PicoScope 4000A Series

sku Product SKU:  PIC-4x24A-Series

Crystal-clear waveform analysis

The PicoScope 4000A Series of PC oscilloscopes is a second-generation upgrade and expansion of our high-resolution, deep-memory product portfolio.

With 2-, 4- and 8-channel models available, the PicoScope 4000A Series boasts 12-bit hardware resolution (to 16 bits with Resolution Enhancement), 256 MS deep capture memory, 20 MHz bandwidth with 80 MS/s sampling speed, up to 70 dB SFDR and a built-in 14-bit triggerable signal generator and 80 MS/s AWG. A SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface powers the instrument and delivers up to 160 MS/s communications to the host PC. All models run with the popular PicoScope 6 user interface and benefit from the free PicoSDK software development kit, which gives users direct programming control of the hardware for custom applications. The scopes also work with PicoLog 6 data logging software for lower-speed long-duration captures.

The following features come as standard on all 4000A oscilloscopes:

Up to 8 channels of high resolution

With the PicoScope 4000A Series providing a choice of either 2, 4 or 8 high-resolution analog channels you can easily view audio, ultrasonic, vibration and power waveforms, analyze timing of complex systems, and perform a wide range of precision measurement tasks on multiple inputs at the same time. The scopes have a small, compact footprint, yet the BNC connectors with a minimum 20 mm spacing still accept all common probes and accessories. Despite their compact size, there is no compromise on performance. With a high vertical resolution of 12 bits, 20 MHz bandwidth, 256 MS buffer memory, and a fast sampling rate of 80 MS/s, the PicoScope 4000A Series has the power and functionality to deliver accurate results. With up to 8 channels, these oscilloscopes can analyze multiple serial buses such as UART, I2C, SPI, CAN and LIN plus control and driver signals.

Why choose the PicoScope 4000A Series oscilloscopes?

The PicoScope 4000A Series provides 20 MHz bandwidth, low noise, 12-bit resolution, deep capture memory and an integrated function and arbitrary waveform generator in a compact USB 3 connected PC-based package, together with a proven user interface. This series of oscilloscopes is especially suited to engineers, scientists and technicians working on a wide range of electrical, mechanical, audio, lidar, radar, ultrasonic, NDT and predictive maintenance systems who need to make precise measurements and analysis of repetitive or single-shot long-duration waveforms.

The PicoScope 4000A Series is unlike conventional oscilloscopes with 8-bit resolution and limited capture memory or card-based digitizers that require an expensive mainframe and offers the following benefits:

• PicoScope 6 user interface with time- and frequency-domain waveform views
• Automatic measurements of important waveform parameters on up to a million waveform cycles with each triggered acquisition using DeepMeasure™
• Decoding of 18 popular industry serial bus standards
• An application programming interface that provides direct control of the hardware
• Five-year warranty included as standard

Suitable for a broad range of applications, including:

• Power supply start sequencing
• 7-channel audio systems
• Multi-sensor systems
• Multi-phase drives and controls
• Predictive/preventive maintenance
• Complex embedded system development
• Power harmonics analysis
• Vibration analysis and diagnostics
• Long-duration waveform capture
• Lubricant analysis
• Acoustic emission analysis
• Oil condition sensors
• Machine monitoring
• Motor condition monitoring overview and motor current signature analysis (MCSA)
• Model-based voltage and current systems
• Infrared thermography

Complex embedded systems

When debugging an embedded system with a scope, you can quickly run out of channels. You may need to look at an I2C or SPI bus at the same time as multiple power rails, DAC outputs and logic signals. With up to eight channels, the PicoScope 4000A Series can cope with all of this. Choose whether to decode up to eight serial buses, with analog waveforms and decoded data both visible, or a combination of serial buses and other analog or digital signals. PicoScope provides advanced triggering on all channels, so you can search for runt pulses, dropouts and noise as well as looking for data patterns using the 4-input Boolean logic trigger.

Pack contents

• PicoScope 4000A Series 2-, 4- or 8-channel oscilloscope
• Oscilloscope probes (if purchased)
• USB 3.0 cable 1.8 m
• Quick Start Guide

ZAR 14554,0000

Pico Data Loggers ADC-20 and ADC-24

sku Product SKU:  PIC-ADC-20|24

The ultimate in resolution and accuracy

With up to 24-bit resolution the ADC-20 and ADC-24 USB data loggers are able to detect small signal changes. Features such as true differential inputs, galvanic isolation and software-selectable sampling rates all contribute to a superior noise-free resolution and ensure that your measurements are reliable and accurate.

