Datasheet

cannot always be calibrated out. The use of comparators often limits the
trigger sensitivity at high bandwidths.
In 1991 we pioneered the use of fully digital triggering using the actual
digitized data. This technique reduces trigger errors and allows our
oscilloscopes to trigger on the smallest signals, even at the full bandwidth.
Trigger levels and hysteresis can be set with high precision and resolution.
Digital triggering also reduces re-arm delay and this, combined with the
segmented memory, allows the triggering and capture of events that
happen in rapid sequence. At the fastest timebase you can use rapid
triggering to collect 10,000 waveforms in under 20 milliseconds. Our
mask limit testing function can then scan through these waveforms to
highlight any failed waveforms for viewing in the waveform buffer.
Custom probe settings
The custom probes feature allows you to correct for gain, attenuation,
offsets and nonlinearities in special probes, or to convert to different units
of measurement (such as current, power or temperature). You can save
definitions to disk for later use.
Arbitrary waveform and function generator
All units have a built-in function
generator (sine, square,
triangle, DC level). As well as
basic controls to set level, offset
and frequency, more advanced
controls allow you to sweep
over a range of frequencies.
Combined with the spectrum peak hold option this makes a powerful tool
for testing amplifier and filter responses.
The PicoScope 3000 Series B and MSO models include additional built-in
waveforms as well as a full arbitrary waveform generator. Waveforms
can be created or edited using the built-in AWG editor, imported from
oscilloscope traces, or loaded from a spreadsheet.
Spectrum analyzer
With the click of a button, you
can display a spectrum plot of
the selected channels. The
spectrum analyzer allows
signals up to 200 MHz to be
viewed in the frequency
domain. A full range of settings
gives you control over the number of spectrum bands, window types and
display modes: instantaneous, average, or peak-hold.
You can display multiple spectrum views with different channel selections
and zoom factors, and see these alongside time-domain waveforms of
the same data. A comprehensive set of automatic frequency-domain
measurements, including THD, THD+N, SNR, SINAD and intermodulation
distortion, can be added to the display.
Our commitment
To protect your investment, the API, the PicoScope software, and the
firmware inside the unit can be updated. We have a long history of
providing new features for free via our software downloads.
Users of our products reward us by becoming lifelong customers,
frequently recommending us to their colleagues.
PicoScope: power, portability and versatility
Pico Technology continues to push the limits of USB-powered
oscilloscopes. The PicoScope 3000 A/B Series offers the highest
performance available from any USB-powered oscilloscope on the market
today.
Pico USB-powered oscilloscopes are
small, light and portable. They easily
slip into a laptop bag making them ideal
for the engineer on the move. There is
no need for an external power supply,
making them ideal for field use in many
applications, such as design, research,
test, education, service and repair.
High bandwidth, high sampling rate
Most USB-powered oscilloscopes have real-time sampling rates of only
100 or 200 MS/s, but the PicoScope 3000 Series offers 500 MS/s. ETS
mode boosts the maximum effective sampling rate further to 10 GS/s,
allowing more detailed display of repetitive signals.
Huge buffer memory
The PicoScope 3000 Series offers memory depths up to 128 million
samples, more than any other oscilloscope in this price range.
Other oscilloscopes have high maximum sampling rates, but without
deep memory they cannot sustain these rates on long timebases. The
PicoScope 3206B can sample at 500 MS/s at timebases all the way down
to 20 ms/div.
Managing all this data calls for some powerful tools, so PicoScope has
a maximum zoom factor of 100 million combined with a choice of two
zoom methods. There’s a conventional set of zoom buttons, plus an
overview window that shows you the whole waveform while you zoom
and reposition the display by simply dragging with the mouse.
Each captured waveform is stored in the segmented buffer so you can
rewind and review thousands of previous waveforms. No longer will you
see a glitch on the screen only for it to vanish before you stop the scope.
A mask can be applied to hide waveforms that are not of interest.
Advanced triggers
As well as the standard range of
triggers found on all oscilloscopes,
the PicoScope 3000 Series offers
a class-leading set of advanced
triggers including pulse width,
windowed and dropout triggers to
help you capture the data you need.
x1
x256
x32
x6500
Digital triggering
Most digital oscilloscopes sold today still use an analog trigger architecture
based on comparators. This can cause time and amplitude errors that
PicoScope 3000 Series PC Oscilloscopes