PicoScope Software
Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer Software
PicoScope software enables Pico Technology products to be used as a variety of instruments. It is supplied free of charge with Pico oscilloscope and data logging products, and updates can be downloaded for free.
Main functions
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Features
PicoScope's features include:
| Multiple views of the same signal (scope, analyzer and meter) |
| Add test menus to automate common tasks |
| Save settings for multiple tests and experiments |
| Waveforms can be annotated, saved and printed |
| Data can be exported to other applications for further analysis |
| Automated parameter measurements (rise time, duty cycle, etc) |
| Advanced display and trigger modes capture infrequent events |
| Zoom function for increased detail |
| Custom ranges to display data in other units such as dB |
| Add rulers to show exact values |
| Autosetup function to automatically set up the scope to display any signals that it finds on the oscilloscope's inputs |
| English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Swedish versions |
| Free updates available from our website |
| Compatible with Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP,
and Vista |
Download the demo version of PicoScope oscilloscope software
Oscilloscope
The real time digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) combines all the functionality of a traditional ‘benchtop’ scope with the benefits of a PC. Regular scope users will feel at home with the usual timebase, trigger options, etc, but will welcome the advantages of other useful features.
A number of display modes are available in PicoScope for reducing noise, capturing one-off glitches, and highlighting signal jitter. A chart recorder option is included to trend slowly changing signals.
Trigger options include a ‘save to disk’ mode which makes tracking down elusive intermittent faults easy. The ability to save waveforms means service engineers can have a library of waveforms on disk showing working instruments and likely faults.
Summary of main features: Auto, repeat and single shot trigger modes. Selectable timeout and save to disk trigger options. Selectable trigger source, level, slope and pre / post trigger delay. X and Y multipliers to zoom in on signals. Rulers to show amplitude and time information. User defined scaling ranges. Display options: current, accumulate, average, min and max, and more...
PicoScope Zoom
The PicoScope line of oscilloscopes feature large memory buffers allowing the oscilloscope to sample at higher rates over longer periods of time. The PicoScope X and Y zoom functions make full use of the large buffer memory allowing up to 2000 times zoom on many models. The above waveform show a 20ms capture of a live video signal using the PicoScope 3224. The ability to capture these waveforms capitalizes on the scopes 512kS buffer the color burst is clearly revealed at 1000 times zoom.
Spectrum Analyzer
The spectrum analyzer plots amplitude against frequency. Amplitude is the vertical axis and frequency is horizontal (across the bottom). Signals are shown in the frequency domain in the spectrum analyzer mode where as the oscilloscope mode shows signals in the time domain — amplitude against time (on the horizontal axis). It is especially useful for tracking down the cause of noise or distortion in measured signals. As an example, a peak at 50 or 60 Hz would suggest noise due to power input frequency from a standard wall socket (115V/60 cycle). Higher frequency peaks may be easily identified as switching noise from power supplies or noise from digital circuits. In machines, the frequency may represent the RPM of a wheel o other mechanical function as seen through the electrical signal outputby a sensor that you use to monitor frequency.
An averaging mode is provided to reduce the effects of random noise and a peak detect mode is useful for testing amplifier bandwidths.
The spectrum analyzer has the same trigger options as the oscilloscope. This makes it possible to capture the spectrum of a ‘one off’ event such a single drum beat.
When used with high resolution oscilloscopes (typically 12 bit resolution and above) it is ideal for audio spectrum analysis, and noise and vibration measurements.
Summary of main features: FFT based spectrum analyzer. Normal, average and peak detect modes. Linear/Log scales for both amplitude and frequency. Rulers to show amplitude, frequency and phase. Seven window types. Variable number of spectrum bands. Same trigger functions as oscilloscope.
XY Scope
The XY scope is used to plot one parameter against another. This is useful when comparing the phase of two signals. The XY scope has the same trigger and timebase functions as described above. XY scope mode is only available on units with 2 or more channels.
Meter
The meter displays one or more parameters as numbers, together with an optional bar graph. The multimeter displays AC volts (true RMS), DC volts, decibels or frequency. Other parameters can be displayed (for example pressure or acceleration) by adding custom ranges.
Measurements
Parameter measurements can be displayed at the foot of the trace, with a variety of statistical indicators. For each parameter it is possible to display: Current value, average value, standard deviation, minimum, maximum.
For production testing, pass / fail test limits can be added to each parameter.
Available measurements: Frequency, High pulse width, Low pulse width, Duty cycle, Cycle time, DC voltage, AC voltage, Peak to peak, Crest factor, Minimum, Maximum, Risetime, Falltime, Rising rate, Falling rate, Voltage at X cursor, Voltage at 0 cursor, Time at X cursor, Time at 0 cursor.