pico Technology PicoScope 3425 User Manual Download Page 61

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Glossary

ps3425.en

Differential overflow. Occurs when the difference between the positive and
negative inputs on one channel exceeds the selected measuring range. The result is
an inaccurate measurement. PicoScope 6 shows a

warning indicator

when this

happens.

Differential voltage limit. The differential voltage (the voltage difference between
the positive and negative inputs on one channel) must not exceed this limit, or the
oscilloscope may be permanently damaged.

Maximum sampling rate. A figure indicating the maximum number of samples the
oscilloscope is capable of acquiring per second. Maximum sample rates are given in
MS/s (megasamples per second). The higher the sampling capability of the
oscilloscope, the more accurate the representation of the high frequencies in a fast
signal.

Overview buffer. A buffer in which the PicoScope 3000 Series driver temporarily
stores data on its way from the scope device to the application's buffer.

PC Oscilloscope. A measuring instrument consisting of a Pico Technology scope
device and the PicoScope software. It provides all the functions of a bench-top
oscilloscope without the cost of a display, hard disk, network adapter and other
components that your PC already has.

PicoScope 3000 Series. A PC Oscilloscope range comprising the PicoScope 3204,
3205, 3206 general-purpose scopes, the PicoScope 3223 and 3423 automotive
scopes, the PicoScope 3224 and 3424 high-resolution scopes and the 3425 differential
scope.

PicoScope software. This is a software product that accompanies all our
oscilloscopes. It turns your PC into an oscilloscope, spectrum analyser, and meter
display.

Signal generator. This is a feature on an oscilloscope which allows a signal to be
generated without an external input device being present. The signal generator output
is the BNC socket marked E on the oscilloscope. If you connect a BNC cable between
this, and one of the channel inputs, you can send a signal down one of the channels.
On some units, the signal generator can generate a simple TTL square wave, while on
others it can generate a sine, square or triangle wave that can be swept back and
forth. Consult the

specifications

for further details.

Note: The signal generator output is physically the same as the external trigger input,
so these two functions cannot be used at the same time. It is possible, however, to
use the output from the signal generator as a trigger.

Spectrum analyser. An instrument that measures the energy content of a signal in
each of a large number of frequency bands. It displays the result as a graph of
energy (on the vertical axis) against frequency (on the horizontal axis). The
PicoScope software includes a spectrum analyser.

Streaming mode. A sampling mode in which the oscilloscope samples data and
returns it to the computer in an unbroken stream. This mode of operation is effective
when the input signal being sampled contains only low frequencies.

Timebase. The timebase controls the time interval across the scope display. There
are ten divisions across the screen and the timebase is specified in units of time per
division, so the total time interval is ten times the timebase.