PICO PicoScope 4224 User manual

Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights reserved.
PicoScope 4000 Series
User's Guide
ps4000.en-2
PC Oscilloscopes

IPicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rve d. ps4000.en
Contents
.....................................................................................................................................11 Welcome
.....................................................................................................................................22 Introduction
...........................................................................................................................................2
1 Safety symbols
...........................................................................................................................................2
2 Safety warning
...........................................................................................................................................3
3 FCC notice
...........................................................................................................................................3
4 CE notice
...........................................................................................................................................4
5 Software licence conditions
...........................................................................................................................................4
6 Trademarks
...........................................................................................................................................5
7 Warranty
...........................................................................................................................................5
8 Company details
.....................................................................................................................................63 Product information
...........................................................................................................................................6
1 What do I g et?
...........................................................................................................................................6
2 System requirements
...........................................................................................................................................7
3 Installation instructions
...........................................................................................................................................8
4 Connections
...........................................................................................................................................9
5 Specifications
.....................................................................................................................................114 Programming with the PicoScope 4000 Series
.....................................................................................................................................125 Glossary
..............................................................................................................................................15
Index

PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide 1
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rve d. ps4000.en
1 Welcome
Thank you for buying a Pico Technology product!
The PicoScope 4000 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 4000 Series PC
Oscilloscope:
Portability: Take the unit with you and plug it in to any Windows PC.
Performance: 12-bit resolution, large buffer with up to 32 M samples, fast USB 2.0
interface.
Flexibility: Use it as an oscilloscope, spectrum analyser or high-speed data
acquisition interface.
Programmability: The PicoScope 4000 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 4000 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.

Introduction2
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2 Introduction
2.1 Safety symbols
The following symbols appear on the top cover of the PicoScope 4000 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.
2.2 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. Do not exceed the "Overvoltage protection" range stated in
the Specifications table for your model of oscilloscope. 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 (line)
voltages. To measure mains, use a differential isolating probe specifically rated for
mains use.
Safety grounding. PicoScope 4000 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.

PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide 3
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved. ps4000.en
2.3 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.
2.4 CE notice
The PicoScope 4000 Series PC Oscilloscopes meet the intent of the EMC directive
89/336/EEC and have been designed to EN61326-1 (2006) Class A Emissions and
Immunity standard.
PicoScope 4000 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 for measurement, control,
and laboratory use standard.

Introduction4
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2.5 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 Ltd. claims the copyright of, and retains the rights to, all
material (software, documents etc.) contained in this release. You may copy and
distribute the PicoScope and PicoLog software and drivers with no modifications,
additions or omissions. You may copy and modify the SDK example programs.
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.
Viruses. This software was continuously monitored for viruses during production, but
you are responsible for virus-checking the software once it is installed.
Support. If you are dissatisfied with the performance of this software, please contact
our technical support staff, who will try to fix the problem within a reasonable time. If
you are still dissatisfied, please return the product and software to your supplier within
14 days of purchase for a full refund.
Upgrades. We provide upgrades, free of charge, from our web site at www.picotech.
com. We reserve the right to charge for updates or replacements sent out on physical
media.
2.6 Trademarks
Windows is a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the USA
and other countries.
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 4000 Series User's Guide 5
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved. ps4000.en
2.7 Warranty
Pico Technology warrants upon delivery, and for a period of 5 years 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.
2.8 Company details
Address:
Pico Technology
James House
Colmworth Business Park
St Neots
Cambridgeshire
PE19 8YP
United Kingdom
Phone:
[phone]
Fax:
[phone]
Email:
Technical Support:
[e-mail]
Sales:
[e-mail]
Web site:
www.picotech.com

Product information6
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved.ps4000.en
3 Product information
3.1 What do I get?
Your PicoScope 4000 Series PC Oscilloscope kit or product pack contains the following
items:
Part
Kit Order Code, PP...
Description
478
479
492
493
671
672
PP492
1
1
PicoScope 4224 20 MHz 2-channel
oscilloscope
PP493
1
1
PicoScope 4424 20 MHz 4-channel
oscilloscope
1
PicoScope 4226 50 MHz 2-channel
oscilloscope
1
PicoScope 4227 100 MHz 2-channel
oscilloscope
MI007
2
4
2
x1/x10 60 MHz oscilloscope probes
MI103
2
x1/x10 250 MHz oscilloscope probes
MI106
1
1
1
1
1
1
USB 2.0 cable
DI025
1
1
1
1
1
1
Software and reference CD
DO115
1
1
1
1
1
1
USB Oscilloscope Installation Guide
MI144
1
1
1
1
Carry case
3.2 System requirements
To ensure that your PicoScope 4000 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, Windows Vista or Windows 7
(32-bit or 64-bit)
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.

PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide 7
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved. ps4000.en
3.3 Installation instructions
IMPORTANT
Do not connect your PicoScope 4000 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 USB Oscilloscope Installation Guide included with your
product package.
Connect your PC Oscilloscope to the PC using the USB cable supplied.
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 4000 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 and Windows 7
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
4000 series PC Oscilloscope" message. The PC Oscilloscope is then ready for use.

Product information8
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved.ps4000.en
3.4 Connections
Standard oscilloscope connectors
PicoScope 4000 Series PC Oscilloscopes have BNC oscilloscope connectors. The inputs
have an impedance of 1 M , so they are compatible with all standard scope probes
including x1, x10 and x1/x10 attenuated types.
Connector diagrams
Front panel
A. Input channel A
B. Input channel B
C. Input channel C
D. Input channel D
E. LED: shows when the
oscilloscope is sampling data
F. External trigger input
G. Function generator/arbitrary
waveform generator output
PicoScope 4224
PicoScope 4424
PicoScope 4226
PicoScope 4227
Rear panel
H. USB 2.0 port

PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide 9
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved. ps4000.en
3.5 Specifications
Oscilloscope model
PicoScope
4224
PicoScope
4424
PicoScope
4226
PicoScope
4227
Inputs
Number of channels
2
4
2
2
Analog bandwidth
DC to 20 MHz
(10 MHz on ±50 mV range)
DC to 50 MHz
DC to 100 MHz
Impedance (nominal)
BNC, 1 M || 22 pF
BNC, 1 M || 16 pF
Coupling
Software-selectable AC/DC
Voltage ranges
±50 mV, ±100 mV, ±200 mV,
±500 mV, ±1 V, ±2 V,
±5 V, ±10 V, ±20 V,
±50 V, ±100 V
±50 mV, ±100 mV, ±200 mV,
±500 mV, ±1 V, ±2 V,
±5 V, ±10 V, ±20 V
Overload protection
±200 V
±100 V
Vertical resolution
12 bits
Sampling
Time bases
(real-time sampling)
100 ns/div
to 200 s/div
100 ns/div
to 200 s/div
50 ns/div
to 200 s/div
Maximum sampling rate
(real-time sampling)
One channel in use
Two channels in use
3 or 4 channels in use
80 MS/s
80 MS/s
-
80 MS/s
80 MS/s [*1]
20 MS/s
125 MS/s
125 MS/s
-
250 MS/s
125 MS/s
-
Maximum sampling rate
(equivalent-time sampling
)
-
10 GS/s
Buffer size
32 MS shared between enabled channels
Performance specifications
Time base accuracy
50 ppm
Trigger re-arm time
1 µs on fastest time base
DC accuracy
1% of full scale
Trigger resolution
1 LSB
Function generator/Arbitrary waveform generator
Connector
-
BNC
Frequency range
1 MHz into 1 M || 16 pF
Resolution
12 bits
Buffer size
8192 samples
DAC sample rate
20 MS/s
Accuracy
1%
Output range
±250 mV to ±2 V
Output offset range
±1 V
Max. combined output
±2.5 V
Output resistance
600
Overload protection
±10 V

Product information10
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved.ps4000.en
Oscilloscope model
PicoScope
4224
PicoScope
4424
PicoScope
4226
PicoScope
4227
External trigger
Connector
-
BNC
Modes
Rising/falling edge
Bandwidth
100 MHz
Impedance
1 M || 20 pF
Voltage range
±20 V
Coupling
DC
Overload protection
±100 V
Digital trigger
Types
Edge, window, pulse, interval, dropout, runt, delayed
Environment
Operating environment
Temperature range
(for stated accuracy)
Humidity
0 °C to 45 °C
20 °C to 30 °C
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
5 V @ 0.5 A max. (from USB port)
Dimensions
200 mm x 140 mm x 38 mm
Weight
< 0.5 kg
Compliance
European EMC and LVD standards
RoHS and WEEE
FCC Rules Part 15 Class A
*1: 80 MS/s with channels A+C, A+D, B+C, B+D, 20 MS/s for other combinations.
*2: Tested on 1 V range.

PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide 11
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved. ps4000.en
4 Programming with the PicoScope 4000 Series
An Application Programming Interface (API) is supplied free of charge with the
PicoScope 4000 Series scopes. You can install it from the product CD (if you enable
this option in the installer) or by downloading it from our website at www.picotech.
com. The software includes a Programmer's Guide in PDF format.

