
PC Oscilloscope PCSU1000I
Table of Contents
Part I
Part II
Foreword
Contents
................................................................................................................................... 21 Safety Instructions
................................................................................................................................... 32 1GS/s oversampling mode
................................................................................................................................... 33 Controls
................................................................................................................................... 54 Connection
................................................................................................................................... 65 Troubleshooting
................................................................................................................................... 66 Waveform Parameters Display
................................................................................................................................... 97 Add comment text in the signal screen
Menu Options
................................................................................................................................... 91 File Menu
................................................................................................................................... 102 Edit Menu
................................................................................................................................... 103 Options Menu
................................................................................................................................... 124 View Menu
................................................................................................................................... 145 Spectral Density
................................................................................................................................... 166 Math Menu
................................................................................................................................... 167 Help Menu
0
2
9
Part III
Data Transfer
................................................................................................................................... 161 Data acquisition to other applications
................................................................................................................................... 202 Data acquisition to Microsoft Excel
16
Index 0
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1 Contents
Operation Instructions for Velleman PC Oscilloscope
DIGITAL STORAGE PC OSCILLOSCOPE
Safety Instructions
Waveform Parameters Display
Adding comment text in the signal screen
Data acquisition to other applications
Data acquisition to Microsoft Excel
Important safety information, see user manual.
Before making measurements and for safety reasons, it is important to know some information about
Battery operated equipment
Equipment supplied via a transformer or adapter.
Equipment directly connected to mains.
Equipment that contains components that are directly connected to mains (dimmers…).
above mentioned equipment, use an isolation transformer.
Please remember that the ground
of both channels are interconnected and connected to the
Contents 2
1.1 Safety Instructions
!
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU10003
The 1GS/s sampling rate is in use on blue 0.2us/div, 0.1us/div, 0.05us/div and 0.02us/div
Triggering must be ON to get stable waveform images.
This mode is useable only for repetitive signals.
This operation mode is called "Random Interleaved Sampling" (RIS) method, sometimes also
called "Equivalwent Time Sampling" (ET) mode or "Random Repetitive Sampling". In this
sampling mode the oscilloscope uses successive triggering occurrences to gather the data to
construct a picture of a repetitive signal.
Sets the frequency range of the display. It is necessary to slide the screen using
order to see the full range.
To display the frequency on a linear or logarithmic scale.
In order to expand the screen X1, X2, X4 or X8
Selected value indicates the peak-to-peak voltage required to produce a peak-to-peak deflection of
one major division on the screen
Displays large waveform screen with separate button bar. Use
Note: Big screen is available only in Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer modes.
: the input signal is capacitive coupled to the input amplifier/attenuator. Only the AC components
: the input signal is broken and the input amplifier/attenuator is connected to earth. Use this
position for selecting a reference point on the display.
: the input signal is directly connected to the input amplifier/attenuator. Both AC and DC voltage
Use these buttons to adapt the readouts according to the x1/x10-probe setting.
Buttons turn the display of the trace ON or OFF. To get the cursor measurements of CH2 voltage
1.2 1GS/s oversampling mode
1.3 Controls
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Contents 4
Automatic setup for the Volts/div, Time/div, and Trigger level to produce a stable waveform of usable
size. The trigger will be set on if the wave aplitude on the screen is more then 0.5 divisions.
The signal should be repetitive for proper autoset function: Amplitude 5mV to 100V; frequency above
50Hz; duty cycle greater than 10%.
When this button is down the scope captures many acquisitions of a signal to the screen. Record
points accumulate until you release the button.
When this button is down the scope captures many acquisitions of a signal to the screen. Record
points accumulate until you release the button.
Using Persistence option you can easily analyze worst-case signal variations, such as jitter or noise.
The Persist option can also be used to locate errors in digital signals. Using this option you can
capture erroneous events even if they only occur once. Persist option makes it easy to compare
known and unknown circuits. Click "Single" button to capture multiple waveforms on the same screen.
