Using a picoscope to log data

Which product is right for your exact requirements
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harrym
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Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2020 11:03 pm

Using a picoscope to log data

Post by harrym »

Hi - looking for some advice.

I'm wondering about getting a Picoscope to replace an (ancient) Topward 7046 scope, for general electronics projects as a (serious) hobby.

One of the things I'd like to be able to do is use it as a logger - for example by connecting a thermocouple or photoresistor to a channel and logging the voltage/resistance over time.

However - I would really like the translation to a value in C (or lux etc) to be done by the scope. I had a play with the software and it kinda looks like you should be able to do this by creating a custom probe.

I had a bit of a search and was expecting to find custom probes written by people that could be imported for common cases (like a K-type thermocouple) or at least a blog post about it but I couldn't find anything. Am I missing something? Is this a thing people do? Or is it not actually possible in the software?

Cheers!

Gerry
PICO STAFF
PICO STAFF
Posts: 1145
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2014 11:14 am

Re: Using a picoscope to log data

Post by Gerry »

Hi Harry,

PicoScopes are not the correct instrument for measuring temperature with a Thermocouple. Most importantly, they don't have a 'Cold Junction Compensation' mechanism, or even an easy way to connect to a board that has (for a description of Cold Junction Compensation, go here: https://blog.beamex.com/thermocouple-cold-junction-compensation). What may be more suited to the applications that you have in mind is our DrDaq Data Logger (see here: https://www.picotech.com/data-logger/drdaq/overview), as it has an on board light, and temperature sensor, but for more accuracy also has an NTC thermistor temperature sensor see here: https://www.picotech.com/accessories/drdaq-sensors/drdaq-temperature-sensor) as an accessory, along with many other on-board, and accessory sensors (see here: https://www.picotech.com/data-logger/drdaq/drdaq-accessories#tab_drdaq-sensors), along with a Scope input for standard voltage measurements.

Ultimately, the right data acquisition device for you really depends upon everything that you want to measure/log with it, how much accuracy/precision you need in your data, how much you are prepared to spend, and how much you are prepared to build and accessorize your equipment with.

Regards,

Gerry
Gerry
Technical Specialist

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