PicoScope 3000 Oscilloscopes

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Pico Technology launches a series of high-performance PC oscilloscopes


PicoScope 3000

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  • Sampling rates up to 10 GS/s
  • Record lengths up to 1 MB
  • Multi-cycle color display modes
  • Automated measurements
  • Includes a spectrum analyzer mode
  • Connection via USB2.0

Cambridge, United Kingdom – 6 July 2004 – Pico Technology, the PC-based test and measurement company, has announced a new series of high-performance PC oscilloscopes. The 3000 series debuts with three instruments: the PicoScope 3204, 3205 and 3206. All three are cost-effective replacements for traditional bench top instruments. The top of the range oscilloscope boasts a sampling rate of 10GS/s, an analog bandwidth of 200MHz, and a record length of 1MB.

Alan Tong, Pico Technology’s Technical Director, comments: “The combined high sampling rate and large memory buffer of the PicoScope 3206 enable the capture and display of fast-occurring and complex signals. Most oscilloscopes in the same price bracket as the PicoScope 3206 have sub-32K memories. With 1MB of memory, the 3206 can capture at least 30 times as much data, allowing the user the ability to zoom in on areas of interest.”

All three PicoScopes in the 3000 series connect to a PC via USB2.0: drawing their power from the PC, so no need for a separate power supply. In addition to being high-performance oscilloscopes, the PicoScope 3204, 3205 and 3206 all feature a spectrum analyzer mode and (when used with PicoLog software) can also be used for high-speed data acquisition.

The 3205 and 3206 also include built-in signal generators, capable of sweeping up to 1MHz. The signal, output on the oscilloscopes’ ‘external trigger’ BNCs, can be a sine, square or triangular wave.

The PicoScope 3000 series features more than 30 automated measurements such as: frequency; pulse width; rise time; THD and SNR; and five enhanced display modes including Digital Color (ideal for spotting intermittent glitches in digital signals) and Analog Intensity (useful for displaying video waveforms and analog modulation signals).

The three instruments in the PicoScope 3000 series have the following features:

  • PicoScope 3204 – 2.5GS/s sampling rate (repetitive signals), 50MS/s single shot sampling, 50MHz analog bandwidth, and record length of 256K. Spectrum range 0 to 25MHz.
  • PicoScope 3205 – 5GS/s sampling rate (repetitive signals), 100MS/s single shot sampling, 100MHz analog bandwidth, and record length of 512K. Spectrum range 0 to 50MHz.
  • PicoScope 3206 – 10GS/s sampling rate (repetitive signals), 200MS/s single shot sampling, 200MHz analog bandwidth, and record length of 1MB. Spectrum range 0 to 100MHz

The new additions to Pico Technology’s product range have the following advantages over traditional bench top instruments:

  • Waveform storage is limited only by the PC’s storage capability;
  • It is easy to share waveforms and instrument settings with other users (and waveforms can even be exported as JPEGs for posting on a web site or using in reports);
  • The plug-in nature of the instruments means they can easily be interchanged;
  • Small form factor (less bench space required) and portability;
  • Lower cost; and
  • New functionality through software upgrades.

Tong concludes: “Once again Pico has pushed the 'sample rate / memory depth' envelope to deliver three high-performance PC oscilloscopes. Essentially, we’ve repeated our well-proven formula of making full use of today’s PCs’ processing capabilities, large screens and familiar user interfaces, and focused our efforts on developing signal acquisition techniques, enhanced display modes and automated measurements.”

The three new PicoScopes are available immediately and are supplied with PicoScope and PicoLog software - demo and full versions of which can also be downloaded free of charge from www.picotech.com. The 3204 retails for approximately $730 + VAT, the 3205 for approximately $1095 + VAT and the 3206 for approximately $1460 + VAT.

About Pico Technology

Established in 1991 and based in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, Pico Technology is the market leader in PC oscilloscopes: low-cost alternatives to bench-top and handheld instruments. The company’s flagship instrument is PicoScope – a combined oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer – available with resolutions of 8, 12 and 16 bits, sampling rates of up to 10GS/s and memory depths of up to 1MB.

In addition, Pico Technology is the market leader in PC oscilloscopes for the automotive industry and has developed a multi-award winning automotive diagnostic kit (comprising an ADC 212/3 PC oscilloscope, current clamps, secondary ignition pickup as well as a range of test clips, leads and probes) which enables automotive technicians to test virtually all electrical/electronic signals on any vehicle.

The company also designs and manufactures a number of data acquisition solutions including the PicoLog data loggers (ranging from 1 to 22 channels, and 8 to 24 bits resolution), the EnviroMon PC-based and standalone data loggers, the education data logger DrDAQ, and a range of dedicated PC-based temperature and humidity recording products.