Persist option lets you see the range over which a signal varies
Use the Persist option to get solid XY patterns in the XY Plot mode
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU10005
Selects the time setting for the beam to sweep one major division on the screen
By selecting different TIME/DIV settings it is possible to
the frozen waveform on the screen.
Selects free run mode or trigged mode.
Selects the signal level at which the sweep is triggered.
Triggering reference mark is displayed with the horizontal line on the left side of the screen.
Selects the trigger source signal (Ch1, Ch2 or Ext)
Selects the triggering slope:
Arrow up: Trigger occurs when triggering signal crosses trigger level in a positive going direction.
Arrow down: Trigger occurs when triggering signal crosses trigger level in a negative going direction.
Resets the triggering x-position reference point. Triggering reference mark is displayed with the
vertical line on the bottom of the screen.
Selects recurrent display update mode (RUN). Pressing the button again freezes the display.
When button is depressed and the trigger level is reached, refreshment of the display takes place
(Below the waveform display)
Positions the trace horizontally on the screen. Triggering reference point is displayed with the vertical
line on the bottom of the screen.
Button selects linear (L) or sine(x)/x (S) interpolation. Linear interpolation connects the data points
with straight lines. Sine(x)/x interpolation uses curves to connect the data points. This smoothed
interpolation gives better waveform display at highest sine frequencies. Linear interpolation is better
for step signals. The S/L selection effects only at TIME/DIV settings 0.2 and 0.1us.
Note: Sine interpolation can result in incorrect top-top signal displaying, at frequencies above 5MHz.
This 1GS/s sampling rate is in use on 0.2us/div, 0.1us/div, 0.05us/div and 0.02us/div ranges.
This button appears only in math mode. Toggles between math mode and normal mode.
Tip: Use Wheel Mouse's scroll wheel to fine adjust the triggering level and traces' y-position.
Connect the oscilloscope unit to the
For Circuit Analyzer (Bode Plotter) option connect function generator PCG10 or K8016 to
To select the LPT port address for the function generator click
1.4 Connection
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1.5 Troubleshooting
Spectrum analyzer doesn't work
No arithmetic coprocessor in the computer.
No signal on the oscilloscope display
No communication with the computer (check that the cable is connected to the USB port)
If USB cable is connected, close the program. Disconnect and reconnect the USB cable and run
the Pc-Lab2000 program again.
The channel concerned is OFF.
TIME/DIV switch is in the wrong setting.
TRIGGER is ON, set TRIGGER OFF
The unit input selection is at GND.
Y position is wrongly adjusted.
Input amplitude is too large, adjust VOLTS/DIV setting.
If the above tips have no effect, then test on a different computer or different USB port.
Note. Close the program before disconnecting the USB cable.
Waveform Parameters Display
When the menu option "Waveform Parameters" of the View menu is selected the software
automatically calculates various voltage and time parameters of a signal, such as DC mean,
amplitude, rise time etc.
These parameters are displayed in a separate window. Use the check boxes in the window to select
the parameters you which to be displayed.
You may select the parameters to display for frozen waveform as well.
You may even re-open saved waveform data file to perform these measurements.
Do not change the scope settings when the re-opened waveform parameters are to be
The green labeled parameters (High, Low, Amplitude, Rise time and Fall time) are mainly intended for
pulse shaped waveform measurements only.
For proper waveform measurement the signal levels must be appropriate. Signal levels too small will
result in noisy and inaccurate measurements. Signal levels too large will result in clipping and yield
?? Indicates that clipping has occurred.
??? Indicates that there are too few or too many wave cycles in the waveform data or the signal
amplitude is too low. Also too noisy signal and variable frequency signal causes this
Contents 6
1.6 Waveform Parameters Display
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU10007
The arithmetic mean of the entire waveform data.
The signal's positive peak voltage.
(Difference between zero and highest value.)
The signal's negative peak voltage.
(Difference between zero and lowest value.)
The signal's peak-to-peak voltage.
(Difference between highest and lowest value.)
The statistical maximum level recorded for all the cycles in the signal.
The statistical minimum level recorded for all the cycles in the signal.
The voltage difference between the High and Low of the signal.
The true RMS value of the AC component of the signal is calculated and converted to voltage.
