Measuring directly on the line voltage can be very dangerous.
Despite the care taken for the compilation of this user manual, TiePie
engineering can not be held responsible for any damages resulting from
errors that may appear in this book.
Copyrightc2011 TiePie engineering. All rights reserved.
When working with electricity, no instrument can guarantee complete safety. It is the responsibility of the person
who works with the instrument to operate it in a save way.
Maximum security is achieved by selecting the proper instruments and following save working procedures. Save
working tips are given below:
• Always work according (local) regulations.
• Work on installations with voltages higher than 25 V AC or
60 V DC should only be performed by qualified personnel.
• Avoid working alone.
• Observe all indications on the Handyscope HS4 DIFF before
connecting any wiring
• Check the probes/test leads for damages. Do not use them
if they are damaged
• Take care when measuring at voltages higher than 25V AC
or 60 V DC.
• Do not operate the equipment in an explosive atmosphere or
in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
• Do not use the equipment if it does not operate properly.
Have the equipment inspected by qualified service personal.
If necessary, return the equipment to TiePie engineering for
service and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.
Safety1
2Chapter 1
Declaration of confirmity
2
TiePie engineering
Koperslagersstraat 37
8601 WL Sneek
The Netherlands
EC Declaration of confirmity
We declare, on our own responsibility, that the product
for which this declaration is valid, is in compliance with
EN 55011:2009/A1:2010EN 61000-6-1:2007
EN 55022:2006/A1:2007EN 61000-6-3:2007
according the conditions of the EMC standard 2004/108/EC.
Sneek, 1-11-2010
ir. A.P.W.M. Poelsma
Declaration of confirmity3
4Chapter 2
Introduction
3
Before using the Handyscope HS4 DIFF first read chapter 1
about safety.
Many technicians investigate electrical signals. Though the measurement may not be electrical, the physical variable is often converted to an electrical signal, with a special transducer. Common
transducers are accelerometers, pressure probes, current clamps
and temperature probes. The advantages of converting the physical
parameters to electrical signals are large, since many instruments
for examining electrical signals are available.
The Handyscope HS4 DIFF is a portable four channel measuring
instrument with differential inputs. The Handyscope HS4 DIFF
is available in several models with different maximum sampling
frequencies: 5 MS/s, 10 MS/s, 25 MS/s or 50 MS/s. The native
resolution is 12 bits, but user selectable resolutions of 14 and 16
bits are available too, with adjusted maximum sampling frequency:
resolutionMaximum sampling frequency
12 bit5, 10, 25 or 50 MS/s, depending on model
14 bit3.125 MS/s
16 bit
195 kS/s
Table 3.1: Maximum sampling frequencies
With the accompanying software the Handyscope HS4 DIFF can be
used as an oscilloscope, a spectrum analyzer, a true RMS voltmeter
or a transient recorder. All instruments measure by sampling the
input signals, digitizing the values, process them, save them and
display them.
3.1Differential input
Most oscilloscopes are equipped with standard, single ended inputs,
which are referenced to ground. This means that one side of the
Introduction5
input is always connected to ground and the other side to the point
of interest in the circuit under test.
Figure 3.1: Single ended input
Therefore the voltage that is measured with an oscilloscope with
standard, single ended inputs is always measured between that
specific point and ground.
When the voltage is not referenced to ground, connecting a standard single ended oscilloscope input to the two points would create
a short circuit between one of the points and ground, possibly damaging the circuit and the oscilloscope.
A safe way would be to measure the voltage at one of the two
points, in reference to ground and at the other point, in reference
to ground and then calculate the voltage difference between the
two points. On most oscilloscopes this can be done by connecting
one of the channels to one point and another channel to the other
point and then use the math function Ch1 - Ch2 in the oscilloscope
to display the actual voltage difference.
There are some disadvantages to this method:
• a short circuit to ground can be created when an input is
• to measure one signal, two channels are occupied
• by using two channels, the measurement error is increased,
• The Common Mode Rejection Ratio (CMRR) of this method
A much better way is to use an oscilloscope with a differential
input.
