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PicoScope 3204, 3205, 3206

High Speed, General Purpose PC Oscilloscope - USB 2.0

PicoScope 3000 oscilloscope

   
 Benefits of a Large Buffer
 USB 2.0 Benefits
 Product Brochure
 Quick Start Guide
 User Guide
 Articles and Reviews
 Selection Advice
 Technical Tips
 
  • 2 Channels + ext trigger

  • Built in signal generator (A Series: Function Generator, B Series: Function/AWG)

  • Up to 500MS/s

  • Up to 128 million sample buffer

  • High-speed USB 2.0 interface

  • Oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, meter and data logger

  • Includes drivers and examples for custom software development

PicoScope 3200 Series PC Based Oscilloscopes

 

All the oscilloscopes in the PicoScope 3200 series feature high sampling rates, large memory buffers and high speed USB 2.0 (USB 1.1 compatible) connection.  The large buffers allow the oscilloscopes to maintain high sampling rates even during relative long capture periods and up to 1M times zoom capabilities to examine the waveform in great detail.

 

The PicoScope is more than just an oscilloscope. The PicoScope 3200 is a multi-functioning instrument that can be used as an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, multimeter and data logger. By integrating several instruments into one small unit the PicoScope 3200 PC scope gives you a cost-effective, and simple-to-use solution with all the functionality of conventional test equipment without compromising on specifications.

 

oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer

 

USB 1.1 data

 

 

 

PS 3206A/B

The PicoScope 3206A/B has an impressive 200 MHz analog bandwidth and a single-shot sampling rate of 500 MS/s (100 MS/s dual channel). Using Equivalent Time Sampling (ETS) for repetitive signals, the sampling rate is increased to a staggering 10 GS/s.  The PicoScope 3206A has a 64MS buffer, whilst the PicoScope 3206B has a 128MS buffer.

PS 3205A/B

An excellent combination of cost and performance, the PicoScope 3205A/B features a 100 MHz analog bandwidth, a single-shot sampling rate of 500 MS/s, and a 5 GS/s ETS sampling rate.  The PicoScope 3205A has a 16MS buffer, whilst the PicoScope 3205B has a 32MS buffer.

PS 3204A/B

With a 60 MHz analog bandwidth, 500 MS/s sampling rate (2.5 GS/s ETS), the PicoScope 3204 pc oscilloscope offers a low cost solution for many of today's oscilloscope and data logging needs.  The PicoScope 3204A has a 4MS buffer, whilst the PicoScope 3204B has a 8MS buffer.

A or B?

So what is the difference between a A and B model?  We realize that individuals have different requirements based on their particular application.  We also realize that everyone is on a budget (hence the reason we began building pc based oscilloscopes in the first place).  In order to conform to our customers requirements we are producing one series (the B's) with a full blown arbitrary waveform generator, and another (the A's) with a lower cost function generator.

Already built your application around the older models?

Sadly, the original PicoScope 3204,5, and 6's have been officially discontinued.  When these units were first introduced in 2004 they completely changed the pc based oscilloscope market.  No other manufacture offered high sampling rate, bandwidth and memory depth in one unit.  To this date, these are still some of the highest performing scopes available.  Due to the mass amount of these units that we have sold and have been packaged into third party products we will try our best to keep as many of these units in stock before they are sold out worldwide letting our customers have the most amount of time possible to convert to the newer A/B series.  Contact us for stock inquiry on these units...

 

PicoScope Oscilloscope and Data Acquisition Software

 

PicoScope PC oscilloscope software

 

PicoScope software is supplied free with all Pico oscilloscopes. PicoScope software allows you to view real-time signals, zoom in on your signal, and save and print captured waveforms. The user-friendly controls and familiar Windows graphical interface ensures that using PicoScope is both fast and easy.

PicoScope includes various features designed to reduce the time you need to set up and use your oscilloscope: along with over 30 automated measurements PicoScope also features an auto setup function. The auto setup function can be used to automatically set up the time base, channels and trigger configuration to display any signals that PicoScope finds on the oscilloscope's inputs. You can also customize PicoScope by adding your own ‘test menus’. These menus can load reference waveforms or instrument settings, and they can display documents that give an explanation of the waveform, or details on how to perform the required tests.

