Tech Tip: Using Your PicoLog 1000 as an Oscilloscope
Did you know that, as well as their primary use as data loggers, the PicoLog 1000 Series units can also be used as oscilloscopes? All you have to do is run the latest beta version of PicoScope, PicoScope 6.2.4, as supplied on CD with the data logger, and you get an oscilloscope at no extra cost. Now you can play with all the advanced features of PicoScope such as math channels, reference waveforms, spectrum analysis, and a waveform buffer for up to 1000 waveforms. Of course, we don’t claim that the PicoLog 1000 Series data loggers can replace our purpose-built PicoScope oscilloscopes, but they are adequate for basic experiments and can sample at up to 1 MS/s. What’s more, they give you up to 16 unipolar channels at up to 12-bit resolution.
So now, with a PicoLog 1000 Series data logger, you can have the best of both worlds: long-duration data logging using PicoLog, and a high-speed oscilloscope display using PicoScope.
Read all about the economical and versatile PicoLog 1000 Series Data Loggers
New EnviroMon Data Generator Utility
It has always been possible to extract data from EnviroMon, our environmental monitoring system, but until now you had to run it from the command line, and this meant learning the command syntax. Now we have created a simple graphical program that lets you select a range of data by date, time and group, and extract it to a text or image file. You can import the text file into any spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel. The image file is in JPEG format, suitable for publishing on the web or including in reports.
The utility runs on Windows XP (SP2) or Vista, and requires the Microsoft .NET 2 framework. (The .NET 2 framework is automatically installed when you install PicoScope 6. Alternatively, you can download it direct from Microsoft.)
Questions and Answers
Here is a selection of the questions that have cropped up recently on our support forum.
Q. Can you use the external temperature probe with the DrDAQ to compensate the pH measurement, instead of the internal one?
A. Yes you can, if you purchase the DrDAQ temperature sensor.
Q. Is it possible to perform probe “compensation adjustment” using the method described in the probe manual by using the AWG and Signal Out on the PicoScope 2203? The scopes I use at work all have the “cal” lug for doing this.
A. Yes, you can set the signal generator to a 1 kHz square wave and use it for probe calibration.
Q. Can I use the AWG functionality on Signal Out of the PicoScope 2203 to feed a signal to Channel A or Channel B of the PicoScope 2203? I was thinking that it would make a decent “learning tool” for the PicoScope 6 software if I could generate a certain type of signal using the AWG and then learn how to set up the software to optimize sampling of that type of signal.
A. Yes, Signal Out can be active at the same time as the Channel A and Channel B inputs. You could perhaps use a sweep and add a frequency measurement to show that the frequency is changing. You can adjust the number of samples, which will affect the sampling rate.
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
