pico ADC-200 High Speed Analog Digital Converter User Manual
- June 16, 2024
- Pico
Table of Contents
ADC-200
High speed Analog to Digital Converter
User Manual
Version 1.0 rev 2
by A D Tong
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 ADC200.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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: chAlchB/Ext(digital)
Timing: pre/post/1% increments between
Output| D25 to PC printer port
Power supply| 300mA @ 12V| I 500mA @ 12V
1.6mm DC connector (+ in centre)
Case| Grey ABS
140x190x45mm not waterproof
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 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 ip with your
finger, you should see a small 50Hz mains signal on the screen.
