The Understanding Signals Parts and Text Kit adds a 144-page student guide and many electronic components to the Parallax USB Oscilloscope. Learn how to generate, view, and measure a variety of wave forms. Each activity includes a BASIC Stamp®-controlled example circuit and code, directions for configuring the oscilloscope and placing the probes, and screen-captures of the Parallax USB Software interface displaying the signal.
A Board of Education with a BASIC Stamp 2 or a HomeWork Board is needed to run the experiments in this kit.
The Understanding Signals Kit Includes the Following:
- Parallax USB Oscilloscope
- Parallax Digital Oscilloscope Software CD-ROM (download and evaluate for free below)
- (3) pairs of probes
- USB cable
- 144-page Understanding Signals printed text (download and evaluate for free below)
- Understanding Signals Parts Kit
Additional benefits: 14-day return for refund and 90-day workmanship warranty; free Parallax technical support by e-mail and phone; free software upgrades.
The Understanding Signals Tutorial
The Understanding Signals text provides an excellent introduction to using the Parallax USB Oscilloscope. Each activity includes a BASIC Stamp-controlled example circuit and code, directions for configuring the oscilloscope and placing the probes, and screen-captures of the Parallax USB Software interface displaying the signals. Topics include:
- Analog inputs from photoresistors and A/D converters
- RC-time in resistor-capacitor networks
- Asynchronous serial communication between the PC and a BASIC Stamp module
- Synchronous serial communication between a BASIC Stamp and ADC0831 A/D converter
- Single and dual sine waves
- Servo pulse signals over an entire range of motion
- Pulse width modulation with infrared
- Decoding of handheld infrared remote control signals
- Voltage amplification and inversion with DC offset with an op-amp
- All electronic components needed are included in the Understanding Signals Parts and Text kit
- BASIC Stamp 2 source code for the experiments in the book is available for free download
A Board of Education Full Kit (#28103) or a HomeWork Board (#28158) is needed to run the experiments in this kit, but are not required to use the oscilloscope.
About the Parallax USB Oscilloscope
This portable two-channel digital storage oscilloscope is a handy and affordable tool for both hobbyist and student. Three pairs of probes connect to the compact powder-coated aluminum case, two for signal channels and the third for external TTL triggering. The hardware connects to your PC with the included USB cable for both data transfer and power, so no external power supply is needed.
All oscilloscope controls are managed through one of our two software interface platforms. Both platforms include classic scope features such as Auto and Normal trigger modes, variable trigger voltage, external triggering, and auto-measurements (Min, Max, Frequency, Period). Three easy-to-use cursor functions to measure acquired signals manually, with the option to snap to the waveform. Each platform also allows you to save customized setups, and to export data and bitmaps for analysis and inclusion in reports.
Oscilloscope Specifications
- 2 Channels - view 2 signals at once
- 1 million samples per second maximum sample rate with one channel
- 500, 000 samples per second sample rate with 2 channels
- View sine waves up to 60 kHz
- View square waves up to 100 kHz
- 4 FFT functions: Black-Harris, Hamming, Rectangular, Hanning
- 20 Vpp maximum input for channel 1 and channel 2
- 200 kHz bandwidth
- 8-Bit vertical resolution
- External trigger source: TTL rising edge, 5 V TTL maximum input
- Trigger on rising or falling edge at any voltage
- Variable trigger voltage on channels 1 and 2
- Horizontal trigger position settings at 10%, 50%, and 90%.
- Auto and normal trigger modes
- Vertical, horizontal, and paired cursor functions
- Zoom feature with active cursors
- Built-in screen-capture bitmap function
- 1X probes included
- USB 1.1 for data and power supply - no other power supply needed.
- Size: 5'' x 2.25" x 1.5" (excluding cable and probes)
- Weight: 8 ounces
Software Versions and System Requirements:
There are two different software platforms for the Parallax USB Oscilloscope.
- Version 4.0, which operates on Windows 2K/XP, is compatible with the Understanding Signals v1.0/v1.0a Stamps in Class text.
- Version 5.1.1, which runs on Windows 2K/XP/Vista/7, does not support the Understanding Signals text. For full feature details and system requirements for each software version, click on the links under Resources and Downloads, below.
The Parallax USB Oscilloscope and Stamps in Class
Our decision to integrate this scope into our educational program came about from our technicians using it at their desks, educators ordering several for their classes and requesting supporting tutorials, and general strong popularity among the BASIC Stamp community. The activities in Understanding Signals focus on waveforms common to circuits in other Stamps in Class guides, making this a perfect companion kit to enhance understanding of other Stamps in Class activity. Educators have requested for most of our Stamps in Class texts that we do not make the source code available for download since students learn programming quicker when they type the code themselves. Because the Understanding Signals text focuses on viewing, capturing and measuring signals instead of PBASIC programming, we have made the source code available for download. See below for a link.
Note: The activities in Understanding Signals v1.0 require the Parallax USB Oscilloscope software version 4.0, which runs on most Windows 2K and XP operating systems. The Parallax USB Oscilloscope Software which runs on most Windows XP and Vista systems, does not fully support the activities in Understanding Signals.
Item contains a CdS cell photoresistor. The RoHS exemption request status for CdS cells is currently unclear; there are no RoHS-compliant exact replacement devices available.
Downloads & Resources:
USB Oscilloscope Software v5.1.1
USB Oscilloscope Software v4
Understanding Signals Text (.pdf)
Understanding Signals Source Code (.zip)
ROBOT Magazine 2006 (.pdf)
Embedded Article on USB Oscillioscopes (.pdf)