PicoScope 7 Automotive Software

[liviu2004]

I need some clarification with regards to Math Channels. Maybe a simple one, can't fully recall, but was the math channel for Crank not yet ready? As I cannot get the Next button to be enabled. Are there any other prerequisites to get that button good?

[ben.martins]

Hi liviu,

Thank you for the feedback. I've just tried the Crank math function on my PC with the latest version, 7.0.53.6389, and it all works as expected.

I'm sure you already have but can you make sure that you're on the latest build. I'm wondering if this is something to do with the regional settings of your computer. There was a similar thing with the delimiters in PS6 where the , wasn't used and so the math wouldn't complete. This might be something similar with PS7 in which case we would want to put that right.

Could I ask you to try some of the other formula such as Freq math but add in further detail. Maybe try lowpass(A,100) and if still no joy then try some other delimiter options such as ; : .

If the problem still exists could I ask you to submit feedback via the button in the software? This will come direct into Pico where we can pick it up and pass it on to the software teams.

Hopefully we can resolve this quickly for you.

[liviu2004]

It worked with ;
It never worked with , on any of the 7 beta versions I tried. On win7 and win10 pcs.
Thanks for letting me know the workaround.

[ben.martins]

Glad it worked. I will let the software team know about this though as it would be better that the math channels delimiters all worked the same no matter what region the user.

Thanks again for the support and the feedback.

Kind regards

Ben

[Steve Smith]

Thank you once again to the software teams for the following version of PicoScope 7 Automotive which can be downloaded here https://oem.picoauto.com/p7beta/download

PicoScope 7 version 7.0.55.6592 (Due 02/09/20)

Math Channel Scale and Offset controls
• Open or create a math channel as described in the forum post below viewtopic.php?p=100694#p100694
• Click on the opened or created math channel lozenge located above the left-hand tool panel
• Here you can now amend the vertical scale and offset of the chosen math channel

Image 1

• N.B If a channel included in the math channel is turned off, the math channel vertical scale and offset will become inactive.
For example, turning off channel A above, will turn off the vertical scale and offset functionality for math channel A-B

Feedback on the design and function of the Math Channel features would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Channel names
• Click on any of the channel option buttons to reveal the “Display” Tab
• Click on “Display” to amend the “Name” given to the desired channel
• Below we have used various descriptions to indicate the style of probes used for all channels

Image 2

Feedback on the design and function of the channel option “Display” features would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Bug fixes
• Improved handling & matching of loaded BNC+ and BNC probes so enhancing the Probe Mismatch feature
• Improved Microsoft Surface Stylus pen functionality
• Improvements to User Interface (UI) with regards to alignments and symbols so improving clarity
• Improved scrolling of multiple channel labels when viewed via a small viewport
• Progress bar now displayed upon saving a single waveform buffer so confirming the save process has been actioned
• PicoScope 7 now memorizes the “Selected folder path” when saving waveforms
• PicoScope 7 now displays the entire file name when saving waveforms with large file titles
E.g. “2002ChevySilveradoK2500_5.7v8CKPvsCMPTest1_9_8_2020”
• Signal and Time rulers now displayed within the Ruler Legend/Table in order of activation
E.g. Dragging your first Time Ruler onto the graph will populate position 1 within the Ruler
Legend/Table

I hope this helps, take care......Steve

[Steve Smith]

Thank you once again to the software teams for their continued dedication to the development of PicoScope 7 Automotive which can be downloaded here https://oem.picoauto.com/p7beta/download

PicoScope 7 version 7.0.56.6676.

