Pico Technology

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

1.  Tech Tip: Running Multiple Instances of PicoLog

PicoLog, our data logging software, can collect data from a number of converters at once, but it always records data at the same rate from each converter, and starts sampling from each converter at the same time. In more complex applications, you can get around these limitations by running several copies (or ‘instances’) of PicoLog at the same time. You do this by creating a separate settings file for each instance, then loading each settings file into its own copy of PicoLog.

Here is an outline of the procedure.

1. Attach to the PC the converter or set of converters that you want to use with the first instance of PicoLog.
2. Start PicoLog, select New Settings from the File menu, then follow the sequence of dialogs to set up your converters.
3. You must use real-time continuous mode, as other modes will not work with multiple converters or with multiple instances of PicoLog.
4. Select Save as... from the File menu, then Settings files (*.pls) from the drop-down box, then Save.
5. Disconnect the first converter and attach the next (or the next set), then repeat the steps above.
6. Close PicoLog.

Once you have a settings file for each converter or set of converters, you will need to start PicoLog Recorder from the command line, as follows.

1. From the Windows Start menu, select Run...
2. Type c:\Program Files\Pico Technology\plw32.exe mysettings1.pls
   (where c:\Program Files\Pico Technology\ is your installation directory and mysettings1.pls is your first settings file).
3. Repeat the two steps above for each of your settings files (for example, mysettings2.pls, etc).

You should now have a separate instance of PicoLog for each settings file. The maximum speed of data acquisition will depend on the number of converters in use and the number of instances of the program.

More technical tips

2.  Lotus Elise II High Idle Speed and Cutting Out

Our Real-Life Diagnostics series of tutorials, written by Nick Hibberd of Hibtech Auto-Electrical Diagnostics, continues with another case history. This month, find out how Nick used a PicoScope Automotive Oscilloscope Kit and a fault-code scanner to diagnose a high-performance engine with unreliable idling.

All our articles are fully illustrated with waveforms, diagrams and photographs, and are available free of charge with no registration needed.

Read the latest automotive tutorials

3.  Training: Engine Management Diagnostics using PicoScope
- St Neots, UK

13 to 14 March 2006

Book now for the next two-day training course for users of our Automotive Diagnostic Kits.

On the first day you will learn the basic working principles of Engine Management systems, component testing and system diagnostics using oscilloscopes. The day will be split between theory and practical demonstrations in a workshop using the Pico Automotive Diagnostic Kit. On the second day you will continue to explore practical examples of diagnostic work with the oscilloscope. You will also build your understanding of electrical and mechanical faults and the engineering significance of voltage signals.

By the end of the course you will be certified by Pico Technology to use the Pico Automotive Diagnostics Kit and PicoScope oscilloscope software specifically for advanced automotive diagnostic applications. You will then possess the knowledge to run diagnostics on most of the common automotive sensors.

More information on Pico automotive training courses

4.  Pico Technology’s 15th Anniversary — Tell Us Your Story

Pico is now in its 15th year, so we are looking forward to celebrating our anniversary in a few months’ time. In our publicity for this event, we plan to focus on our commitment to supporting our older products; in fact, our latest software still works with our very first PC Oscilloscopes and Data Loggers.

If you have owned and used a Pico product for ten years or more, and would like us to publish your story, please contact us by email

5.  Employment Opportunities

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

• Digital Hardware Engineers
• Analogue Hardware Engineers
• Applications Software Engineers

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.

View full details of all our current employment vacancies

6.  Forthcoming 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 R5.13.7
• PicoScope Automotive R5.13.7
• PicoLog R5.13.7
• EnviroMon R5.13.6

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

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