pico Technology PicoScope 5000 Series User manual

Copyright © 2006-2007 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved.
PicoScope 5000 Series
User's Guide
ps5000.en-5
PC Oscilloscopes

I
Contents
Copyright © 2006-2007 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved. ps5000.en
Contents
.....................................................................................................................................11 Welcome
.....................................................................................................................................22 Introduction
...........................................................................................................................................2
1 Using this guide
...........................................................................................................................................2
2 Safety symbols
...........................................................................................................................................3
3 Safety warning
...........................................................................................................................................4
4 FCC notice
...........................................................................................................................................4
5 CE notice
...........................................................................................................................................5
6 Software licence conditions
...........................................................................................................................................5
7 Trademarks
...........................................................................................................................................6
8 Warranty
...........................................................................................................................................6
9 Company details
.....................................................................................................................................73 Product information
...........................................................................................................................................7
1 What do I get?
...........................................................................................................................................7
2 System requirements
...........................................................................................................................................8
3 Installation instructions
...........................................................................................................................................9
4 Connections
...........................................................................................................................................10
1 AUXIO connector
...........................................................................................................................................10
2 Signal Out connector
...........................................................................................................................................11
5 Specifications
.....................................................................................................................................124 Programming with the PicoScope 5000 Series
...........................................................................................................................................12
1 Driver
...........................................................................................................................................12
2 System requirements
...........................................................................................................................................13
3 Voltage ranges
...........................................................................................................................................13
4 Channel selection
...........................................................................................................................................13
5 Triggering
...........................................................................................................................................14
6 Sampling modes
...........................................................................................................................................14
1 Block mode
...........................................................................................................................................16
2 Rapid block mode
...........................................................................................................................................19
3 ETS (Equivalent Time Sampling)
...........................................................................................................................................20
4 Streaming mode
...........................................................................................................................................21
5 Retrieving stored data
...........................................................................................................................................22
7 Oversampling
...........................................................................................................................................22
8 Signal generator
...........................................................................................................................................23
9 Timebases
...........................................................................................................................................24
10 Combining several oscilloscopes
...........................................................................................................................................25
11 API function calls
...........................................................................................................................................26
1 ps5000BlockReady
...........................................................................................................................................27
2 ps5000CloseUnit
...........................................................................................................................................28
3 ps5000DataReady
...........................................................................................................................................29
4 ps5000FlashLed
...........................................................................................................................................30
5 ps5000GetMaxDownSampleRatio
...........................................................................................................................................31
6 ps5000GetStreamingLatestValues

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...........................................................................................................................................32
7 ps5000GetTimebase
...........................................................................................................................................33
8 ps5000GetTriggerTimeOffset
...........................................................................................................................................34
9 ps5000GetTriggerTimeOffset64
...........................................................................................................................................35
10 ps5000GetUnitInfo
...........................................................................................................................................36
11 ps5000GetValues
...........................................................................................................................................37
12 ps5000GetValuesAsync
...........................................................................................................................................38
13 ps5000GetValuesBulk
...........................................................................................................................................39
14 ps5000GetValuesTriggerTimeOffsetBulk
...........................................................................................................................................40
15 ps5000GetValuesTriggerTimeOffsetBulk64
...........................................................................................................................................41
