Our software team has been hard at work enhancing PicoScope 7, delivering updates that make diagnostics faster, smarter, and more efficient. The features listed below are in the latest Early Access 7.1.46 software version:
Extended Timebases for Quiescent Current Testing
Measuring quiescent current—the current a circuit draws in standby or hibernation—is becoming increasingly important for modern vehicles. With their growing complexity and ECUs that can hibernate and wake up at will, diagnosing excessive quiescent current is critical to avoiding battery drain and ensuring reliable operation. Excessive current draw can fully deplete a battery, leaving a vehicle inoperable, but the issue often takes hours or even a full day to appear, making it challenging to identify and resolve. To address this, we’ve added two new extended timebases to PicoScope: 10,000 s/div and 20,000 s/div. These allow for total measurement durations of approximately 28 and 56 hours, respectively. This ensures PicoScope remains the ideal tool for monitoring quiescent current over long periods, helping you diagnose and resolve these complex issues with precision and confidence.
Setup Wizard Enhancements
The Setup Wizard has been further refined to improve flexibility and usability. It now reflects any custom channel labels added or updated outside the wizard, ensuring your personalized settings are preserved and reusable across different channels. You can also toggle channels on or off directly within the wizard, streamlining your workflow and eliminating interruptions during test setup.
New Guided Tests
We continue to expand our library of Guided Tests to support both internal combustion and electric vehicles. Recent additions include Bosch LSU 4.2 and 4.9 oxygen sensor tests, Motor Winding Current Phasing, and the Renault Zoe 12V Pulse Box. We’ve also introduced a 10BASE-T1S serial decoding test to further enhance communications diagnostics. Keep your software updated to access even more Guided Tests as they’re released.
Expanded Math Functions
We’ve added new math functions to Math Channels, including High and Low Pulse Width, Rise/Fall Time, and Rise/Fall Rate. These new tools, combined with improved underlying algorithms, enhance reliability and accuracy, giving you greater confidence in your diagnostic decisions.
Channel Options Panel Improvements
The Channel Options panel, one of the most-used features in PicoScope 7, has received several updates. A colored bar now identifies the active channel, making it easier to navigate between settings. Additionally, you can now choose how the panel interacts with the scope trace—either overlaying it or squeezing the waveform to the side—offering greater control over your workspace.
Refined PicoBNC+ Connectivity
We’ve made several improvements to PicoBNC+ connectivity for a more seamless plug-and-play experience. Bandwidth limits and scaling settings are now retained when loading files or connecting probes. The TA398 Coil-on-Plug and Signal Probe now supports a maximum input range of 10V, broadening its diagnostic applications. Finally, the Connect Device dialog automatically updates when new devices are connected, eliminating the need to refresh the list manually.
Improved Trigger and Sample Settings
Trigger icons in the Triggers options panel now dynamically reflect the selected trigger direction, providing instant visual clarity. Additionally, the exact sample rate and interval are displayed in the Timebase options panel, with a rounded sample rate shown in the top toolbar for quick reference.
Enhanced Waveform Analysis
We’ve added new input device controls to make waveform analysis even easier. You can now zoom horizontally using your mouse wheel or trackpad, and independently enable or disable each channel’s rulers from the Rulers options panel to reduce visual clutter and focus on what matters most.
Batch File Conversion
For advanced analysis in tools like Excel, MATLAB, or Python, you can now use our new command- line batch converter to quickly convert psdata files to CSV, text, or MATLAB formats. This makes it easier than ever to integrate your captured data into third-party software.
These updates demonstrate our ongoing commitment to improving PicoScope 7 and supporting you in diagnosing even the most complex vehicle issues. Download the latest version of PicoScope 7 Automotive today at picoauto.com/downloads