PicoScope 7 Software
Available on Windows, Mac and Linux
2204A noise
2204A noise
Hello,
I found that there is noise with or without test lead connected.Please see attached 2 pics, one is without test lead,the other is with test lead(the more bouncing waveform)
Could you give me a help to let me know if this is normal or not?
Thanks in advance
I found that there is noise with or without test lead connected.Please see attached 2 pics, one is without test lead,the other is with test lead(the more bouncing waveform)
Could you give me a help to let me know if this is normal or not?
Thanks in advance
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Re: 2204A noise
Hi wohcfets,
What you are seeing is normal, not just for oscilloscopes, but for any electronic circuit. The smaller trace is just the noise due to the input circuit electronics, and the trace is larger with un-terminated probe attached, because it is acting like an antenna (if you move it near to the power supply you will see a noisy 50Hz power waveform being picked up by your 'Antenna').
When you are performing measurements you will also get noise from the signal source and/or the transfer medium, which will add to the input noise. However, we have software that can help you minimize the noise by one of 3 methods: (1) using our Resolution Enhancement feature (see here: https://www.picotech.com/library/oscilloscopes/resolution-enhancement), (2) applying a Math Channel low pass filter (see here 'Math channels' here: , and here: https://www.picotech.com/library/oscilloscopes/filtering-with-math-channels), or (3) waveform averaging (see here: https://www.picotech.com/library/oscilloscopes/waveform-averaging).
We also have a lot of information on other topics in our Library here: https://www.picotech.com/library.
Regards,
Gerry
What you are seeing is normal, not just for oscilloscopes, but for any electronic circuit. The smaller trace is just the noise due to the input circuit electronics, and the trace is larger with un-terminated probe attached, because it is acting like an antenna (if you move it near to the power supply you will see a noisy 50Hz power waveform being picked up by your 'Antenna').
When you are performing measurements you will also get noise from the signal source and/or the transfer medium, which will add to the input noise. However, we have software that can help you minimize the noise by one of 3 methods: (1) using our Resolution Enhancement feature (see here: https://www.picotech.com/library/oscilloscopes/resolution-enhancement), (2) applying a Math Channel low pass filter (see here 'Math channels' here: , and here: https://www.picotech.com/library/oscilloscopes/filtering-with-math-channels), or (3) waveform averaging (see here: https://www.picotech.com/library/oscilloscopes/waveform-averaging).
We also have a lot of information on other topics in our Library here: https://www.picotech.com/library.
Regards,
Gerry
Gerry
Technical Specialist
Technical Specialist
Re: 2204A noise
Thanks a lot for this detailed explaination!
One more question just come to my mind that how test lead quality will effect the waveform noise performance during actual measurement?
DOSE high end test lead equip with some sort of noise reduction or shielding function?
Cheers
One more question just come to my mind that how test lead quality will effect the waveform noise performance during actual measurement?
DOSE high end test lead equip with some sort of noise reduction or shielding function?
Cheers
Re: 2204A noise
Hi wohcfets,
Our probes have shielding, so noise performance is not affected by buying a more expensive passive probe with higher performance shielding, because the difference in noise between shielding is significantly less than the input noise of the PicoScope. Also, This is only relevant where you are in an environment where there is a lot of Electro-Magnetic Interference (e.g. in an very active automotive workshop, or industrial plant) or where your probe cable is running across a source of EMI.
What can and does make a significant difference (only where there is nearby EMI that can add noise and/or distortion) is a Differential Probe because it uses 2 cables to carry the signals in anti-phase from the same source, which means that at the Scope the signals are added together, and any noise or distortion is subtracted and eliminated. However, if you don't have a lot of EMI near your scope then the best method of noise reduction would be to use the software tools I mentioned.
Regards,
Gerry
Our probes have shielding, so noise performance is not affected by buying a more expensive passive probe with higher performance shielding, because the difference in noise between shielding is significantly less than the input noise of the PicoScope. Also, This is only relevant where you are in an environment where there is a lot of Electro-Magnetic Interference (e.g. in an very active automotive workshop, or industrial plant) or where your probe cable is running across a source of EMI.
What can and does make a significant difference (only where there is nearby EMI that can add noise and/or distortion) is a Differential Probe because it uses 2 cables to carry the signals in anti-phase from the same source, which means that at the Scope the signals are added together, and any noise or distortion is subtracted and eliminated. However, if you don't have a lot of EMI near your scope then the best method of noise reduction would be to use the software tools I mentioned.
Regards,
Gerry
Gerry
Technical Specialist
Technical Specialist
Re: 2204A noise
Thanks Gerry, very explained!