Improved Math Channel functionality

A number of improvements have been made to the creation and operation of math channels within PS7 version 7.0.56.6676

• The latest created math channel will be automatically selected in the math channel library
• Math channels that are moved from a loaded PSdata file to the math channel library (i.e. Saved) will be automatically selected
• Automotive header now moved to position 2 within the Math channel Formula Editor
• First time installers of PS7 will obtain a number of “built-in” automotive math channels (See Image 1)
• Improve functionality of Math channel wizard when used with varying window sizing options
• Improved scrolling when choosing math channels with varying window sizing options
• Improved stability of math channel wizard during math channel creation, editing & loading

Image 1

The following video will help clarify the items above:

MATHS UI.mp4

Math UI

(5.28 MiB) Downloaded 851 times

Feedback on the design and function of the Math Channel features would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Bug fixes

PSdata files saved with viewports open within their own window will now re-open as they were saved (windowed viewports) and not redock into the main application window as previously reported

On the horizon

• Custom probe creation
• Serial decoding

Said way too much already! I hope this helps, take care……Steve

[Steve Smith]

Thank you once again to the software teams for their continued dedication to the development of PicoScope 7 Automotive which can be downloaded here https://oem.picoauto.com/p7beta/download

PicoScope 7 version 7.0.59.6966

Serial Decoding (Beta)

Please note, prior to selecting the Serial Decoding feature of PS7, a popup window will appear requesting you accept the initial beta functionally of the serial decoder.

• Click on the More button in the left-hand tool panel to reveal all the available options for PicoScope 7
• Click on the Serial Decoding button to open the Serial Decoding Wizard
• Note: Clicking on the “Star” symbol to the left of the Serial Decoding symbol will place the Serial Decoding button in the left-hand tool panel where it will remain ready for use without having to select More
• With the Serial Decoding Wizard open select the relevant protocol and click on Next
• Choose the channel you wish to decode, the threshold & hysteresis levels along with the “Invert” option (if applicable)
• Select the Baud Rate and whether you are decoding the High or Low side of the communication lines (e.g. CAN High or Low) and click on Next
• Choose a name for the decoded data, the display format for the graph /decode table and whether you wish to decode the current buffer, all buffers or between the Time Rulers.
• This will complete the set-up procedure for displaying the decoded serial data; now click Finish

In the example below we have decoded CAN High using the example waveform from the Guided Test “Communications > CAN bus > CAN bus physical layer”

Serial Decode

The following video will help clarify the process above:

SERIAL DECODE.mp4

Serial Decode video

(8.24 MiB) Downloaded 904 times

N.B. For decoding CAN at 500 kbps, an alternative Guided Test can be used; “Communications > CAN bus > CAN bus serial decoding” where the decode “setup” has already been applied.

Feedback on the design and function of the Serial Decoding features would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Electric Vehicle (EV) Guided Tests

To coincide with the introduction of the Pico Electric Vehicle Kit, an entire new Guided Test section is available for review.

• Opening PicoScope 7 will display the Guided Test menu (if not deselected).
• If the Guided Test menu has been deselected, click on the Guided tests button located on the header of the PS7 software (adjacent to the waveform buffer counter)
• PS7 Version 7.0.59.6966 now contains a new Guided Test section entitled “Electric Vehicles”
• Click on the Electric Vehicles icon to reveal 3 groups of EV tests which include 11 new Guided Tests:

EV GT

Safety Tests
0 V potential
Insulation resistance

Charger-vehicle tests
Charger-vehicle communications (type 1)
Charger-vehicle communications (type 2)
Charger-vehicle proximity line resistance (type 1)
Charger-vehicle proximity line resistance (type 2)
Charging current split

System/component tests
Auxiliary battery charging
Motor resolver
Regeneration current
Toyota Prius (3rd generation) system main relay operation

The majority of the above Guided Tests also contain links to a supporting video demonstrating how to apply the test. Please see the following example here https://youtu.be/PH9_kiM8prc looking at the application of the “Auxiliary battery charging” Guided Test

A huge THANK YOU goes out to all the team at Pico for the creation of the EV section above and in particular, Barney Donohew, Ben Martins & Ben Rogers

The following video provides a brief overview of the above Guided Tests:

EV GT VIDEO.mp4

EV GT Video

(5.66 MiB) Downloaded 859 times

Bug fixes
• Bug fixes focus primarily on the integration of Serial decoding within this build of PicoScope 7. Please remember, the serial decoder is a beta format and your feedback on the current functionally will have a direct impact on further development
• Improved buffer count when streaming with 4 active channels.
E.g. Time base 1s/div, Sample rate 1MS/s now returns 6 buffers.

