PicoScope® 4000A Series

Digital triggering

Most digital oscilloscopes still use an analog trigger architecture based on comparators.

This can cause time and amplitude errors that cannot always be calibrated out. The use of

comparators often limits the trigger sensitivity at high bandwidths and can also create a

long trigger rearm delay.

In 1991 Pico set an innovation milestone by pioneering the use of full digital triggering

using the actual digitized data. This reduces trigger errors and allows our oscilloscopes

to trigger on the smallest signals, even at the full bandwidth. All real-time triggering is

digital, resulting in high threshold resolution with programmable hysteresis and optimal

waveform stability.

The reduced rearm delay provided by digital triggering, together with segmented memory,

allows the capture of events that happen in rapid sequence. At the fastest timebase, rapid

triggering can capture a new waveform every 3 microseconds until the buffer is full.

Advanced triggers

As well as the standard range of triggers found on most oscilloscopes, the

PicoScope 4000A Series has a comprehensive set of advanced triggers built in to help

you capture the data you need. These include pulse width, windowed, and dropout triggers

to help you find and capture your signal quickly.