Read screenshot from HP8596E (or similar) spectrum analyzer via Arduino Uno R3 configured as parallel port (Centronics/IEEE1284) printer emulator, with Python program receiving, decoding and saving image as PNG.
(I should have named this repo HP8596E_Print since it's actually about printing instead of plotting, which is an alternative mode.)
Load Arduino Uno R3 with sketch in HP8596E_Print_Arduino.
The pinout and wiring of Arduino to D-SUB connector is described at the top of the sketch.
Beware: If you decide to change the mapping of the STROBE_IN_N pin, make sure to also adapt the Pin Change Interrupt settings to the new pin. All other pins can be wired freely.
Set your correct serial port in HP8596E_Print_Python/HP8596E_Print_Python.py and run.
Python program supports Epson MX-80 Printer only.
- Go to
Config- Select
COPY DEV PRNT - Go to
Print Config- Go to
Prn Port Config, selectPRN PORT PAR - Go to
Set B&W Printer, selectEP MX80 LRG
- Go to
- Select
Press COPY on your HP8596E to initiate the data transfer. This takes about 6 seconds. On success, the image is saved to disk and displayed. (Press q to close the related matplotlib window.)
This is what a screenshot looks like:
(WTFPL)