Glossary 29
Copyright 2006 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved. PS2100044-1.0
PicoScope software
This is a software product that accompanies all our oscilloscopes. It turns your PC into
an oscilloscope, spectrum analyser, and meter display.
Real-time continuous mode
A sampling mode in which the software repeatedly requests single samples from the
PC Oscilloscope. This mode is suitable for low sampling rates when you require the
latest sample to be displayed as soon as it is captured.
Streaming mode
A sampling mode in which the PC Oscilloscope samples data and returns it to the
computer in an unbroken stream. This mode of operation is suitable when the input
signal being sampled contains only low frequencies.
Timebase
The timebase controls the time interval represented across the width of the
oscilloscope screen. If you select "Scope timebase is time per division" in the Scope
Advanced Options dialog box in the PicoScope application (Settings | Options,
Advanced), it works like a traditional bench-top oscilloscope. There are ten divisions
across the screen, so the total time interval is ten times the timebase.
USB 1.1
Universal Serial Bus (Full Speed). This is a standard port that enables you to connect
external devices to PCs. A typical USB 1.1 port supports a data transfer rate of 12
megabits per second, and is much faster than an RS-232 or COM port.
USB 2.0
Universal Serial Bus (High Speed). This is a standard port that enables you to connect
external devices to PCs. A typical USB 2.0 port supports a data transfer rate 40 times
faster than USB 1.1. USB 2.0 is backwards-compatible with USB 1.1.
Vertical resolution
A value, in bits, that indicates the number of input voltage levels that the oscilloscope
can distinguish. Calculation techniques can improve the effective resolution.
Voltage range
The range of input voltages that the PC Oscilloscope will measure in a given mode.
Windows Device Manager
Windows Device Manager is a component of Microsoft Windows that displays the
current hardware configuration of your computer. On Windows 98 or Windows ME,
right click on My Computer, select Properties and click the Device Manager tab.
On Windows 2000 or Windows XP, right-click My Computer, choose Properties, click
the Hardware tab and then the Device Manager button.