User manual

PicoScope and oscilloscope primer28

5.21

Maths channels

A maths channel is a mathematical function of one or more input signals. The

function can be as simple as "Invert A", replacing the

Invert

button on a conventional

oscilloscope, or a complex function that you define. It can be displayed in a scope ,

XY or spectrum view in the same way as an input signal, and like an input signal

it has its own measurement axis, scaling and offset button and color . PicoScope

6 has a set of built-in math channels for the most important functions, including

"A+B" (the sum of channels A and B) and "A-B" (the difference between channels A

and B). You can also define your own functions using the equation editor , or load

predefined maths channels from files .

The picture below is a three-step guide to using maths channels:

1. Tools > Maths Channels command. Click this to open the Maths Channels

dialog , shown at top right in the picture above.

2. Maths Channels dialog . This lists all the available maths channels. In the

example above, only the built-in functions are listed.

3. Maths channel. Once enabled, a maths channel appears in the selected scope

or spectrum view. You can change its scale and offset as with any other

channel. In the example above, the new maths channel (bottom) is defined as A-B,

the difference between input channels A (top) and B (middle).

You may occasionally see a flashing warning symbol like this- - at the bottom of

the maths channel axis. This means that the channel cannot be displayed because

an input source is missing. For example, this occurs if you enable the A+B function

while channel B is set to Off.

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