PC-Based Oscilloscope

Thread Starter

Sonoma_Dog

Joined Jul 24, 2008
99
Hi all, I wanted to buy an oscilloscope, but I can't really afford a real one at this moment. So i am thinking to purchase a PC-based oscilloscope, does anyone know a good brand for a pc-based oscilloscope?
and what are some of the disadvantage of PC-Based oscilloscope, beside it doesn't comes with a pretty screen.


Thanks
 

Thread Starter

Sonoma_Dog

Joined Jul 24, 2008
99
Ah, after talking to my friend wikipedia. here are some of the disadvantage of PC-based oscilloscope.


  • Power-supply and electromagnetic noise from PC circuits, which requires careful and extensive shielding to obtain good low-level signal resolution.
  • Data transfer rates to the PC, which are dependent upon the connection method. This affects the maximum sampling speed achievable by the PCO when streaming.
  • Need for the owner to install oscilloscope software on the PC, which may not be compatible with the current release of the PC operating system.
  • Time for the PC to boot, compared with the almost instant start-up of a self-contained oscilloscope (although, as some modern oscilloscopes are actually PCs or similar machines in disguise, this distinction is narrowing).
have anyone used a PC-Based Oscilloscope and experiencing any noise problem and time delay on the data streaming from the O-scope to PC? And how bad is it?

Thanks
 

studiot

Joined Nov 9, 2007
4,998
You have lots of options using a pc but you are right, there are cons as well as pros.

You haven't said what you are going to use your scope for. this is very important as it will determine the frequency range (and price).

You can get digital multimeters with pc output. These include slow speed scope diaplay software. See ref 3

For somewhat more money you can get handheld 'scopes' with pc output for larger screen. (ref 2)

Or you can get some pretty comprehensive pc base multi instruments. (ref1)

Of course some modern scopes have printer and pc output of their own.

http://www.fastsampling.com/DDSG2AManual.pdf

http://www.uni-trend.com.hk/UT81B.html

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=46381&DOY=4m9
 
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