User manual

Reference188
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9.11
Glossary
AC coupling. In this mode, the scope device rejects very low signal frequencies below
about 1 hertz. This allows you to use the full resolution of the scope to measure a.c.
signals accurately, ignoring any d.c. offset. You cannot measure the signal level with
respect to ground in this mode.
AWG. An arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) is a circuit that can generate a
waveform of almost any shape. It is programmed with a data file, supplied by the
user, which defines the output voltage at a number of equally spaced points in time.
The circuit uses this data to reconstruct the waveform with a specified amplitude and
frequency.
Axis. A line marked with measurements. PicoScope shows one vertical axis for each
channel that is enabled in a view, giving measurements in volts or other units. Each
view also has a single horizontal axis, which is marked in units of time for a scope
view, or units of frequency for a spectrum view.
Channel. A scope device has one or more channels, each of which can sample one
signal. High-speed scope devices typically have one BNC connector per channel.
CSV. Comma-separated values. A text file containing tabulated data, with columns
separated by commas and rows by line-breaks. CSV format is used for importing and
exporting PicoScope arbitrary waveform files . You can also export PicoScope
waveforms in CSV format. CSV files can be imported into spreadsheets and other
programs.
DC coupling. In this mode, the scope device measures the signal level relative to
signal ground. This shows both d.c. and a.c. components.
Dead time. The time between the end of one capture and the start of the next. To
obtain the minimum possible dead time, use Rapid trigger mode.
Demo mode. If PicoScope is started when no scope device is plugged in, it allows you
to select a "demo device", a virtual scope unit that you can use to test the software.
The program is then in "demo" (short for "demonstration") mode. This mode provides
a simulated, configurable signal source for each input channel of the demo device.
ETS. Equivalent Time Sampling. A method of increasing the effective sampling rate of
the scope. In a scope view, the program captures several cycles of a repetitive signal,
then combines the results to produce a single waveform with higher time-resolution
than a single capture. For accurate results, the signal must be perfectly repetitive and
the trigger must be stable.
Graticule. The horizontal and vertical dashed lines in every view. These help you
estimate the amplitude and time or frequency of features on the waveform.
Grid. The arrangement of viewports. The number of grid rows and the number of grid
columns can each be either 1, 2, 3 or 4.
In focus. PicoScope can display several views, but only one view is in focus at any
time. When you click a toolbar button, it will usually affect only the view that is in
focus. To bring a view into focus, click on it.
MSO. Mixed-signal oscilloscope. An instrument that captures and displays analog and
digital signals on the same timebase.
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