I want to analyze the development of a transient signal, with a PicoScope 3206 oscilloscope, over a span of 20 seconds with a sampling rate of 1MS/s. But when making the measurement i experience a limitation of the sampling rate at approximately 48 kS/s.
I think the problem is that you have set the max memory (no of samples) to be collected to 1 million - 1 million samples spread over 20 seconds is 50,000 samples per second.
Increase the max no of samples to collect in the box to the right of the time/div setting and the sampling rate should increase.
If that does not work upload the file so we can see what is wrong with the settings.
The collection time is set to 20s with a total number of samples of 20MS, as you described. However there still seems to be a limitation of the number of samples at approximately 1.000.000.
The 3206 is an older model, and does not support streaming mode, Help->User'sGuide->Contents->Reference->DeviceFeaturesTable, which means that all collected samples must be stored in the scopes memory (1MS).
For your setup you will see the actual value being used as 967.563 , over 20 seconds giving a sample rate of 48.83kS/s
It would not be possible to workaround this restriciton with the 3206.
Streaming at 1MS/s or greater is supported by all devices except the 3204/5/6. I would suggest using the Comparison Chart to specify your particular requirements to see the potential options and prices.
You may also find a suitable product in our PicoAssured section.