PCB Scope oscilloscope

Many people who enjoy electronics as a hobby or in education (where budgets are always tight) don't always need a super-high-end oscilloscope but instead rather require something that is very affordable yet highly usable in practice.

The PCB-scope is just that - simple to use, yet with a full feature set as you will find on professional instruments. The Windows software is free of charge and the PCB-scope connects via a standard micro-USB cable (as used by most cameras, mobile phones and e-readers, not included).

PCB-scope grew out of the earlier DPScope project to see how a PCB based scope design could be simplified yet still give the functionality, look and feel of a real oscilloscope. It is primarily geared towards education and beginners and is ideal for use within PICAXE microcontroller projects.

PCB-scope highlights:

• Oscilloscope, logic analyzer and datalogger in one instrument.
• Two analogue input channels (for scope and datalogger modes) - many of the low-end scopes on the market only have a single channel which makes them very limited as you often need to display one signal with respect to another (e.g. clock vs. data), or trigger on a signal different to the one you want to look at.
• Four digital input channels (for logic analyzer and datalogger modes)
• Triggering on CH1, a dedicated trigger channel, or free running. (Logic analyzer can trigger on any of the digital channels).
• Trigger on rising or falling edge (selectable), or free running.
• Covers the typical applications in a hobby/PICAXE environment: Analogue signals like audio (0 - 20 kHz), ultrasound, infrared sensors (38 kHz), servo motor control (a few kHz). Logic signals like e.g. RS-232, CAN, I2C, SPI, one-wire. Slow changing signals like temperature sensors etc.
• Spectrum analyzer functionality (real-time Fast Fourier Transformation) so one can look at things like 50 (or 60) Hz interference, distortion in an audio amplifier or look for oscillations in a power supply.
• Fast and smooth acquisition - shows the signals "as they happen", with a screen update rate up to 20 frames/sec.
• Wide input range - from millivolts to > 20V (> 200V with an optional 1:10 scope probe)
• Very low-cost
• Small and easy to use so even a user without much experience with oscilloscope gets a quick start, and compact so it doesn't use much desk space.
• Uses standard micro USB to connect to a computer as well as for power supply
• Dual connectors (supplied) for easy breadboard connection.

PCBscope Software v1.04 (approx 3MB, Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8) http://www.picaxe.com/downloads/osc001.exe

PCBscope Software v1.04 (approx 3MB, Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8) PCBscope Software

Needs a Micro USB lead (not supplied) our code EWC7723