User manual
Reference190
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MSO. Mixed-signal oscilloscope. An instrument that captures and displays analog and
digital signals on the same timebase.
PC Data Logger. A measuring instrument consisting of a hardware interface and the
PicoLog software running on a PC. You can also use the device with the PicoScope
software to create a multi-channel voltage input oscilloscope.
PC Oscilloscope. A measuring instrument consisting of a scope device and the
PicoScope software running on a PC. A PC Oscilloscope has the same functions as a
traditional bench-top oscilloscope but is more flexible and cost-effective. You can
improve its performance by upgrading the PC using standard parts from any computer
shop, or by purchasing a new scope device, and you can upgrade the software by
downloading an update from Pico Technology.
Probe. An accessory that attaches to your oscilloscope and picks up a signal to be
measured. Probes are available to pick up any form of signal, but they always deliver
a voltage signal to the oscilloscope. PicoScope has built-in definitions of standard
probes, but also allows you to define custom probes.
Progressive mode. Normally, PicoScope redraws the waveform in a scope view many
times every second. At timebases slower than 200 ms/div, however, it switches to
progressive mode. In this mode, PicoScope updates the scope view continuously as
each capture progresses, rather than waiting for a complete capture before updating
the view.
Resolution enhancement. Collecting samples at a faster rate than requested, then
combining the excess samples by averaging. This technique can increase the effective
resolution of a scope device when there is a small amount of noise on the signal.
(More details.)
Ruler. A vertical or horizontal dashed line that can be dragged into place on a
waveform in a view. PicoScope displays the signal level, time value or frequency value
of all rulers in the Ruler Legend box.
Scope device. The box from Pico Technology that you plug into the USB or parallel
port of your computer. With the help of the PicoScope software, the scope device turns
your computer into a PC Oscilloscope.
Standard deviation. A statistical measure of the spread of a set of samples. The
standard deviation of the set is defined as:
,
where is the arithmetic mean of all the samples. The units of the standard
deviation value are the same as those of the original samples.
Tool tip. A label that appears when you move the mouse pointer over some parts of
the PicoScope screen, such as buttons, controls and rulers.
Trigger. The part of an oscilloscope that monitors an incoming signal and decides
when to begin a capture. Depending on the trigger condition that you set, the scope
may trigger when the signal crosses a threshold, or may wait until a more complex
condition is satisfied.
Vertical resolution. The number of bits that the scope device uses to represent the
signal level. This number depends on the design of the device, but can be boosted in
some cases by using resolution enhancement.