PicoScope 7 Software
Available on Windows, Mac and Linux
Alternate / Chop Mode
Alternate / Chop Mode
Hello
I am using PicoScope 6. Can anybody please tell me where to find the ALTERNATE and CHOP mode.
Or how to trigger two channels simultaneously.
Thank you so much. Michael
I am using PicoScope 6. Can anybody please tell me where to find the ALTERNATE and CHOP mode.
Or how to trigger two channels simultaneously.
Thank you so much. Michael
Re: Alternate / Chop Mode
Hi Mike,
There is no Alternate, or chop mode in Digital Scopes. Analog Scopes needed them to display multiple channels. In a Digital Scope there are many ways that you can display more than one channel. The most common option is to display the channels one above the other which you can do by just right clicking in the waveform window and selecting 'Auto-Arrange Axes'.
Once again, you have a number of ways that you can then trigger from 2 or more channels simultaneously, using a Logic Trigger for when all the Trigger conditions are satisfied. So, for 2 channel simultaneous triggering, you first need to have both Channels A and B turned on to set up the Triggers. Then select a Trigger type other than 'None' in the drop down list of 'Trigger Modes' at the bottom of the screen, to enable the 'Advanced Triggers', and then click on Advanced Triggers. From the list of Trigger methods on the left of the window that opens, select 'Logic' at the bottom. Then enable the Channel B Logic trigger by selecting the Tab for B and ticking the 'Used' checkbox. Finally, for example, for a rising edge trigger on both channels, leave the remaining options as their default values (which includes AND for A and B), or select a threshold level on the rising edge for the Trigger points if you're not using 0V.
As mentioned, with Digital Technology, the options to exercise more control over the process of capturing data are more than what was available with Analog. With PC-based Scopes this is taken to a whole new level and the increased control is significantly greater, but unfortunately this can become overwhelming to the first time user. Fortunately our PicoScope 6 software simplifies this significantly through the use of clever defaults, and logical setup procedures (e.g. There's no point enabling the Trigger for channel B when Channel B is not being used), and you quickly get to understand the logic once you start exploring the interface and using the software.
Regards,
Gerry
There is no Alternate, or chop mode in Digital Scopes. Analog Scopes needed them to display multiple channels. In a Digital Scope there are many ways that you can display more than one channel. The most common option is to display the channels one above the other which you can do by just right clicking in the waveform window and selecting 'Auto-Arrange Axes'.
Once again, you have a number of ways that you can then trigger from 2 or more channels simultaneously, using a Logic Trigger for when all the Trigger conditions are satisfied. So, for 2 channel simultaneous triggering, you first need to have both Channels A and B turned on to set up the Triggers. Then select a Trigger type other than 'None' in the drop down list of 'Trigger Modes' at the bottom of the screen, to enable the 'Advanced Triggers', and then click on Advanced Triggers. From the list of Trigger methods on the left of the window that opens, select 'Logic' at the bottom. Then enable the Channel B Logic trigger by selecting the Tab for B and ticking the 'Used' checkbox. Finally, for example, for a rising edge trigger on both channels, leave the remaining options as their default values (which includes AND for A and B), or select a threshold level on the rising edge for the Trigger points if you're not using 0V.
As mentioned, with Digital Technology, the options to exercise more control over the process of capturing data are more than what was available with Analog. With PC-based Scopes this is taken to a whole new level and the increased control is significantly greater, but unfortunately this can become overwhelming to the first time user. Fortunately our PicoScope 6 software simplifies this significantly through the use of clever defaults, and logical setup procedures (e.g. There's no point enabling the Trigger for channel B when Channel B is not being used), and you quickly get to understand the logic once you start exploring the interface and using the software.
Regards,
Gerry
Gerry
Technical Specialist
Technical Specialist
Re: Alternate / Chop Mode
Hello Gerry
Thank you very much for your speedy answer.
I tried what you suggested but it did not lead me to the desired result. Maybe I do not get the point.
Well, the problem is, that I use 2 channels of a PicoScope.
