(Image credit: element 14)
Recently element14 hosted a one-hour technical webinar, "Scoping Out PC-based USB Oscilloscopes," featuring Ben Ellis, Technical Applications Engineer at Pico Technology. The session, which streamed live on September 11, 2025, focused on how USB-based oscilloscopes are changing the way engineers tackle test and measurement.
One of the standout features, as Ellis notes, is the PicoScope 7 software, which is utilized across nearly all PicoScope models. This approach is designed to reduce the learning curve for engineers and ensure smooth integration with multiple devices. It's also capable of capturing fleeting signals with greater precision, allowing users to record intermittent events without worrying about losing crucial data points. This is particularly valuable in automated testing setups, where rare glitches can be critical.
The PicoScope models also excel in automation. According to Ellis, the platform supports a range of users, from advanced programmers leveraging SDKs to operators with minimal technical knowledge. Scripts and automated routines can also be configured to run repeatable tests efficiently, saving both time and effort.
Ellis touched on a subject most engineers can agree on: sharing data in engineering teams. This can often be a headache due to licensing restrictions and other challenges, but PicoScope simplifies this process, too. Ellis highlights that test results and waveform data can be easily exported and shared, enabling collaboration without requiring additional software.
PicoScopes' small footprint also makes them ideal for on-site troubleshooting or remote testing environments. Despite their compact size, these instruments don't compromise on features, offering capabilities that rival those of larger bench-top oscilloscopes.
According to Ellis, the PicoScope series offers portability, powerful features, and intuitive software, and provides engineers with a flexible solution that adapts to both simple and complex testing scenarios. Whether in the lab or the field, PicoScopes demonstrate that size doesn't have to limit performance, making them a versatile tool in the modern engineer's toolkit.