16 ps5000IsLedFlashing
...........................................................................................................................................42
17 ps5000IsTriggerOrPulseWidthQualifierEnabled
...........................................................................................................................................43
18 ps5000MemorySegments
...........................................................................................................................................44
19 ps5000NoOfStreamingValues
...........................................................................................................................................45
20 ps5000OpenUnit
...........................................................................................................................................46
21 ps5000OpenUnitAsync
...........................................................................................................................................47
22 ps5000OpenUnitProgress
...........................................................................................................................................48
23 ps5000RunBlock
...........................................................................................................................................50
24 ps5000RunStreaming
...........................................................................................................................................52
25 ps5000SetChannel
...........................................................................................................................................53
26 ps5000SetDataBuffer
...........................................................................................................................................54
27 ps5000SetDataBufferBulk
...........................................................................................................................................55
28 ps5000SetDataBuffers
...........................................................................................................................................56
29 ps5000SetEts
...........................................................................................................................................57
30 ps5000SetEtsTimeBuffer
...........................................................................................................................................58
31 ps5000SetEtsTimeBuffers
...........................................................................................................................................59
32 ps5000SetNoOfCaptures
...........................................................................................................................................60
33 ps5000SetPulseWidthQualifier
...........................................................................................................................................62
34 ps5000SetSigGenArbitrary
...........................................................................................................................................65
35 ps5000SetSigGenBuiltIn
...........................................................................................................................................68
36 ps5000SetTriggerChannelConditions
...........................................................................................................................................70
37 ps5000SetTriggerChannelDirections
...........................................................................................................................................71
38 ps5000SetTriggerChannelProperties
...........................................................................................................................................73
39 ps5000SetTriggerDelay
...........................................................................................................................................74
40 ps5000SigGenSoftwareControl
...........................................................................................................................................75
41 ps5000Stop
...........................................................................................................................................76
42 ps5000StreamingReady
...........................................................................................................................................77
12 Programming examples
...........................................................................................................................................77
1 C
...........................................................................................................................................77
2 Delphi
...........................................................................................................................................78
13 Driver error codes
.....................................................................................................................................815 Glossary
..............................................................................................................................................83
Index

Welcome 1
Copyright © 2006-2007 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved. ps5000.en
1Welcome
Thank you for buying a Pico Technology
product!
The PicoScope 5000 Series of PC
Oscilloscopes from Pico Technology is a range
of compact units designed to replace traditional
bench-top oscilloscopes costing many times
the price.
Here are some of the benefits provided by your new PicoScope 5000 Series PC
Oscilloscope:
Portability: Take the unit with you and plug it in to any Windows PC.
Performance: Fast sampling up to 1 GS/s, probe-tip bandwidth of 250 MHz, large
buffer with up to 128 M samples, fast USB 2.0 interface.
Flexibility: Use it as an oscilloscope, spectrum analyser or high-speed data
acquisition interface.
Programmability: The PicoScope 5000 series API lets you write your own
programs, in your chosen programming language, to control all the features of the
scope.
Long-term support: Software upgrades are available to download from our
website. You can also call our technical specialists for support. You can continue
to use both of these services free of charge for the lifetime of the product.
Value for money: You don't have to pay twice for all the features that you
already have in your PC. The PicoScope 5000 Series scope unit contains the special
hardware you need and nothing more.
Convenience: The software makes full use of the large display, storage, user
interface and networking built in to your PC.

PicoScope 5000 Series User's Guide2
Copyright © 2006-2007 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved.ps5000.en
2Introduction
2.1 Using this guide
You will sometimes see a symbol like this: This is the cross-reference symbol, and
it indicates the number of a page on which you can find more information about a
topic.
The abbreviations MS/s and GS/s are used in this guide to mean megasamples per
second and gigasamples per second respectively.
2.2 Safety symbols
The following symbols appear on the front panel of the PicoScope 5000 Series PC
Oscilloscope.
Symbol 1: Warning triangle
This symbol indicates that a safety hazard exists on the indicated
connections if correct precautions are not taken. Read all safety
documentation associated with the product before using it.
Symbol 2: Equipotential
This symbol indicates that the outer shells of the indicated BNC
connectors are all at the same potential (shorted together). You
must therefore take necessary precautions to avoid applying a
potential across the return connections of the indicated BNC
terminals. Such a potential could cause a large current to flow,
resulting in damage to the product or connected equipment, or both.
2

Introduction 3
Copyright © 2006-2007 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved. ps5000.en
2.3 Safety warning
We strongly recommend that you read the general safety information below before
using your oscilloscope for the first time. Safety protection built in to equipment may
cease to function if the equipment is used incorrectly. This could cause damage to
your computer, or lead to injury to yourself and others.
Maximum input range
PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscopes are designed to measure voltages in the
range -20 V to +20 V. The A, B and EXT inputs are protected to ±100 V, whilst the
AUXIO input can accept 0 V to 10 V. Contact with voltages outside the protection
range may cause permanent damage to the unit.