Glossary12
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved.ps4000.en
5 Glossary
AC/DC switch. To switch between AC coupling and DC coupling, select AC or DC from
the control on the PicoScope toolbar. The AC setting filters out very low-frequency
components of the input signal, including DC, and is suitable for viewing small AC
signals superimposed on a DC or slowly changing offset. In this mode you can measure
the peak-to-peak amplitude of an AC signal but not its absolute value. Use the DC
setting for measuring the absolute value of a signal.
Analog bandwidth. The input frequency at which the measured signal amplitude is
3 decibels below the true signal amplitude.
Buffer size. The size of the oscilloscope buffer memory, measured in samples. The
buffer allows the oscilloscope to sample data at a fast sampling rate before transferring
the data to the computer at a slower rate. Once the buffer fills up, the scope must
stop sampling, so on longer time bases the buffer size places an upper limit on the
sampling rate that can be used.
Equivalent-time sampling (ETS). A specialised sampling mode that can be used to
increase the effective sampling rate of an oscilloscope as long as the signal is a stable,
repetitive waveform. A single sample is collected during one cycle of the waveform.
The scope then re-arms and re-triggers on another cycle of the waveform, and
collects another sample with a slight time offset relative to the previous one. Over a
large number of cycles, enough samples are collected to display a high-resolution
picture of the waveform. Also called sequential sampling.
GS/s. Gigasamples (billions of samples) per second.
Maximum sampling rate. A figure indicating the maximum number of samples the
oscilloscope can acquire per second. The higher the sampling rate of the oscilloscope,
the more accurate the representation of the high-frequency details in a fast signal.
"MS/s" is an abbreviation for megasamples (millions of samples) per second.
MS/s. Megasamples (millions of samples) per second.
Oversampling. The process of taking measurements more frequently than the
requested sample rate, and then combining them to produce the required number of
samples. If, as is usually the case, the signal contains a small amount of noise, this
technique can increase the effective vertical resolution of the oscilloscope.
PC Oscilloscope. A virtual instrument formed by connecting a PicoScope 4000 Series
oscilloscope to a computer running the PicoScope software.
PicoScope 4000 Series. Pico Technology's high-resolution PC Oscilloscopes.
PicoScope software. A program that accompanies all Pico PC Oscilloscopes. It turns
your PC into an oscilloscope, spectrum analyser and measuring instrument.
Real-time sampling. The normal operating mode of a digital oscilloscope. The scope
collects a single, unbroken sequence of samples at or below its maximum sampling rate.
Compare with equivalent-time sampling.
Time base. The time base controls the time intervals marked on the horizontal
divisions of the scope view. There are ten divisions across the scope view, so the total
time across the view is ten times the time base per division.

PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide 13
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved. ps4000.en
USB 1.1. Universal Serial Bus (Full Speed). This is a standard port used to connect
external devices to PCs. A typical USB 1.1 port supports a data transfer rate of 12
megabits per second, so is much faster than an RS232 COM port.
USB 2.0. Universal Serial Bus (Hi-Speed). This is a standard port used to connect
external devices to PCs. A typical USB 2.0 port supports a data transfer rate 40 times
faster than USB 1.1 when used with a USB 2.0 device, but can also be used with USB
1.1 devices.
Vertical resolution. A value, in bits, indicating the precision with which the
oscilloscope converts input voltages to digital values. Oversampling (see above) can
improve the effective vertical resolution.
Voltage range. The range of input voltages that the oscilloscope can measure. For
example, a voltage range of ±100 mV means that the oscilloscope can measure
voltages between -100 mV and +100 mV. Input voltages outside this range will not
damage the instrument as long as they remain within the protection limits stated in
the Specifications table.

PicoScope 4000 Series User's Guide 15
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved. ps4000.en
Index
A
Accuracy 9
Analog bandwidth 9
B
Bandwidth (analog) 9
BNC connector 8
Buffer size 9
C
Calibration 2
CE notice 3
Company information 5
Compliance 9
Connections 8
Contact details 5
D
Dimensions 9
Disk space 6
E
EMC Directive 3
F
FCC notice 3
G
Grounding 2
I
Input range, maximum 2, 9
Inputs 9
Installation 7
L
LED 8
Low Voltage Directive 3
M
Mains voltages 2
O
Operating environment 9
Operating system 6
Oscilloscope probe 8
Outputs 9
Overload protection 9
P
PC connection 9
Pico Technical Support 5
PicoScope 4000 Series 1
PicoScope software 7
Power supply 9
Processor 6
R
Repairs 2
Resolution, vertical 9
S
Safety
symbols 2
warning 2, 3
Sampling rate 9
Scope probe 8
Signal generator 9
Software licence conditions 4
Specifications 9
Storage environment 9
System memory 6
System requirements 6
T
Technical support 5
Test equipment 2
Trademarks 4
Trigger
bandwidth 9
external 9
U
USB 6
changing ports 7
V
Vertical resolution 9

Index16
Copyright © 2008-2010 Pico Technology Ltd. All rights rese rved.ps4000.en
Voltage ranges 9
W
Warranty 5
Weight 9
Windows, Microsoft 6