Modbus serial decoding: Part 2

Last month we introduced you to our exclusive Modbus RTU and ASCII serial decoding protocol in PicoScope 6. This month we wanted to give our readers more information on Modbus, its architecture, versions, function codes and more.

Modbus is a low-speed serial data protocol commonly used in industrial applications where a supervisory computer (master) controls or monitors multiple remote devices (slaves).

The specification was originally published in 1979 by Modicon (now Schneider Electric) for use with its programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

In a standard Modbus network there is one master, and up to 247 slaves each with a unique address from 1 to 247.

Read more >

Techimp's high voltage monitoring system is built on PicoScope

Techimp, a world leader in electrical asset diagnostics, recently supplied TenneT with their Power Connection Monitoring System (PCMONS). PicoScope oscilloscopes are an integral part of this system.

The purpose of the system is to collect evidence of the behavior of a combined transmission cable/overhead line and confirmation of the mathematical model in a transient regime, and to obtain a possible indicator of the degradation of the system (residual lifetime) as a result of transients occurring in time.

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GitHub: Java examples for PicoScope and PicoLog products

Our Technical Support engineers recently added some Java examples to our repository on GitHub.

These latest examples specifically cover the PicoScope 4000 Series drivers.

View examples >

PicoScope offers bandwidth with versatility: Engineering.com reviews the PicoScope 5444B

In this article, James Anderton reviews the PicoScope 5444B.

"The Model 5444B we tested shipped in ESD-resistant packaging and is notable as a complete kit; the four-channel ‘scope includes four probes, each with a full accessory set, two certified high-speed USB cables and a power supply with a neat clip-on adapter plug that makes the unit compatible with mains supplies anywhere in the world. In two channel mode, the unit can self power through the USB connection for added portability."

Read on >

Technical support news

We have added a MATLAB example for the PicoScope 4444 High-Resolution Differential Oscilloscope to our GitHub repository. The script demonstrates how to call shared library functions to acquire data from the scope.

Our Instrument Drivers and examples for MathWorks MATLAB are now hosted on GitHub for easier sharing of code, but we recommend that you continue to use the MATLAB Add-On Explorer for installation or visit our Community Profile page.

MATLAB page for PicoScope 4444 >

PicoScope tech tip: Viewing maths channels in an XY mode display

If you right-click in the PicoScope display, you can select which channel (including a math channel) is used on the x-axis from the X-Axis sub-menu, and also select the channels to display on the Y axis from the Channels sub-menu.

Events

Please visit Pico Exhibitions for the latest list of exhibitions and trade shows that Pico and its representatives will be attending.

We're hiring!

Thanks to our continuing success and growth Pico are always seeking talented people to join our company.

Please visit https://jobs.picotech.com/ to see our current vacancies. We look forward to hearing from you!

Software releases

Our latest software releases are available as free downloads. To check which release you are using, start the software and select Help > About.

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