PicoLog 6  software – straightforward from the start

All Pico data acquisition products come complete with PicoLog 6. This powerful yet flexible data acquisition software allows you to collect, manipulate, analyze, display and export data. 

Designed from the ground up to be intuitive from the outset, PicoLog 6 allows you to set up the logger and start recording with just a few clicks of the mouse, whatever your level of data logging experience.

From here, starting a capture is simple: plug in the logger, add a channel, press Record, and you’re logging! PicoLog 6 also includes a number of additional features to cater for more advanced data logging needs. 

Flexible, multichannel data acquisition

Both the ADC-20 and ADC-24 feature true differential inputs for excellent noise rejection. To give you a very flexible system each differential input can also be configured as two single-ended inputs. With up to eight differential or 16 single-ended inputs on the ADC-24, this flexibility gives you complete control on what type of inputs you use. If you require more channels, you can use multiple PicoLog data loggers on the same PC.

With seven bipolar voltage ranges, the ADC-20 and ADC-24 are also flexible enough to be used with a wide range of sensors and signal types. There's also an external terminal board with screw terminals to allow you to quickly connect and disconnect different sensors.

Additionally, the ADC-24 has four configurable digital input/output channels that can be used to control alarms or other devices.

The flexibility of the ADC-20 and ADC-24 allows you to use these precision data loggers as an advanced multichannel data acquisition system with a low cost per channel.

No need for power supplies or batteries

The high-resolution ADC-20 and ADC-24 are powered directly by your PC — eliminating the need for batteries or a separate power supply, and making them ideal when you need a portable data logger.

The answer to your data acquisition needs

High resolution, true differential inputs, galvanic isolation, and selectable sampling rates combine to ensure that your measurements are always precise and accurate. Configurable inputs, digital inputs and outputs, and programmable voltage ranges give you a truly flexible answer to your data acquisition needs.

When you need the ultimate in high resolution and accuracy, the versatile ADC-20 and ADC-24 provide you with a portable answer with the performance and flexibility you need.

ZAR 5669,0000

PicoLog CM3

sku Product SKU:  PIC-LOGCM3

Typical applications

• Mains current monitoring 
• Three-phase load balancing
• Long-term energy use recording
• Energy and cost saving / ISO14001 monitoring

 

Flexible, expandable software included

Your PicoLog CM3 Current Data Logger is supplied with PicoLog 6 data logging software, available for Windows, macOS and Linux. With PicoLog 6 you can collect almost unlimited datasets, analyze them and then display the results in spreadsheet and graphical formats.

PicoLog 6 can record data from multiple PicoLog data loggers at the same time. This allows you to collect up to 60 channels of current. You can even mix and match different PicoLog loggers to record a mix of current, temperature, voltage and other signals.

The PicoSDK, a software development kit (SDK) is also supplied. PicoSDK contains a range of software drivers and example code that you can use to write your own software or to use your PicoLog CM3 with third-party software such as MATLAB, C,C++, C#, LabVIEW, Python, VB, VB.net to name but a few. PicoSDK can be found on GitHub.

Both PicoLog 6 and PicoSDK are provided free of charge and updates can be downloaded for free.

Non-invasive current clamps

The PicoLog CM3 measures current using industry-standard AC current clamps. These clamps have opening jaws so can be installed in seconds with no physical connection to high voltages. AC current clamps require no power supply or batteries so are ideal for long-term energy-use monitoring and logging.

Pico supply 200 A AC current clamps as standard. If you need to measure higher currents we will be happy to advise on suitable clamps for your application.

The PicoLog CM3 is available on its own so you can add your own current clamps or as a cost-saving kit with three 200 A clamps included.

USB or Ethernet connection for local or remote logging

With both USB and Ethernet interfaces your PicoLog CM3 can be used in a variety of situations. If you need a portable instrument that can be used at various locations and is fast to set up and use, simply connect your laptop to the PicoLog CM3 by USB.  No external power supply is required as the CM3 is powered from the USB port.

Need to monitor a situation over a period of hours or days, or from a remote location? Plug your PicoLog CM3 into a spare port on your network and then access it remotely either from your LAN or over the internet. When using Ethernet the CM3 can be powered either by Power over Ethernet (PoE) or by using the USB connection just for power.

