Webpage, VNC and FTP for Rohde & Schwarz DC power supplies and R&S®LCX LCR meters

Your task

Local access and in-person operation of instruments can be challenging in production setups, remote test rooms or other environments. Remote access to a graphical user interface (GUI) is far better in these scenarios.

Rohde & Schwarz solution

Rohde & Schwarz DC power supplies and R&S®LCX LCR meters can use Ethernet based services, an instrument webpage, a Virtual Network Computing (VNC) remote control and file transfer protocol (FTP) to link the instrument and a remote computer. VNC is a platform-independent Ethernet remote control that can be accessed from a PC. FTP is a protocol for transferring files between computers on a network and works with any operating system.

Features available with remote services
The Ethernet based remote services available for Rohde & Schwarz DC power supplies and R&S®LCX LCR meters have several important features. The following includes an overview of the configuration process, SCPI device control page capabilities, a description of the VNC device control page, the location of product documentation and file transfer capabilities.

Configuration overview
An Ethernet connection is needed between the instrument and computer to remotely access an instrument GUI. As soon as the instrument IP address is entered in a web browser, the webpage opens and has a SCPI device control page, a VNC device control page as well as access to network settings, change password fields and a field to search for product documentation. Parameters in the user interface can be edited and sent to the instrument.

SCPI device control page

The SCPI control page has a text box where SCPI commands can be entered for the instrument. The commands and query responses are listed in the history box below. Clicking refresh screen data queries a hardcopy of the current instrument GUI.

VNC device control

A valid VNC port on the instrument must be set up for VNC device control. After the VNC is disabled, port numbers can be changed. The VNC user interface shows the complete front panel of the instrument. You can use the mouse to operate the GUI as you would the touchscreen. Front panel keys can also be pressed with a mouse click.

Product documentation

A documentation section is available in the user interface. The webpage contains a web version of the getting started manual and a link to the product webpage.

File transfer

A valid port, username and password must be set to remotely transfer a file via FTP. You can use special apps such as Filezilla to access the FTP server on the instrument. Windows file explorer can also be used to access the server by adding a network location that provides permanent access to the FTP server, as long as the IPv4 address and login credentials are not changed.
The instrument file system appears with the specified name in the Windows file explorer navigation field.

Summary

In-person operation can be challenging in many situations and it can be better to access a GUI remotely. Rohde & Schwarz DC power supplies and R&S®LCR LCX meters can be operated remotely using Ethernet based services to access the GUI, SCPI command controls, file transfer and electronic documentation.