6Chapter 3
wrongly connected
the errors made on each channel will be combined, resulting
in a larger total measurement error
is relatively low. If both points have a relative high voltage,
but the voltage difference between the two points is small,
the voltage difference can only be measured in a high input
range, resulting in a low resolution
Figure 3.2: Differential input
A differential input is not referenced to ground, but both sides of
the input are ”floating”. It is therefore possible to connect one
side of the input to one point in the circuit and the other side of
the input to the other point in the circuit and measure the voltage
difference directly.
Advantages of a differential input:
• No risk of creating a short circuit to ground
• Only one channel is required to measure the signal
• More accurate measurements, since only one channel intro-
duces a measurement error
• The CMRR of a differential input is high. If both points have
a relative high voltage, but the voltage difference between the
two points is small, the voltage difference can be measured
in a low input range, resulting in a high resolution
3.1.1Differential attenuators
To increase the input range of the Handyscope HS4 DIFF, it comes
with a differential 1:10 attenuator for each channel. This differential attenuator is specially designed to be used with the Handyscope
HS4 DIFF.
Figure 3.3: Differential attenuator
For a differential input, both sides of the input need to be attenuated.
Introduction7
Figure 3.4: Differential input
Standard oscilloscope probes and attenuators only attenuate one
side of the signal path. These are not suitable to be used with
a differential input. Using these on a differential input will have
a negative effect on the CMRR and will introduce measurement
errors.
Figure 3.5: Differential input
The Differential Attenuator and the inputs of the Handyscope HS4 Diff are differential, which means that the outside
of the BNC’s are not grounded, but carry life signals.
When using the attenuator, the following points have to be taken
into consideration:
• do not connect other cables to the attenuator than the ones
• do not touch the metal parts of the BNC’s when the atten-
8Chapter 3
that are supplied with the instrument
uator is connected to the circuit under test, they can carry
a dangerous voltage. It will also influence the measurements
and create measurement errors.
• do not connect the outside of the two BNC’s of the attenuator
to each other as this will short circuit a part of the internal
circuit and will create measurement errors
• do not connect the outside of the BNC’s of two or more at-
tenuators that are connected to different channels of the Handyscope HS4 Diff to each other
• do not apply excessive mechanical force to the attenuator in
any direction (e.g. pulling the cable, using the attenuator as
handle to carry the Handyscope HS4 DIFF, etc.)
3.1.2Differential test lead
The Handyscope HS4 DIFF comes with a special differential test
lead. This test lead is specially designed to ensure a good CMRR.
The special heat resistant differential test lead provided with the
Handyscope HS4 DIFF is designed to be immune for noise from
the surrounding environment.
3.2Sampling
When sampling the input signal, samples are taken at fixed intervals. At these intervals, the size of the input signal is converted to a
number. The accuracy of this number depends on the resolution of
the instrument. The higher the resolution, the smaller the voltage
steps in which the input range of the instrument is divided. The
acquired numbers can be used for various purposes, e.g. to create
a graph.
Introduction9
Figure 3.6: Sampling
The sine wave in figure 3.6 is sampled at the dot positions. By
connecting the adjacent samples, the original signal can be reconstructed from the samples. You can see the result in figure 3.7.
Figure 3.7: ”connecting” the samples
3.3Sample frequency
The rate at which the samples are taken is called the sampling
frequency, the number of samples per second. A higher sampling
frequency corresponds to a shorter interval between the samples.
As is visible in figure 3.8, with a higher sampling frequency, the
original signal can be reconstructed much better from the measured
samples.
10Chapter 3
Figure 3.8: The effect of the sampling frequency
The sampling frequency must be higher than 2 times the highest
frequency in the input signal. This is called the Nyquist fre-quency. Theoretically it is possible to reconstruct the input signal
with more than 2 samples per period. In practice, 10 to 20 samples per period are recommended to be able to examine the signal
thoroughly.
3.3.1Aliasing
When sampling an analog signal with a certain sampling frequency,
signals appear in the output with frequencies equal to the sum and
difference of the signal frequency and multiples of the sampling
frequency. For example, when the sampling frequency is 1000 Hz
and the signal frequency is 1250 Hz, the following signal frequencies
will be present in the output data:
Multiple of sampling frequency1250 Hz signal-1250 Hz signal
...