ZAR 7150,0000

PICO USB TC-08

sku Product SKU:  PIC-TC-08

8 channel thermocouple data logger

• 8 channel thermocouple data logger
• Measures from –270 to +1820 °C (–454 to +3308 °F)
• High resolution and accuracy
• Expandable to 20 units / 160 channels
• Supports all popular thermocouple types
• Fast sampling rate — up to 10 measurements per second (including CJC)
• USB connected and powered
• PicoLog 6 for Windows, macOS and Linux data logging software included
• PicoSDK drivers for Windows, macOS and Linux included

Wide temperature range

The TC-08 thermocouple data logger is designed to measure a wide range of temperatures using any thermocouple that has a miniature thermocouple connector. Pico supply a wide range of suitable thermocouples (see Accessories).

All popular types of thermocouple are supported, allowing an effective temperature range of –270 to +1820 °C  (the actual temperature range depends on the thermocouple being used).

The built in Cold Junction Compensation (CJC) circuit can also be used as a 9th channel to measure room temperature.

Fast and accurate temperature data acquisition

With the TC-08 thermocouple data logger your temperature measurements can be made both fast and accurately.

The short conversion time of the TC-08 means up to 10 temperature measurements can be taken every second (cold junction compensation counts as an additional measurement), while the high (20-bit) resolution ensures that the TC-08 can detect minute changes in temperature.  For popular Type K thermocouples the TC-08 can maintain a better than 0.025°C resolution over a –250 to +1370 °C range.

Also measure voltage and 4–20 mA current loops!

As well as measuring temperature with thermocouples, the terminal board allows other sensors with voltage or current outputs to be connected.  

The optional Single-Channel Terminal Board (see Accessories) plugs into a channel on the TC-08 and turns it into a 20-bit high resolution data logger. Screw terminals allow wires to be attached to the data logger without soldering. The four input ranges (±50 mV, ±500 mV, ±5 V and 4-20 mA) allow a wide range of other sensors and signals to be measured.

All you need in one easy-to-use unit

Temperature data acquisition with the TC-08 is very easy — simply plug the TC-08 into a USB port on your computer (no external power required), connect your thermocouples, and you are ready to measure temperatures.

The easy-to-use PicoLog data acquisition software is supplied with the TC-08 — allowing you to start measuring and recording temperatures with the minimum effort. The intuitive user interface of PicoLog makes it easy for you to set how frequently you want to take a measurement, and the number of measurements you want to take.

Need more?...

If you need more than 8 channels just plug up to 20 TC-08s into a powered USB hub network connected to your PC for a total of 160 channels. You can even mix and match different data loggers and a selection of PicoScope oscillsocopes from the Pico range to build a flexible, expandable data acquisition system.

ZAR 7150,0000

Pico TA386 Passive probe

sku Product SKU:  PIC-TA386

Passive oscilloscope probes

Our ergonomically designed passive oscilloscope probes are suitable for use with all major brands of oscilloscopes as well as the PicoScope range of USB Oscilloscopes. Passive probes don't require a power supply or batteries so are lightweight and easily portable.

Read our free guide: How to Tune x10 Oscilloscope Probes.

Passive oscilloscope probe: 200 MHz bandwidth 1:1/10:1 switchable, BNC

The TA386 is a passive switchable oscilloscope probe, with a bandwidth of 200 MHz. This probe is an upgraded version of our TA131 which includes many improvements to enhance durability, ease of use and performance, such as:

• Redesigned probe tip allows removal and refitting of replacement tips
• Replacement TA385 spring tips and TA384 rigid tips are available separately
• Redesigned probe hook accessory fitting
• Upgraded high durability probe cable

ZAR 694,0000

PicoScope 3000 Series

sku Product SKU:  PIC-3000-S

PC Oscilloscopes & Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes

Power, portability and performance

PicoScope 3000 Series USB-powered PC oscilloscopes are small, light, and portable and can easily slip into a laptop bag while offering a range of high-performance specifications.

These oscilloscopes offer 2 or 4 analog channels and a built-in function / arbitrary waveform generator. MSO models add 16 digital channels. Key performance specifications:

• 200 MHz analog bandwidth
• 1 GS/s real-time sampling
• 512 MS buffer memory
• 100,000 waveforms per second
• 16 channel logic analyzer (MSO models)
• Arbitrary waveform generator
• USB 3.0 connected and powered
• Serial decoding and mask testing as standard
• Windows, Linux and Mac software

Supported by the advanced PicoScope 6 software, these devices offer an ideal, cost-effective package for many applications, including embedded systems design, research, test, education, service, and repair.

