PicoScope

Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer Software

Display Modes

You can display data in PicoScope in a variety of different formats. Some are based on the data from single cycles and others on multiple cycles.

Single-cycle Display Modes

PicoScope uses an intelligent algorithm to map the large number of samples that can be collected using our products onto the limited number of pixels available on a monitor. Unlike some oscilloscopes, PicoScope ensures that all data collected contributes to the display. This ensures that glitches, spikes and other short duration events can be clearly seen and then expanded in detail using the powerful zoom facilities.

 Unfiltered — this is the default display mode for PicoScope.

Filtered — this uses a simple filter to help remove high frequency noise from the current trace.

Multi-cycle Display Modes

In the multi-cycle display modes, previous cycles affect how the current cycle is displayed. For example an area of a trace may appear a different color depending on how often cycles pass over that area.

Digital Color — this mode is ideal for spotting intermittent glitches in digital signals. The areas of the trace that have the highest population density are red (hot), the areas with the lowest population density are blue (cold). Digital color mode does not decay over time.

 Analog intensity — this mode emulates the phosphor display of a conventional analog scope and is useful for displaying complex analog signals such as video waveforms and analog modulation signals. The area of the trace that has the highest population density is the strongest color. The area with the lowest population density and/or high slewing rate (low rise-time/fall-time) is the lightest color.

Average — the average of all cycles since you started. This is useful for removing random noise from the current trace.

Min, max and average — a shaded area showing the minimum and maximum of all cycles since you started, with a solid line showing the average. As with average, this removes random noise from repetitive signals. In addition, this also gives an indication of how noisy a signal is.