-1000-1000 + 1250 = 250-1000 - 1250 = -2250
00 + 1250 = 12500 - 1250 = -1250
10001000 + 1250 = 22501000 - 1250 = -250
20002000 + 1250 = 32502000 - 1250 = 750
...
Table 3.2: Aliasing
As stated before, when sampling a signal, only frequencies lower
than half the sampling frequency can be reconstructed. In this
case the sampling frequency is 1000 Hz, so we can we only observe
Introduction11
signals with a frequency ranging from 0 to 500 Hz. This means
that from the resulting frequencies in the table, we can only see
the 250 Hz signal in the sampled data. This signal is called an
alias of the original signal.
If the sampling frequency is lower than twice the frequency of the
input signal, aliasing will occur. The following illustration shows
what happens.
Figure 3.9: Aliasing
In figure 3.9, the green input signal (top) is a triangular signal with
a frequency of 1.25 kHz. The signal is sampled with a frequency of
1 kHz. The corresponding sampling interval is 1/1000Hz = 1ms.
The positions at which the signal is sampled are depicted with
the blue dots. The red dotted signal (bottom) is the result of the
reconstruction. The period time of this triangular signal appears
to be 4 ms, which corresponds to an apparent frequency (alias) of
250 Hz (1.25 kHz - 1 kHz).
12Chapter 3
To avoid aliasing, always start measuring at the highest sampling frequency and lower the sampling frequency if required.
3.4Digitizing
When digitizing the samples, the voltage at each sample time is
converted to a number. This is done by comparing the voltage
with a number of levels. The resulting number is the number corresponding to the level that is closest to the voltage. The number
of levels is determined by the resolution, according to the following
relation: LevelC ount = 2
The higher the resolution, the more levels are available and the
more accurate the input signal can be reconstructed. In figure 3.10,
the same signal is digitized, using two different amounts of levels:
16 (4-bit) and 64 (6-bit).
Resolution
.
Figure 3.10: The effect of the resolution
The Handyscope HS4 DIFF measures at e.g. 12 bit resolution
(212=4096 levels). The smallest detectable voltage step depends
on the input range. This voltage can be calculated as:
V oltageStep = F ullInputRange/LevelC ount
For example, the 200 mV range ranges from -200 mV to +200
mV, therefore the full range is 400 mV. This results in a smallest
detectable voltage step of 0.400V/4096 = 97.65 µV.
3.5Signal coupling
The Handyscope HS4 DIFF has two different settings for the signal
coupling: AC and DC. In the setting DC, the signal is directly
Introduction13
coupled to the input circuit. All signal components available in the
input signal will arrive at the input circuit and will be measured.
In the setting AC, a capacitor will be placed between the input
connector and the input circuit. This capacitor will block all DC
components of the input signal and let all AC components pass
through. This can be used to remove a large DC component of the
input signal, to be able to measure a small AC component at high
resolution.
When measuring DC signals, make sure to set the signal
coupling of the input to DC.
14Chapter 3
Driver installation
Before connecting the Handyscope HS4 DIFF to the computer, the drivers need to be installed.
4.1Introduction
To operate a Handyscope HS4 DIFF, a driver is required to interface between the measurement software and the instrument. This
driver takes care of the low level communication between the computer and the instrument, through USB. When the driver is not
installed, or an old, no longer compatible version of the driver is
installed, the software will not be able to operate the Handyscope
HS4 DIFF properly or even detect it at all.
The installation of the USB driver is done in a few steps. Firstly,
the driver has to be pre-installed by the driver setup program. This
makes sure that all required files are located where Windows can
find them. When the instrument is plugged in, Windows will detect
new hardware and install the required drivers.
4
4.2Where to find the driver setup
The driver setup program and measurement software can be found
in the download section on TiePie engineering’s website and on the
CD-ROM that came with the instrument. It is recommended to
install the latest version of the software and USB driver from the
website. This will guarantee the latest features are included.
4.3Executing the installation utility
To start the driver installation, execute the downloaded driver
setup program, or the one on the CD-ROM that came with the
instrument. The driver install utility can be used for a first time
Driver installation15
installation of a driver on a system and also to update an existing
driver.