Mains voltages
Pico Technology products are not designed for use with mains voltages. To measure
mains, use a differential isolating probe specifically designed for a high source voltage.
Safety grounding
PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscopes connect directly to the ground of a computer
through the USB cable provided to minimise interference.
As with most oscilloscopes, avoid connecting the ground input to any potential other
than ground. If in doubt, use a meter to check that there is no significant AC or DC
voltage between the ground input of the oscilloscope and the point to which you
intend to connect it. Failure to check may cause damage to your computer or injury to
yourself and others.
The product does not have a protective safety ground.
Repairs
The oscilloscope contains no user-serviceable parts. Repair or calibration of the
oscilloscope requires specialised test equipment and must be performed by Pico
Technology.
Cooling fan
The unit contains a low-noise cooling fan that expels air through the holes in the back
of the unit (shown in the Connections section). Do not block these holes, as this
might cause the unit to overheat. Do not insert anything in the holes, as this could
damage the unit or cause injury.
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PicoScope 5000 Series User's Guide4
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2.4 FCC notice
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class A
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the equipment is
operated in a commercial environment. This equipment generates, uses, and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instruction manual, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference
in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his or her own
expense.
For safety and maintenance information see the safety warning .
2.5 CE notice
The PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscopes meet the intent of the EMC directive
89/336/EEC and have been designed to EN61326-1 (1997) Class A Emissions
and Immunity standard.
PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscopes also meet the intent of the Low Voltage
Directive and have been designed to meet the BS EN 61010-1:2001 IEC
61010-1:2001 (safety requirements for electrical equipment, control, and laboratory
use) standard.
3

Introduction 5
Copyright © 2006-2007 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved. ps5000.en
2.6 Software licence conditions
The material contained in this software release is licensed, not sold. Pico Technology
Limited grants a licence to the person who installs this software, subject to the
conditions listed below.
Access
The licensee agrees to allow access to this software only to persons who have been
informed of these conditions and agree to abide by them.
Usage
The software in this release is for use only with Pico products or with data collected
using Pico products.
Copyright
Pico Technology Limited claims the copyright of, and retains the rights to, all material
(software, documents etc.) contained in this release. You may copy and distribute the
entire release in its original state, but must not copy individual items within the
release other than for backup purposes.
Liability
Pico Technology and its agents shall not be liable for any loss, damage or injury,
howsoever caused, related to the use of Pico Technology equipment or software,
unless excluded by statute.
Fitness for purpose
Because no two applications are the same, Pico Technology cannot guarantee that its
equipment or software is suitable for a given application. It is your responsibility,
therefore, to ensure that the product is suitable for your application.
Mission-critical applications
This software is intended for use on a computer that may be running other software
products. For this reason, one of the conditions of the licence is that it excludes usage
in mission-critical applications such as life-support systems.
2.7 Trademarks
Windows is a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the USA
and other countries. Delphi is a registered trademark of Borland Software
Corporation.
Pico Technology Limited and PicoScope are trademarks of Pico Technology
Limited, registered in the United Kingdom and other countries.
PicoScope and Pico Technology are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office.

PicoScope 5000 Series User's Guide6
Copyright © 2006-2007 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved.ps5000.en
2.8 Warranty
Pico Technology warrants upon delivery, and for a period of 24 months unless
otherwise stated from the date of delivery, that the Goods will be free from defects in
material and workmanship.
Pico Technology shall not be liable for a breach of the warranty if the defect has been
caused by fair wear and tear, wilful damage, negligence, abnormal working conditions
or failure to follow Pico Technology's spoken or written advice on the storage,
installation, commissioning, use or maintenance of the Goods or (if no advice has
been given) good trade practice; or if the Customer alters or repairs such Goods
without the written consent of Pico Technology.
