BodePlotter

Frequency Response (Bode Plot)

For installer downloads and source code, please visit our GitHub Pages site:
BodePlotter
You can also browse the latest releases on GitHub:
Releases

Features
Example RC Band Pass Filter Circuit
Screen shots of bodeplots
Software Usage
Command Line Options
Recommended Display
Oscilloscope Setup
Install on Windows 11
Install USB Driver for Windows 11
Install the .deb Package on Mint Linux (22.1)
Remove the .deb Package on Mint Linux (22.1)
Build the .deb Package
Windows Build Process
Issues

Features

1. Python Application with Briefcase

Generates Bode plots.
Accumulates peak FFT values.
Displays an oscilloscope view.
Offers X-Y mode and Lissajous pattern displays.
Provides alternative plotting using the Matplotlib option for all chart types.
Displays Smith charts using the Matplotlib option.
Currently supports the OWON HDS320S (OWON HDS2202S is not tested but uses the same SCPI Interface)

2. OWON HDS320S Oscilloscope + Multi-Meter + Waveform Generator

Bandwidth: 200 MHz
Sample Rate: 1 GS/s.
Sine Wave Generator: 0.1 Hz to 30 MHz.
Outputs 300 samples per channel from the screen via SCPI.

3. Additional Information

Example RC Band Pass Filter Circuit

This example uses a passive RC Band Pass Filter.
Measured values of the RC band pass filter circuit using the HDS320S multi-meter function:
- R1: Resistance of the lower cutoff resistor = 1.46kΩ
- C1: Capacitance of the lower cutoff capacitor = 105.89nF
- R2: Resistance of the upper cutoff resistor = 2.93kΩ
- C2: Capacitance of the upper cutoff capacitor = 1.02nF

Lower Cutoff Frequency (f1)

f1 = 1 / (2 * π * R1 * C1)

Given:
R1 = 1.46 [kΩ] = 1460 [Ω]
C1 = 105.89 [nF] = 105.89 × 10^-9 [F]

f1 = 1 / (2 * π * 1460 * 105.89 × 10^-9) ≈ 1029.5 [Hz]

Upper Cutoff Frequency (f2)

f2 = 1 / (2 * π * R2 * C2)

Given:
R2 = 2.93 [kΩ] = 2930 [Ω]
C2 = 1.02 [nF] = 1.02 × 10^-9 [F]

f2 = 1 / (2 * π * 2930 * 1.02 × 10^-9) ≈ 53.254 [kHz]

TINA-TIV9 Simulation of the Circuit

The circuit was simulated using TINA-TIV9 software. Below is the visual representation of the circuit setup:

TINA-TIV9 Circuit Simulation

TINA-TIV9 Simulation Results

The simulation provided the following results, showcasing the circuit’s behavior:

TINA-TIV9 Simulation Results

Bode Plots Using OWON HDS320S

The Bode plots were generated using the OWON HDS320S oscilloscope in conjunction with the Bode-Plots Python application:

Bode Plots with OWON HDS320S

Screen shots of bodeplots

HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window before Measurements or playback

HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window Playback Dark Theme

HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window Playback Light Theme

HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window 1MHz to 10MHz getting into the noise floor

Watch the HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window and MatPlotLib windows Playback Video

Watch the HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window and MatPlotLib windows Video

Software Usage

Launch the software via the command line (bodeplots) or from the menu.
Verify oscilloscope settings and input desired parameters.
Click Search and Setup Oscilloscope to initialize.
Click Start Measurements (takes about 15 to 30 minutes).
After completion, load the JSON log file for playback and analysis.

Command Line Options

All inputs are used for Windows 11 process spawning except for --base-port.
If the --base-port option is not specified, local ports 5001, 5002, 5003, and 5004 will be used to communicate with the Matplotlib windows.

usage: bodeplots.exe [-h] [--plot-type {XY,MP,FFT,SC,BODEPLOTTER}]
                     [--start-decade START_DECADE] [--stop-decade STOP_DECADE]
                     [--points-per-decade POINTS_PER_DECADE]
                     [--base-port BASE_PORT] [--leave-logs]

BodePlots Application

options:
  -h, --help            show this help message and exit
  --plot-type {XY,MP,FFT,SC,BODEPLOTTER}
                        Select the type of plot to display. Options: XY, MP,
                        FFT, SC, or BODEPLOTTER.
  --start-decade START_DECADE
                        Specify the starting decade for data processing.
  --stop-decade STOP_DECADE
                        Specify the ending decade for data processing.
  --points-per-decade POINTS_PER_DECADE
                        Specify the number of points per decade for the plot.
  --base-port BASE_PORT
                        Specify first IP port for + 0, + 1, + 2, + 3 ports.
  --leave-logs          Leave log files and temp directories intact on exit
                        and, on Linux, output logs to console.

Recommended Display

4K Display (4096x2160) preferred; minimum 1600x1200 resolution.
VirtualBox with Mint Linux 22.1 works well.

Oscilloscope Setup

Connect the oscilloscope to your PC using a USB cable (preferably with Ferrite Rings to reduce noise).
Set HDS320S to default:
- Press System → F3 (Default Setting) → Confirm.
Connect probes:
- CH1 (yellow lead) to circuit input.
- CH2 (blue lead) to circuit output.
- Gen Out to input ground.

Install on Windows 11

Download Bode-Plots-0.0.6.msi and double-click it in File Explorer.
Follow the installation prompts: Next → Next → Finish.
Open “Bode” from the Windows Start menu.
Adjust vertical height as needed.
Install USB Driver for Windows 11 using Zadig.

