Pico Technology

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

1.  New Range of USB Oscilloscopes

Pico Technology, the market leaders in PC Oscilloscopes, are pleased to announce the launch of a new range of USB connected dual channel oscilloscopes. In brief the products offer a level of performance that exceeds any PC oscilloscope currently manufactured by ourselves or our competitors.

The key specifications are as follows:

• 200 MHz bandwidth
• 1 MB buffer memory
• 10 GS/s repetitive sampling
• 200 MS/s single shot sampling
• 100 MHz spectrum analyser
• Built in sine/square/triangle wave signal generator
• Fast USB 2.0 interface (USB 1.1 compatible)

2.  The PicoScope 3000 Range in Detail

The PicoScope 3000 range comprises three new 8 bit oscilloscopes, the PicoScope 3204, 3205 and 3206 with 50, 100 and 200 MHz bandwidths respectively.

The units are connected to the USB port on any modern laptop or desktop PC. The fast USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) interface ensures a quick screen update rate, even when collecting large amounts of data. When used with PCs with older USB 1.1 ports (12 Mbps) the data transfer rate is slower, but is still faster than a parallel port connection.

All digital oscilloscopes collect data into a waveform buffer, the bigger the buffer the longer the scope can collect data without reducing its sampling rate. The range topping PicoScope 3206 can record up to 1 million readings whilst sampling at 200 MS/s. This large memory allows complex waveforms to be captured in great detail, even if they last for long periods of time. Once captured PicoScope software allows up to 2000x zoom to examine every last detail of your signal.

In the same way CD players oversample to reduce noise and increase resolution, the PicoScope 3000 series can combine its high sampling rate and large memory to oversample the signal you wish to measure thus removing random noise. The ͂current - filtered" display option is just one of seven different display modes available.

The signal generator built into the PicoScope 3205 and PicoScope 3206 can output sine/square and triangle waves up to 1 MHz in frequency. A useful feature is the sweep function which can be combined with the spectrum analyser peak hold function to quickly test the bandwidth response of filters and amplifiers.

Read the PicoScope 3000 data sheet (PDF)

3.  PicoScope 3000 Range — Pricing, Ordering and Availability

Pricing of the three models in the range is as follows:

(please note that $ and € prices are approximate)

The PicoScope 3000 range is available now and both Pico and many of our distributors have stock available for immediate despatch. Due to the expected high demand we recommend that customers check the predicted delivery date at the time of ordering. For small orders, our e-commerce system will notify you if there is likely to be a delay before the order is despatched.

If you wish to see the PicoScope 3000 oscilloscopes in action before purchasing there will be an opportunity to use them at our oscilloscope training course next week (see below).

4.  Oscilloscope Training Course

There are still a few places left for our basic and advanced oscilloscope training courses to be held on the 7th July 2004 at St Neots, UK. These courses will also give delegates a first chance to use the PicoScope 3000 range of oscilloscopes.

Basic oscilloscope training (1/2 day)

This is a half day course. It assumes no knowledge of oscilloscopes, and has the overall objective that each delegate will understand basic operation and functionality of the instrument. On completion, each delegate should be able to make basic timing and amplitude measurements. Although based around the use of Pico PC oscilloscopes this course is suitable for all oscilloscope users.

Advanced oscilloscope training (1/2 day)

This course is designed for existing owners of our oscilloscopes (or prospective purchasers who want an in depth knowledge of the functionality). It explains how to get the best out of the product by using some of the more advanced features of the oscilloscope and spectrum analyser. The course will cover the different display modes, advanced settings, trigger modes, custom ranges and user defined test menus.

5.  New Look Website

We have just completed a major update to our website. The aim has been to make navigation easier whilst at the same time give the site a more modern, professional look.

If you have any comments about the new look website (good or bad!) or have any problems using it please email webmaster@picotech.com

6.  Exhibitions and Training Dates

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

7.  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 R5.09.4 (release) R5.10.6 (beta)
• PicoLog R5.09.6 (release) R5.10.3 (beta)
• EnviroMon R5.09.6 (release) R5.10.3 (beta)
• Drivers R5.09.6 (release) R5.10.1 (beta)

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 available online at http://www.picotech.com/maillist.html

9.  Subscribe / Unsubscribe Information

This e-mail list is an 'opt in' mailing list. Names are only added by request. Pico Technology will not pass your name on to any third party.

• To join Email mailing list send an email to mailist@picotech.com with 'join mail list' as the subject
• To leave Email mailing list send an email to mailist@picotech.com with 'leave mail list' as the subject
• Recommend this newsletter to a friend

Contact details

< Newsletter archive