High bandwidth and sampling rate

Despite a compact size and low cost, there is no compromise on performance with bandwidths up to 200 MHz.  This bandwidth is matched by a real-time sampling rate of up to 1 GS/s, allowing detailed display of high frequencies. For repetitive signals, the maximum effective sampling rate can be boosted to 10 GS/s by using Equivalent Time Sampling (ETS) mode.

Other oscilloscopes have high maximum sampling rates, but without deep memory they cannot sustain these rates on long timebases. The PicoScope 3000 Series offers memory depths up to 512 million samples, more than any other oscilloscope in this price range, which enables the PicoScope 3406D MSO to sample at 1 GS/s all the way down to 50 ms/ div (500 ms total capture time).

Managing all this data calls for some powerful tools. There’s a set of zoom buttons, plus an overview window that lets you zoom and reposition the display by simply dragging with the mouse or touchscreen. Zoom factors of several million are possible.  Other tools such as the waveform buffer, mask limit test, serial decode and hardware acceleration work with the deep memory making the PicoScope 3000 series some of the most powerful oscilloscopes on the market.

Mixed-signal capability / logic analyzer

The PicoScope 3000D Series Mixed-Signal Oscilloscopes include 16 digital inputs so that you can view digital and analog signals simultaneously.

The digital inputs can be displayed individually or in named groups with binary, decimal or hexadecimal values shown in a bus-style display. A separate logic threshold from –5 V to +5 V can be defined for each 8-bit input port. The digital trigger can be activated by any bit pattern combined with an optional transition on any input. Advanced logic triggers can be set on either the analog or digital input channels, or both to enable complex mixed-signal triggering.

The digital inputs bring extra power to the serial decoding options.  You can decode serial data on all analog and digital channels simultaneously, giving you up to 20 channels of data.  You can for example decode multiple SPI, I²C, CAN bus, LIN bus and FlexRay signals all at the same time!

Application note: Debugging an I²C Bus with a PicoScope Mixed–Signal Oscilloscope

Mixed Signal Oscilloscope / Logic Analyzer (roll over red circles for description)

Serial bus decoding and protocol analysis

PicoScope can decode 1-Wire, ARINC 429, CAN & CAN-FD, DCC, DMX512, Ethernet 10Base-T and 100Base-TX,  FlexRay, I²C, I²S, LIN, PS/2, MODBUS, SENT, SPI, UART (RS-232 / RS-422 / RS-485), and USB 1.1 protocol data as standard, with more protocols in development and available in the future with free-of-charge software upgrades.

Graph format shows the decoded data (in hex, binary, decimal or ASCII) in a data bus timing format, beneath the waveform on a common time axis, with error frames marked in red. These frames can be zoomed to investigate noise or signal integrity issues.

Table format shows a list of the decoded frames, including the data and all flags and identifiers. You can set up filtering conditions to display only the frames you are interested in or search for frames with specified properties. The statistics option reveals more detail about the physical layer such as frame times and voltage levels. PicoScope can also import a spreadsheet to decode the data into user-defined text strings.

More information on Serial bus decoding and protocol analysis - overview >>

Arbitrary waveform and function generator

All PicoScope 3000D units have a built-in function generator (sine, square, triangle, DC level, white noise, PRBS etc.) on the front panel. PicoScope 3000D MSO models have the connector on the rear panel.

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.

Trigger tools allow one or more cycles of a waveform to be output when various conditions are met such as the scope triggering or a mask limit test failing.

A 14 bit 80 MS/s arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) is also included. AWG waveforms can be created or edited using the built-in AWG editor, imported from oscilloscope traces, or loaded from a spreadsheet.

More information on Arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) >>

FFT spectrum analyzer

The spectrum view plots amplitude against frequency and is ideal for finding noise, crosstalk or distortion in signals. The spectrum analyzer in PicoScope is of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) type which, unlike a traditional swept spectrum analyzer, can display the spectrum of a single, non-repeating waveform.

A full range of settings gives you control over the number of spectrum bands (FFT bins), window types, scaling (including log/log) and display modes (instantaneous, average, or peak-hold).

You can display multiple spectrum views alongside oscilloscope views of the same data. A comprehensive set of automatic frequency-domain measurements can be added to the display, including THD, THD+N, SNR, SINAD and IMD. A mask limit test can be applied to a spectrum and you can even use the AWG and spectrum mode together to perform swept scalar network analysis.

