Parallax 28014 User manual

© 2004 Parallax, Inc. • Parallax USB Oscilloscope (#28014) Version 1.0 Page 1
599 Menlo Drive, Suite 100
Rocklin, California 95765, USA
Office: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Toll-Free Tech Support 888-99-STAMP
Technical Email: [e-mail]
Educational Email : [e-mail]
Web Site: www.parallax.com
Parallax USB Oscilloscope (#28014)
Digital Real-time and Storage Oscilloscope
Kit Contents
•Parallax USB
Oscilloscope
•3 sets of 1X probes
•1 USB cable
•Parallax CD-ROM
(not shown)
General Information
The Parallax USB Oscilloscope (formerly OPTAscope) is a digital real-time storage oscilloscope that
connects to your PC via USB. The small, portable hardware package uses a high-speed USB cable for
both data and power, so it requires no separate power supply. All oscilloscope controls are managed
through a point-and-click PC software interface. This low-cost and easy-to-use oscilloscope is a perfect
solution for students and hobbyists who need to measure and interpret signals for their projects.

© 2004 Parallax, Inc. • Parallax USB Oscilloscope (#28014) Version 1.0 Page 2
The
Understanding Signals Student Guide
For a detailed introduction to using the Parallax USB oscilloscope, we recommend the
Understanding
Signals
Student Guide by Doug Pientak of Parallax Inc. Each activity includes a BASIC Stamp®-controlled
example circuit and code, directions for configuring the oscilloscope and placing the probes, and screen-
captures of the Parallax USB Software interface displaying the signal.
Understanding Signals is included
as a pdf on the Parallax CD under Documentation →Educational Curriculum →Understanding Signals
v1.0. You may purchase a printed copy (part #70009) or download the latest version from
www.parallax.com. (
Understanding Signals v1.0 was written when this oscilloscope was sold under the
name OPTAscope, but all the experiments in the text are valid for the Parallax USB Oscilloscope.)
Specifications:
•2 Channels – view 2 signals at once
•1 million samples per second maximum sample rate with one channel
•500, 000 samples per second sample rate with 2 channels
•View sine waves up to 60 kHz
•View square waves up to 100 kHz
•4 FFT functions: Black-Harris, Hamming, Rectangular, Hanning
•20 Vpp maximum input for channel 1 and channel 2
•200 kHz bandwidth
•8-Bit vertical resolution
•External trigger source: TTL rising edge, 5 V TTL maximum input
•Trigger on rising or falling edge at any voltage
•Variable trigger voltage on channels 1 and 2
•Horizontal trigger position settings at 10%, 50%, and 90%.
•Auto and normal trigger modes
•Vertical, horizontal, and paired cursor functions
•Zoom feature with active cursors
•Built-in screen-capture bitmap function
•1X probes included
•USB 1.1 for data and power supply – no other power supply needed.
•Size: 5’’ x 2.25” x 1.5” (excluding cable and probes)
•Weight: 8 ounces
System Requirements
Minimum** configuration:
•Windows®98 or higher operating system*
•Pentium®233 MHz processor
•32 MB of RAM
•At least 15 MB of free disk space
•Graphics card able to display an 800 X 600 resolution at 16-bit color depth.
•HTML Viewer
•Mouse or similar pointing device
Recommended** configuration:
•Windows XP
•Pentium II 450 MHz processor
•64 MB of RAM
•20 MB free disk space
•Graphics card able to display a 1024 X 798 or higher resolution at 32-bit color depth.
•HTML Viewer
•Mouse or similar pointing device
*Windows 95 and NT are not supported, Windows XP is recommended.
** Performance is based on CPU speed.

