User Manual

Programming with the PicoScope 4000 Series18

4.9

Combining several oscilloscopes

It is possible to collect data using up to 64 PicoScope 4000 Series PC Oscilloscopes at

the same time, depending on the capabilities of the PC. Each oscilloscope must be

connected to a separate USB port. The ps4000OpenUnit function returns a handle to

an oscilloscope. All the other functions require this handle for oscilloscope

identification. For example, to collect data from two oscilloscopes at the same time:

CALLBACK ps4000BlockReady(...)

// define callback function specific to application

handle1 = ps4000OpenUnit()

handle2 = ps4000OpenUnit()

ps4000SetChannel(handle1)

// set up unit 1

ps4000RunBlock(handle1)

ps4000SetChannel(handle2)

// set up unit 2

ps4000RunBlock(handle2)

// data will be stored in buffers

// and application will be notified using callback

ready = FALSE

while not ready

ready = handle1_ready

ready &= handle2_ready

Note: It is not possible to synchronise the collection of data between oscilloscopes that

are being used in combination.