Pico Technology launches a series of
high-performance PC oscilloscopes.
Sampling rates up to 10GS/s
Record lengths up to 1MB
Multi-cycle colour display modes
Automated measurements
Includes a spectrum analyser mode
Connection via USB2.0
Pico Technology, the PC-based test and measurement company,
has announced a new series of high-performance PC oscilloscopes.
The 3000 series debuts with three instruments: the PicoScope
3204, 3205 and 3206. All three are cost-effective replacements
for traditional bench top instruments. The top of the range
oscilloscope boasts a sampling rate of 10GS/s, an analog
bandwidth of 200MHz, and a record length of 1MB.
Alan Tong, Pico Technology's Technical Director, comments:
"The combined high sampling rate and large memory buffer
of the PicoScope 3206 enable the capture and display of
fast-occurring and complex signals. Most oscilloscopes in
the same price bracket as the PicoScope 3206 have sub-32K
memories. With 1MB of memory, the 3206 can capture at
least 30 times as much data, allowing the user the ability to
zoom in on areas of interest."
All three PicoScopes in the 3000 series connect to a PC via
USB2.0: drawing their power from the PC, so no need for a
separate power supply. In addition to being high-performance
oscilloscopes, the PicoScope 3204, 3205 and 3206 all feature
a spectrum analyser mode and (when used with PicoLog
software) can also be used for high-speed data acquisition.
The 3205 and 3206 also include built-in signal generators,
capable of sweeping up to 1MHz. The signal, output on the
oscilloscopes' 'external trigger' BNCs, can be a sine, square
or triangular wave.
The PicoScope 3000 series features more than 30 automated
measurements such as: frequency; pulse width; rise time; THD
and SNR; and five enhanced display modes including Digital
Colour (ideal for spotting intermittent glitches in digital signals)
and Analog Intensity (useful for displaying video waveforms
and analog modulation signals).
The three instruments in the PicoScope 3000 series have the
following features:
PicoScope 3204 - 2.5GS/s sampling rate (repetitive signals),
50MS/s single shot sampling, 50MHz analog bandwidth, and
record length of 256K. Spectrum range 0 to 25MHz.
PicoScope 3205 - 5GS/s sampling rate (repetitive signals),
100MS/s single shot sampling, 100MHz analog bandwidth,
and record length of 512K. Spectrum range 0 to 50MHz.
PicoScope 3206 - 10GS/s sampling rate (repetitive
signals), 200MS/s single shot sampling, 200MHz analog
bandwidth, and record length of 1MB. Spectrum range
0 to 100MHz
The new additions to Pico Technology's product range have the
following advantages over traditional bench top instruments:
Waveform storage is limited only by the PC's storage capability;
It is easy to share waveforms and instrument settings with other users
(and waveforms can even be exported as JPEGs for posting on a
web site or using in reports);
The plug-in nature of the instruments means they can easily be
interchanged;
Small form factor (less bench space required) and portability;
Lower cost; and
New functionality through software upgrades.
Tong concludes: "Once again Pico has pushed the 'sample rate / memory
depth' envelope to deliver three high-performance PC oscilloscopes.
Essentially, we've repeated our well-proven formula of making full use
of today's PCs' processing capabilities, large screens and familiar
user interfaces, and focused our efforts on developing signal acquisition
techniques, enhanced display modes and automated measurements."
The three new PicoScopes are available immediately and are supplied
with PicoScope and PicoLog software - demo and full versions of which
can also be downloaded free of charge from www.picotech.com.
The 3204 retails for £399 + VAT, the 3205 for £599 + VAT and the
3206 for £799 + VAT.
_____________________________________________________
For more information, please contact :-
Pico Technology
November 2004
