Electricity and Control August 2025

Plant maintenance, test + measurement: Products + services

The benefits of using PC-based USB oscilloscopes

Left: PicoTech’s PicoScope 7. Right: With adequate lab space, time and frequency domains and serial decoders can be viewed at the same time, keeping design data in sight so you know what to test.

For decades, traditional benchtop oscilloscopes have been a cornerstone of electrical and electronics engineering, oˆering reliability, precision, and familiarity. However, as technology evolves, so do the tools we rely on. The PC-based USB oscilloscope introduces an advanced, adaptable alternative that’s redefining test and measurement. Pico Technology, represented locally by Comtest, here sets out why USB oscilloscopes, like PicoScopes, are becoming the preferred option of engineers around the globe. One interface for every scope Switching between diˆerent test equipment can disrupt workflows and drain productivity, especially when engineers have to relearn unfamiliar so“ware for each device. The PicoScope 7 so“ware provides a single, unified interface for all Pico real-time oscilloscopes – from 10 MHz to 3 GHz. This allows teams to work smarter, not harder. From entry-level models to high-performance solutions, the same intuitive platform adapts as the user’s needs change and grow. As projects become more complex, engineers need tools that evolve without adding unnecessary friction. With the PicoScope 7 so“ware, labs can stay agile and ready to tackle any challenge. It oˆers several advantages. - Streamlined training: One training session equips your team to operate every scope in the line-up, reducing on boarding time for new hires. - Seamless upgrades: Scaling to higher bandwidth models is easy – no steep learning curve or downtime. - Consistent workflow: Familiarity with the interface means faster setup, easier analysis, and uniform reporting, every time. Test anywhere, anytime Not all testing happens in the lab. A traditional benchtop oscilloscope is fundamentally quite big because of the built-in screen. For engineers on the go, bulky benchtop oscilloscopes can be impractical and diˆicult to transport. The PicoScope oˆers a portable solution, designed for mobility. Compact enough to fit in a laptop bag, PicoScopes make it easy to take the power of the lab to the field. Many models are USB-powered, which means a mains supply is not needed. So PicoScopes can be used for testing even in remote locations.

counts. Yet many oscilloscopes waste valuable record length in capturing dead time between events, making analysis ineˆicient and frustrating. PicoScope’s deep memory and waveform buˆer overcome this obstacle. The scopes are designed with memory segmentation in mind, ensuring every captured waveform focuses on what matters. By slicing captured memory, PicoScopes maximise eˆiciency and enable frame to-frame analysis. This means test teams can focus on key events with advanced triggers without wasting record length on irrelevant data. It supports faster analysis to isolate issues quickly for troubleshooting. And the onboard Hardware Acceleration Engine maintains performance even when dealing with thousands of saved waveforms. PicoScope empowers engineers to capture events smartly. Whether chasing intermittent faults or isolating key signals, segmentation ensures the scope functions eˆiciently to provide precision, performance, and results. Decode without limits Another advantage is that, with PicoScope 7 so“ware, PicoScopes are equipped with all serial protocol decoding options, included as standard. For engineers working with I·C, Modbus, CANXL, 10BASE-T1S or another protocol, PicoScope 7 covers most options. And new options are added continually. This simplifies signal decoding and system debugging. The power of PCs When every second counts, waiting for compute-heavy operations on an oscilloscope can stall workflow. With PicoScopes, users can leverage the power of a PC for faster and more eˆicient analysis. The oscilloscope and PC work together, turning compute-intensive tasks into seamless operations. Whether validating designs in the lab or testing performance in production, PicoScope won’t slow things down. Further advantages include the option of automating test sequences using the PicoScope 7 so“ware; simplified collaboration across teams, locally and globally, because all test data is stored on PC; and a lower total cost of ownership, because PicoScopes deliver long-term reliability and value. PC-based USB oscilloscopes are redefining the field of electronic measurement. Compact, cost-eˆective and high performing, they combine the reliability of traditional scopes with the power and versatility of modern technology. PicoScopes oˆer a smarter, more eˆicient way to work.

Capture what matters When debugging equipment or systems, usually, every millisecond

For more information visit: www.comtest.co.za

AUGUST 2025 Electricity + Control

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