User manual

PicoScope 6 User's Guide 9

5.2

PC Oscilloscope basics

A PC Oscilloscope is a measuring instrument that consists of a hardware scope

device and an oscilloscope program running on a PC. Oscilloscopes were originally

stand-alone instruments with no signal processing or measuring abilities, and with

storage only available as an expensive extra. Later oscilloscopes began to use new

digital technology to introduce more functions, but they remained highly specialised

and expensive instruments. PC Oscilloscopes are the latest step in the evolution of

oscilloscopes, combining the measuring power of Pico Technology's scope devices with

the convenience of the PC that's already on your desk.

scope device

PC Oscilloscope

5.3

PicoScope basics

PicoScope can produce a simple display such as the example in the Oscilloscope basics

topic, but it also has many advanced features. The screen shot below shows the

PicoScope window. Click on any of the underlined labels to learn more. See PicoScope

window for an explanation of these important concepts.

Note: Other buttons may appear in the PicoScope main window depending on the

capabilities of the oscilloscope that is connected, and on the settings applied to the

PicoScope program.