The PicoScope software is regularly updated and all updates can be downloaded for free.  For update notifications sign up for the monthly newsletter which also includes new product announcements and PicoScope user tips.

Also supplied is PicoLog data acquisition software that transforms your PC scope into a high-speed data logger.

 

PicoScope Prices & Specifications

Click buttons to view prices and specifications

 

Price $1,483.35

 

  PicoScope, PS 3206B Specifications
Oscilloscope - Vertical
Model PicoScope 3206B
Bandwidth (-3 dB) 200 MHz
Rise time (calculated) 1.75 ns
Input channels 2
Vertical resolution 8 bits
Enhanced vertical resolution 12 bits
DC accuracy ±3% of full scale
Input sensitivity 10 mV/div to 4 V/div (10 vertical divisions)
Input characteristics 1 MΩ ±1% in parallel with 13 pF  ±1 pF
Input type Single-ended, BNC connector
Input coupling Software selectable AC/DC
Input ranges (full scale) ±50 mV  to ±20 V  in 9 ranges
Analogue offset range
50 mV  to 200 mV  ranges
500 mV  to 2 V  ranges
5 V  to 20 V  ranges

±250 mV
±2.5 V
±20 V
Overload protection ±100 V (DC + AC peak)
Oscilloscope - Horizontal
Maximum sampling rate (single shot)
1 channel in use
2 channels in use

500 MS/s
250 MS/s
Maximum sampling rate (repetitive signals) 10 GS/s
Maximum sampling rate
(continuous streaming mode)
1 MS/s  using PicoScope
> 10 MS/s  using the supplied SDK (PC dependent)
Buffer memory# 128 MS
Waveform buffer Up to 10000 waveforms
Timebase ranges 500 ps/div to 200 s/div
Timebase accuracy ±50 ppm
Sample jitter < 5 ps  RMS

# Shared between active channels

Dynamic Performance (typical)
Crosstalk Better than 400:1 up to full bandwidth (equal voltage ranges)
Harmonic distortion < -50 dB  at 100 kHz  full scale input
SFDR 52 dB
ADC ENOB 7.6 bits
Noise 180 µV  RMS (on most sensitive range)
Pulse response < 5% overshoot
Bandwidth flatness (+0.3 dB, -3 dB) at scope input, from DC to full bandwidth
Triggers
Basic triggers Auto, repeat, single, none, rapid (segmented memory)
Advanced triggers (Ch A, Ch B) Edge: rising, falling or dual edge with adjustable hysteresis
Window: signal enters or exits a user-defined voltage range
Pulse width: a negative or positive pulse is wider or narrower than a set width, or inside/outside a range of widths
Window pulse width: signal is inside or outside a voltage range for a set time
Dropout: signal does not cross a voltage threshold for at least a set time
Window dropout: signal does not enter or exit a voltage range for at least a set time
Interval: time between two edges is greater or less than a set time, or inside/outside a time range
Logic: arbitrary logic state of Channels A, B and EXT matches a user-defined pattern
Runt pulse: signal crosses one voltage threshold and returns without crossing the other
Trigger sensitivity (Ch A, Ch B) Digital triggering provides 1 LSB accuracy up to full bandwidth of oscilloscope
Maximum pre-trigger capture Up to 100% of capture size
Maximum post-trigger delay Up to 4 billion samples
Trigger re-arm time < 2 µs  on fastest timebase
Maximum trigger rate Up to 10,000 waveforms in a 20 ms  burst
External Trigger Input
Trigger types Edge, pulse width, dropout, interval, logic, delayed
Input characteristics 1 MΩ ±1% in parallel with 13 pF  ±1 pF
Input type Front panel BNC connector
Bandwidth 200 MHz
Voltage range ±5 V, DC coupled
Overvoltage protection ±100 V  (AC + DC peak)
Function Generator
Standard output signals
All models
B models

