PicoScope (software)

For series of oscilloscopes, see Pico Technology.
PicoScope
Developer(s)Pico Technology
Stable release
6.14.10 / November 2019; 5 years ago (2019-11)
Written inC++, Microsoft .NET
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS X, Ubuntu, Debian
PlatformPC, BeagleBone Black, Raspberry Pi
LicenseProprietary EULA

PicoScope is computer software for real-time signal acquisition of Pico Technology oscilloscopes.[1][2][3] PicoScope is supported on Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Debian and Ubuntu platforms.[1][4][5] PicoScope is primarily used to view and analyze real-time signals from PicoScope oscilloscopes and data loggers.[1][5] PicoScope software enables analysis using FFT, a spectrum analyser, voltage-based triggers, and the ability to save/load waveforms to disk.[1][5] PicoScope is compatible with parallel port oscilloscopes and the newer USB oscilloscopes.

The software has been described as "very good for laptops" and can be used with desktop or laptop PCs.[2] The Linux version has been described as "lightyears ahead [of] Qpicoscope and other attempts at Linux scope software" and "well capable of replacing a professional benchtop scope".[6] Beta versions of the software also work on the ARM-based BeagleBone Black and Raspberry Pi development hardware.[7]

PicoScope software requires a USB or LPT oscilloscope from the PicoScope range developed by Pico Technology.[5] Such oscilloscopes are available with bandwidths up to 1 GHz, up to four input channels, hardware vertical resolutions up to 16 bits, sampling rates up to 5 GS/s, buffer sizes up to 2 GS, and built-in signal generators.[5] Other features available on some models include flexible hardware resolution, switchable bandwidth limiters, switchable high-impedance and 50 ohm inputs, and differential inputs.[5]

PicoScope for Linux won the EDN Hot 100 Products of 2014 award, under the Test & Measurement category, for "converting a Linux PC into an oscilloscope, FFT spectrum analyser and measuring device".[8]

  1. ^ a b c d "5Gsample/s PC scope offers 500MHz bandwidth on four channels". Electronics Weekly.
  2. ^ a b "Scopes for a grand". Electronics Weekly.
  3. ^ Pico Oscilloscopes, Pico Technology
  4. ^ "Embedded World: PicoScope gets Linux software". Electronics Weekly.
  5. ^ a b c d e f A USB scope for Linux fans, EDN Magazine, Christoph Hammerschmidt -February 19, 2014
  6. ^ Picoscope Beta for Linux, Code and Life, Joonas Pihlajamaa, January 19, 2014
  7. ^ "USB scopes work with BeagleBone Black and Raspberry Pi". Electronics Weekly.
  8. ^ EDN Hot 100 products of 2014: Test & Measurement, EDN Staff -November 17, 2014