Differential inputs
Most
oscilloscopes can only measure signals referenced to ground and have
what are known as “single-ended inputs”. The PicoScope 3425 has four
fully differential inputs that allow you to measure signals that are not
referenced to ground. With a maximum common mode and differential range
of 400 V, the PicoScope 3425 is capable of measuring both high voltage
and low level signals.
Typical high voltage applications include
capturing waveforms from switch mode power supplies, telephone cables,
motor inverters and electric / hybrid vehicles.
The
high-impedance, high-resolution inputs are also suited to biological and
scientific research as they allow measurements on low-level signals in
the presence of common-mode noise without the need for expensive
differential preamplifiers or differential oscilloscope probes.
Differential inputs can also be used to connect to bridge type sensors
for example to measure load, pressure and strain.
High resolution offers 16x more detail
The
PicoScope 3425 is a 12 bit oscilloscope that offers 16 times more
vertical resolution than traditional 8 bit oscilloscopes (4096 vertical
levels vs 256). The example shows how with a 12 bit oscilloscope (blue
trace) you can zoom in to reveal details of the signal that are not
visible on an 8 bit oscilloscope (black trace).
As well as the
high vertical resolution, the 512,000 sample buffer memory ensures a
high horizontal resolution as well. You can collect long detailed
captures without the sampling rate dropping.
FFT spectrum analyzer
Unlike
the oscilloscope views which display amplitude vs time, the spectrum
view reveals new detail by plotting amplitude vs frequency. The spectrum
view is ideal for finding the cause of noise or crosstalk in a signal
which often looks random in the time domain. It is also often the best
mode for testing distortion, frequency response and stability of
amplifiers, filters and oscillators. The spectrum analyzer in PicoScope
is of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) type which, unlike a traditional
swept spectrum analyzer, has the ability to display the spectrum of a
single, non-repeating waveform.
PicoScope oscilloscopes have
low-noise, low-distortion front-end designs and our high-resolution
scopes offer exceptional levels of dynamic range (> 100 dB SFDR for
the PicoScope 4262). This makes them capable of revealing signal details
that other scope and dedicated analyzers miss.
A full range of
settings gives you control over the number of spectrum bands (FFT bins),
window types, scaling (linear, log, log/log) and display modes
(instantaneous, average, or peak-hold).
You can display multiple
spectrum views with different channel selections and zoom factors, and
place these alongside oscilloscope views of the same data. A
comprehensive set of automatic frequency-domain measurements can be
added to the display, including THD, THD+N, SNR, SINAD and IMD.
A
mask limit test can be applied to a spectrum for automated tests and
you can even use the AWG and spectrum mode together to perform swept
scalar network analysis.
Signal integrity
Most oscilloscopes are built down to a price. PicoScopes are built up to a specification.
Careful
front-end design and shielding reduces noise, crosstalk and harmonic
distortion. Years of oscilloscope design experience can be seen in
improved bandwidth flatness and low distortion.
We are proud of
the dynamic performance of our products and, unlike most oscilloscope
manufacturers, we publish our specifications in detail. The result is
simple: when you probe a circuit, you can trust in the waveform you see
on the screen.
Portable PC based oscilloscope
Pico
Technology oscilloscopes are small, light and portable. In the lab they
take up the minimum of bench space while for the engineer on the move
they are small enough to fit in a bag with your laptop.
The USB
connection makes printing, copying, saving, and emailing your data quick
and easy. The high-speed USB interface allows fast data transfer, while
USB powering removes the need to carry around a bulky external power
supply.
The PicoScope 3425 USB Oscilloscope comes in a tough
carry case complete with all the probes, leads, clips and adaptors you
need to start taking differential measurements:
Pico Technology PicoScope 3425