USB oscilloscopes deliver functionality of six instruments
San Francisco, CA. Pico Technology at IMS 2016 demonstrated two-channel, four-channel, and mixed-signal PicoScope models have the functionality of an oscilloscope plus a logic analyzer (on MSO models), spectrum analyzer, function generator, arbitrary waveform generator, and serial-bus analyzer with support for 15 protocols included as standard. They are USB-powered and can be easily transported in a laptop bag.
PicoScope 2000A 2- and 4-channel models are suitable for technicians, trainers, students, and hobbyists doing fault-finding on signals up to 25 MHz. The 2205A MSO (mixed-signal oscilloscope) has two analog plus 16 digital channels.
PicoScope 2000B Series models are equipped with deep buffer memory from 32 to 128 MS and feature bandwidths of 50, 70, or 100 MHz supported with sampling speeds to 1 GS/s and hardware acceleration to deliver over 80,000 waveforms per second update rates. Like the “A” models they are available in 2- and 4-channel models as well as 2+16 channel MSO versions. The “B” series models are packaged in the same size enclosure as the “A” Series, making them suitable for use in the lab or on the move, or for fast low-cost shipment to wherever they are needed.
The 2000 Series models connect to a host PC or tablet, and are powered via the USB interface. They are controlled and operated with PicoScope 6 software that takes advantage of available PC processing power, display, touchscreen, and traditional control capabilities. Advanced features such as segmented memory, mask limit testing, advanced waveform math, and decoders for popular serial buses are included as standard.
“Many of our customers are users of traditional benchtop oscilloscopes who tell us it was cheaper to buy a new PicoScope than to enable just an option, such as serial decoding, on their old oscilloscope,” said Trevor Smith, business development manager for test and measurement products at Pico, in a press release. “They buy a PicoScope for one specific task but it quickly becomes their main oscilloscope and the benchtop one gathers dust.”
He added, “With the 2000A and B Series we’ve delivered an all-inclusive instrument with capabilities normally found in high-end benchtop instruments, yet they fit in the palm of your hand. Engineers and consultants can have a 2000 Series PicoScope as their personal waveform laboratory and take it with them anywhere that it’s needed.”
PicoScope 6 software, included with the 2000 Series scopes, has been updated too, with support for touchscreen PCs and tablets and color-keyed serial bus decoding that highlights individual field types in a message frame with different colors for easy interpretation. New releases of the software that further enhance performance and functionality of PicoScope products are posted regularly on picotech.com and are available to download free for the lifetime of the product. In addition to Windows, there are Linux and Mac OS X versions of the software.
The PicoScope software development kit (SDK) enables engineers to write custom applications for the 2000 Series, making them suitable for a range of OEM applications such as power system and machine health monitoring, high-energy physics, and medical electronics. Prices range from $129 to $1,235.