, can be found in the RadiPower manual.

Once the drivers are loaded successfully, the RadiPower® should be shown in windows Device Manager


Device manager.png

Configuring the software

After installing the driver and RadiMation Free we need to configure RadiMation to be able to use the RPR device. When executing this step, make sure that the RPR device is connected.

Installing and configuring the driver in RadiMation free

Start-up RadiMation® Free . To begin, add the power meters, which will be used for the measurements, in the configuration. From the menu bar select “Configuration” and select “Configuration” again.

Config-Config.png

In the configuration window, select the tab “device drivers” and select “power meters” from the drop down box.

Devicedrivers.png

Press the “Add” button. From the list, search for “DARE!! Instruments RPRxxxxX” and select this power meter.
After selecting the type, you need to enter a name. Because multiple PowerMeters of the same type can be used at once, you may want to specify an unique name.

ConfigList.png

Warning-48px.png
Warning: Make sure that the power meter is detected by windows, and shown in device manager

A Device Driver Settings window will now appear. Press the advanced button, to open the settings specifically for this device.
Ensure Communication tab is selected. In Communication Streams, select USB. Make sure that only one RadiPower® is connected and press “Detect”. The Device Identifier will be requested, and saved.

Detect.png


Warning-48px.png
Warning: The USB device is detected, however the PowerMeter will not work until it is specified how the PowerMeter is connected.

We now need select the “RadiCentre” tab and select “Directly to PC”.

Communication.png

You now may configure additional options.

  • Select the “Option” tab and set the desired filter for CW measurements, for example: Filter 5.

After configuring, press OK to save and return to the Device Driver Settings Window. Perform a final check, by pressing the check button. The RadiPower® should now be ready to be used.

Check.png

When the device returns "The check for this device has passed" then the device is correctly configured and RadiMation confirms that the communication is working.

Using RadiMation free to read out the PowerMeter

We have now installed the software and the hardware. The device has been added to RadiMation and we have checked if it works. Now we can use the PowerMeter to measure power and read the measurement.

  • Go to "devices" and open "Power meters"
  • Select the PowerMeter you have just configured (In this example we named the RPR2006W, "StandAlone PowerMeter")

DevicesPowermeter.png

This opens a device window for the PowerMeter:

Stanalonepowermeter.png

Make sure that the device is connected to your machine via USB. Click "Connect"
The red bar now turns yellow when it is connecting. When it is connected correctly it turns green and the button displays "Connected"

Powermeterconnected.png]

Now it is connected you can read out the values from the PowerMeter. This can be done manually by hitting the trigger button.
This will give you 1 sample of the signal. To measure continuously set the triggering to auto. The default interval is 1s.

AutoPolling.png

Additional information

The power meter has now been successfully set up and the first test was successful. For more information see the links below.

If there are any issues please contact RadiMation support. This can be done by clicking the support e-mail address in the navigation pane of this website.