The screen shots in this description may differ from the ones displayed on your computer, depending on the Windows version.
Figure 4.1: Driver install: step 1
When drivers were already installed, the install utility will remove
them before installing the new driver. To remove the old driver
successfully, it is essential that the Handyscope HS4 DIFF is
disconnected from the computer prior to starting the driver install
utility. When the Handyscope HS4 DIFF is used with an external
power supply, this must be disconnected too.
16Chapter 4
Figure 4.2: Driver install: step 2
When the instrument is still connected, the driver install utility
will recognize it and report this. You will be asked to continue
anyway.
Figure 4.3: Driver install: Instrument is still connected
Clicking ”No” will bring back the previous screen. The instrument
should now be disconnected. Then the removal of the existing
driver can be continued by clicking ”Next”.
Clicking ”Yes” will ignore the fact that the instrument is still
connected and continue removal of the old driver. This option is
not recommended, as removal may fail, after which installation of
the new driver may fail as well.
When no existing driver was found or the existing driver is removed, the location for the pre-installation of the new driver can
be selected.
Driver installation17
Figure 4.4: Driver install: step 3
On Windows XP and newer, the installation may inform about
the drivers not being ”Windows Logo Tested”. The driver is not
causing any danger for your system and can be safely installed.
Please ignore this warning and continue the installation.
Figure 4.5: Driver install: step 4
18Chapter 4
The driver install utility now has enough information and can install the drivers. Clicking ”Install” will remove existing drivers
and install the new driver. A remove entry for the new driver is
added to the software applet in the Windows control panel.
Figure 4.6: Driver install: step 5
As mentioned, Windows XP SP2 and newer may warn for the USB
drivers not being Windows Logo tested. Please ignore this warning
and continue anyway.
Figure 4.7: Driver install: Ignore warning and continue
Driver installation19
Figure 4.8: Driver install: Finished
20Chapter 4
Hardware installation
Drivers have to be installed before the Handyscope HS4
DIFF is connected to the computer for the first time. See
chapter 4 for more information.
5.1Power the instrument
The Handyscope HS4 DIFF is powered by the USB, no external
power supply is required. Only connect the Handyscope HS4 DIFF
to a bus powered USB port, otherwise it may not get enough power
to operate properly.
5.1.1External power
In certain cases, it can be that the Handyscope HS4 DIFF cannot
get enough power from the USB port.
When a Handyscope HS4 DIFF is connected to a USB port, the
hardware will be powered, resulting in an inrush current, which
is higher than the nominal current. After the inrush current, the
current will stabilize at the nominal current.
USB ports have a maximum limit for both the inrush current peak
and the nominal current. When either of them is exceeded, the
USB port will be switched off. As a result, the connection to the
Handyscope HS4 DIFF will be lost.
Most USB ports can supply enough current for the Handyscope
HS4 DIFF to work without an external power supply, but this is not
always the case. Some (battery operated) portable computers or
(bus powered) USB hubs do not supply enough current. The exact
value at which the power is switched off, varies per USB controller,
so it is possible that the Handyscope HS4 DIFF functions properly
on one computer, but does not on another.
In order to power the Handyscope HS4 DIFF externally, an external power input is provided for. It is located at the rear of the
5
Hardware installation21
Handyscope HS4 DIFF. Refer to paragraph 7.1 for specifications
of the external power intput.
5.2Connect the instrument to the computer
After the new driver has been pre-installed (see chapter 4), the
Handyscope HS4 DIFF can be connected to the computer. When
the Handyscope HS4 DIFF is connected to a USB port of the computer, Windows will report new hardware. The Found New Hardware Wizard will appear.
Depending on the Windows version, the New Hardware Wizard
will show a number of screens in which it will ask for information
regarding the drivers of the newly found hardware. The appearance of the dialogs will differ for each Windows version and might
be different on the computer where the Handyscope HS4 DIFF is
installed.
The driver consists of two parts which are installed separately.
Once the first part is installed, the installation of the second part
will start automatically. Installation of the second part is identical
to the first part, therefore they are not described individually here.
22Chapter 5
5.2.1Found New Hardware Wizard
Figure 5.1: Hardware install: step 1
This window will only be shown in Windows XP SP2 or newer.