2.9 Company details
Address:
Pico Technology Limited
The Mill House
Cambridge Street
St Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 1QB
United Kingdom
Phone:
[phone]
Fax:
[phone]
Email:
Technical Support:
[email protected]
Sales:
[email protected]
Web site:
www.picotech.com

Product information 7
Copyright © 2006-2007 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved. ps5000.en
3Product information
3.1 What do I get?
Your PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscope kit contains the following items:
Reorder
code
Quantity
Description
PR088
1
PicoScope 5203 scope unit (PicoScope 5203 kit only)
PR089
1
PicoScope 5204 scope unit (PicoScope 5204 kit only)
MI145
2
Compensated x1/x10 switchable 250 MHz oscilloscope probe
MI106
1
USB cable, for connection to the USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 port on
your PC
PS006
1
Universal power adaptor with UK, US, EU and Australasian
plugs
DI042
1
5000 Series software CD
DO115
1
USB Oscilloscope Installation Guide
MI144
1
Carry case
3.2 System requirements
To ensure that your PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscope operates correctly, you
must have a computer with at least the minimum system requirements to run one of
the supported operating systems, as shown in the following table. The performance of
the software will increase with more powerful PCs, including those with multi-core
processors.
Item
Absolute
minimum
Recommended
minimum
Recommended
full specification
Operating system
Windows XP SP2 or Vista (32-bit versions only)
Processor
As required
by Windows
300 MHz
1 GHz
Memory
256 MB
512 MB
Free disk space
(Note 1)
1 GB
2 GB
Ports
USB 1.1 compliant port
USB 2.0 compliant port
Note 1: The PicoScope software does not use all the disk space specified in the table.
The free space is required to make Windows run efficiently.
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3.3 Installation instructions
IMPORTANT
Do not connect your PicoScope 5000 Series
scope device to the PC before you
have installed the Pico software.
If you do, Windows might not
recognise the scope device correctly.
Procedure
Follow the instructions in the Installation Guide included with your product
package.
Connect your PC Oscilloscope to the PC using the USB cable supplied.
Select one of the mains plugs supplied with your power adapter, according to your
location, and fit it to the adaptor.
Plug the power adaptor supplied with the unit into the mains. Plug the output lead
of the adaptor into the scope unit.
Checking the installation
Once you have installed the software and connected the PC Oscilloscope to the PC,
start the PicoScope software. PicoScope should now display any signal connected
to the scope inputs. If a probe is connected to your oscilloscope, you should see a
small 50 or 60 hertz signal in the oscilloscope window when you touch the probe tip
with your finger.
Moving your PicoScope PC Oscilloscope to another USB port
Windows XP SP2
When you first installed the PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscope by plugging it into
a USB port, Windows associated the Pico driver with that port. If you later move
the oscilloscope to a different USB port, Windows will display the "New Hardware
Found Wizard" again. When this occurs, just click "Next" in the wizard to repeat the
installation. If Windows gives a warning about Windows Logo Testing, click "Continue
Anyway". As all the software you need is already installed on your computer, there is
no need to insert the Pico Software CD again.
Windows Vista
The process is automatic. When you move the device from one port to another,
Windows displays an "Installing device driver software" message and then a
"PicoScope 5000 series PC Oscilloscope" message. The PC Oscilloscope is then ready
for use.
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3.4 Connections
Standard oscilloscope connectors
PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscopes have BNC oscilloscope connectors. The
inputs have an impedance of 1 MW, so they are compatible with all standard scope
probes including x10 attenuated types. To ensure that you obtain the rated
bandwidth from the scope, use the compensated high-frequency probes supplied with
it.
Connector diagrams
Front panel
PicoScope 5203
PicoScope 5204
1. Input channel A
2. Input channel B
3. LED: shows when the oscilloscope is sampling data
4. External trigger input
5. Signal generator output
Rear panel
PicoScope 5203
PicoScope 5204
6. Power socket: for use with the AC adaptor supplied with the unit
7. Auxiliary input / output. Used as an auxiliary trigger input and output.
8. USB 2.0 port
9. Kensington Security Slot. Allows you to attach a standard notebook security cable
to the scope.
10. Cooling holes. There is a low-noise fan inside the unit that blows air through
these holes.
Do not block the cooling holes or insert any objects through them, as this
could damage the unit or cause injury.
