Pico Technology

1.  New Accessories Range

We have set up a new section of our website dedicated to the sale of test and measurement accessories. The aim is to provide an easy to use "one stop shop" taking advantage of our competitive pricing and fast delivery.

Products include oscilloscope probes, test leads, current clamps, thermocouples and pH electrodes.

The accessories site can be found at: http://accessories.picotech.com

2.  PicoLog software — Have Your Say

If you are a regular user of PicoLog data logging software, this is your chance to have your say on how it could be improved in the next version.

If there are any changes or new features you would like to make the program easier to use or more productive, please e-mail us with your comments.

Whilst we can not promise to include every suggestion, they will all be given serious consideration.

3.  Technical Tip — Reducing Noise in Oscilloscope Measurements

For many measurement applications, noise is a big concern. A typical example in the automotive field is measuring injector current using a current clamp. The signals from the current clamp are only a few mV in amplitude, yet nearby are ignition signals of many kV.

The best way to minimize noise is to try to eliminate it at source, in the above example keep the current clamp as far away from ignition components as practical and ensure all connecting leads are screened.

Physical precautions as described above will help minimise noise pickup, simple software filtering can often be used to further reduce its effects.

PicoScope oscilloscope software has several display modes that can be used to reduce noise pickup, the differences between these modes are described below and can be selected from the settings | options menu:

Current (Unfiltered)
This is the default display mode, it takes all the data captured by the oscilloscope and maps it onto the PC monitor using a min/max algorithm. This ensures any fast transients are displayed, but will also act to highlight any high frequency noise.

Current (Filtered)
This mode applies a simple low pass filter to remove high frequency noise from the oscilloscope display. This mode would be ideal for the automotive application described.

Average
This mode build up an average trace based on all cycles captured. This is useful for removing random noise from repetitive signals.

Min, Max and Average
This displays this displays a shaded area showing the minimum and maximum of all cycles captured. In addition it displays the average trace as well. As with the average mode, noise is removed from repetitive signals, in addition the shaded area gives an indication of how noisy the signal is.

4.  New Science Experiment

Our library of science experiments for data loggers and oscilloscopes continues to grow.

New this month is a Physics experiment entitled "Beagle 2 - landing on Mars" which looks at the forces, the Beagle 2 spacecraft will be subject to when it lands on Mars.

5.  Exhibitions and Training Dates

We have started compiling a list of exhibitions, seminars and training days which will feature our products. This will be expanded in the coming months as we add in information supplied by our distributors.

19th September 2003
UK Autotalk Exhibition -Elland Road Conference Centre, Leeds, UK

15th - 16th October 2003
Automotive Training Course - Leeds, UK - more details

29th October - 2nd November 2003
Industry 2003 - Athens, Greece

4th - 7th November 2003
AAPEX (Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo) - Las Vegas, USA - visit website

14th - 17th November 2003
Electronika 2003 - Athens, Greece
Pico will be represented on the Advantech Stand (A-51)

7th - 10th January 2004
BETT 2004 - Olympia, London, UK (educational exhibition)

11th - 12th February 2004
MTEC - NEC, Birmingham, UK
Pico will be exhibiting on stand D123

11th - 12th February 2004
MechanEx - Donington Park, UK
Pico will be exhibiting on stand A4

23rd - 25th March 2004
Automotive Trade Show - NEC, Birmingham, UK - visit website

6.  Employment Opportunities

Pico Technology currently have a vacancy for the following position:-

• Distribution Sales Executive

The ideal candidate will have experience of finding, appointing and managing distributors of test and measurement equipment.

More information can be found in the employment section .

7.  Latest Software Releases

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

The current releases are:

• PicoScope R5.09-6
• PicoLog R5.09-6
• EnviroMon R5.09-6
• Drivers R5.09-6

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).

8.  Back Issues of this Newsletter

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

9.  Subscribe / Unsubscribe Information

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Contact details

Pico Technology Limited
The Mill House
Cambridge Street
St Neots
PE19 1QB
UK