Pico Technology

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

1.  Independent Review of PicoLog 1000 Series

EN-Genius Network, the information source for electronic design engineers, has been quick to review the new PicoLog 1000 Series. In fact, at the time of writing, our latest design is one of their “Picks of the Week”.

First, here’s a reminder of the main features of these data loggers:

• 12 or 16 voltage inputs with 0 to +2.5 volt range
• 10 or 12-bit resolution
• Full versions of PicoLog and PicoScope included, giving you a choice of either long-term or high-speed data logging
• Simple USB connection with no need for a separate power supply
• Up to 4 digital outputs, plus power output for sensors
• Pulse-width modulated output (PicoLog 1216 only) for proportional control of experiments
• Software development kit (free to download) that you can use to write your own programs
• Optional terminal board with screw terminals for easy connection, and space for resistors to extend input ranges
• Prices from only £95 (about $157 / €110 at current exchange rates)

Full specifications and ordering information

To summarise the review: EN-Genius considers that our new data loggers “offer uncommon value, especially when you consider the well-supported software that’s bundled with them”.

Read “Pico Technology announces two competitively priced, multi-channel, USB-powered data loggers” in the test&measurementZONE on the EN-Genius website.

2.  “New features in PicoScope 6” Video

There are numerous videos about Pico products on YouTube. These include training materials from our authorised distributors, unofficial productions by our customers, and the official picotech channel where you will find information straight from the developers.

One of the official videos, “New features in PicoScope 6”, is a straightforward 8-minute introduction to the new features in PicoScope 6.2.3 beta. Although you can watch it on YouTube, it is best viewed in high resolution on the Pico website.

Watch “New features in PicoScope 6” in high resolution

3.  New Software Releases

Here’s a summary of this month’s software releases:

PicoScope and PicoLog 5.20.6

• Support for PicoLog 1000 Series
• Support for 64-bit Windows

PicoLog and PicoScope 5.20.6 support our very latest Data Loggers, the PicoLog 1000 Series. Use PicoLog for long-duration unattended data logging, and PicoScope 5 for older oscilloscopes. For current USB scope hardware, we recommend using PicoScope 6 instead of PicoScope 5.

Download now, free of charge

PicoLog 1000 Series SDK

The PicoLog 1000 Series SDK (software development kit) 6.2.4.10 is now on the web. It lets you write your own software to control the PicoLog 1000 Series Data Loggers, and includes examples in C and LabView. Like all our SDKs, it’s free of charge.

Go to download page

EnviroMon 5.21.2 and demo version

The latest EnviroMon update includes:

• A new setup wizard to get you started quickly
• A new firmware update command to make it easier to reprogram the data logger
• A new demo version that works without any EnviroMon hardware installed
• A number of minor bug fixes

Go to download page

PicoScope 6.2.4 (beta)

The latest beta release of PicoScope adds support for the PicoLog 1000 Series Data Loggers. With PicoScope, these new Data Loggers can be used as 12 or 16-input oscilloscopes with a maximum sampling rate of 1 MS/s. PicoScope also gives you manual control of the PWM and digital outputs.

Download the PicoScope beta from Pico Labs

4.  Questions and Answers

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

Q. I have a x1/x10 probe. The 220 volts AC has a amplitude of 320 V, so with a 10x probe the limit would be 32 V. The protection limit of the PicoScope 2204 is +/-100V, so could I directly measure the voltage of the power network?

A. No! If you want to measure mains (line) voltages, you must use differential probes that are rated and designed for this purpose. These probes permit you to use a conventional earthed oscilloscope to measure signals, like the mains, that are not referenced to earth. A standard x10 probe is not designed to keep you and your oscilloscope safe when connected to mains voltages, even if it appears to have a high enough voltage rating.

Q. I would like to know how to split the screen into 4 so I can see 4 different sensors at the same time.

A. In PicoScope 5, “View -> New scope”. In PicoScope 6, right-click and select “Add View” -> “Scope”. Repeat until you have 4 scope views.

Q. How does one get the info out of a .psdata file without a converter attached? We need to be able to share data files and analyze the traces without passing the scope itself back and forth.

To open a data file without the converter attached so that the Channel Options dialog is filled in, choose the appropriate demo device when prompted. Open PicoScope, say yes to demo device, and choose the appropriate one. Then File -> Open your data file from within PicoScope. [Thanks to Tom Roberts of autonerdz.com for this answer.]

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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