No drivers for the Handyscope HS4 DIFF can be found on the
Windows Update Web site, so select ”No, not this time” and
click ”Next”.
Hardware installation23
Figure 5.2: Hardware install: step 2
Since the drivers are already pre-installed on the computer, Windows will be able to find them automatically. Select ”Install thesoftware automatically” and click ”Next”.
Figure 5.3: Hardware install: step 3
The New Hardware wizard will now copy the required files to their
destination.
24Chapter 5
Figure 5.4: Hardware install: step 4
The first part of the new driver is now installed. Click ”Finish”
to close the wizard and start installation of the second part, which
follows identical steps.
Once the second part of the driver is installed. measurement software can be installed and the Handyscope HS4 DIFF can be used.
5.3Plug into a different USB port
When the Handyscope HS4 DIFF is plugged into a different USB
port, some Windows versions will treat the Handyscope HS4 DIFF
as different hardware and will ask to install the drivers again. This
is controlled by Microsoft Windows and is not caused by TiePie
engineering.
Hardware installation25
26Chapter 5
Front panel
Figure 6.1: Front panel
6.1Channel input connectors
The CH1 – CH4 BNC connectors are the main inputs of the acquisition system. The isolated BNC connectors are not connected to
the ground of the Handyscope HS4 DIFF.
6.2Power indicator
A power indicator is situated at the top cover of the instrument.
It is lit when the Handyscope HS4 DIFF is powered.
6
Front panel27
28Chapter 6
Rear panel
7.1Power
The Handyscope HS4 DIFF is powered through the USB. If the
USB cannot deliver enough power, it is possible to power the instrument externally. The Handyscope HS4 DIFF has two external
power inputs located at the rear of the instrument: the dedicated
power input and a pin of the extension connector.
The specifications of the dedicated power connector are:
7
Figure 7.1: Rear panel
PinDimensionDescription
Center pinØ1.3 mmground
Outside bushingØ3.5 mmpositive
Figure 7.2: Power connector
Besides the external power input, it is also possible to power the
instrument through the extension connector, the 25 pin Sub-D connector at the rear of the instrument. The power has to be applied
to pin 3 of the extension connector. Pin 4 can be used as ground.
The following minimum and maximum voltages apply to both power
inputs:
Rear panel29
4.5 Volt DC14 Volt DC
Table 7.1: Maximum voltages
Note that the externally applied voltage should be higher than the
USB voltage to relieve the USB port.
7.1.1USB power cable
The Handyscope HS4 DIFF is delivered with a special USB external power cable.
MinimumMaximum
One end of this cable can be connected to a second USB port on
the computer, the other end can be plugged in the external power
input at the rear of the instrument. The power for the instrument
will be taken from two USB ports of the computer.
30Chapter 7
Figure 7.3: USB power cable
The outside of the external power connector is connected to
+5 Volt. In order to avoid shortage, first connect the cable
to the Handyscope HS4 DIFF and then to the USB port.
7.1.2Power adapter
In case a second USB port is not available, or the computer still
can’t provide enough power for the instrument, an external power
adapter can be used. When using an external power adapter, make
sure that:
• the polarity is set correctly
• the voltage is set to a valid value for the instrument and
higher than the USB voltage
• the adapter can supply enough current (preferably >1 A)
• the plug has the correct dimensions for the external power
input of the instrument
7.2USB
The Handyscope HS4 DIFF is equipped with a USB 2.0 High speed
(480 Mbit/sec) interface with a fixed cable with type A plug. It
will also work on a computer with a USB 1.1 interface, but will
then operate at 12 Mbit/sec.
7.3Extension Connector
Figure 7.4: Extension connector
To connect to the Handyscope HS4 DIFF a 25 pin female Sub-D
connector is available, containing the following signals:
Rear panel31
PinDescriptionPinDescription
1Ground14Ground
2Reserved15Ground
3External Power in DC16Reserved
4Ground17Ground
5+5V out, 10 mA max.18Reserved
6Ext. sampling clock in (TTL)19Reserved
7Ground20Reserved
8Ext. trigger in (TTL)21Reserved
9Data OK out (TTL)22Ground
10Ground23I2C SDA
11Trigger out (TTL)24I2C SCL
12Reserved25Ground
13Ext. sampling clock out (TTL)
Table 7.2: Pin description Extension connector
All TTL signals are 3.3 Volt TTL signals which are 5 Volt tolerant,
so they can be connected to 5 Volt TTL systems.