The measured signal (AC only) is converted to dBV (0dB= 1V).
The measured signal (AC only) is converted to dBm (0dB= 0.775V).
The true RMS value of the wave (AC+DC) is calculated and converted to voltage.
The measured signal (AC+DC) is converted to dBV (0dB= 1V).
The measured signal (AC+DC) is converted to dBm (0dB= 0.775V).
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Contents 8
The ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the average positive pulse width to the average period of the
signal. The time intervals are determined at middle reference level.
Duty Cycle = (Positive Pulse Width)/Period x 100%
Average positive pulse width in the waveform.
The time intervals are determined at middle reference level.
The middle reference is the middle point between the high and low levels.
Average negative pulse width in the waveform.
The time intervals are determined at middle reference level.
Time for a signal's rising edge to go from the low reference level to the high reference level.
The low reference level is 10% and high reference level is 90% of the pulse amplitude.
Time for a signal's falling edge to go from the high reference level to the low reference level.
The low reference level is 10% and high reference level is 90% of the pulse amplitude.
The time interval between two consecutive crossings on the same slope of the signal at the middle
The inverse of the Period of the signal.
Phase angle in degrees between CH1 and CH2.
For phase measurement the frequency of CH1 must be equal to the frequency of CH2.
Phase measurement is time consuming process. In slow PCs this reduces the display update rate.
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU10009
For explanation and documentation, each measurement can be supplied with a comment text.
This text will be saved together with the waveform data to the disk file.
Right mouse click into the screen.
Text box will open, to write your comment.
to remove previously inserted text.
Right click on the screen to position your text.
To make the text transparent with the background, check
The text will have the same color as the vertical time/frequency markers.
File Menu
Default subdirectory (folder)
for image and data files is created when the program is
Opens an image file and displays it on the screen.
Opens and displays the waveform data saved in text format using the
Saves the image to a file in Windows Bitmap (*.BMP) format.
Saves the waveform data in text format. All captured data (4096 points/channel) is saved.
Saves the FFT data in text format. Only the portion of the data displayed on the screen is saved
Saves the Oscilloscope, Spectrum Analyzer and Transient Recorder settings to a file. Also
Function Generator settings (frequency, amplitude, offset and duty cycle) are stored to the file.
Loads a previously-stored settings file to the oscilloscope.
1.7 Add comment text in the signal screen
2 Menu Options
2.1 File Menu
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Prints the image in color.
You can edit the image caption.
Selects a printer and sets printer options before printing. The available options depend on the
Makes the oscilloscope calibration, saves the calibration values to the WinDSO.INI file and
terminates the program. This option should be used when the new oscilloscope has been on for
This option performs following operations:
The fine adjustment of the trace Y-position (offset) on different Volt/Div and Time/Div scales.
Sets the trace labels (on the left side of the screen) to correspond the trace GND level.
Sets the triggering level mark to correspond the triggering level.
2.2 Edit Menu
Copies the image to the Windows' clipboard.
Pastes the image residing in Windows' clipboard to the screen.
Set the window function used to taper the original signal before calculating the FFT.
Spectrum analyzer supports six different FFT windows
The Hamming window is set as default at the startup
It is common practice to taper the original signal before calculating the FFT (Fast Fourier
Transformation). This reduces any discontinuities at the edges of the signal. This is done by
multiplying the signal with a suitable window function. By choosing a tapered window it is possible to
achieve a good compromise between main lobe width and sidelobe levels of a spectral line. The
undesirable spectral leakage can be reduced using a tapered window, at the expense of some
broadening around individual spectral lines. Many different windows have been designed for this
The choice of a suitable one depends on the nature of the signal or data, and on the type of
information to be extracted from its spectrum. In general, a good FFT window has a narrow main
spectral lobe to prevent local spreading of the spectrum, and low sidelobe levels to reduce 'distant'
spectral leakage. In some cases it may be best to leave the data alone -- in effect, to use a
rectangular window. For example, if a signal has close spaced components of roughly the same
amplitude, the rectangular window will probably offer the best chance of resolving them. Conversely,
Menu Options 10
2.3 Options Menu
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU100011
if the amplitudes are very different, a window with low sidelobes will reduce leakage around the large
component, and should make the small one easier to detect.