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3.4.1 AUXIO connector
The auxiliary input / output connector on the rear panel can be used for two different
purposes: -
When PicoScope 6 is running it functions as a trigger input.
Programmers can use the API to configure it as a trigger input or output. (See the
relevant API call for details.)
AUXIO signal specifications
Refer to the Specifications table.
3.4.2 Signal Out connector
This signal output connector on the front panel carries the output of the unit's built-in
signal generator, which can generate a number of built-in waveforms as well as
arbitrary waveforms from a user-defined table of data.
Signal generator output specifications
Refer to the Specifications table.
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3.5 Specifications
Variant
PicoScope 5203
PicoScope 5204
Number of channels
2
Vertical resolution
8 bits
Analog bandwidth
250 MHz at probe tip
Maximum sampling rate
(real time)
One channel in use
Two channels in use
1 GS/s
500 MS/s
Maximum sampling rate
(repetitive signals)
20 GS/s
Buffer size
32 MS
128 MS
If two channels in use, buffer shared between channels.
Inputs
Input characteristics
Coupling
Voltage ranges
Accuracy
Overload protection
BNC, 1 MWin parallel with about 15 pF
Selectable AC/DC
±100 mV, ±200 mV, ±500 mV, ±1 V, ±2 V, ±5 V, ±10 V, ±20 V
3%
±100 V
Timebase
Range
Accuracy
5 ns/div to 100 s/div
50 ppm
Signal generator output
Standard waveforms
Arbitrary waveform buffer
Sample rate
Output characteristics
Resolution
Amplitude
Offset
Maximum range
Sine, square, triangle, ramp (up/down),
sin (x)/x, Gaussian, half sine, white noise
8192 samples
125 MS/s
BNC, 50 W
12 bits
±250 mV to ±2 V
±1 V
±2.5 V
External trigger
Threshold
Resolution
Input characteristics
Bandwidth
Overload protection
Variable up to ±20 V
9.8 mV
BNC, 1 MW
150 MHz
±100 V
Auxiliary input/output
Input impedance
Output impedance
Output level
Input voltage range
Input threshold
100 kW
600 W
0 V (low), 3.3 V (high)
0 V to 10 V
1.65 V (nominal)
Operating environment
Temperature range
Humidity
0°C to 40°C for normal operation
20°C to 30°C for quoted accuracy
5% to 80% RH, non-condensing
Storage environment
Temperature range
Humidity
-20°C to +60°C
5% to 95% RH, non-condensing
PC connection
USB 2.0
Compatible with USB 1.1
Power supply
Protection
AC adaptor
6 V ± 5% @ 2.5 A max.
Auto shutdown on excess or reverse voltage
Universal adaptor supplied
Dimensions
170 mm x 255 mm x 40 mm
(6.7" x 10.0" x 1.6")
Weight
0.9 kg (31.7 oz)
Compliance
European EMC and LVD standards
FCC Rules Part 15 Class A
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4Programming with the PicoScope 5000 Series
The ps5000.dll dynamic link library in your PicoScope installation directory allows
you to program a PicoScope 5000 Series oscilloscope using standard C function
calls.
A typical program for capturing data consists of the following steps:
Open the scope unit.
Set up the input channels with the required voltage ranges and coupling mode
.
Set up triggering .
Set up ETS , if required.
Start capturing data. (See Sampling modes , where programming is discussed in
more detail.)
Wait until the scope unit is ready.
Stop capturing data.
Copy data to a buffer.
Close the scope unit.
Numerous sample programs are installed with your PicoScope software. These
show how to use the functions of the driver software in each of the modes available.
4.1 Driver
Your application will communicate with a PicoScope 5000 API driver called
ps5000.dll. The driver exports the PicoScope 5000 function definitions in
standard C format, but this does not limit you to programming in C. You can use the
API with any programming language that supports standard C calls.
The API driver depends on a kernel driver, picopp.sys, which works with Windows
XP SP2 and Vista. Your application does not need to call the kernel driver. Once you
have installed the PicoScope 6 software, Windows automatically installs the kernel
driver when you plug in the PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscope for the first
time.
4.2 System requirements
General requirements
See System Requirements.
