Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Photo 11.1
Pico ADC-212 12-bit digital storage oscilloscope (DSO)
of a spectrum analyser, data logger, digital frequency meter, and voltmeter. In
many cases a DSO will be able to replace several items of conventional test
equipment. Switching between these instruments is usually quick and easy, and
in most cases each instrument is able to have its dedicated window on the PC
display.
Multiple views of the same signals and on-screen display voltage and fre-
quency can greatly enhance measurements made with a DSO. In addition, with
some DSO waveforms can be annotated with notes and they can subsequently
be printed, saved or exported to other applications.
Several types of DSO are currently available. These can be conveniently
arranged into three different categories according to their application:
•
Low-cost DSO
•
High-speed DSO
•
High-resolution DSO.
Unfortunately, there is often some confusion between the last two categories.
A high-speed DSO is designed for examining waveforms that are rapidly
changing. Such an instrument does not necessarily provide high-resolution
measurement. Similarly, a high-resolution DSO is useful for displaying wave-
forms with a high degree of precision, but it may not be suitable for examining
fast waveforms. The difference between these two types of DSO should become
a little clearer later on but first it is worth explaining some of the more important
specifications for this type of equipment.
