Pico Technology

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

1.  Tech Tip: Log 160 Thermocouple Channels

Did you know that you can now use up to 20 serial TC-08 or USB TC-08 thermocouple temperature loggers on a single PC? With eight channels per logger, that means that you can record 160 temperature channels at once.

The TC-08 is a cost-effective temperature measuring solution. Here are the main features:

• 8-channel thermocouple data logger
• Measures from -270 to +1820 °C
• Automatic cold junction compensation
• High resolution and accuracy
• Fast sampling rate
• Up to 20 units can be run on a single PC
• Available with USB or RS-232 interface

Make sure that you have the latest version of PicoLog, which you can download free of charge from our website.

Find out more about the TC-08 Thermocouple Data Logger

2.  PicoScope 5000 Series News

We are busy adding new features to the PicoScope 6 software so that you can get the most out of your new PicoScope 5000 Series scope. Here are the latest planned and newly available features:

• Spectrum view — now released
• Property sheet, listing all settings at a glance — now released
• Advanced triggering, with pulse width, logic, drop-out and window modes — coming soon

Find out more about the PicoScope 5000 Series

3.  Win an Electronics Textbook

Answer three questions about Pico products and you could win a copy of ANALOG SEEKrets — DC to daylight (retail price 45 GBP), a new electronics textbook written by Leslie Green and published by Future Science Research Press.

Crammed full of measurement tips and techniques, this book gives you expert advice on how to use probes effectively, how measurements are made within instrumentation, how some manufacturers cheat, and what terms like SFDR, ENOB, return loss and VSWR mean.

Enter the competition

Entry is free (only one entry per person), and no purchase is necessary. The competition closes on 31 May 2007. We will then draw three winners at random from the list of correct entries.

4.  EPE Reader Wins a PicoScope 3205

Our congratulations to EPE reader Stephen Stopford, whose Wind Speed Monitor was judged the best design in the last year of Everyday Practical Electronics magazine’s monthly “Ingenuity Unlimited” feature. Stephen has won a PicoScope 3205 PC Oscilloscope, our general-purpose scope with a bandwidth of 200 MHz, a sampling rate of 100 MS/s, a record length of 512K samples, and a USB 2.0 interface. He was “absolutely delighted” with his scope, and reported that it was “already up and running, thanks to the easy-to-use software”.

Second prize went to Mr C Hegter, whose entry was for an Automatic Doorbell. He has won a Pico DrDAQ Data Logger, which plugs into a parallel port and delivers measurements from its built-in light, sound and temperature sensors. It also has sockets for external sensors.

• Find out more about the PicoScope 3205 PC Oscilloscope
• Find out more about the DrDAQ Data Logger

5.  Automotive News

New product: COP extension lead

The coil-on-plug extension lead is a simple accessory that allows you to take accurate secondary ignition measurements on coil-on-plug ignition systems. The extension lead enables you to make HT measurements when there are no spark plug leads, or when the plug leads are inaccessible. The leads are specifically designed for use with the PP178 Secondary Ignition Pickup.

The COP extension leads are easy to use: simply fit them between the coil pack and the plugs, place a capacitive secondary ignition pickup on each lead, and your oscilloscope will show accurate ignition waveforms with correct kV measurements. The coil-on-plug extension leads are designed for use with PicoScope automotive oscilloscopes, but can also be used on all other scopes that are capable of displaying ignition patterns.

Visit our web page for more information on the COP extension lead

New Real-Life Diagnostics article

We have just published a new story from the world of engine diagnostics, this time about a modified Ford Escort with an engine that wouldn’t fire. Nick Hibberd, of Hibtech Auto-Electrical Diagnostics, uses a PicoScope oscilloscope to trace the fault through the vehicle's engine management system and asks: Is it possible to determine the fault just by the vehicle owner?

Read the entire Real-Life Diagnostics series of articles on our website, free of charge.

6.  Exhibitions this Month

MechanEx Mechanics’ Trade Show
Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate, UK
22-23 May 2007
Pico will be on stand C4

MechanEx 2007 is a hands-on event featuring the very best in tools, diagnostics and the latest products from most major manufacturers. Designed for independent motor trade professionals, MechanEx 2007 is brought to you by Professional Motor Mechanic and endorsed by IMI, the Institute of the Motor Industry. As well as the free technical workshops, the events have a strong training and business development theme, with many exhibitors on hand to provide advice on maximising the opportunities in their particular product areas.

7.  Forthcoming Exhibitions and Training Dates

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

8.  New Catalogue Available for Download

The new 2007 Test & Measurement Catalogue is now available for download from our website. This shows all our new test and measurement products, including the PicoScope 5000 series of high-performance scopes and the money-saving scope bundles. If you would prefer a printed copy, you can fill in the form on the download web page and we will send one to you as soon as it is ready.

Download your copy of the new Pico Test & Measurement Catalogue

9.  Employment Opportunities

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

• Development Engineer - Analogue Hardware
• Development Engineer - Windows Desktop Application Software
• Development Engineer - Windows Device Driver Software
• New Product Introduction Engineer
• Technical Support Engineer

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

10.  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 R5.16.2
• PicoScope R6.0.8 (beta)
• PicoScope Automotive R5.16.2
• PicoScope Automotive R6.0.8 (beta)
• PicoLog R5.16.2
• EnviroMon R5.16.2

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.)

11.  Back Issues of this Newsletter

Back issues of this newsletter are available online at http://www.picotech.com/maillist.html

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