USB
The PicoScope 5000 driver offers three different methods of recording data, all of
which support both USB 1.1 and USB 2.0, although the fastest transfer rates are
achieved between the PC and the PicoScope 5000 using USB 2.0.
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4.3 Voltage ranges
You can set a device input channel to any voltage range from ±100 mV to ±20 V with
the ps5000SetChannel function. Each sample is scaled from 8 bits to 16 bits, so
that the values returned to your application are as follows:
Constant
Voltage
Value returned
decimal
hex
PS5000_LOST_DATA
N/A
-32768*
8000*
PS5000_MIN_VALUE
minimum
-32512
8100
N/A
zero
0
0000
PS5000_MAX_VALUE
maximum
32512
7F00
* In streaming mode, this special value indicates a buffer overrun.
4.4 Channel selection
You can switch each channel on and off, and set its coupling mode to either AC or DC,
using the ps5000SetChannel function.
DC coupling:
The scope accepts all input frequencies from zero (DC) up to its
maximum analogue bandwidth.
AC coupling:
The scope accepts input frequencies from a few hertz up to its
maximum analogue bandwidth. The lower -3 dB cutoff frequency
is about 1 hertz.
4.5 Triggering
PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscopes can either start collecting data immediately,
or be programmed to wait for a trigger event to occur. In both cases you need to use
the PicoScope 5000 trigger functions [1] [2] [3] . A trigger event can occur when
one of the signal or trigger input channels crosses a threshold voltage on either a
rising or a falling edge.
The driver supports these triggering methods:
Block
mode
ETS
mode
Streaming
mode
Simple Edge
P
P
P
Advanced Edge
P
P
Windowing
P
P
Pulse width
P
P
Logic
P
P
Delay
P
P
Drop-out
P
P
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4.6 Sampling modes
PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscopes can run in numerous different sampling
modes.
Block mode. In this mode, the scope stores data in internal RAM and then
transfers it to the PC. When the data has been collected it is possible to examine
the data, with an optional aggregation factor. The data is lost when a new run
is started in the same segment , the settings are changed, or the scope is
powered down.
Rapid block mode. This is a variant of block mode that allows you to capture
more than one waveform at a time with a minimum of delay between captures.
You can use aggregation in this mode if you wish.
ETS. This mode is similar to block mode, but allows you to achieve higher time
resolution by combining data captured in different cycles of a repetitive signal.
Aggregation and oversampling are not possible in this mode.
Streaming mode. In this mode, data is passed directly to the PC without
being stored in the scope's internal RAM. This enables long periods of slow data
collection for chart recorder and data-logging applications. Streaming mode
provides fast streaming at up to 13.33 MS/s (75 ns per sample). Aggregation and
triggering are supported in this mode.
In all sampling modes, the driver returns data asynchronously using a callback.
This is a call to one of the functions in your own application. When you request data
from the scope, you pass to the driver a pointer to your callback function. When the
driver has written the data to your buffer, it makes a callback (calls your function) to
signal that the data is ready. The callback function then signals to the application that
the data is available.
Because the callback is called asynchronously from the rest of your application, in a
separate thread, you must ensure that it does not corrupt any global variables while it
runs.
4.6.1 Block mode
In block mode, the computer prompts a PicoScope 5000 series PC Oscilloscope to
collect a block of data into its internal memory. When the oscilloscope has collected
the whole block, it signals that it is ready and then transfers the whole block to the
computer's memory through the USB port.
Block size. The maximum number of values depends upon the size of the
oscilloscope's memory. The memory buffer is shared between the enabled
channels, so if two channels are enabled, each receives half the memory. These
features are handled transparently by the driver.
Sampling rate. A PicoScope 5000 Series PC Oscilloscope can sample at a number
of different rates according to the selected timebase. If only one channel is
enabled, it can use the A-to-D converter of the disabled channel to double its
sampling rate.
Setup time. The driver normally performs a number of setup operations, which
can take up to 50 milliseconds, before collecting each block of data. If you need to
collect data with the minimum time interval between blocks, avoid calling setup
functions between calls to ps5000RunBlock , ps5000Stop and
ps5000GetValues .
