Pico Technology

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

1.  Tech Tip: Keeping PicoLog Running After a Power Failure

One of the problems with using a computer for unattended data logging is the risk of losing data after a power failure. PicoLog, our data logging software, can save you from disaster by restarting automatically after a power failure and then continuing to log data. To make it do this, follow these steps:

1. Run PicoLog Recorder, set it up to log your data, and then save the settings to a PLW file such as ‘oven.plw’. Note the exact path and name of this file.
2. Find the PicoLog Recorder shortcut in the Windows Start menu, right-click it and select ‘Copy’.
3. While still in the Start menu, find the ‘Startup’ program group, right-click it and select ‘Open’. This will open a new window labelled ‘Startup’.
4. Right-click in the Startup window and select ‘Paste’. A new shortcut labelled ‘PicoLog Recorder’ will appear.
5. Right-click the new shortcut and select ‘Properties’.
6. In the ‘Target’ box, you will see the path and name of the PicoLog Recorder program (plw32.exe) enclosed in quotation marks. After the last quotation mark, add “ -r ” (space, minus, r, space).
7. After the last space you typed, add the full path and name of the PLW file you created earlier (such as “C:\oven.plw”), enclosed in quotation marks.
8. Click ‘OK’ to close the Properties dialog.

That’s it. You can now test the system by running PicoLog Recorder and then restarting your computer. The program will restart, creating a new data file with a serial number attached, such as ‘oven1.plw’. The data from before the power failure will be safely stored in the original ‘oven.plw’ file.

View more technical tips for Pico oscilloscopes and data loggers

2.  Independent Review of the PicoScope 3224 PC Oscilloscope

The PicoScope 3224 features in a recent article, “Data Acquisition and Display for Electrophysiology: PC Oscilloscopes” by Stephen George of the Neuroscience Program at Amherst College, MA, United States. The article gives advice on choosing a PC Oscilloscope for teaching electrophysiology in neuroscience labs, and compares and reviews several models from different manufacturers. Amherst College chose the PicoScope 3224 over the competition for its reasonable price, its large buffer size, the power of the PicoScope software, and the quality of service from our U.S. dealer, Swangate International Inc.

Read the full article on our website or find out more about the PicoScope 3224 PC Oscilloscope.

3.  Exhibitions this Month

AAPEX Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo

Sands Expo Centre, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
31 October - 2 November 2006
Details in the Automotive News section below.

3rd Istanbul Food Technologies Group Fair

9-12 November 2006
Istanbul, Turkey
Pico will be represented by ETA Telecom (Hall 7 Stand 724 - C)

This show includes Food Safety 2006, the Food Safety, Hygiene and Quality Control Technology trade fair.

Electronica 2006 trade show

New Munich Trade Fair Centre, Munich, Germany
14-17 November 2006
Hall A1, Stand 156

Spanning 14 exhibition halls covering 152,000 square metres, Electronica 2006 will be presenting the entire spectrum of electronics on the themes of components, systems and applications. As the industry summit for the worldwide electronics community, it will offer a range of opportunities for gathering information and extending and developing personal networks.

Visit the Pico stand to see our latest hardware and software, such as the PicoScope 2000 and 3000 Series PC Oscilloscopes, the TC-08 thermocouple data logger and the PicoScope and PicoLog software. Our technical experts will be on hand to answer your questions. Also look out for the launch of a major new product!

4.  Automotive News

New from Pico Labs: PicoScope Diagnostics

With an automotive oscilloscope from Pico Technology, the new Pico Diagnostics software turns your PC into an automotive diagnostics station. All you have to do is connect a pair of crocodile clips to the battery and select ‘compression test’ or ‘cylinder balance’, and the program will display the test results within seconds. You get a graphical display of the performance of the engine, and an automatic diagnosis of any problems found, to show to your customer.