Comparison of the window functions
Broadband random (white noise)
Closely spaced sine-wave signals
Closely spaced sine-wave signals
High maximum sidelobe level
Good frequency resolution
Narrowband random signals
Poor frequency resolution
Maximum value of each frequency is displayed in Run mode.
This option can be used for recording signal levels as a function of frequency (Bode plot). You can
use spreadsheet to display the frequency response curve including the frequency labels. On
to export the data to the spreadsheet.
Use this averaging mode to reduce signal fluctuations.
RMS averaging provides an excellent estimate of the true signal and noise levels of the input signal.
Use this averaging mode to reduce random or uncorrelated noise in the synchronous signal you want
Vector averaging requires a trigger - set
The signal of interest must be both periodic and phase synchronous with the trigger.
Vector averaging reduces the noise floor for random signals since they are not phase coherent from
time record to time record.
If not trigged, the signal will not add in phase and instead will cancel randomly.
Select the LPT port where the hardware is connected.
Oscilloscope connected to
Demo mode. (No hardware needed).
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Menu Options 12
Select the LPT port address where the Function Generator PCG10 or K8016 is connected
You'll find the address from Windows' Device Manager:
Click "System" icon in Control Panel and then the Device Manager tab.
Click the plus sign next to the "Ports".
Double-click "Printer Port (LPTx)".
Click the Resources tab to see the Input/Output address.
Select the LPT port communication speed for
This can be used in most cases.
Select this option if the waveform of the function generator is corrupte
Select the display colors.
Select the color for various items on the waveform display.
To change the color of an item, click the corresponding button. This will open a dialog in which you
can select the new color.
Full color selection is possible only if True Color (24 bit) palette is used.
There are restrictions in the color combinations with other palettes.
button to resets all colors to the
Select this option to get stable triggering on noisy signals.
This option works only in the Run mode and only in the Real-time Sampling mode.
Displays AC RMS value of the signal
When this option is selected the true RMS AC value of the signal is displayed on the screen.
the RMS value of CH1 is shown
the RMS value of CH2 is shown
Displays AC dBm value of the signal
Displays the sampling rate on the top of the screen.
When this option is selected the dBm value of the signal's AC component is displayed on the screen.
the dBm value of CH1 is shown
the dBm value of CH2 is shown
The dBm value displayed on the screen:
0 dBm = 1 milliwatt at 600 ohms ( 0.775 Vrms)
2.4 View Menu
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU100013
Software automatically calculates various voltage and time parameters of a signal, such as DC
mean, amplitude, rise time etc.
These parameters are displayed in a separate window. Use the check boxes in the window to
select the parameters you which to be displayed.
Displays Markers on the screen.
Brightens the signal grid on the screen.
: The dots of the acquired waveform data are connected by lines.
: Only the dots of the acquired waveform data are displayed.
Markers in ocilloscope mode
Two horizontal markers for measuring voltage. The voltage difference and the absolute voltage
values (in parentheses) are displayed.
Two vertical markers for measuring time and frequency
Note: The voltage markers give preference to channel CH1 if both channels are being used.
Markers in spectrum analyzer mode
Marker function for absolute and relative voltage measurement is provided.
The absolute voltage level in
or the voltage difference in
Noise level can be measured using the
One vertical marker is provided for the frequency measurement.
Place the mouse pointer over a dashed marker line.
Press and hold the left mouse button. The markerline turns solid.
Drag the marker to the appropriate position
is a relative unit of measurement used to describe power or voltage
Equation to calculate a dB value based on the ratio of two voltages V2 and V1 is:
dBV = The dB value is obtained with respect to 1Volt. The dBV is an absolute unit of voltage. It
expresses voltages as a ratio relative to 1 volt.