© 2004 Parallax, Inc. • Parallax USB Oscilloscope (#28014) Version 1.0 Page 3
Software and Hardware Installation with Internet Access
NOTE: These instructions replace those found in the README files.
1. We recommend downloading the latest version of the software (free) from
http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/downloads/software/scope.asp
However, you may install the software from the Parallax CD as noted in steps 1-3 in the section
below, then return to these instructions. NOTE: setup_v4.0.exe (included on the October 2004
Parallax CD) does not contain help files. Check the web page listed above for Help files with separate
installation instructions.
2. Install the software by following the Install Wizard directions. Ignore the README files.
3. Connect the Parallax USB Oscilloscope hardware to your computer's USB port. NOTE: You will get the
best results if your Parallax USB Oscilloscope is the only device connected to the root, because this
device is powered from the USB port. If you need to have other devices connected that are also
powered from the same USB port, we recommend you purchase a powered USB hub.
4. If the Found New Hardware Wizard window pops up, you will be asked “Can Windows connect to
Windows Update to search for software?” Click on “Yes, this time only” then continue to follow
the prompts until installation is complete.
5. Go to the Running the Software for the First Time section on page 4.
Software and Hardware Installation without Internet Access
NOTE: These instructions replace those found in the README files. Also note: the Parallax USB
Oscilloscope setup_v4.0.exe (included on the October 2004 Parallax CD) does not contain help files.
Check the web page http://www.parallax.com/html_pages/downloads/software/scope.asp above for Help
files with separate installation instructions.
1. Insert the Parallax CD into your CD drive.
2. From the Welcome screen, click on Software, select the Parallax USB Oscilloscope folder, then
click on the Parallax USB Oscilloscope diskette icon. Note: if the Welcome screen does not launch,
browse to the CD drive, and select
3. Install the software by following the Install Wizard prompts. Ignore the README files.
4. Connect the Parallax USB Oscilloscope hardware to your computer's USB port. NOTE: You will get the
best results if your Parallax USB Oscilloscope is the only device connected to the root, because this
device is powered from the USB port. If you need to have other devices connected that are also
powered from the same USB port, we recommend you purchase a powered USB hub.
5. When the Found New Hardware Wizard window pops up, you will be asked “Can Windows
connect to Windows Update to search for software?” Click on “No, not this time” then continue.
6. Click on “Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)”
7. Select “Search for the best driver in these locations.”
8. Also select “Include this location in the search:”
9. Click on “Browse”.
10. Locate C:\Program Files\Parallax\USB Oscilloscope\Driver. Note: These files were placed in
this location using the default software installation. If you selected another location during the
software installation, you will need to browse to that location to find this folder.
11. Click on “Next”.
12. A Hardware Installation warning window will appear. Click on “Continue Anyway”.
13. “Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard” should appear. Click “Finish”.
14. Since this device requires two separate drivers, after a brief pause the Found New
Hardware Wizard will open again. Or, you may get an error message asking for an
additional FTDI file. You must repeat the process from step 6 to complete the driver
installation.
15. Go to the Running the Software for the First Time section on page 4.

© 2004 Parallax, Inc. • Parallax USB Oscilloscope (#28014) Version 1.0 Page 4
Running the Software for the First Time
NOTE: These instructions replace those found in the README files.
1. In your computer’s Device Manager, look under Ports (Com& LPT) and note the number
assigned to the new USB serial port.
2. Run the Parallax USB Oscilloscope software from the desktop icon, or from Start →Parallax USB
Oscilloscope →USB Oscilloscope 4.0.0.
3. Click anywhere on the software identification window to open the interface.
4. From the menu bar, select File →Set COM Port to open the window shown below.
5. In the Selected COM Port field, enter the COM port number that you identified as the new USB
serial port. When the correct COM port number is entered, the dot indicator below the field will turn
from red to green.
6. If you wish, follow the prompts to calibrate your probes.
7. Your Parallax USB Oscilloscope is ready to use!
Safe Oscilloscope Use
Before test-driving your Parallax USB Oscilloscope, it is important for you to be aware of the general
safety guidelines for working with oscilloscopes. Working with oscilloscopes requires you to work on
circuits with live voltage. It is your responsibility to learn the following safety guidelines and practice
them faithfully while working with live circuits. Failing to do so can result in equipment damage, and
severe personal injury or death. Below you will find a list of safety rules that you are to use as a
guideline while working with live circuits and the Parallax USB Oscilloscope.
•Remove metallic jewelry and watches before starting.
•Make sure your hands are clean and dry while working with any oscilloscope.
•Work upon an anti-stat pad that is properly grounded.
•Keep your work area free from food and beverages.
•Do not attempt to measure any voltage that could be 20 Vpp or higher.
•If anything you are working on gets hot or smokes, turn it off immediately.
•ALWAYS disconnect the power supply to the circuit you are measuring before walking away from
your workstation.