PC-based scopes use USB 3.0, add 512 Msample memory depth option
The scopes offer a maximum real-time sampling rate of 1 Gsample/sec and feature a USB 3.0 interface; they also host a built-in arbitrary waveform generator (AWG). Deep memory enables long timebases with the fastest sampling rates; for example, at 1 Gsample/sec sampling rate you can capture a 500 msec waveform—that’s half a billion samples, Pico points out—while hardware acceleration keeps the display updating smoothly.
The 512 Msample buffer memory can be segmented, enabling acquisition of up to 10 000 individual waveform segments of 50 000 samples, with less than 1 µsec re-arm time between each segment. Memory segmentation is beneficial when analysing waveform bursts or serial data packets that include long gaps. The PicoScope can be set to trigger on each packet and skip the gaps that are of no interest. This function allows users to acquire, for instance, CAN data packets over several minutes and then analyse the packet content at a later point in time.
The oscilloscopes are multi-function include a spectrum analyser and arbitrary waveform generator (AWG), and advanced functions as standard, such as serial bus decoding, mask limit testing, maths channels and filtering. Advanced triggers include pulse width, interval, window, window pulse width, level dropout, window dropout, runt pulse, variable hysteresis, and logic. All triggering is digital, ensuring low jitter, high accuracy and single-LSB voltage resolution. MSO models combine these triggers with edge and pattern triggering on the digital inputs.
PicoScope uses the host PC to control the instrument and display waveforms, so screen size and resolution are unrestricted. A large PC display shows the acquired waveforms with high levels of clarity, with easy zooming and panning under keyboard or mouse control. Other built-in features include colour persistence display modes, automatic measurements with statistics, programmable alarms, and decoding of I²C, UART/RS232, SPI, CAN bus, LIN, FlexRay and I²S signals.
Software updates include a fast persistence mode that gives updates of around 100 000 waveforms per second, while the math channels have been expanded to include configurable filters.
A free Software Development Kit (SDK) allows control of the scopes from industry standard applications and programming languages. The SDK includes example programs in C#, C++, Excel, LabVIEW and MATLAB, and can be used with any language that supports C calling conventions. The PicoScope software and SDK are compatible with Microsoft Windows XP through to Windows 8, with beta versions for Linux and Mac OS X. Beta drivers are also available for the ARM-based Beaglebone Black and Raspberry Pi.
Prices range from $576 for the 2-channel 50 MHz PicoScope 3203D to $2385 for the 4-channel 200 MHz PicoScope 3406D MSO, including a set of probes and a 5-year warranty.
Pico Technology; www.picotech.com
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