Equation to calculate a dBV value of a voltage V is:
Equation to calculate voltage V from dBV value is:
14
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A unit of measurement of signal level in an electrical circuit, expressed in decibels referenced to 1
In a circuit with an impedance of 600 ohms, 0 dBm gives an equivalent voltage level of 0.775 Vrms.
The dBm value displayed on the screen:
0 dBm = 1 milliwatt at 600 ohms ( 0.775 Vrms)
2.5 Spectral Density
The Spectral Density marker may be used when measuring the density of random or noise signals
since it properly takes into account the frequency bin width and the FFT window function used by the
spectrum analyzer when measuring noise-like signals.
Spectral Density
marker readout is automatically normalized to 1 Hz.
The Spectral Density marker should not be used to measure discrete frequency components as
it will provide misleading level readings.
is simply the magnitude of the spectrum normalized to a 1 Hz bandwidth. This
measurement approximates what the spectrum would look like if each frequency component were
really a 1 Hz wide piece of the spectrum at each frequency bin.
When measuring broadband signals such as noise with a spectrum analyzer, the amplitude of the
spectrum changes with the frequency span. This is because the FFT bin width changes and the
frequency bins have a different noise bandwidth.
marker normalizes all measurements to a 1 Hz bandwidth and the noise
spectrum becomes independent of the frequency span. This allows measurements with different
If the noise is Gaussian in nature, then the amount of noise amplitude in other bandwidths may be
approximated by scaling the
measurement by the square root of the noise
This image shows a band limited noise signal on an oscilloscope screen.
Spectrum analyzer can be used to measure the spectral density of this noise signal.
In the spectrum analyzer select the following menu options:
Options / FFT Options / RMS Average
Menu Options 14
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU100015
View / Markers (FFT) f & Spectral Density dBV/sqrt(Hz)
This image shows the spectrum of the band limited noise signal.
The analysis of noise in the frequency domain shows the distribution of the noise amplitude as a
marker and the Frequency marker, the voltage spectral density (V
and the noise bandwidth (B
) can be read from the spectrum analyzer display.
First convert the voltage spectral density to
This can be accomplished using the following calculation:
This is the magnitude of the spectrum normalized to a 1 Hz bandwidth.
You may calculate the noise voltage over any bandwidth by multiplying this value by the square root of
Assuming a 6 kHz bandwidth, the total output noise voltage is:
value of the oscilloscope waveform image of this noise signal.)
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2.6 Math Menu
The result of mathematical operation of channel 1 and 2 is displayed.
One of the following functions can be selected:
Ch1 data is displayed on Y axis
Ch2 data is displayed on X axis
A button is provided to toggle between Math mode and Normal mode.
Installing Windows NT4 driver
Gives instructions for the Windows NT4, Windows 2000 and Windows XP users
Displays information of the program version
Data acquisition to other applications
Data acquisition to Microsoft Excel
Pc-Lab2000 software package includes a DLL
This DLL allows you to write custom applications in Excel, Visual Basic, Delphi or any other 32-bit
Windows application development tool that supports calls to a DLL.
The DLL gives you direct access to real-time data and settings information from the oscilloscope.
The complete example programs are located on the VELSOFT CD. Those may be used as a starting
point how to construct your customized application programs.
: Before running the following example programs: The oscilloscope software must be running and
button pressed and trace displayed on the oscilloscope screen.
2.7 Help Menu
Menu Options 16
3 Data Transfer
3.1 Data acquisition to other applications
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU100017
Description of the procedures of the DSOLink.DLL
PROCEDURE ReadCh1(Buffer: Pointer);
PROCEDURE ReadCh2(Buffer: Pointer);
: A pointer to the data array of 5000 long integers where the data
Read all the data and the settings of channel 1 or channel 2 of the PCSU1000.
As a return the following data is put to the buffer:
[1] : Full scale voltage in mV
[2] : Ground level in A/D converter counts. The value may be beyond the 0...255 range if GND level
is adjusted beyond the waveform display area.
[3...4098] : The acquired data in A/D converter counts (0...255), from PCSU1000.
The triggering point of the PCSU1000 is at the data location [1027].