Both channels acquiring signals with different frequencies, e.g. 1khz and 1,001kHz.
So far, I can either trigger channel 1, but channel 2 is still moving and running.
Or the other way round, I trigger CH2 and CH1 is "running".
But I want them both to stand still (without stopping the acquisition and without using Single Trigger).
Is there any chance to do that?
Thanks for your patience with me.
Mike
Thank you very much for your speedy answer.
I tried what you suggested but it did not lead me to the desired result. Maybe I do not get the point.
Well, the problem is, that I use 2 channels of a PicoScope.
Both channels acquiring signals with different frequencies, e.g. 1khz and 1,001kHz.
So far, I can either trigger channel 1, but channel 2 is still moving and running.
Or the other way round, I trigger CH2 and CH1 is "running".
But I want them both to stand still (without stopping the acquisition and without using Single Trigger).
Is there any chance to do that?
Thanks for your patience with me.
Mike
Re: Alternate / Chop Mode
Hi Mike,
Here is the psdata file, with the setup for capturing 2 waveforms in sync, which you can load and use for your PicoScope.
Here's a short video capture of 2 waveforms, 1kHz and 1,001kHz being captured in sync using that setup. The capture is running and you will notice that the waveforms for both channel B in the normal (foreground) view, and channel A in the zoomed (background) view are not moving (as the triggers are synced), but they are quivering due to the slight changes between successive captured waveforms (you will have to expand the window to full screen to see channel B quivering)
Regards.
Gerry
Here is the psdata file, with the setup for capturing 2 waveforms in sync, which you can load and use for your PicoScope.
Here's a short video capture of 2 waveforms, 1kHz and 1,001kHz being captured in sync using that setup. The capture is running and you will notice that the waveforms for both channel B in the normal (foreground) view, and channel A in the zoomed (background) view are not moving (as the triggers are synced), but they are quivering due to the slight changes between successive captured waveforms (you will have to expand the window to full screen to see channel B quivering)
Regards.
Gerry
Gerry
Technical Specialist
Technical Specialist
Re: Alternate / Chop Mode
Hi Mike,
I have been reminded of the fact that 1,001kHz if you are from Germany is what we would write as 1.001kHz. So my example in German would be 1kHz and 1,001MHz. If you are German and you did write the German equivalent, then my example will not work for you. The example that I have given you can be synchronized using a logic trigger because 1,001MHz (German) is an exact multiple of 1kHz, so every 1.000 (German) and 1 cycles of 1,001Mhz there will be a new cycle of 1kHz so the two waveforms will remain in sync. However, 1kHz and 1,001kHz (German) are not multiples so they will drift in time and only be in sync for one brief moment, and our PicoScope 6 software will therefore only be able to display a brief synchronous point and then nothing (if at all).
To display these 2 waveforms one above the other and completely stationary you would have to use our Software Development Kit (see here: https://www.picotech.com/library/oscill ... nt-kit-sdk), to Alternate between capturing one waveform and displaying it and capturing the other one and displaying it, as you originally asked.
Regards,
Gerry
I have been reminded of the fact that 1,001kHz if you are from Germany is what we would write as 1.001kHz. So my example in German would be 1kHz and 1,001MHz. If you are German and you did write the German equivalent, then my example will not work for you. The example that I have given you can be synchronized using a logic trigger because 1,001MHz (German) is an exact multiple of 1kHz, so every 1.000 (German) and 1 cycles of 1,001Mhz there will be a new cycle of 1kHz so the two waveforms will remain in sync. However, 1kHz and 1,001kHz (German) are not multiples so they will drift in time and only be in sync for one brief moment, and our PicoScope 6 software will therefore only be able to display a brief synchronous point and then nothing (if at all).
To display these 2 waveforms one above the other and completely stationary you would have to use our Software Development Kit (see here: https://www.picotech.com/library/oscill ... nt-kit-sdk), to Alternate between capturing one waveform and displaying it and capturing the other one and displaying it, as you originally asked.
Regards,
Gerry
Gerry
Technical Specialist
Technical Specialist