On the horizon
• Custom probe creation
• Further supporting EV Guided Test videos
• Quick access to Full Screen mode

I hope this helps, take care……Steve

[Steve Smith]

Thank you to the software teams for the latest round of updates to PicoScope 7 as a result of continued feedback from our customers

PicoScope version 7.0.60.7047 predominately focusses on serial decoding and is scheduled for release on the 9th November 2020

Below is a preview of what’s in store

Serial Decoding search feature (Beta)

Please note, prior to selecting the Serial Decoding feature of PS7, a popup window will appear requesting you accept the initial beta functionally of the serial decoder.

A new search feature is now available with the serial decode table

• Create a serial decode table as described in the link below: viewtopic.php?p=101144#p101144
• The new search tool can be found at the top right of the decode table
• Choose a search field and relevant data within the chosen field
• Use the arrows adjacent to the search tool to locate your chosen data within the decode table

Below we have chosen to search for CAN ID 1 99

Image 1

• To list all our chosen ID’s (1 99) ascending or descending within the decode table,
click on the ID arrows adjacent to the ID column header

Image 2

Feedback on the design and function of the Serial Decoding features would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Electric Vehicle (EV) Guided Tests
In addition to the EV Guided tests listed here viewtopic.php?p=101144#p101144 further EV Guided Tests and videos have been added:

Videos now accompany the Type 1 Charger tests below:
Charger-vehicle communications (type 1)
Charger-vehicle proximity line resistance (type 1)

New Guided Tests/videos for PS7 version 7.0.60.7047

CAN communications
HVAC compressor current and motor speed
Hybrid internal combustion engine relative compression
Non-intrusive touch measurements using the Coil On Plug (COP) Signal probe

Bug fixes

Once again, the stability and appearance of the serial decode feature has been the priority for the release of PS7 version 7.0.60.7047

Improvements to the update of serial decode data within the graph view for each buffer
Improvements to the loading of PS7 files that were saved with decoded data
Improved handling of decoded data within the graph view when using multiple viewports, auto arrange axis, scaling and channel hide features
Crank Math Channel functionally improvements when capturing data above 200 ms/div

I hope this helps, take care.....Steve

[Steve Smith]

Thank you as ever to the software teams for their continued hard work and dedication with the development and improvement of PicoScope 7 Automotive software

The following new features have been included in the latest release of PS7 Version 7.0.61.7164 which can be download here https://oem.picoauto.com/p7beta/download on the 23rd November 2020

Serial Decoding: Filter (Beta)

Please note, prior to selecting the Serial Decoding feature of PS7, a popup window will appear requesting you accept the initial beta functionally of the serial decoder.

A new “Filter” option is now available within the serial decode table to compliment the “Search” feature described in the forum post above viewtopic.php?p=101177#p101177

• Create a serial decode table as described in the following link viewtopic.php?p=101144#p101144
• Alternatively, open the Guided Test menu and select Communication > CAN bus > CAN bus serial decoding. This Guided Test includes the decoded CAN data
• The new Filter tool can be found adjacent to the Search feature at the top right of the decode table
• Select “Add Filter” and populate the relevant fields with your chosen filter criteria
• Note: The “Operator” field contains a number of options. E.g. “Contains, Equal to” etc.
• Below we have used the CAN bus serial decoding Guided Test to filter and display all IDs that “Contain 1 F5”
• Be sure to include the space between 1 and F5; searching for 1F5 will not return any data

Image 1

• To edit/update or delete your filter options, use the summary box located below the Export button at the top left hand of the decode table
• Below we have edited the original filter criteria and changed “Argument” from 1 F5 to 1 F0
• Note: Deleting the Filter summary box restores the decode table to its original format

