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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    307

    Oscilloscope Question

    I have a BK Precision 2120 scope. It's a good scope but it's basic. No storage, 20 mhz, dual trace.
    It has a Channel 1 output - "A 50Ω output is available for driving a frequency counter or other instruments. The output is 50mv/div into 50Ω."
    Is there a simple computer interface and software that would take this signal and display/store it?
    It would be nice to be able to catch and analyze transient signals at times.

    Thanks,
    Chris

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Posts
    24221
    Are you thinking of something like this? http://www.syscompdesign.com/
    Are you sure that is signal output? Usually it is just a digital wave train that runs at the frequency you have the sweep set to.
    Al.
    CNC, Mechatronics Integration and Custom Machine Design

    “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
    Albert E.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    307
    I am assuming that it is just an analog signal of what channel 1 is seeing. The quote above is just what the manual says. It doesn't give any other explanation.
    I have seen these sound card O-scopes where a signal is input thru the joystick port and then run thru a O-scope program. Limited range etc.
    I'm really only interested in it for the storage aspect.
    I'll test it. I can probe a signal with ch 1 and hook ch 2 up to the bnc output.

    Chris

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Posts
    307
    Al,

    It an analog signal of ch 1 but it's inverted. My IPod looks cool on the scope.
    I found another section in the manual where it say a bit more:
    "CH 1 Out Jack. - Output terminal where sample of ch 1 is available.
    Amplitude of output is 50 mv / div of vertical deflection seen on crt when terminated into 50Ω. Output impedance is 50Ω.
    After thinking about it I seem to remember that the sound-card scopes are good to about 20 ~ 30 khz. So the one like you show is the way to go.

    Thanks,
    Chris

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    738

    Oscope

    Chris,
    I use a laptop as a virtual instrument for some of the vibration analysis I do. I've got a spectrum analyzer/oscope program that accepts input from the sound inputs (microphone or line input) and does pretty well.
    Here is one that is a bit more basic than the one I use and is only $20 compared to the $3K I shelled out.
    http://www.zelscope.com/
    and another...
    http://www.picotech.com/picoscope-os...-software.html
    and links to several others.
    http://www.bluechillies.com/list/oscilloscope.html

    Best of luck
    Steve

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2003
    Posts
    3312
    It's probably the conditioned output. That is verticle position adjustment on the crt is also summed into the analog signal as well as verticle scale (volts per division).

    PC sound card based scopes are slow. The cheap USB scopes are probably the best price/performance deal if you have a PC that fit's your place you want to use the scope. I debated a USB scope then finally spent the bucks and bought a nice Tek digital scope.
    Phil, Still too many interests, too many projects, and not enough time!!!!!!!!
    Vist my websites - http://pminmo.com & http://millpcbs.com

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