More information on Spectrum analyzer >>

Signal integrity

Most oscilloscopes are built down to a price. PicoScopes are built up to a specification.

Careful front-end design and shielding reduces noise, crosstalk and harmonic distortion. Years of oscilloscope design experience can be seen in improved bandwidth flatness and low distortion.

We are proud of the dynamic performance of our products, and unlike most oscilloscope manufacturers publish our specifications in detail. The result is simple: when you probe a circuit, you can trust in the waveform you see on the screen.

USB connectivity

The USB connection not only allows high-speed data acquisition and transfer, but also makes printing, copying, saving, and emailing your data from the field quick and easy. USB powering removes the need to carry around a bulky external power supply, making the kit even more portable for the engineer on the move.

PicoScope 3000 Series oscilloscopes feature a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 connection, making the already-optimized process of data transfer and waveform update rates even faster. Further benefits of a USB 3.0 connection include faster saving of waveforms and faster gap-free continuous streaming of up to 125 MS/s when using the SDK, while the scope is still backward-compatible with older USB systems.

ZAR 16017,0000

PicoLog 1000 Series

sku Product SKU:  PIC-LOG1000-S

A DISTINGUISHED PEDIGREE

The PicoLog 1000 Series is the result of a distinguished lineage that goes back to the release of our first multichannel data logger — the ADC-11 — in 1993. The original ADC-11, and its successor the USB ADC-11, proved to be the perfect choice for users wanting a low–cost way to measure and record multiple signals. The PicoLog 1000 Series builds on this success to give you the same low-cost data acquisition but with greater power and performance. (Because the ADC-11 was so popular we’ve also added a USB ADC-11 compatibility mode which allows you to use your PicoLog 1000 logger as a direct replacement to the USB ADC-11.)

AN EXPANDABLE MULTICHANNEL DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM

The budget model PicoLog 1012 has 12 input channels and 10 bit resolution. The powerful PicoLog 1216 has 16 channels and 12 bit resolution. Need more channels? No problem. Using PicoLog you can connect up to 4 Pico data loggers to one PC — giving you a potential 64 channel PicoLog 1000 Series data acquisition system, or the ability to use your PicoLog 1000 logger with other devices such as the USB TC-08 Thermocouple Data Logger.

OPTIONAL TERMINAL BOARD

The optional terminal board has screw terminals to allow sensor wires to be attached to the data logger without soldering. The terminal board also has locations where you can fit resistors to offset and extend the input ranges of the logger.

FAST AND ACCURATE

With 10 or 12-bit resolution and multiple sampling modes, a PicoLog 1000 Series logger will meet your data logging needs. The PicoLog 1000 Series has 3 sampling modes: Streaming mode allows channel voltage readings to be logged continuously at up to 100 kS/s, while block mode captures up to the full 1 MS/s  sample rate of the logger for a duration limited by the 8000 sample buffer, both these speeds applying to single-channel operation. The PicoLog application provides an extra mode, real-time continuous sampling, which provides averaged, time-accurate readings with automatic measurements at up to 1 kS/s on any number of channels.

ZAR 3234,0000

PicoScope 9404 Series

sku Product SKU:  PIC-9404s

5 & 16 GHz Sampler Extended Real-Time Oscilloscopes

The PicoScope 9400 Series is a new class of SXRTO oscilloscopes that combine the benefits of real-time sampling, equivalent-time sampling, and high analog bandwidth.

• SXRTO (sampler-extended real-time oscilloscope)
• 9404-16: 16 GHz bandwidth, 22 ps transition time and 2.5 TS/s (0.4 ps resolution) equivalent-time sampling
• 9404-05: 5 GHz bandwidth, 70 ps transition time and 1 TS/s (1 ps resolution) equivalent-time sampling
• Pulse, eye and mask testing down to 100 ps and up to 8 Gb/s
• Four 12-bit 500 MS/s ADCs
• Intuitive and configurable touch-compatible Windows user interface
• Comprehensive built-in measurements, zooms, data masks, and histograms
• ±800 mV full-scale input range into 50 Ω
• 10 mV/div to 0.25 V/div ranges provided by digital gain
• Up to 250 kS trace length, shared between channels
• Optional clock and data recovery (8 Gb/s on 9404-16, 5 Gb/s on 9404-05)

