Pico ADC-200 User Manual

pico ADC-200

High speed Analog

to Digital Converter

User Manual

Version 1.0 rev 2

by

A D Tong

Pico Technology Limited

149-151 St Neots Road

Hardwick

Cambs CB3 7QJ

GB

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

E-Mail: [e-mail]

Copyright 1996 Pico Technology Limited

pico ADC-200 user manual

Contents

1 Introduction .......................................... 1

2 Safety Warning ........................................ 1

3 EMC ............................................... 2

4 Specification .......................................... 2

5 Installation ........................................... 4

Package contents ................................. 4

Software ........................................ 4

Hardware ........................................ 4

Version 1.0 rev 2 Page i

pico ADC-200 user manual

Page ii Version 1.0 rev 2

pico ADC-200 user manual

1 Introduction

The PICO ADC-200 is a high speed analog to digital converter with two
input channels and software controlled input ranges. It can be used as a
virtual instrument with the supplied PicoScope software: alternatively, you
can use the ADC-200 driver software to develop your own programs to
collect and analyse data from the unit.

This manual describes the physical and electrical properties of the ADC-

200. Other information can be found in the following locations:
PicoScope for DOS : Refer to PicoScope manual

PicoScope for Windows : Windows help
Windows software drivers : Windows help file
Dos software drivers : DRIVERS.TXT file

The software disk also contains a 'README' file which contains any
information that was not available when this manual was printed.

2 Safety Warning

For all Pico ADCs, the ground input (BNC outer shell) is connected directly
to the ground of your computer. This is done in order to minimise
interference. As with most oscilloscopes, you should take care not to
connect the ground input of the ADC to anything which may be at some
voltage other than ground; doing so may cause damage to the ADC. If in
doubt, connect a channel input to the doubtful ground point and check that
there is no significant AC or DC voltage.

As some computers do not have an earth connection (for example
laptops), it must be assumed that the ADC-200 is not protected by an
earth. For this reason we recommend that only Class II (double insulated)
oscilloscope probes should be used.

The maximum input voltage of the ADC-200 is "20V. Any voltages in
excess of "100V may cause permanent damage to the unit.

Version 1.0 rev 2 Page 1

pico ADC-200 user manual

The unit contains no user servicable parts, repair or calibration of the unit
requires specialised test equipment and must be performed by Pico
Technology Limited or their authorised distributors.

3 EMC

This instrument has been designed to meet the requirements of the EMC
Directive 89/336/EEC. Compliance was demonstrated by meeting the test
limits of the following standards :

Emissions

EN50081-1 (1992) Generic emmission standard for residential, commercial
and light industry. Test methods and limits used were:

a) EN55022 Conducted, Class B.
b) EN55022 Radiated, ClassB.

Immunity

EN50082-1 (1992) Generic immunity standard for residential, commercial
and light industrial. Test methods and limits used were:

a) EN60801-2 (1993) Electrostatic Discharge.
b) IEC801-3 (1984) RF Field.
c) IEC801-4 (1988) Fast Transient.

Page 2 Version 1.0 rev 2

pico ADC-200 user manual

4 Specification

Parameter ADC200-20 ADC200-50
Maximum sampling rate 20Msps (2 channels) 25 Msps (2

channels)
50Msps (1 channel)

Buffer size 2x8k samples 2x8k samples

1x16k samples
Resolution 8 bits
Analog Connections 2 channels

1MS input impedance
BNC connector
AC/DC coupling via switch

Digital connections 1 channel: ext trigger/signal generator

>100kS input impedance
BNC connector

Voltage ranges ±20V, ±10V, ±5V, ±2V, ±1V, ±500mV, ±200mV,

±100mV, ±50mV

Accuracy Voltage ±3%

Time ±100ppm

Trigger modes Event: None/Rising/Falling

Source: chA/chB/Ext(digital)

Timing: pre/post/1% increments between
Output D25 to PC printer port
Power supply 300mA @ 12V 500mA @ 12V

1.6mm DC connector (+ in centre)

Case Grey ABS

140x190x45mm

not waterproof

Version 1.0 rev 2 Page 3

pico ADC-200 user manual

Page 4 Version 1.0 rev 2

pico ADC-200 user manual

5 Installation

5.1 Package contents

The ADC-200 package should contain the following items:

! ADC-200 unit
! 25 way parallel cable
! Power supply
! Software diskette
! ADC-200 manual
! PicoScope for DOS manual

5.2 Software

To install the software under DOS:

! insert the diskette into drive A
! type A:INSTALL and press Enter

To install the software under Windows:

! insert the diskette into drive A
! select File from the program manager menu
! select Run from the File sub-menu
! type in A:WINSTALL and press Enter

The computer will ask you a number of questions, then copy the files that
you have selected onto your hard disk.

The software will normally be installed in a directory called C:\PICO and the
software drivers in the sub-directory called C:\PICO\DRIVERS

5.3 Hardware

To use the ADC-200, you should connect the D-connector on the ADC-200
to the printer port on your computer using the cable provided. Next,
connect DC power by plugging the power adaptor into a mains socket and

Version 1.0 rev 2 Page 5

pico ADC-200 user manual

plugging the DC power jack into the socket on the ADC-200. The red light
should now be on, showing the unit is powered.

The ADC-200 has the same connectors as an oscilloscope, so you can use
standard oscilloscope probes. The input impedance is also the same, so
the x10 function on a scope probe works correctly.

There is a switch next to each BNC connector: with the switch down, the
ADC-100 can measure DC voltages on the BNC next to it. With the switch
up, it measures only AC voltages.

The BNC connector labled 'E' has two functions; in normal use it is the
external trigger input and accepts a TTL compatible input signal. This
connector can also be used as a simple (squarewave) generator. This
signal generator can be used to compensate x10 scope probes.

To check that the unit is working, start up the PicoScope program.
PicoScope should now display the voltage that you have connected. If you
are using scope probes, when you touch the scope probe tip with your
finger, you should see a small 50Hz mains signal on the screen.

Page 6 Version 1.0 rev 2

pico ADC-200 user manual

Version 1.0 rev 2 Page 7