Four-channel USB oscilloscopes sample at 5 GS/sec

The PicoScope 3000E series has models with analog bandwidths of 350 MHz and 500 MHz.

Hitting the “sweet spot” for analog bandwidth, the 3000E Series — 500 MHz (3418E) and 350 MHz (3417E) — USB oscilloscopes from Pico Technology fill a gap in the company’s oscilloscope offerings in terms of bandwidth. Both models feature four analog input channels with 10-bit vertical resolution (14-bit in high-res mode), 5 GS/sec sample rate, 2 Gsamples of acquisition memory, and a built-in 20 MHz function/arbitrary waveform generator.

The PicoScope 3418E and 3417E units are, at their heart, digitizers. Viewing signals, analyzing the data, and transferring the data to a host computer takes place through PicoScope software, currently at v7 for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Upgrades are free.

In addition to letting you view signals in both the time domain and the frequency domain, the software lets you perform mask testing (time and frequency), set pass/fail limits, and make power measurements such as true power, reactive power, apparent power, and power factor. In the frequency domain, you have access to a range of settings that give you control over the number of spectrum bands (FFT bins), scaling (including log/log) and display modes (instantaneous, average, or peak-hold). A selection of window functions let you optimize measurements for selectivity, accuracy, or dynamic range.

Math channels let you perform calculations that include addition, subtraction, filters, logarithms, statistics, integrals, and derivatives. PicoScope 7 also decodes numerous serial buses that include I2C, I3C, SPI, UART, CAN, LIN, and Ethernet (including automotive 10Base-T1S).

The 3000E series oscilloscopes connect to a host computer through a USB-C port. There are two USB-C connectors on the rear panel. One port combines data and power delivery while a second provides power only for cases where the host can’t deliver the power needed to operate the instrument. The data port operates at USB SuperSpeed (USB 3.1 Gen 1) speeds of 5 Gb/sec.