PicoScope 4000A Series features
Digital triggering
Most digital oscilloscopes still use an analog trigger architecture based on comparators. This can cause time and amplitude errors that cannot always be calibrated out. The use of comparators often limits the trigger sensitivity at high bandwidths and can also create a long trigger rearm delay.
In 1991 Pico set an innovation milestone by pioneering the use of full digital triggering using the actual digitized data. This reduces trigger errors and allows our oscilloscopes to trigger on the smallest signals, even at the full bandwidth. All real-time triggering is digital, resulting in high threshold resolution with programmable hysteresis and optimal waveform stability.
The reduced rearm delay provided by digital triggering, together with segmented memory, allows the capture of events that happen in rapid sequence. At the fastest timebase, rapid triggering can capture a new waveform every 3 microseconds until the buffer is full.
Advanced triggers
As well as the standard range of triggers found on most oscilloscopes, the PicoScope 4000A Series has a comprehensive set of advanced triggers built in to help you capture the data you need. These include pulse width, windowed, and dropout triggers to help you find and capture your signal quickly.
More information on Triggers, advanced >>
DeepMeasure™
One waveform, millions of measurements.
Measurement of waveform pulses and cycles is key to verification of the performance of electrical and electronic devices.
DeepMeasure delivers automatic measurements of important waveform parameters, such as pulse width, rise time and voltage. Up to a million cycles can be displayed with each triggered acquisition. Results can be easily sorted, analyzed and correlated with the waveform display.
More information on DeepMeasure >>
100 000 waveforms per second
An important specification to understand when evaluating oscilloscope performance is the waveform update rate, which is expressed as waveforms per second. While the sample rate indicates how frequently the oscilloscope samples the input signal within one waveform, or cycle, the waveform capture rate refers to how quickly an oscilloscope acquires waveforms.
Oscilloscopes with high waveform capture rates provide better visual insight into signal behavior and dramatically increase the probability that the oscilloscope will quickly capture transient anomalies such as jitter, runt pulses and glitches – that you may not even know exist.
The PicoScope 4000A Series oscilloscopes use hardware acceleration to achieve up to 100 000 waveforms per second.
More information on Fast waveform update rates >>
Arbitrary waveform and function generators
All models in the PicoScope 4000A Series have a built-in low-distortion, 80 MS/s, 14-bit arbitrary waveform generator (AWG), which can be used to emulate missing sensor signals during product development, or to stress-test a design over the full intended operating range. Waveforms can be imported from data files or created and modified using the built-in graphical AWG editor.
A function generator is also included, with sine, square, and triangle waves up to 1 MHz, along with DC level, white noise, and many more standard waveforms. As well as level, offset and frequency controls, advanced options allow you to sweep over a range of frequencies. Combined with the spectrum peak hold option, this creates a powerful tool for testing amplifier and filter responses.
More information on Arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) >>
Color persistence modes
Advanced display modes allow you to see old and new data superimposed, with new data in a brighter color or shade. This makes it easy to see glitches and dropouts and to estimate their relative frequency. Choose between analog persistence, digital color, or custom display modes.
More information on Persistence modes >>
High-end features as standard
Buying a PicoScope is not like making a purchase from other oscilloscope companies, where optional extras considerably increase the price. With our scopes, high-end features such as resolution enhancement, mask limit testing, serial decoding, advanced triggering, automatic measurements, math channels, XY mode, segmented memory, and a signal generator are all included in the price.
To protect your investment, both the PC software and firmware inside the scope can be updated. Pico Technology has a long history of providing new features for free through software downloads. We deliver on our promises of future enhancements year after year, unlike many other companies in the field. Users of our products reward us by becoming lifelong customers and frequently recommending us to their colleagues.
PicoScope performance and reliability
With over 30 years’ experience in the test and measurement industry, we know what’s important in an oscilloscope. The PicoScope 4000A Series delivers value for money by including a wide range of high-end features as standard. The PicoScope software includes serial decoding and mask limit testing, and new functionality is regularly delivered through free upgrades to ensure that your device does not quickly become outdated. All Pico Technology devices are optimized with the help of feedback from our customers.
Zoom in and capture every last detail
The PicoScope zoom function lets you take a closer look at the fine detail on your signals. Using simple point-and-click tools you can quickly zoom in on both axes and reveal every last detail of the signal, whilst the undo zoom function lets you return to the previous view.
USB connectivity
The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connection not only allows high-speed data acquisition and transfer, but also makes printing, copying, saving, and emailing your data from the field quick and easy. USB powering removes the need to carry around a bulky external power supply, making the kit even more portable for the engineer on the move.
The Software Development Kit (PicoSDK®) allows unlimited data collection and fast streaming.