PicoScope Diagnostics is currently in the early stages of beta testing, but is a fully functioning product. Download it today, try it for yourself, and send us your comments. If you are a PicoScope Automotive owner, you can get a free copy from Pico Labs

AAPEX Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo

Sands Expo Centre, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
31 October - 2 November 2006
Booth 5756

AAPEX is the annual business-to-business trade show representing the $250 billion North American retail and service aftermarket, and features more than 2,000 exhibitors. Pico will be launching some new automotive diagnostic tools and a major update of our software, all of which are designed to support quick and accurate engine diagnostics.

• The new Mixmaster secondary ignition signal mixer can produce a parade display of up to twelve cylinders using a single channel of an automotive oscilloscope.
• The 6-way Universal Breakout Leads (winners of a Top 20 Tools 2006 award from MOTOR magazine) allow you to connect your PicoScope Automotive Oscilloscope to a wide range of components in the engine bay, without having to strip or pierce insulation and with no risk of damage to connectors.
• The new PicoScope 6 Automotive software is part of the Pico Automotive Oscilloscope Kit, which turns your PC into a powerful oscilloscope for vehicle diagnostics. With the increasing amount of electronics in modern vehicles, it’s no longer enough to rely on a scan tool — you need an oscilloscope to lead you directly to the source of the problem. Pico oscilloscopes and software can be used for rapid diagnosis on all makes and models of vehicles.

Visit the Pico Technology booth for a full demonstration of these products and advice from our automotive diagnostic experts.

Visit the show’s website for further information

MechanEx Mechanics Trade Show

Sandown Park, Esher, UK
21-22 November 2006
Stand 25

MechanEx 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 2006 is organised by Professional Motor Mechanic magazine. Our automotive specialists will be there to answer your technical questions. Visit us to see our latest automotive products, including our two-channel, four-channel and commercial-vehicle Automotive Oscilloscope Kits, and accessories such as the coil-on-plug probe, the 6-way universal breakout leads, the FirstLook engine sensor and the new Mixmaster secondary ignition signal mixer.

Visit the show’s website for further information

New book: Advanced Automotive Fault Diagnosis, 2nd edition

As automotive systems become increasingly complex there is a greater need for good diagnostic skills. “Advanced Automotive Fault Diagnosis” by Tom Denton is the only book to treat automotive diagnostics as a science rather than a check-list procedure. Each chapter includes basic principles and examples of a vehicle system followed by the appropriate diagnostic techniques, complete with useful diagrams, flow charts, case studies and self-assessment questions. The book will help new students develop diagnostic skills and help experienced technicians improve even further.

This new edition includes the latest technological developments. Two new chapters have been added - On-board diagnostics and Oscilloscope diagnostics - and the coverage has been matched to the latest curricula of motor vehicle qualifications, including: IMI and C&G Technical Certificates and NVQs; Level 4 diagnostic units; BTEC National and Higher National qualifications from Edexcel; International Motor Vehicle qualifications such as C&G 3905; and ASE certification in the USA.

Find out more on Advanced Automotive Fault Diagnosis and order your copy today

5.  Forthcoming Exhibitions and Training Dates

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

6.  Employment Opportunities

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

• Development Engineer - Device Driver Software
• Development Engineer - Hardware
• Development Engineer - Analogue Hardware
• Field Sales Engineer

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

7.  Custom Solutions for Pico Data Loggers and Oscilloscopes

You may be thinking of buying a Pico PC Data Logger or PC Oscilloscope, but need expert help to integrate our software with your application or to design a signal conditioner to interface the logger to your sensor.

If so, then Innovatronics Ltd may well be able to help with a custom solution tailored to your needs. With over seven years’ experience working with Pico equipment, our in-depth knowledge and high-quality solutions may be exactly what you need to fulfil your requirements.

Contact Innovatronics to discuss your project and receive a no-obligation quote for a solution to your problem.

8.  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 R5.15.5
• PicoScope Automotive R5.15.4 and new R6.0.0
• PicoLog R5.15.5
• EnviroMon R5.13.7

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.)

9.  Back Issues of this Newsletter

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

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