Pico Technology

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

1.  PicoScope 5000 Series Update

We hope that you received our special announcement about the new PicoScope 5000 Series top-of-the-range PC Oscilloscopes. Here’s a quick reminder of the main specifications:

• 250 MHz analogue bandwidth
• 1 gigasample per second
• Up to 128 megasample buffer
• 125 megasample per second arbitrary waveform generator
• USB 2.0 connection to your PC

A new PDF data sheet for the PicoScope 5000 series can now be downloaded from our website.

You can also read eeProductCenter’s coverage of our new scopes.

2.  Tech Tip: Zooming and Panning in PicoScope

The PicoScope PC Oscilloscope software usually captures more data than it can show on the screen at one time. You can easily use the zoom and pan functions to see all of this data.

1. Capture your data, and then click the red STOP button or press the space bar.
2. To zoom and pan horizontally, click the horizontal zoom control just to the right of the timebase control. To zoom in by a factor of two, change it from x1 to x2.
3. A horizontal scroll bar will appear at the bottom of the waveform. Drag this to pan backwards and forwards in time.
4. To zoom and pan vertically, click the vertical zoom control just to the right of the AC/DC selector. To zoom in by a factor of two, change it from Off to x2.
5. A vertical scroll bar will appear either to the left or to the right of the waveform depending, on which channel you are using. Drag this to pan up and down in voltage.
6. Don’t try to zoom by changing the timebase or voltage range controls, as this will erase the data you have just captured.

Find out more about PicoScope and download the latest version

3.  Automotive News

PicoScope 6.0.1 Automotive Released

Have you tried the new PicoScope 6 software yet? The latest release has a new autosetup feature, and improved compatibility with PicoScope 5 waveform files. Many of our customers have downloaded the free update from our website, and some of them have also sent us some valuable feedback on our support forum. We will take into account all your comments and suggestions when we release the next version.

So far, we have found that most users like the new look and the improved controls. Application reports are starting to come in, too. If you have used the software to solve a tricky problem, we would love to hear from you!

Find out what our customers are saying about PicoScope 6

Download your own free copy of the software

Pico Diagnostics beta release available

The latest product from Pico Labs, Pico Diagnostics is a time-saving software package that will diagnose a number of faults and performance issues in petrol and diesel engines. All you need to do is connect your Pico automotive scope to the battery, and then the software will automatically perform cylinder balance and compression tests. The results are displayed in a bar graph that can easily be understood by both the mechanic and the customer.

Find out more and download your free copy of Pico Diagnostics

Engine Management Diagnostics using PicoScope, London, UK

20-21 December 2006
Kingston College

This training course is run on behalf of Pico Technology by Bill Phillips from V-Tech Training assisted by Pico staff. Bill has spent most of his career in the automotive sector and is highly regarded within the industry for his knowledge and expertise.

This two-day course includes the basic working principles of Engine Management systems, testing components and system diagnostics using oscilloscopes. The focus will be on using PicoScope to evaluate engine systems and their components, including sensors and actuators such as injectors, lambda sensors and ignition components. The course is split between theory and practical demonstrations in a workshop using the Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit.

Find out more about Pico automotive training courses

4.  Forthcoming Exhibitions and Training Dates

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

5.  Employment Opportunities

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

• Development Engineer - Device Driver Software
• Development Engineer - Hardware
• Development Engineer - Analogue Hardware
• Marketing Coordinators (two vacancies)

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

6.  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 R5.15.6
• PicoScope Automotive R5.15.4
• PicoScope Automotive R6.0.1 (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.)

7.  Back Issues of this Newsletter

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

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