Workbench Wednesdays

Hands-on with PicoScope 7

WorkBench Wednesdays #86

I dive into Pico Technology’s latest PicoScope oscilloscope software, PicoScope 7. Using a PicoScope 2000A (from the element14 Community), James walks through key measurements and demonstrations using the built-in arbitrary waveform generator. He explores new functionalities in PicoScope 7, such as the improved UI, a unique feature called DeepMeasure, and decoding I3C traffic.

I have been using the Pico Technology PicoScope 2000A for years. (Here is my older review!) It is an entry-level oscilloscope with 10 MHz bandwidth, 100 megasamples per second sample rate, and 8 kilosample of acquisition memory. Since it is USB-based, it has companion software running on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

PicoScope 7 introduces a significant visual overhaul. It features a highly flexible waveform display area, intuitive control boxes for timebase and trigger systems, and a left panel that holds channels and various functions. Users can customize the panel placement and quick-access buttons for enhanced workflow.

In this video, I demonstrate the software’s features using the 2000A’s built-in arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) to create a 1 kHz sine wave and other digital patterns. The DeepMeasure function, which provides detailed cycle-by-cycle analysis, stands out as a unique capability for in-depth measurement.

A highlight of the video demo is the I3C measurement, where I capture and decode I3C traffic using PicoScope’s free serial decoders. I then use reference waveforms to explain the differences between I2C and I3C protocols.

PicoScope 7 also includes advanced features like history mode, a detailed math editor, and FFT/Spectrum view, making it a versatile tool for engineers. The software is available for download even without hardware, allowing users to explore its features in demo mode.

Fan of making things beep, blink and fly. Created AddOhms. Writer for Hackster.io News. Freelance electronics content creator for hire! KN6FGY and, of course, bald.

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