Picoscope (Part 1)
As technology improves, the size, performances and cost of measurement instruments changes over the time. Few months ago, we described the RIGOL 1052E which was pretty new at this time. As we were looking for a new equipment for the lab we decided to compare the various products available from the market.
Before getting into the details of the data sheets from the available products, we invite you to a quick step back in the history of oscilloscopes
Early oscilloscope were heavy big beasts, they were expensive and their performances were pretty modest.
Next generations of oscilloscopes were more compact, rugged and could be moved on some occasions. They were still analog and high class instruments were capable of high frequency measurements as well as signal storage.
The raise of digital technology had a strong impact on oscilloscopes which were know getting very versatile and programmable. They became stand-alone, portable, autonomous in energy.
Simultaneously, makers of handled measurement instruments introduced smaller autonomous and handy equipment for service and outdoor operations.
More recently, the cost reduction of components and the mass production of equiopemenbts allowed makers to propose low cost although powerful equipment. As personal computers are available in almost any place some makers also had the idea to develop remotely controlled oscilloscopes. This post is mainly about this new type of small, powerful and affordable oscilloscopes.
Next is a quick and dirty comparison of various oscilloscopes which share common performances:
RIGOL 1052E
FLUKE 125
and PicoScope 2207a
| RIGOL 1052E | FLUKE 125 | PICOSCOPE 2206A | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volume (dm3) | 6.2 | 1.3 | 0.2 |
| Weight (Kg) | 2.4 | 1.2 | 0.6 |
| Power Supply | AC powered | Battery - AC powered | USB powered |
| Bandwidth (MHz) | 50 | 40 | 50 |
| Channels | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Maths functions | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Storage | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Remote control | Yes | Yes | Yes ** |
| Signal generator | No | No | Yes |
| Price (Euros) | 300 | 1800 | 500 |
** Remote control is mandatory
Credits :
Next post will go into the details of the retained option…
Hello, Didier.
I am writing this comment, because I tried to contact you and request for your arduino code libraries, but I have not received any feedback yet. I am really looking forward to getting your wonderful arduino libraries 🙂
My email is: vaidas@agito.lt
Thanks.
Vaidas
Sorry for the delay. Something real special is cooking at arduinoos which relates to DSP and which is consumming a lot of my time. thanks a lot for your patience.
To be more precise, I am interested in FFT, DAC libraries at the moment.
Point taken, see my previous answer 😉