Introducing Waveform Overlays
It is now possible to see multiple scope or spectrum traces overlaid using controls within the PicoScope Waveform Navigator panel. With waveforms overlaid, anomalies and changes over time are easy to visualize in a single view
- Click on the Waveform navigator button to reveal the relevant control panel
- Ensure the Max. waveform counter is configured to accept multiple waveforms. In the example below, we are set to 36: Point 4 (Note: the actual number of waveforms will depend on how many samples are collected in each waveform)
- Turn on the Overlay feature; Point 5
- Select the Lower and Upper limits of waveforms to overlay (Point 6). In the example below, I have requested to overlay waveforms 35 & 36 from a total of 36 waveforms within the navigator
To demonstrate the power of the Overlay feature, below we opt to view waveform 35 alone and mark the position of the rising edge on channel B with a time ruler at 3.823 ms
Below, we repeat the above process but with waveform 36 and place our time ruler at 3.345 ms. Note the clarity of using the Overlay feature in the first image as opposed to viewing each waveform individually
Taking this a step further, let us reset the waveform lower limit to 1 and upper limit to 36 to overlay all waveforms in the navigator
I hope we can agree that the Overlay feature will add a new dimension to post-capture analysis when looking for phase shift or jitter
Feedback on the design and function of the Overlay feature would be most welcome. Click on More… > Help and support > Send Feedback within the software
New Default setup button
A new tool button, which resets PS7 to default/factory settings, has been added to the tool panel
- Click on More… in the left-hand tool panel to reveal the Default setup button. Note: Clicking on the Star symbol to the left of the Default setup button will place the Default setup feature in the left-hand tool panel, where it will remain ready for use without having to select More…
- Clicking on the Default setup button will revert PicoScope 7 to factory settings, which for Automotive software is Channels A and B at +- 20 V, with a Time settings of 20 ms/div at a sample rate of 1 MS/s (see image below)
Note: Default setup differs from Reset configuration, which allows you to configure bespoke start-up settings by saving your personalized configuration via the User default pssettings option (See image below)
In addition, Reset configuration can also be configured to return Factory settings (as per the Default setup) or Last Session settings via the Preferences tab within the Settings menu
Feedback on the design and function of the Default setup feature would be most welcome. Click on More… > Help and support > Send Feedback within the software
Marine added to the Vehicle Type field
Given the ever-expanding applications for PicoScope, we have now added Marine to the Vehicle Type field of the Save dialog
Measurement indicators
Measurement indicators show where on the graph a measurement was taken. They are available for certain scope-mode measurements only at this stage.
Following on from the introduction of our measurement indicators here https://www.picoauto.com/support/viewtopic.php?p=106217#p106217 and https://www.picoauto.com/support/viewtopic.php?p=106383#p106383.
Below, we have applied a Falling edge count measurement (between the time rulers) with indicators, where each falling edge is clearly marked to qualify the final edge count of 58
Below, we have added more measurements (between the time rulers) where the Measurement indicators can be displayed by clicking on each respective measurement button
Note: Measurement indicators can now be applied to Pulse Width, Rise/Fall Time and Rise/Fall Rate. Please be aware that only one Measurement indicator is visible at any given time
For more information on measurement lozenges, click on the link below
https://www.picotech.com/library/knowledgebases/oscilloscopes/measurement-indicators
Feedback on the design and function of the Measurement indicators feature would be most welcome. Click on More… > Help and support > Send Feedback within the software
Serial decoder advanced filter displayed in graph view
Following on from our Advanced serial decoding filtering feature here
https://www.picoauto.com/support/viewtopic.php?p=106080#p106080 an additional graph adornment for the applied Advanced filter is displayed accordingly
Below we have applied a filter to the decoder table for ID Contains: 1F5 followed by an Advanced filter of Data: Index of: 0-1. Note, the graph adornment for the serial decoder is updated to highlight the locations of the Advanced filter (Index of: 0-1), revealing byte 1 in the Data fields
Feedback on the design and function of the Serial decoder filter features would be most welcome. Click on More… > Help and support > Send Feedback within the software
Improvements to Actions with Measurements and Masks
Actions can now be set up to activate when a measurement pass/fail limit occurs for a specific measurement or across all added measurements. In addition, Actions can be activated for individual Masks or for all added Masks.
Below, we have added a Minimum measurement to channel A (between the time rulers), activated a Lower limit (less than) 1 V and selected Action on failure
Within the Actions control panel below, we have added an Action to Stop capture when the Event Measurement limit failure identifies a drop in voltage below 1 V (between the time rulers).
Below, we can see the voltage has dropped below 1 V, but not between the time rulers and so our measurement Action does not activate the Stop Capture
Note below how the voltage dropped below 1 V (between the time rulers), at which point the capture was stopped by our configured Action. Note also how the measurement button’s numerical value is displayed in red to indicate the voltage has dropped below the desired 1 V lower limit to 985 mV
Below, we have left the Measurement lower limit of 1 V (between time rulers) in place, but added a Mask to channel A
The Action Event has now changed to Mask failure on Channel A, with the Action being Stop Capture and Play Sound (Explosion).
Note that the measurement button’s numerical value is displayed in red to indicate the voltage has dropped below the desired 1 V lower limit to 950 mV
Feedback on the design and function of the Measurement limit feature would be most welcome. Click on More… > Help and support > Send Feedback within the software
Fine-adjust feature for numerical entries
Following the example above, when entering measurement limits, we now have several features to enable rapid entry of numerical values
Below, we have opted to change the lower measurement limit to a more precise value of 985 mV
To enter 985 mV, we have several options, which are revealed by clicking on the i button within the Calculator dialog
Option 1. Type the desired value
Option 2. Use the +/- buttons included in the value entry field
Option 3. Use the mouse scroll wheel or the keyboard Up/Down arrows to adjust the value (Coarse adjustments)
Option 4. Hold the Shift key while using the +/- buttons, mouse wheel or keyboard arrows (Fine adjustments)
The above options are available for any numerical entries utilizing the Calculator dialog
Note: the Shift key option is for Windows only; Mac and Linux coming soon.
Feedback on the design and function of the Calculator dialog entry features would be most welcome. Click on More… > Help and support > Send Feedback within the software
The conversation doesn’t stop here! We’d love for you to join us on the forum to discuss this article, see what other users are saying, and catch all the updates. Click here to jump in: https://www.picoauto.com/support/viewtopic.php?p=106543#p106543