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Programming with the PicoScope 5000 Series 15
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Aggregation. When the data has been collected, you can set an optional
aggregation factor and examine the data. Aggregation is a process that reduces
the amount of data by combining adjacent samples using a maximum/minimum
algorithm. It is useful for zooming in and out of the data without having to
repeatedly transfer the entire contents of the scope's buffer to the PC.
Memory segmentation. The scope's internal memory can be divided into
segments so that you can capture several waveforms in succession. Configure this
behaviour using ps5000MemorySegments.
Data retention. The data is lost when a new run is started in the same segment
or the scope is powered down.
See Using block mode for programming details.
4.6.1.1 Using block mode
This is the general procedure for reading and displaying data in block mode
(including ETS mode ), using a single memory segment:
1. Open the oscilloscope using ps5000OpenUnit.
2. Select channel ranges and AC/DC coupling using ps5000SetChannel.
3. Using ps5000GetTimebase , select timebases until the required nanoseconds
per sample is located.
4. If you require ETS mode, set it up using ps5000SetEts .
5. If you are using ETS mode, allocate timing information buffers and tell the driver
about them using ps5000SetEtsTimeBuffer.
6. Use the trigger setup functions [1] [2] [3] to set up the trigger if required.
7. If required, set the signal generator using ps5000SetSigGen.
8. Start the oscilloscope running using ps5000RunBlock.
9. Wait until the oscilloscope is ready using the ps5000BlockReady callback.
10. Use ps5000SetDataBuffer to tell the driver where your memory buffer is.
11. Transfer the block of data from the oscilloscope using ps5000GetValues.
12. Display the data.
13. Repeat steps 8 to 12.
14. Stop the oscilloscope using ps5000Stop .
15. Request new views of stored data using different aggregation parameters: see
Retrieving stored data.
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PicoScope 5000 Series User's Guide16
Copyright © 2006-2007 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved.ps5000.en
4.6.2 Rapid block mode
In normal block mode, the PicoScope 5000 series scopes collect one waveform at a
time. You start the the device running, wait until all samples are collected by the
device, and then download the data to the PC or start another run. There is a time
overhead of tens of milliseconds associated with starting a run, causing a gap
between waveforms. When you collect data from the device, there is another
minimum time overhead which is most noticeable when using a small number of
samples.
Rapid block mode allows you to sample several waveforms at a time with the
minimum time between waveforms. It reduces the gap from milliseconds to
approximately 600 microseconds.
See Using rapid block mode for details.
4.6.2.1 Using rapid block mode
You can use rapid block mode with or without aggregation. The following
procedure shows you how to use it without aggregation.
Without aggregation
1. Open the oscilloscope using ps5000OpenUnit.
2. Select channel ranges and AC/DC coupling using ps5000SetChannel.
3. Using ps5000GetTimebase , select timebases until the required nanoseconds
per sample is located.
4. Use the trigger setup functions [1] [2] [3] to set up the trigger if required.
5. If required, set the signal generator using ps5000SetSigGen.
6. Set the number of memory segments, equal to or greater than the number of
captures required, using ps5000SetNoOfCaptures.
7. Start the oscilloscope running using ps5000RunBlock.
8. Wait until the oscilloscope is ready using the ps5000BlockReady callback.
9. Use ps5000SetDataBufferBulk to tell the driver where your memory buffers
are.
10. Transfer the blocks of data from the oscilloscope using ps5000GetValuesBulk.
11. Retrieve the time offset for each data segment using
ps5000GetValuesTriggerTimeOffsetBulk64.
12. Display the data.
13. Repeat steps 7 to 12 if necessary.
14. Stop the oscilloscope using ps5000Stop .
With aggregation
To use rapid block mode with aggregation, follow steps 1 to 10 above and then
proceed as follows:
11a. Call ps5000SetDataBuffers to set up one pair of buffers for every waveform
segment required.
12a. Call ps5000GetValues for each pair of buffers.
13a. Retrieve the time offset for each data segment using
ps5000GetTriggerTimeOffset64.
Continue from step 14 in the procedure for capturing data without aggregation.
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