Pins 9, 11, 12, 13 are open collector outputs. Connect a pull-up
resistor of 1 kOhm to pin 5 when using one of these signals.
32Chapter 7
Specifications
8.1Acquisition system
Number of input channels4 analog
Ch1, Ch2, Ch3, Ch4isolated BNC
Maximum sampling rate12 bit5 MS/s, 10 MS/s, 25 MS/s or 50 MS/s
14 bit3.125 MS/s
16 bit195 kS/s
Sampling sourceinternal quartz, external
Accuracy±0.01%
Stability±100 ppm over −40◦C to +85◦C
Memory128 kSamples per channel
(256 kSamples with disabled generator)
8.2BNC inputs Ch1 – Ch4
Measure modeDifferential
Resolution12, 14, 16 bit user selectable
Accuracy0.3% ± 1 LSB
Sensitivity200 mV .. 80 V full scale
CouplingAC/DC
Impedance2 MΩ / 30 pF
Maximum voltage200 V (DC + AC peak <10 kHz)
Maximum voltage with 1:10 attenuator500 V (DC + AC peak <10 kHz)
Maximum common mo de voltage200 mV – 800 mV ranges : 2 V
Common Mode Rejection Ration-48 dB
Channel Isolation500 V
Channel Separation-80 dB
Bandwidth (-3dB)DC to 50 MHz
AC coupling cut off frequency (-3dB)±1.5 Hz
2 V – 8 V ranges : 20 V
20 V – 80 V ranges : 200 V
8
Specifications33
8.3Trigger system
Systemdigital, 2 levels
SourceCH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, digital external, AND, OR,
Trigger modesrising slope, falling slope,
Level adjustment0–100% of full scale
Hysteresis adjustment0–100% of full scale
Resolution0.025 % (12 bits)
Pre trigger0–128 ksamples (0–100%, one sample resolution)
Post trigger0–128 ksamples (0–100%, one sample resolution)
Digital external trigger
Inputextension connector
Sensitivity0 .. 5 V (TTL)
CouplingDC
8.4Interface
inside window, outside window
InterfaceUSB 2.0 High Speed (480 Mbit/s)
8.5Power
Inputfrom USB or external input
Consumption500 mA max
8.6Physical
Instrument height25 mm / 1.0”
Instrument length170 mm / 6.7”
Instrument width140 mm / 5.2”
Weight480 gram / 17 ounce
USB cord length1.8 m / 70”
34Chapter 8
(USB 1.1 Full Speed (12 Mbit/sec) compatible)
8.7I/O connectors
Ch1–Ch2BNC
Generator outBNC
Power3.5 mm power socket
Extension connectorSub-D 25 pins female
8.8System requirements
PC I/O connectionUSB 2.0 High Speed (480 Mbit/s)
Operating SystemWindows 98/ME/2000/XP/Vista-32
(USB 1.1 Full Speed (12 Mbit/sec) compatible)
8.9Operating environment
Ambient temperature0 - 55◦C
Relative humidity10 to 90% non condensing
8.10Storage environment
Ambient temperature-20 - 70◦C
Relative humidity5 to 95% non condensing
8.11Certifications and Compliances
CE mark complianceeYes
RoHSYes
8.12Package
InstrumentHandyscope HS4 DIFF
Test lead4 x low noise differential with 4 mm banana jacks
Accessories4 x 1:10 differential attenuators
SoftwareWindows 98/2000/ME/XP/Vista-32
DriversWindows 98/2000/ME/XP/Vista-32
ManualInstrument manual and software user’s manual
PS2 power cable
Specifications35
36Chapter 8
If you have any suggestions and/or remarks regarding this application
or the manual, please contact:
TiePie engineering
@
@
P.O. Box 290
8600 AG SNEEK
The Netherlands
TiePie engineering
@
Koperslagersstraaat 37
8601 WL SNEEK
The Netherlands