Running the DSOLink in Delphi
\PC-Lab2000 tools\PCSU1000 - PCS500 - PCS100 - K8031\Data transfer
DSOLink_DLL\DSOLink_Demo_VB\
folder on the Velleman CD to locate the demo files.
This folder contains a ready to run
program and its source code.
You may copy the files to any folder and use Delphi to examine, edit and compile the files.
ReadCh1(Buffer: Pointer);
TForm1.Button1Click(Sender: TObject);
Running the DSOLink in Visual Basic
\PC-Lab2000 tools\PCSU1000 - PCS500 - PCS100 - K8031\Data transfer
DSOLink_DLL\DSOLink_Demo_VB\
folder on the VELSOFT CD to locate the demo files.
This folder contains a ready to run
program and its source code.
You may copy the files to any folder and use Visual Basic to examine, edit and compile the files.
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Data Transfer 18
As Long)'This reads the settingsd and 4096 bytes of data from CH1 to the data buffer.
'The first 21 values are displayed.
List1.AddItem "Sample rate [Hz]" + Chr(9) + Str(DataBuffer(0))
List1.AddItem "Full scale [mV]" + Chr(9) + Str(DataBuffer(1))
List1.AddItem "GND level [counts]" + Chr(9) + Str(DataBuffer(2))
List1.AddItem "Data(" + Str(i) + ")" + Chr(9) + Chr(9) + Str(DataBuffer(i + 3))
Running the DSOLink in Borland C++ Builder
The following files are available in the
\PC-Lab2000 tools\PCSU1000 - PCS500 - PCS100 -
K8031\Data transfer DSOLink_DLL\DSOLink_Demo_BCB\
folder on the VELSOFT CD for
development with Borland C++Builder:
the dynamically linked library
the C/C++ header file for function prototypes
Create a new project in Borland C++ Builder.
Add the import library to your project using
statement in the main unit that includes
Finally, add code that calls the DLL functions.
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"C" {/* Assume C declarations for C++ */
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
#pragma package(smart_init)
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TForm1::TForm1(TComponent* Owner)
{}//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TForm1::Button1Click(TObject *Sender)
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU100019
//---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If the import library is not compatible to your Borland C++ version, you can create an import
library by running IMPLIB on the DLL.
IMPLIB (destination lib name) (source dll)
IMPLIB DSOLink.lib DSOLink.dll
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3.2 Data acquisition to Microsoft Excel
Pc-Lab2000 software package includes a DLL
This DLL allows you to write custom applications in Excel, Visual Basic, Delphi or any other 32-bit
Windows application development tool that supports calls to a DLL.
Transferring Waveform Data to an Excel Spreadsheet
The example Excel macro shows you how to collect data directly into the spreadsheet from the
Velleman PC oscilloscopes without the need for other software.
and start a new workbook document.
The Forms toolbar appears.
In the Forms toolbar click on the "Button" button: the mouse-pointer will become a small
On Excel worksheet, use the mouse to draw a rectangle to mark where you want your
When you release the mouse after drawing the rectangle the "Assign Macro" dialog-box
Microsoft Visual Basic edit window will open. A subroutine called
Substitute the default text:
with the following text in the edit window:
Data Transfer 20
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PC Oscilloscope PCSU100021
.Cells(i + 1, 2) = DataBuffer1(i)
.Cells(i + 1, 3) = DataBuffer2(i)
Type following texts to column
Start oscilloscope program for PCSU1000, PCS500, PCS100 or K8031 and click
Click the button on the Excel worksheet. The created macro will execute and the data
will appear to the worksheet columns
.·Rows 4...4099 contain the acquired data in A/D converter counts (0...255) for PCSU1000
Rows 4...4083 contain the acquired data in A/D converter counts (0...255) for PCS100 and
The triggering point of PCSU1000 and PCS500 is on row 1030 and of PCS100 and K8031
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Data Transfer 22
The three first rows contain the scope settings and the rest of the rows contain the raw
oscilloscope data in A/D converter counts (0...255).
values it is possible to reconstruct the
waveform data into engineering units (e.g. Volts and seconds) for further analysis.
© 2005 ... Velleman