Image 2

Serial Decoding: Data to text (Beta)

• Open the Guided Test menu and select Communication > CAN bus > CAN bus serial decoding. This Guided Test includes the decoded CAN data
• Click on “Data to text” located at the top left hand of the decode table
• Select “Create template”, name and save to your PC/Laptop (I have called the Template “DATA TO TEXT”)

Image 3

• Minimise PicoScope 7, locate and open your saved Template file above
• Using the existing IDs in the decode table, enter the ID of choice in the ID column
• Adjacent to the ID you have entered above, enter a description for the ID
• Below I have chosen ID 1 F5 and given the description ENG ECU (N.B Example only)

Image 4

• Save and close the Template file and return to PicoScope 7
• Click on “Data to text” and select Open
• Locate and open the Template file above
• The decode table will now display ENG ECU for every ID consisting of 1 F5

Image 5

• To restore the decode table to the original format select “Data to text” and click on the active Template name which is highlighted blue

Image 6

The following video will help clarify the process above:

SERAIL DECODE FILTER AND DATA TO TEXT.mp4

Video: Filter and Data to text

(11.37 MiB) Downloaded 834 times

Feedback on the design and function of the Serial Decoding features would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Custom Probes

• Clicking on any of the channel option buttons and selecting the Probe tab will reveal the “Manage probes” feature of PicoScope 7
• To add a Custom Probe, click on the + symbol and follow the Custom Probe wizard to completion
• Step 1: Name the Custom Probe and choose the desired units, click Next
• Step 2: Choose a scaling method for the Custom Probe, use a linear equation or look-up table, click Next
• Step 3: Choose a range applicable for the Custom Probe and click Next
• Step 4: Finally, choose any coupling or filtering options to be applied to the Custom Probe
and click Finish

Image 7

• The new Custom Probe will appear in the probe menu under the “Custom” heading and the probe name will appear in the relevant channel option button
• Below we have selected the Custom Probe “New Probe 1” as the probe of choice for Channel A

Image 8

• To edit a Custom Probe, select the relevant probe and click on the Edit “Pen” symbol
• The Custom Probe Wizard will now open and allow for the desired editing
• To delete a Custom Probe, select the relevant probe and click on the Delete “Bin” symbol
• To duplicate a built-in probe, select the relevant probe and click on the Edit “Pen” symbol
• Rename the chosen built-in probe within the Custom Probe Wizard and follow to completion
• The duplicated built-in probe will appear in the probe menu under the “Custom” heading and the probe name will appear in the relevant channel option button
• Below we have selected the duplicated built-in Custom Probe “30 A Current Clamp 2” as the probe of choice for channel A

Image 9

• N.B. Editing a built-in or intelligent probe will create a copy of the chosen probe.
• Editing a custom probe whilst maintaining its name edits the custom probe in its existing location
Changing a custom probe name (whilst editing) will create a copy of the custom probe

Feedback on the design and function of the Custom Probe features would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Frequency Counting

• Clicking on any of the Channel Option buttons and selecting the Vertical Tab will reveal the Frequency Counting feature of PicoScope 7
• Frequency Counting (previously titled Frequency Coupling) will only be displayed if the connected device supports frequency counting. These devices include the following automotive 4000 series PicoScopes
4223, 4423, 4225, 4425, 4225A & 4425A
• With frequency counting active, the Channel option name will display “AC Freq”
• Note: Connect Detect is not available on the channel that has frequency counting enabled
• Below we have selected the Frequency Counting option for Channel A given the connected device was a 4425A

Image 10

Feedback on the design and function of the Frequency Counting feature would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Bug Fixes

• The stability and appearance of the serial decode feature has been the priority for the release of PS7 version 7.0.61.7164 with the seamless integration of “Filtering” and “Data to text”
• Improvements to the scaling method when using the look up table during custom probe creation
• Correction of Fahrenheit ranges when creating a custom temperature probe

I hope this helps, take care.....Steve

[Steve Smith]

Thank you to the software teams once again for the latest version of PicoScope 7 Automotive version 7.0.62.7263 which can be downloaded here https://oem.picoauto.com/p7beta/download week commencing 07/12/20

User default settings:

It is now possible to save your desired settings such that every time PicoScope 7 is opened, the software and scope are configured with your preferred settings.

