Glossary
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Copyright 2005-6 Pico Technology Limited. All rights reserved.
PS2000044-1.1
oscilloscope, spectrum analyser, and meter display.
Real time continuous mode
A sampling mode in which the software repeatedly requests single samples from the
oscilloscope. This mode is suitable for low sampling rates when you require the latest
sample to be displayed as soon as it is captured.
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 suitable when the input signal being
sampled contains only low frequencies.
Timebase
The timebase controls the time interval that the width of the scope display represents. If
you select Timebase is time per division in the Preferences dialog box in the
PicoScope application, it works like a traditional bench top scope. There are ten divisions
across the screen, so the total time interval is ten times the timebase.
USB 1.1
Universal Serial Bus (Full Speed). This is a standard port that enables you to connect
external devices to PCs. A typical USB 1.1 port supports a data transfer rate of 12 Mbps
(12 megabits per second), and is much faster than a serial port.
USB 2.0
Universal Serial Bus (High Speed). This is a standard port that enables you to connect
external devices to PCs. A typical USB 2.0 port supports a data transfer rate that is 40
times faster than that supported by USB 1.1. An additional feature of USB 2.0 is that it is
backwards compatible with USB 1.1.
Vertical resolution
A value, in bits, related to the number of distinct input voltage levels that the oscilloscope
can convert to digital values. Calculation techniques can improve the effective resolution.
Voltage range
The range of input voltages that the oscilloscope will measure in a given mode.