The PicoScope 9400 Series SXRTOs has four input channels up to 16 GHz with market-leading ADC, timing, and display resolutions for accurately measuring and visualizing high-speed analog and data signals. They are ideal for capturing pulse and step transitions down to 22 ps, impulses down to 45 ps, and clocks and data eyes to 8 Gb/s. Most high-bandwidth applications involve repetitive signals or clock-related data streams that can be readily analyzed by equivalent-time sampling (ETS). The SXRTO quickly builds ETS, persistence displays, and statistics. It has a built-in full-bandwidth trigger on every channel, with pretrigger ETS capture too well above the Nyquist sampling rate. There are three acquisition modes—real-time, ETS, and roll—all capturing at 12-bit resolution into a shared memory of 250 kS.

The PicoSample 4 software is derived from our existing PicoSample 3 and PicoScope 9000 products, which together represent over ten years of development, customer feedback, and optimization.

The high-resolution display can be resized to fit any window, filling 4k and even larger monitors or arrays of monitors. Four independent zoom channels can show you different views of your data down to a resolution of 0.4 ps. Most of the controls and status panels can be shown or hidden according to your application, allowing you to make optimal use of the display area.

The oscilloscope has a 2.5 GHz direct trigger that can be driven from any input channel, and a built-in prescaler can extend the trigger bandwidth to 5 GHz. The external prescaler on 9404-16 extends this further to 16 GHz.

These compact units are small enough to place on your workbench close to the device under test. Now, instead of using remote probe heads attached to a large benchtop unit, all you need is a short, low-loss coaxial cable. Everything else you need is built into the oscilloscope, with no expensive hardware or software add-ons to worry about, and we don’t charge you for new software features and updates.

Typical applications

• Telecom and radar test, service and manufacturing
• Optical fiber, transceiver, and laser testing (optical to electrical conversion not included)
• RF, microwave, and gigabit digital system measurements
• Signal, eye, pulse, and impulse characterization
• Precision timing and phase analysis
• Digital system design and characterization
• Eye diagram, mask, and limits test up to 8 Gb/s
• Clock and data recovery at up to 8 Gb/s
• Ethernet, HDMI 1, PCI, SATA, USB 2.0
• Semiconductor characterization
• Signal, data, and pulse/impulse integrity and pre-compliance testing

High-bandwidth probes

The PicoConnect 900 Series low-impedance, high-bandwidth probes are ideal companions for the PicoScope 9400 Series, allowing cost-effective fingertip browsing of fast signals. Two series are available:

• RF, microwave, and pulse probes for broadband signals up to 5 GHz (10 Gb/s)
• Gigabit probes for data streams such as USB 2, HDMI 1, Ethernet, PCIe, and SATA

Other features

Bandwidth limit filters

A selectable analog bandwidth limiter (100 or 450 MHz) on each input channel can be used to reject high frequencies and associated noise. The narrow setting can be used as an anti-alias filter.

Frequency counter

A dedicated frequency counter shows signal frequency (or period) at all times, regardless of measurement and timebase settings, with a resolution of 1 ppm.

Optional clock and data recovery

Clock and data recovery (CDR) is now available as a factory-fitted optional trigger feature for the PicoScope 9404-16 and 9404-05 SXRTOs.

Associated with high-speed serial data applications, clock, and data recovery will already be familiar to PicoScope 9300 users. While low-speed serial data can often be accompanied by a separate clock signal, at high speed this approach would create timing skew and jitter between the clock and the data that could prevent accurate data decoding. Thus high-speed data receivers will generate a new clock, and using a phase-locked loop technique they will lock and align that new clock to the incoming data stream. This is the recovered clock, which can then be used to decode and thus recover data accurately. They have also saved the cost of an entire clock signal path by now needing only the serial data signal.

In many applications requiring our oscilloscopes to view the data, the data generator and its clock will be close at hand and we can trigger off that clock. However, if only the data is available (at the far end of an optical fiber, for instance), we will need the CDR option to recover the clock and then trigger off that instead. We may also need to use the CDR option in demanding eye and jitter measurements. This is because we want our instrument to measure as exactly as possible the signal quality that a recovered clock and data receiver will "see".

When fitted, the PicoScope 9400 CDR option can be selected as the trigger source from any input channel. Additionally, for use by other instruments or by downstream system elements, two SMA(f) outputs present recovered clock and recovered data from the rear panel.

Contact Comtest to order this option.

ZAR 283307,0000