New PicoScope Software V5.06
PC-based instrumentation specialist Pico Technology
has announced the immediate availability of version 5.06
of PicoScope, Pico Technology's popular software product
which turns desktop and laptop PCs into high-performance,
oscilloscopes and spectrum analysers.
Version 5.06 of PicoScope, which can be used with Pico's entire
range of PC-based oscilloscope products, features extended functionality
to the spectrum analyser view.
"We've totally revamped the spectrum analyser's measurement
capability," says Mike Green, Managing Director of Pico
Technology, "and created a PC-based instrument second to none.
Applications for PicoScope v5.06 include audio and vibration
analysis as well as traditional filter analysis."
In the Spectrum Analyser view, PicoScope v5.06 can be used to
provide direct readings of:
* Peak Frequency - the frequency of the datum;
* Peak Amplitude - the amplitude of the datum;
* Total Power - the total RMS power level for the entire spectrum;
* THD - the total harmonic distortion;
* THD+N - the total harmonic distortion plus noise;
* SFDR (Spurious Free Dynamic Range) amplitude - the ratio of
the amplitude of the datum [typically the Peak Frequency] and the
second largest amplitude;
* SFDR frequency;
* SINAD - signal to noise and distortion ratio;
* SNR - signal to noise ratio;
* IMD - InterModulation Distortion, a measure of the distortion
caused by the interaction (mixing) of two tones; and
* Gain - the ratio of the power between channels at the datum
point, typically used to measure the gain of an amplifier.
In addition to the above measurement capability enhancements,
PicoScope's spectrum analyser now has multiple X and Y rulers.
Green continues: "X and Y rulers just aren't available on the
majority of spectrum analysers. These tend to have just two vertical
rulers for measuring a frequency range. At Pico we believe it's as
important to be able place a ruler horizontally for amplitude
measurements as it is to use rulers in the frequency axis. Why be
limited in what you can measure?"
PicoScope v5.06's spectrum analyser view also allows the user to
perform statistical analysis, such as standard deviation, and also
to set error limits. "The setting of error limits is a major bonus and
is one of the many features available within the oscilloscope view
that has made PicoScope so popular," adds Green. "Users can
use error limits to set pass/fail criteria - and this is particularly
useful for post production, end-of-line inspection."
Pico Technology has extended the zoom and scrolling functions
within the Spectrum Analyser, which makes the analysis of small
signals possible even when large signals are present. In addition,
both oscilloscope and spectrum measurements can be copied to
clipboards for easy analysis and results can also be transferred
using Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).
PicoScope v5.06 is free to download and can be used with any of
Pico Technology's ADC products. For example, when used with
the 16bit, dual channel ADC-216, the spectrum range 0 to 166kHz
can be analysed with a dynamic range of 100dB - making the
hardware/software combination ideal for audio analysis
applications. "And with our extensive range of low cost, 8, 12, and
16bit ADCs we're able to meet the majority of Test & Measurement
requirements at a fraction of the cost of traditional and bulky
desktop solutions," concludes Green.
Available immediately, version 5.06 of PicoScope can be
downloaded free of charge from www.picotech.com
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For more information, please contact :-
Pico Technology
October 2000