• Configure PicoScope settings as required
• In the example below we have opted for the following configuration:
Channel A x1 probe with an input range of +- 20 V
Channel B 30 A current clamp with an input range of +- 30 A
Channels C & D are switched off
Time base: 200 ms/div with a buffer memory of 1 MS
• Once you have configured the scope to the desired settings select “Save”
• Click the drop-down arrow adjacent within the File type entry field and select “User Default Settings”
• Click on the “Save” button where your chosen scope settings will be memorized and implemented every time the software is opened with your scope connected

Image 1

N.B Should you save “User Default Settings” with BNC+ probes, upon opening PicoScope 7 with a 4x25A scope connected, the probe mismatch dialog box will appear if the probes found do not match the probes expected. i.e. the BNC+ probes saved using the “User Default Settings” feature are not connected or connected in a different orientation.
For more information on probe mismatch click on the following link viewtopic.php?p=100587#p100587

Feedback on the design and function of the “User Default Settings” would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Additional Frequency counting threshold control

Following on from the introduction of Frequency counting feature described here viewtopic.php?p=101246#p101246 a new Frequency counting threshold control has been added to the Channel options panel

• Clicking on any of the Channel Option buttons and selecting the Vertical Tab will reveal the Frequency Counting feature of PicoScope 7
• Frequency Counting (previously titled Frequency Coupling) will only be displayed if the connected device supports frequency counting. These devices include all automotive 4000 series PicoScopes
• The upper and lower thresholds can now be adjusted so allowing the user to dictate whether the captured pulses qualify towards the frequency count
• The device input range can also be adjusted to accommodate a variety of pulse generating components

Image 2

N.B Frequency counting can also be selected from the Probe menu as indicated in the image below

Image 3

Feedback on the design and function of the Frequency Counting controls would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

K Factor control

For those customers using flowmeters, a K Factor entry field has now been added to the probe menu
The K-Factor denotes the unique output of the flow meter in relation to pulses per unit of product passing through the meter

• Clicking on any of the Channel Option buttons and selecting the Probe Tab will reveal the Flow meter probes loaded with PicoScope
• Selecting any of the loaded flow meters will reveal the K Factor entry field where the K-Factor specified on the flow meter in use can now be entered

Image 4

N.B. Given the Flow meter probes utilize the frequency counting feature of PicoScope hardware, they are only applicable for use with the flowing automotive 4000 series scopes.
PicoScope 4223, 4423, 4225, 4425, 4225A & 4425A

Feedback on the design and function of the Flow meter K Factor entry feature would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Serial decode delete function

Following recent feedback from our customers, a “Delete” function has now been added to the created serial decode button

• Create a decode table as described here viewtopic.php?p=101144#p101144
• Once a decode table has been applied, the relevant serial decode button will appear beneath the channel option panel
• The serial decode button now includes a delete “Bin” symbol where you can discard the decode table and adornments within the graph

Image 5

Feedback on the design and function of the serial decode delete feature would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Serial decode pan/zoom to graph packet

Double clicking or tapping a packet in the serial decode table will now horizontally pan and zoom to the chosen packet within the graph and vice versa from within the graph to the decode table.

• Create a decode table as described here viewtopic.php?p=101144#p101144
• With the decode table in view, click on the desired packet of interest
• PicoScope will now automatically pan and zoom to your chosen packet, such that the packet is displayed in its entirety within the center of the graph
• In the example below we have chosen to view packet number 675 of buffer number 1

Image 6

• A thick black border around the packet of interest denotes the packet has decoded correctly
• A thick red border around the packet of interest denotes the packet has decoded incorrectly.

