TF2000 Remote Tools

Remote tools for Voltech TF2000 Frequency Response Analyzer control. Currently supported features:

• Reading data from the device to a file
• Plotting single or multiple Bode Plots from files
• Marker showing crossover parameters

Example plots:

1. Installation

The code was written using Python 3.11.4. It is recommended to use a virtual environment to run the scripts:

python -m venv .venv

To activate the virtual environment run .venv/Scripts/Activate.ps1. To install required packages while the virtual environment is active run:

pip install -r requirements.txt

The code is formatted using Black:

black --line-length 120 .\TF2000_tools.py

2. RS232 Communication

F2000 sends measurement data via RS232 protocol.

2.1 RS232 Cable

Crosslinked cable is required to connect TF2000 to the RS232 port of the PC.

The device uses a somewhat strange DE-9 connector pinout:

• PIN 6 - RX (input)
• PIN 7 - CTS (input)
• PIN 8 - TX (output)
• PIN 9 - RTS (output)
• Rest of the pins - Ground

This requires a custom cable connecting RX to TX lines and CTS to RTS lines as shown.
The GND pins on the TF2000 are internally connected.

2.2 TF2000 serial port configuration

TF2000 needs the following configuration to be able to communicate via RS232:
PRINT → Parallel Port >OFF< → Serial Port >ON< → Serial Output >Computer< → Baud Rate >1200<

2.2 PC serial port configuration

PC needs the following serial port configuration:

• Baud: 1200
• Data bits: 8
• Parity: None
• Stop bits: 2
• Flow control: RTS/CTR

3. TF2000_tools.py

The file contains a simple connector class that allows reading a given number of data lines from the serial port.
This is useful in the sweep mode, in which data is sent to the PC after every measurement.
The Class saves received data to the file, prints Bode plots and saves it as a .svg file. All public class function arguments are documented in the code. See example.py for a quick start.

4. TODO

Remote control sweep setup.