For Vehicle Manufacturers

Image of 4 channel oscilloscope

Solutions for vehicle manufacturers and designers

Pico Technology is the market leader in PC-based oscilloscopes and dataloggers: our award-winning PicoScopes are used by more than 20 of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers to improve quality and reduce cost.

With PicoScopes you can get an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, NVH analyzer, or even a tester for engine compression and the battery/starter/charging system. We have a long history of adding new features through free software upgrades, so your PicoScope just keeps getting better.

Pico Technology can give you solutions for Internal Combustion Engines, Hybrid Technology and Electric Vehicle systems (and PicoScopes are used for diagnostics on all these vehicles).

The following four sections give further information on how our market leading products can benefit your business:

Fix it right first time with PicoScope

PicoScope products are designed to save you, and your customers, money by improving both the accuracy and efficiency of fault diagnosis. PicoScope complements serial diagnostics as an essential part of improving customer satisfaction. Using PicoScope to verify problems and repairs ensures that you fix it right first time, reducing warranty claims.

With built-in help and preconfigured Guided Tests, PicoScope is easy to use and a seamless part of your diagnostic process. PicoScope shows your technicians what is actually happening, building improved understanding and diagnostic skills.

PC-based PicoScope allows your technical hotline to instantly investigate any vehicle that comes in for repair or service. Combined with the serial decoding features, complex CAN problems can be diagnosed on any car in the field by HQ staff using PicoScope, improving your responsiveness, accuracy and efficiency.

PicoScope covers electrical and electronic systems, and can also reveal mechanical problems, and measure fluid pressures and temperatures. We also provide a market-leading Noise, Vibration & Harshness solution for service technicians to reduce warranty and resolve customer complaints in this area.

VM software

Custom software for manufacturers

PicoScope offers a range of customizations to ensure that you have the most appropriate solution for your network. Corporate colors and branding, kit contents, special interfaces to protect legacy investment and combined test solutions including third-party accessories and equipment are all part of the service from Pico.

We have the in-house engineering capability to handle system integration, and PicoScopes are included as part of complete diagnostic systems.

Aftersales support

Our commitment to you doesn’t end with the design and deployment of your customized diagnostic kit: we will provide full aftersales support to ensure you get the maximum benefit from your Pico automotive diagnostic solution. Our standard 2-year warranty can be extended to fit your program, and we already work with a range of VM distribution and support partners worldwide.

Existing customers

To access to your customized software, please log in to Pico OEM >>.

WPS 600 pressure transducer

Hydraulic and mechanical issues

PicoScope is not just for diagnosis of electrical signals; hydraulic, mechanical, vibration, noise, timing, battery, charging and starting problems are all covered by our comprehensive range of hardware and software solutions. From ensuring the synchronization of hydraulic clutch shifts to valve and PTO checks, and interface with flow meters, PicoScope forms the heart of an integrated diagnostic solution suitable for use in the field.

More information on our Hydraulic pressure kits >>

PicoDiagnostics NVH kit

Noise, vibration and harshness

The PicoDiagnostics NVH Kit from Pico Technology is the cost-effective answer to the many NVH problems facing technicians today. It provides real-time diagnosis to the technician in the form of a simple bar graph, frequency chart, 3D frequency chart, RPM order or road speed view. The ability to start the recording before a road test, and play back the recording for analysis on your return, ensures that driver attention remains on the road. Saving the recordings couldn’t be simpler: much like our other automotive software you simply save the file to your laptop’s hard drive. With a host of advanced features, comprehensive testing is translated into information and guidance designed for service technicians.

Pico 700 V differential probe

High-voltage testing

If you are mainly working on Internal Combustion and Hybrid systems, then the PicoScope 4425A is the ideal choice for you. This can be combined with one of our isolated, differential probes for those times when you need to test higher voltage systems.

 

If you are a vehicle manufacturer and are looking for a dedicated Safety Tester then please contact us directly as we are not offering those systems for the general market.

Automotive oscilloscope kits

For any engineers working on the design of electronic systems, one of the standard automotive oscilloscope kits is ideal. These kits can be expanded to measure NVH, perform shaft balancing or test pressure. As standard they can decode the following serial protocols:

  • CAN bus 
  • LIN bus
  • FlexRay
  • SENT

There are obvious advantages to using the same tools to help develop vehicles as the dealer network uses to diagnose and repair. Many vehicle manufacturers have taken advantage of this and especially in the early days of a new model's introduction the ability to send waveforms and data back from the field has proved invaluable.

More information on Automotive Oscilloscope kits >>

Flexible resolution PS7 image

Full range of PicoScope oscilloscopes

As well as automotive oscilloscopes, Pico manufacture a wide range of PC oscilloscopes to suit the most demanding applications. These are less suited for general diagnostic work and more to specialist R&D. Models are available with the following characteristics:

  • Bandwidths up to 30 GHz for RF measurements
  • TDR / TDT options for connector & loom characterization
  • Optical inputs
  • Resolutions to 16 bits for audio and NVH testing
  • Memory depths to 2 GS for long captures at high speeds
  • Up to 8 analog channels and 16 digital channels

More information on PicoScope Oscilloscopes >>

PicoLog data loggers

PicoLog data loggers are suited to multichannel measurement of voltage, current, pressure, acceleration, temperature and other quantities. Multiple units can be used on the same PC allowing a “mix and match” of different sensor types. Models are available with:

  • Thermocouple temperature inputs for wide temperature ranges (exhaust headers, turbos)
  • PT-100 temperature inputs for accurate temperature measurements (cabin, calibration)
  • High-speed voltage input with up to 16 channels
  • High resolution (24-bit) and accuracy
  • Current measurement and logging

More information on PicoLog Data loggers >>