Sine, square, triangle, DC voltage
Ramp, since, Gaussian, half-sine, white noise,
PRBS
Standard signal frequency DC to 1 MHz
Output frequency accuracy ±50 ppm
Output frequency resolution < 0.01 Hz
Output voltage range ±2 V  with ±1% DC accuracy
Amplitude flatness < 0.5 dB to 1 MHz, typical
SFDR > 60 dB, 10 kHz  full scale sine wave
Connector type Front panel BNC with 600 Ω  output impedance
Overvoltage protection ±10 V
Sweep modes Up, down, dual with selectable start/stop frequencies and increments
Arbitrary Waveform Generator
Update rate 20 MHz
Buffer size 16 kS
Resolution 12 bits (output step size approximately 1 mV)
Bandwidth > 1 MHz
Rise time (10 to 90%) < 100 ns
Spectrum Analyzer
Frequency range DC to 200 MHz
Display modes Magnitude, peak hold, average
Window types Rectangular, Gaussian, triangular, Blackman, Blackman-Harris, Hamming, Hann, flat-top
Number of FFT points Selectable from 128 to 1 million in powers of 2
PC Requirements
Minimum Processor: Pentium II processor, or equivalent
Memory: 64 MiB (XP) / 512 MiB (Vista) / 1 GiB (Win 7) minimum
Operating system: 32 or 64-bit edition of Microsoft Windows XP SP2, Vista or Windows 7
Ports: USB 2.0 compliant port
Recommended Processor: 2 GHz Pentium IV processor, or equivalent
Memory: 256 MiB (XP) / 1 GiB (Vista / Win 7)
Operating system: 32 or 64-bit edition of Microsoft Windows XP SP2 (or above), Vista or Windows 7
Ports: USB 2.0 compliant port
Environmental
Operating environment
Temperature range

0 °C to 50 °C (20 °C to 30 °C for quoted accuracy)
Physical Properties
Dimensions (including connectors) 200 x 140 x 40 mm (approx 7.9 x 5.5 x 1.6 in)
Weight < 0.5 kg  (approx < 1.1 lb)
Software
PicoScope 6 for Windows PicoScope 6 is your complete test and measurement lab in one application. Features include:
Capture modes - oscilloscope, spectrum and persistence modes
Channel maths - calculate the sum, difference, product, inverse or create your own custom function using standard arithmetic, exponential and trigonometric functions
Mask limiting testing - pass/fail, failure count, total count
Serial Decoding -decode data from a serial bus such as I²C
Automated measurements
Scope mode: AC RMS, cycle time, DC average, duty cycle, falling rate, fall time, frequency, high pulse width, low pulse width, maximum, minimum, peak-to-peak, rise time and rising rate
Spectrum mode: frequency at peak, amplitude at peak, total power, total harmonic distortion (THD), total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N), spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR), signal+noise+distortion to signal+noise ratio (SINAD), signal to noise ratio (SNR) and intermodulation distortion (IMD)
Export data formats - comma separated values (CSV), tab delimited (TXT), windows bitmap (BMP), graphics interchange format (GIF), portable network graphics (PNG), MATLAB 4 format (MAT)
Full details on PicoScope 6
Software development kit A growing collection of drivers and example code for various programming languages.
Language Support
Software
PicoScope 6

Full support for: English, Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Español
Menus and dialogs only for: 中文 (简体), 正體中文 (繁體), Čeština, Dansk, suomi, Ελληνικά, Magyar, Norsk, Polski, Português, română, Русский, Svenska, Türkçe
Documentation
User’s guide
Programmer’s guide
Quick Start Guide

English, Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Español, 中文
English
English, Français, Deutsch, Italiano, Español
General
Additional hardware (supplied) USB 2.0 cable, 2 x oscilloscope probes in probe case, user manuals and software CD-ROM
PC interface USB 2.0
Power requirements Powered from USB port
Compliance European EMC and LVD standards
FCC Rules Part 15 Class A
RoHS compliant
Total Satisfaction Guarantee In the event that this product does not fully meet your requirements you can return it for an exchange or refund. To claim, the product must be returned in good condition within 14 days.
Warranty 5 years