Install USB Driver for Windows 11

Download and Install Zadig
Download zadig-2.9.exe to install the drivers for the OWON HDS320S.
Allow Device Changes
When prompted, allow Zadig to change Windows 11 device settings by clicking the Yes button.
Allow Updates
When prompted, allow Zadig to check for updates by clicking the Yes button.
Detect USB Device
Ensure your HDS320S is plugged in and powered on. Zadig should detect the USB device otherwise select from list.
Detect USB Device
Correctly selected USB device will have USB ID 5345 1234.
Select the Correct Driver
In the driver details, rename the device to OWON HDS320S. Then, use the drop-down arrow to select libusb-win32 (v1.4.0.0).
Install the Driver
Click the Install Driver button and wait for the installation to complete.
Successful Installation
Zadig should report that the driver was installed successfully.

Install the .deb Package on Mint Linux (22.1)

Download: bodeplots_0.0.6-1~linuxmint-xia_amd64.deb.

Open a terminal and run:

sudo apt install ./bodeplots_0.0.6-1~linuxmint-xia_amd64.deb

Remove the .deb Package on Mint Linux (22.1)

Open a terminal and run:
```
sudo apt purge bodeplots
```

Build the .deb Package

Use Live Mint (22.1) via VirtualBox or a local installation.
Download: bodeplots-source-code.tgz.

Follow these steps:

mkdir BodePlotter-ScopeFFT
mv ~/Downloads/bodeplots-source-code.tgz BodePlotter-ScopeFFT
cd BodePlotter-ScopeFFT
apt update
sudo apt install python3-virtualenv git
virtualenv bodeplotter -p python
source bodeplotter/bin/activate
pip install --upgrade pip
pip install briefcase numpy dearpygui matplotlib pyusb scipy screeninfo PyQt5
tar zpxvf bodeplots-source-code.tgz
cd bodeplots
rm -rf build/bodeplots
briefcase create
briefcase update -r
briefcase build
briefcase package

Package file location: dist/bodeplots_0.0.6-1~linuxmint-xia_amd64.deb.

Windows Build Process

Environment Setup for Windows 11

Install Latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable:
- Documentation.
- Download vc_redist.x64.exe.
Install Git:
- Git Download Page.
- Direct Download.

Install Python and dependencies via PowerShell:

mkdir C:\BodePlotter-ScopeFFT
cd C:\BodePlotter-ScopeFFT
python # or https://www.python.org/downloads/release/python-3132/
# https://www.python.org/ftp/python/3.13.2/python-3.13.2-amd64.exe
python -m venv bodeplotter
.\bodeplotter\Scripts\activate
python.exe -m pip install --upgrade pip
pip install briefcase numpy dearpygui matplotlib pyusb scipy screeninfo PyQt5

Extract source code and build: bodeplots-source-code.tgz

cd C:\BodePlotter-ScopeFFT
.\bodeplotter\Scripts\activate
cd .\bodeplots
briefcase create windows app
briefcase update -r
briefcase update
briefcase build -v
briefcase run -u
briefcase package windows

Packaged MSI: dist\Bode-Plots-0.0.6.msi.

Issues

Smith Chart Normalization:
- The Smith chart is currently not normalized. When the magnitude for an active filter exceeds 0 dB, the plot area scales dynamically to accommodate the data, causing the rendered chart to extend outside the standard Smith chart boundaries.
Matplotlib Performance on Windows 11:
- On Windows 11, Matplotlib may struggle to keep pace at higher playback speeds where the slider value is less than 0.6:
  - If Matplotlib is selected, starting measurements or playback may exceed 90 seconds before additional windows load.
  - Matplotlib windows are not automatically closed when DearPyGui exits, which can leave log files and temporary files in the user’s TEMP directory.
    - bodeplots will clear BodePlotter_* directories in %TEMP% that are over an hour old.
  - Using Matplotlib within threads makes DearPyGui unstable; therefore, a new process per Matplotlib window is used instead.
    - Current Implementation:
      - Using the console_app flag in pyproject.toml to open a blank console. The advantage of the console is that you can press CTRL+C to close all Bode-Plots windows.
      - It is recommended to stop active measurements or playback before proceeding, allowing port connections to close gracefully without generating crash dumps.
      - If you would like to hide the console, consider creating a bode-plots.vbs script. If you encounter issues with invalid characters, open the file in Notepad++, select Encoding → Convert to ANSI, and then save the file. For example:
        Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell") WshShell.Run "cmd /c bodeplots.exe", 0, True Set WshShell = Nothing

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BodePlotter

Frequency Response (Bode Plot)

Table of Contents

Features

1. Python Application with Briefcase

2. OWON HDS320S Oscilloscope + Multi-Meter + Waveform Generator

3. Additional Information

Example RC Band Pass Filter Circuit

Lower Cutoff Frequency (f1)

Upper Cutoff Frequency (f2)

TINA-TIV9 Simulation of the Circuit

TINA-TIV9 Simulation Results

Bode Plots Using OWON HDS320S

Screen shots of bodeplots

HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window before Measurements or playback

HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window Playback Dark Theme

HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window Playback Light Theme

HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window 1MHz to 10MHz getting into the noise floor

Watch the HDS320S Magnitude/Phase Bode Plotter window and MatPlotLib windows Playback Video

Software Usage

Command Line Options

Recommended Display

Oscilloscope Setup

Install on Windows 11

Install USB Driver for Windows 11

Install the .deb Package on Mint Linux (22.1)

Remove the .deb Package on Mint Linux (22.1)

Build the .deb Package

Windows Build Process

Environment Setup for Windows 11

Issues