Pico Technology

Here is your monthly Test and Measurement update from Pico Technology. We wish you a Happy New Year!

1.  New PicoScope 4000 Series Available Now!

The PicoScope 4000 Series is our new high-resolution range of PC Oscilloscopes, with twice the bandwidth, 4 times the sampling rate and 64 times the memory of the previous generation of high-resolution scopes in the 3000 Series. The new scopes have a voltage accuracy of 1%, making them suitable for most test and measurement applications. With their 12-bit resolution, they are ideal for low-noise applications such as audio, vibration and mechanical analysis. The wide input range means that they can cope equally well with small signals from sensors and higher voltages from switching power supplies, inverters and motor drivers. Here are the main specifications:

• 20 MHz analog bandwidth
• 12-bit resolution (16 bits in resolution enhance mode)
• 80 MS/s sampling rate
• 2 and 4-channel models
• ±50 mV to ±100 V full-scale input ranges
• 32 million sample “always on” buffer memory
• Spectrum analyzer built in
• USB 2.0 connection for data and power
• 24-month warranty

The highly efficient 32-million-sample “always on” buffer memory means that you don’t need to worry about the trade-off between sampling rate and record length – you can leave the buffer set to maximum size all the time and still use the highest sampling rate, all the way down to 20 milliseconds per division.

If you have used a Pico oscilloscope before, you will find that the PicoScope software is still as efficient and easy to use as it always has been. Just run the installation wizard on your PC or laptop, plug in your new PicoScope 4000 Series scope and have a working oscilloscope within minutes.

Read all about the new PicoScope 4000 Series

2.  PicoScope 6.2.1 Beta Release – with Reference Waveforms

A new experimental version of PicoScope, PicoScope 6.2.1 beta, is now available for free download from Pico Labs. There are numerous performance and reliability improvements, as well as the following new features:

• XY view. XY view plots one channel against another on the screen. This plot could be the I-V curve of a component such as a capacitor, inductor or diode, or a Lissajous figure showing the phase difference between two periodic waveforms. XY view is also capable of more advanced operations such plotting a math channel against a reference waveform, or plotting multiple channels on the Y axis against a single channel on the X axis.
• Rapid trigger mode. This is a way of capturing a sequence of waveforms with minimal ‘dead time’ between them. In this mode, PicoScope saves time by delaying the display update until the entire sequence has been captured. After capture, you can scroll through the waveforms in the usual way using the buffer navigation buttons.
• Arbitrary waveform editor. The arbitrary waveform generator has been upgraded. Now, as well as loading arbitrary waveforms from text files, you can create, modify and save them using the new graphical AWG editor.
• Vista 64-bit support. Previous versions of PicoScope supported XP 32-bit and Vista 32-bit, which until recently were installed on most desktop and laptop PCs. PicoScope 6.2.1 now also supports Vista 64-bit, which is becoming increasingly common on new PCs.
• Extended language support. Menus can be displayed in German, Spanish, Hungarian, Italian or Simplified Chinese.

Try PicoScope 6.2.1 beta now, free of charge

3.  Application Note: Measuring Power Factor

PicoScope’s ‘math channel’ feature is so powerful that we are still discovering new uses for it. You can combine and modify channels using built-in functions such as addition, negation and multiplication, and if that’s not enough you can create your own functions using the equation editor. To give you a taste of what is possible, we have just published an application note explaining how to use PicoScope to calculate mains power and power factor. If this gives you an idea for a new application, we’d be delighted to hear about it!

Read “Analysing Mains Power with PicoScope”

4.  12 GHz PicoScope 9201 is Best in Test Finalist

The PicoScope 9201 PC Sampling Oscilloscope has been selected as a finalist for the 2009 Best in Test oscilloscope award. The PicoScope 9201 has a 12 GHz bandwidth and built-in mask tests and eye pattern measurements, yet costs less than half as much as similar scopes. If you’ve seen the PicoScope 9201 then you’ll know that there is nothing else like it, so cast your vote at the Test & Measurement World website and help us to spread the word.

Vote for the PicoScope 9201

5.  Questions and Answers

Here is a selection of the questions that have cropped up recently on our support forum.

Q. I am planning to buy the PicoScope 2203 to do measurement on a radio MPX signal. This signal is from 0 - 100 kHz maximum. This is done for calibrating the output and input of some radio utilities. Is the frequency response from 0 - 100 kHz flat or are there any things I need to consider?

A. The frequency response is flat under DC coupling. AC coupling causes the response to roll off below about 1 Hz.

Q. I have a Pico ADC-11 but I would like to buy a converter for a 4-20 mA signal. Which converter is best for this purpose?

A. You can use your ADC-11 with a 120-ohm shunt resistor for measuring 4-20 mA signals. An optional ADC-11 terminal board is also available that makes it easier to attach external components without soldering.

6.  Exhibitions

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

7.  Employment Opportunities

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

• Development Engineer - Analogue Hardware
• Development Engineer - FPGA/VHDL Design
• Development Engineer - Hardware

We look forward to hearing from you if you want to be part of a growing company at the leading edge of test equipment design.

8.  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 5: R5.20.3
• PicoScope 6: R6.2.0 (6.2.1 beta also available)
• PicoLog: R5.20.3
• EnviroMon: R5.20.0

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.)

9.  About this Newsletter

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10.  Contact Details

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