Pico Technology PicoScope 4000 Series 4824 [PP916] 20MHz, 8 Channel, 12 Bit High Resolution Scope

The PicoScope 4824 is a high performance 8-channel PC-based oscilloscope with 12-bit resolution with one ADC per channel to deliver the power needed to make precision, time-correlated waveform measurements on multiple channels simultaneously for a wide range of signal types. Adding to the high resolution technology is a huge 256 megasample buffer memory, powerful debug tools and a built-in arbitrary waveform generator.  The PicoScope 4824 is the ideal oscilloscope for precise measurements on signals that vary by small amounts or over a wide range.  Tools such as Mask Limit Testing, Serial Bus Decoding, Advanced Digital Triggers, and Persistence Mode help to track problems for rapid troubleshooting.  Waveforms are captured in high resolution, making it easy to distinguish signal from noise to ease debug and analysis.

The PicoScope 4824 is a low cost, portable solution for multi-input applications that may also need high resolution. With 8 high-precision analog channels suit audio, ultrasound, vibration, power, and system timing investigations, performing a wide range of precision measurement tasks on multiple inputs at the same time. Although the scope has the same small case-size as Pico’s existing 2-and 4-channel models, the BNC connectors still accept all common BNC probes and accessories with an ample spacing of 22 mm.  With 12-bit vertical resolution (not the usual 8-bits), a bandwidth of 20 MHz, a huge 256 MS buffer memory, and a fast sampling rate of 80 MSa/s, the PicoScope 4824 has the power and functionality needed deliver accurate results. The deep memory lets you analyze multiple serial buses such as UART, I2C, SPI, CAN and LIN plus control and driver signals – at no extra charge since this capability is in the free PicoSoft software.

Another application for the PicoScope 4824 is in making a range of power measurements on high voltages and currents and low-voltage control signals. For the best results, we recommend the use of a Pico differential voltage probe (TA041 or TA057) in combination with a current clamp (TA167). To improve the efficiency and reliability of power designs, the scope can display and analyze standby power dissipation, inrush current, and steady-state power consumption. PicoScope’s versatile built-in measurements and statistics of parameters such as true RMS, frequency, peak-to-peak voltage and THD allow accurate analysis of power quality.

With 256 Msamples of buffer memory the scope can capture over 5 minutes of continuous 50/60 Hz waveform data with high timing resolution. Using the Software Development Kit (SDK) you can write custom applications with storage limited only by the PC hard disk size.

Nonlinear loads and modern power-conversion equipment produce complex waveforms with significant harmonic content. These harmonics reduce efficiency by causing increased heating in equipment and conductors, misfiring in variable speed drives, and torque pulsations in motors. The 12-bit PicoScope 4824 has the precision to measure distortion typically up to the 100th harmonic. On the supply side, power quality issues such as sags and dips, swells and spikes, flicker, interruptions and long-term voltage and frequency variations can also be checked for regulatory compliance.

In a 3-phase distribution system, it is important to characterize and balance loads across phases. With 8 channels the PicoScope 4824 can monitor waveforms of current and voltage on all 4 conductors of a 3-phase plus-neutral system. This helps to identify mismatches that can cause breaker tripping, or transformer and conductor overheating.

When debugging an embedded system with a normal scope, you can quickly run out of channels – 4 channels is the usual maximum. You may need to look at an I2C or SPI bus at the same time as multiple power rails, DAC outputs and logic signals. With eight channels, the PicoScope 4824 can easily manage all of this. Decode up to eight serial buses, with both analog signal waveforms and decoded data both visible, or a combination of serial buses and other analog or digital signals. PicoScope provides advanced triggering on all channels, so you can search for runt pulses, drop-outs and noise as well as looking for data patterns using the 4-input Boolean logic trigger.

With 256 Msamples of buffer memory the scope can capture over 5 minutes of continuous 50/60 Hz waveform data with high timing resolution. Using the Software Development Kit (SDK) you can write custom applications with storage limited only by the PC hard disk size.