Latest PicoScope and PicoLog software

You can now download the latest update to PicoScope, R6.8.6. This Release Candidate incorporates a large number of improvements based on customer feedback from the R6.8.3 beta version.A new build of the PicoLog data logging software, R5.23.0, is also available. This supports the new PicoScope 2204A and 2205A pocket-sized scopes.

As usual, all PicoScope and PicoLog software updates are free of charge.

Not sure what to download? The Software Download page lists all the software that works with your product.

Independent review of PicoScope 6403D

Electronics blogger Colin O'Flynn has posted a detailed review of the recently-released PicoScope 6403D, with links to more detailed information on his YouTube channel. Here are some of the features covered:

• Equivalent-time sampling (ETS) mode - how to improve timing resolution to as little as 20 ps
• How to evaluate the frequency response of your scope
• Advanced triggering - including pulse width triggers and the buffer overview; extremely long but accurate trigger delays
• Serial decoding with overlay of analog and digital data
• Arbitrary waveform generator
• Using the SDK - with an experimental Python interface
• Comparison with competing scopes

The PicoScope 6403D belongs to the PicoScope 6000 Series, a range of four-channel USB oscilloscopes with bandwidths from 250 to 500 MHz, 5 GS/s sampling, built-in arbitrary waveform generator and USB 3.0 interface.

Full details of the PicoScope 6000 Series

PicoScope beta for Linux

We have just released a beta version of the PicoScope 6 oscilloscope software for Linux. It is suitable for the following distributions:

• Debian 7.0 (wheezy) i386/amd64
• Ubuntu 12.xx/13.xx i386/amd64

Any other Debian based should still work, if PicoScope package requirements are met (mono-runtime >= 2.10.8.1)

Not all the PicoScope for Windows features are included in this beta, but we are working on a more complete version. We would welcome your feedback on any bugs that you find.

Instructions for downloading and installing PicoScope for Linux

Prize draw winner!

The PicoScope prize draw and charity donation scheme for product reviewers is now closed. The winner of the draw is:

Matt Buller

who writes that his PicoScope 3205A:

"travels around the world in my laptop bag and is essential for setting up and calibrating machinery, [while] it is equally at home back in the workshop on the bench".

Matt wins £300 in Amazon vouchers as well as global fame on the PicoScope 3000 Series reviews page. We will also donate $1 for each review submitted during the prize draw period to Cancer Research UK, a registered charity.

We are always keen to hear your views on our products. You can submit a review at any time by filling in the form on the "Tell Us What You Think" page. Published reviews will be posted on the relevant product web page.

Tech tips

Here are some of the latest tips delivered by our technical support experts. Keep watching our forum for more great ideas.

CAN decoding H or L only

Q. Is it possible to decode CAN data using one channel only? I know the benefits of seeing both lines but I'm not fault-finding here and only interested in decoding the data, and I have only one available channel. Or will the software refuse to decode with only one channel connected?

A. No problem. PicoScope will decode either leg of the CAN bus individually – in fact this is the default mode. To decode both legs, you can create a math channel of B–A and decode that.

Generate the signal once (not repeated)

Q. I have a PicoScope 2207 with PicoScope 6 software and I need to use it to generate a unique burst that will not repeat indefinitely. I want to draw my signal in the arbitrary waveform generator (or by importing a CSV file) and launch it once only. Then I need to trigger on the generated signal on channel A and record the output of the device under test on channel B. Is there a way to do it with this device and software?

A. Yes, it's quite easy with any version of PicoScope that has signal generator triggering (R6.7.16 or later) and a compatible scope. In the signal generator menu, select Triggers and then set Trigger Source to Manual and Cycles Per Trigger to 1. Now press the Trigger Now button and you will get a single shot of the AWG buffer out of the device.

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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Contact details

UK Headquarters:
Pico Technology, James House, Colmworth Business Park, St. Neots,
Cambridgeshire, PE19 8YP, United Kingdom
Tel.: 01480 396395 (+44 1480 396395)
Fax: 01480 396296 (+44 1480 396296)

North America Office:
Pico Technology, 320 N Glenwood Blvd, Tyler TX 75702, United States
Tel:+1 800 591 2796 (Toll Free)

Asia-Pacific Office:
Pico Technology, Room 2252, 22/F, Centro, 568 Hengfeng Road, Zhabei District,
Shanghai 200070, PR China
Tel: +86 21 2226-5152

Email: sales@picotech.com