Pico Technology

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

1.  Tech Tip: Using Your PicoLog 1000 as an Oscilloscope

Did you know that, as well as their primary use as data loggers, the PicoLog 1000 Series units can also be used as oscilloscopes? All you have to do is run the latest beta version of PicoScope, PicoScope 6.2.4, as supplied on CD with the data logger, and you get an oscilloscope at no extra cost. Now you can play with all the advanced features of PicoScope such as math channels, reference waveforms, spectrum analysis, and a waveform buffer for up to 1000 waveforms. Of course, we don’t claim that the PicoLog 1000 Series data loggers can replace our purpose-built PicoScope oscilloscopes, but they are adequate for basic experiments and can sample at up to 1 MS/s. What’s more, they give you up to 16 unipolar channels at up to 12-bit resolution.

So now, with a PicoLog 1000 Series data logger, you can have the best of both worlds: long-duration data logging using PicoLog, and a high-speed oscilloscope display using PicoScope.

Read all about the economical and versatile PicoLog 1000 Series Data Loggers

2.  Updates to PicoLog, EnviroMon and PicoScope 5

We have released a maintenance update for some of our oscilloscope and data logging software. The latest versions are available on our website under the “Software” tab.

• PicoScope 5 and PicoLog R5.20.7
• EnviroMon R5.21.3

3.  New EnviroMon Data Generator Utility

It has always been possible to extract data from EnviroMon, our environmental monitoring system, but until now you had to run it from the command line, and this meant learning the command syntax. Now we have created a simple graphical program that lets you select a range of data by date, time and group, and extract it to a text or image file. You can import the text file into any spreadsheet, such as Microsoft Excel. The image file is in JPEG format, suitable for publishing on the web or including in reports.

The utility runs on Windows XP (SP2) or Vista, and requires the Microsoft .NET 2 framework. (The .NET 2 framework is automatically installed when you install PicoScope 6. Alternatively, you can download it direct from Microsoft.)

Download the EnviroMon Data Generator utility from Pico Labs.

4.  Questions and Answers

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

Q. Can you use the external temperature probe with the DrDAQ to compensate the pH measurement, instead of the internal one?

A. Yes you can, if you purchase the DrDAQ temperature sensor.

Q. Is it possible to perform probe “compensation adjustment” using the method described in the probe manual by using the AWG and Signal Out on the PicoScope 2203? The scopes I use at work all have the “cal” lug for doing this.

A. Yes, you can set the signal generator to a 1 kHz square wave and use it for probe calibration.

Q. Can I use the AWG functionality on Signal Out of the PicoScope 2203 to feed a signal to Channel A or Channel B of the PicoScope 2203? I was thinking that it would make a decent “learning tool” for the PicoScope 6 software if I could generate a certain type of signal using the AWG and then learn how to set up the software to optimize sampling of that type of signal.

A. Yes, Signal Out can be active at the same time as the Channel A and Channel B inputs. You could perhaps use a sweep and add a frequency measurement to show that the frequency is changing. You can adjust the number of samples, which will affect the sampling rate.

5.  Exhibitions

For the latest information about upcoming exhibitions, please see our “Training and Exhibitions” page.

6.  Employment Opportunities

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

• Development Engineer - Analogue Hardware
• Development Engineer - Hardware

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

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.

7.  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:

To download the latest software please visit the software downloads page

See Software Releases - New Features for a list of recent changes and additions to the software.

8.  About this Newsletter

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9.  Contact Details

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