Pico Technology

Here is your monthly Test and Measurement update from Pico Technology.

1.  Tech Tip: Speeding Up Parallel-Port Scopes Under Windows XP

Some customers using our parallel-port scopes under Windows XP have found that XP does not handle the parallel port efficiently. Luckily, there is a way to speed up these scopes — use a Pico Technology USB-to-parallel port converter. The converter makes your parallel device look like a USB device, allowing XP to treat it like any other USB device. Once you have connected the converter, you activate it by changing the port from 'LPT' to 'USB-PP' in PicoScope or PicoLog. Our converter is specially designed for Pico products, and we cannot guarantee that converters from other manufacturers will work with our scopes. With a Pico converter, you can continue to enjoy the technical support that we provide for customers with older Pico products who wish to upgrade their computers.

Read more about the USB-to-parallel adaptor

2.  PicoScope 5000 Series News

We are busy adding new features to the PicoScope 6 software to help you get the most out of your new PicoScope 5000 Series scope. The next feature, due for release this month, is a spectrum view mode that can calculate and display a frequency spectrum based on either stored or live waveforms.

Visit Pico Labs regularly to keep up to date with the ongoing improvements to both the standard and automotive versions of PicoScope 6.

3.  Result of the PicoScope 5000 Series Prize Draw

The winner of our PicoScope 5000 Series prize draw at the MTEC show in February is: Mr Austen Gilbert (from a well-known F1 team in the UK).

Mr Gilbert will receive a PicoScope 5204 Kit, which includes, in addition to the scope, two calibrated 250 MHz probes, other accessories and a tough carry case.

Read more about the PicoScope 5000 Series

4.  Updated Science Experiment

We have updated our Science Experiment “Modelling an Ultrasound A-scan” with new instructions for using the PicoScope 2202, our latest entry-level USB PC Oscilloscope. The experiment is aimed at KS5 students (ages 16 to 19).

More about the PicoScope 2202

If you have invented a new experiment based on a Pico Technology product, or would like to write an application note for us, we would be very interested to hear from you.

5.  Automotive News

Training course

Engine Management Diagnostics using PicoScope
Hinckley College, Leicestershire, UK
11-12 April 2007

The 'Engine Management Diagnostics using PicoScope' training courses are run on behalf of Pico Technology by Bill Phillips from V-Tech Training assisted by Pico staff. Bill has spent most of his career within the automotive sector and is highly regarded within the industry for his knowledge and expertise.

The courses are based around diagnosing electrical and mechanical automotive problems using a PC Oscilloscope, particularly a PicoScope automotive PC Oscilloscope.

New product: coil-on-plug extension lead

The coil-on-plug extension lead is a simple accessory that allows you to take accurate secondary ignition measurements on coil-on-plug ignition systems. The extension lead enables you to make HT measurements when there are no spark plug leads, or when the plug leads are inaccessible. The leads are specifically designed for use with the PP178 Secondary Ignition Pickup.

The COP extension leads are easy to use: simply fit them between the coil pack and the plugs, place a capacitive secondary ignition pickup on each lead, and your oscilloscope will show accurate ignition waveforms with correct kV measurements. The coil-on-plug extension leads are designed for use with PicoScope automotive oscilloscopes, but can also be used on all other scopes that are capable of displaying ignition patterns.

Visit our web page for more information on the COP extension lead

6.  Exhibitions this Month

ATS Automotive Trade Show
NEC, Birmingham, UK
24-26 April 2007

The Automotive Trade Show (ATS) is Britain's fastest growing and most successful trade-only event. As well as the great majority of garage and bodyshop equipment manufacturers, the world's best known automotive brands will also be represented. Under one roof you can find out about new products and services, get technical updates, discuss deals and talk future business opportunities.

7.  Forthcoming Exhibitions and Training Dates

Full details of upcoming exhibitions and training dates can be found on the exhibitions page.

8.  Employment Opportunities

Due to our continuing growth, we have vacancies for the following positions:

• Development Engineer - Analogue Hardware
• Development Engineer - Hardware
• Development Engineer - Windows Desktop Application Software
• Development Engineer - Windows Device Driver Software
• New Product Introduction Engineer
• Technical Support Engineer

Find more details of these positions and complete an online application form

9.  Latest Software Releases

As soon as we release new software, it is made available for FREE download from our website. To check which version you are using, start the software (PicoScope, PicoLog or EnviroMon) and select HELP | ABOUT.

The current releases are:

• PicoScope R5.16.2
• PicoScope R6.0.7 (beta)
• PicoScope Automotive R5.16.2
• PicoScope Automotive R6.0.7 (beta)
• PicoLog R5.15.6
• EnviroMon R5.15.7

To download the latest software please visit the software downloads page

(Note: the above web page also contains a link to our 'what’s new' page which describes recent changes and additions to the software.)

10.  Back Issues of this Newsletter

Back issues of this newsletter are available online at http://www.picotech.com/maillist.html

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