Tips and tricks for PicoScope MSO

[hammy]

Hi

I'm just discovering my new PicoScope 2208B. Are there any tips and tricks for PC-oscilloscopes? Anything cool compared to standalone oscilloscopes?

Cheers
hammy

[ebclr]

This is a good point to check things that Pico can and a regular  oscilloscope can't

https://www.picotech.com/library/oscilloscopes/picoscope-software-development-kit-sdk

[MrW0lf]

Math-DAC. Can create virtual (high bit) analog channel(s) feeding from external ADC to digital inputs.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/what-you-do-with-math-channels-on-oscilloscope/msg1130997/#msg1130997

Delay is due to MCU used - Arduino Due inbuilt 12bit ADC.
Delay can be removed on math channels if needed using %ch%[%time%] for example A[-0.0001]

FRA plots up to internal gen freq using external SDK-app:


Also Ive developed some formula for unlimited FRA using external gen:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/picoscope-2000/msg1297754/#msg1297754

Phase-to-PWM formula (basis for FRA):

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((((atan(1/tan(pi*(A/10000)))/pi)+(A/10000))*-((atan(1/tan(pi*(B/10000)))/pi)+(B/10000)))+ 0.25)/0.00277Apply DC Average measurement to math channel to get numerical value.

Also you can type

Code: [Select]

picoscope /a ?on command line with program instance running. Can do some automation for example have value of active measurements: picoscope /a Measurements.CSV?

[Andreas]

Hello,

one feature normally not found on other scopes is the "angle-cursor"
you can define 2 reference values (0 .. 720 deg for ignition angles or 0 .. 360 deg for phase angles or 0 .. 100 for %)
by the green cursors and then you can directly measure values with the cursor without doing calculations.


with best regards

Andreas

[HKJ]

With USB scopes you can avoid the probe ground to earth connection by using a battery powered laptop to run the scope.

[ebclr]

http://intona.eu/en/products

USB 2.0 Hi-Speed Isolator withstands up to 2.5kVRMS

This product is an ideal solution to break ground loops, avoid noise coupling and protect ports from power surges and voltage spikes in applications which require high speed USB transfers. The galvanic isolation barrier withstands potential difference up to 2500VRMS.

[hammy]

A lot of great stuff! 
The Frequency Response Analysis (FRA) is a great tool for my ham radio needs. 
@ebclr and HKJ: Ground loop / USB-Isolator / floating scope hints are great. I still have two differential probes for stuff like this. But yes, this is something I should keep in mind.
@Andreas:Such an "angle cursor" for direct measurement is a really a new cool way to do somethink like this. Wow!
@MrW0lf: Great stuff in you picoscope threads! I need to reproduce some of your examples to get to the bottom of it. Excellent!

It looks like my new PC-scope offers some versatile and advanced possibilities I would have easily missed. 

Thank you!
hammy