Below we have a failed packet given the packet exceeded the time span of the buffer and therefore incomplete

Image 7

• In addition to the above automatic pan and zoom feature from within the decode table; double clicking or tapping on a zoomed section of decoded data within the graph will highlight your chosen packet within the decode table
• Below we have chosen to horizontally zoom into the graph (x256) and double click on a packet of interest

Image 8

• Double clicking or tapping on the packet within the graph view will reveal its location in the decode table

Image 9

The following video will help with the application of the serial decode delete and locate functions

Serial decode delete and find.mp4

Video Serial decode

(4.73 MiB) Downloaded 730 times

Feedback on the design and function of the serial decode “automatic pan/zoom to packet” feature would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

BNC+ Probe images displayed upon connection

Upon connection of a BNC+ probe to either the 4225A or 4425A scopes, an image will now be displayed of the connected probe

• Connect any BNC+ probe to either a 4225A or 4425A scope
• The relevant probe name is displayed in the channel option button for each respective channel with a connected BNC+ probe
• Clicking on a channel option button (with a connected BNC+ probe) and selecting the Probe tab will reveal an image of the connected BNC+ probe and the color coding of the BNC+ connector/shell
• In the example below we have the following configuration:
Channel A 60 A BNC+ current clamp with a blue and yellow BNC+ Shell
Channel B x1 BNC+ red test lead with a blue and yellow BNC+ Shell
Channel C 2000 A BNC+ current clamp with a blue and red BNC+ Shell
Channel D BNC+ HT “pick up” lead with a red and yellow BNC+ Shell

Image 10

Note how channel B has a x1 BNC+ red test lead connected yet the probe menu lists a number of standard BNC probes as further connection options. This is to allow for a x1 BNC+ probe to be connected & configured as any other probe (e.g. a custom probe)

Feedback on the design and function of the BNC+ probe image feature would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Full graph mode

A long-awaited feature (full graph mode) is finally here thanks to feedback from our customers

• Click on the “More” button in the left-hand tool panel to reveal all the available options for PicoScope 7
• Click on the Full Graph symbol to remove all PicoScope controls (including the utilities bar) so allowing the entire screen to display a full graph view
• Note: Clicking on the “Star” symbol to the left of the Full Graph symbol will place the full graph button in the left-hand tool panel where it will remain ready for use without having to select “More”
• To exit full graph mode, select F11 on your keyboard or swipe down from the top of the full graph view and tap on the displayed cross

Image 11

• Below we have full graph mode with all PicoScope controls and the utilities bar hidden from view

Image 12

N.B:

Full screen mode will be available for Mac users on the next PS7 build scheduled for mid-December

New users of PicoScope 7 who download and install version 7.0.62.7263 without any previous versions of PS7 installed, will have the Full Graph Mode symbol displayed in the utilities bar. This feature will come to existing PS7 users in a future build.

The following video will help with the application of Full Graph Mode

Full graph mode.mp4

Full Graph Mode

(2.16 MiB) Downloaded 655 times

Additional languages added

PicoScope 7 now includes 30 different language settings to improve the user interface for all nationalities

• Click on the “More” button in the left-hand tool panel to reveal all the available options for PicoScope 7
• Click on the “Settings” symbol to reveal the language and preferences options
• Note: Clicking on the “Star” symbol to the left of the “Settings” symbol will place the “Settings” button in the left-hand tool panel where it will remain ready for use without having to select “More”
• Click on the Languages tab and select the desired language

Image 13

Image 14

Feedback on the design and function of the “Language” options would be most welcome
Click on More > Send Feedback within the software

Bug fixes

• Improved functionally and control of additional viewports for Mac users
• Improvements to serial decoder edit & filtering functions across all channels and platforms
• Improved loading of psdata files containing BNC+ and standard BNC probes with respect to input range, scale and displayed units
• Improved custom probe wizard functionally thanks to additional warning indicators during data entry
• Improvements to the handling, editing and display of all probes

I hope this helps, take care……Steve