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DPScope - Build Your Own USB/PC-Based Oscilloscope

by womai on February 18, 2010

Table of Contents

License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Intro: DPScope - Build Your Own USB/PC-Based Oscilloscope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

step 1: Instrument Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

step 2: Key Specs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 3: Design Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

step 4: Circuit Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

step 5: Input Stage / Analog Frontend (part 1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

step 6: Input Stage / Analog Frontend (part 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

step 7: Input Stage / Analog Frontend (part 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

step 8: Microcontroller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

step 9: USB Interface, Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

step 10: Board Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

step 11: Assembly - Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

step 12: Assembly Step 1: Unpacking the Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

step 13: Assembly Step 2: Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

step 14: Assembly Step 3 - Component List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

step 15: Assembly Step 4 - Component Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

step 16: Assembly Step 5: Installing the First Part - R19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

step 17: Assembly Step 6: Soldering the First Part . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

step 18: Assembly Step 7: Next Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

step 19: Assembly Step 8: Remaining Resistors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

step 20: Assembly Step 9: Capacitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

step 21: Assembly Step 10: Diodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

step 22: Assembly Step 11: Trimmers, Resonator, Jumper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

step 23: Assembly Step 12: First Socket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

step 24: Assembly Step 13: Remaining Sockets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

step 25: Assembly Step 14: BNC Connectors; Frontpanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

step 26: Assembly Step 14: BNC Connectors; Frontpanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

step 27: Assembly Step 15: LED Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

step 28: Assembly Step 16: IC Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

step 29: Assembly Step 17: USB Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

step 30: Assembly Step 18: Probe Calibration Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

step 31: Assembly Step 19: Putting It All Together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

step 32: Assembly Step 20: Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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step 33: Assembly Step 21: Software Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

step 34: Assembly Step 22: Offset Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

step 35: Assembly Step 22: Offset Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

step 36: Assembly Step 23: Probe Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

step 37: Scope Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

step 38: All Done! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

http://www.instructables.com/id/DPScope-Build-Your-Own-USBPC-Based-Oscilloscope/
License: Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike (by-nc-sa)

Intro: DPScope - Build Your Own USB/PC-Based Oscilloscope

http://www.instructables.com/id/DPScope-Build-Your-Own-USBPC-Based-Oscilloscope/
step 1: Instrument Specifications
Below you see the specifications of the instruments. If you are familiar with oscilloscopes you will see that the DPScope has pretty much all the features you'd expect
from a decent lower-end instrument.

If you aren't a number freak, feel free to skip this page as fast as you can :-)

On the next page I'll discuss a few of the key specifications.

Input:

Number of channels: 2
Analog bandwidth: > 1.3 MHz
Input impedance: 1 MOhm || 15 pF
Probe connection: BNC
Usable probe types: Standard 1:1, 1:10, 1:20 probes

Vertical (voltage) scale:

Vertical sensitivity (20 divisions):

- 5 mV/div to 1 V/div (1:1 probe)
- 50 mV/div to 10 V/div (1:10 probe)
- 100 mV/div to 20 V/div (1:20 probe)

Vertical offset: 0 - 20 divisions

Maximum voltage range

-12V ... 20V (1:1 probe)
-120V ... +200V (1:10 probe)
-240V ... +400V (1:20 probe)

Probe compensation: yes (2 kHz calibration output)

Offset adjustment: yes

Horizontal (time) scale:

Max. sample rate (single shot): 1 MSample/sec

Max. sample rate (repetitive signals): 20 MSamples/sec

Timebase settings (scope mode): 0.5 usec/div ... 1 sec/div

Timebase settings (datalogger/roll mode): 0.5 sec/div ... 1 hr/div

Trigger:

Trigger source: CH1, CH2, auto (free run)

Trigger polarity: rising edge, falling edge
Trigger noise reject: yes (selectable)
Pre-trigger capability (i.e. can show what happened
before the trigger event): 0 - 20 divisions
Post-trigger delay (delayed scan, to look at the
signal long after the trigger event but with high
resolution): 0 - 200 divisions

Acquisition:

Record length (normal mode): 200 points/channel

Record length (FFT mode): 400 points/channel
Max. screen refresh rate: up to 40+ frames/sec
Datalogger mode (roll mode): yes (data can be logged to file in real time)

Display:

Real-time FFT: yes

FFT filters: Rectangular, Hanning, Hamming, Blackman
Averaging: yes (2 / 5 / 10 / 20 / 50 / 100)
X-Y mode: yes
Display styles (can be combined): Points, Vectors (Lines), Infinite Persistence

Time and level measurements: yes (using cursors)

Save & Restore:

Waveform export (e.g. to Excel):yes (CSV format)

Save/restore of scope setups: yes

PC Software:

PC connection: USB, 500 kbaud

PC software: Windows 2000, XP (SP3), Vista, 7
Minimum screen size: 800 x 600 pixel

Mechanical construction:
http://www.instructables.com/id/DPScope-Build-Your-Own-USBPC-Based-Oscilloscope/
Power supply: through USB (5V / 250mA)
(external supply 7.5 - 9V / 300mA optional)

Approx. size (in enclosure): 4.5" x 2.6" x 1.2" (114 mm x 66 mm x 31 mm)

Component count: ~50

Solder connections to make: ~200
Required skill level for assembly: moderate; only through-hole components and DIP
packages (no surface mount or fine pitch parts)
Printed circuit board: Professional printed circuit board with corrosion-resistant, gold-plated pads and contacts (not cheap solder finish), with silkscreen
to denote component locations.

Enclosure: Sturdy ABS plastic enclosure with custom glass-fiber front- and back-panel, silkscreen. All
holes pre-drilled - no drilling required.

Microcontroller and USB interface: Fully pre-programmed; no programming required

step 2: Key Specs

As promised, here a short discussion some of the DPScope's key features:

First, it is a two-channel instrument. This is a very important feature. Many low-end oscilloscopes offer only a single channel, which is a severe handicap: It doesn't allow
you to look at two signals in relation to each other (e.g. clock signal and data signal), e.g. to see which one changes first and by how much. It also prevents you from
triggering on a signal different from the one you want to look at. Thus I consider two channels an absolute must for any serious oscilloscope; everything else is a toy, not
a real instrument.

Second, the bandwidth - the DPScope has about 1.3 MHz. While that may sound small compared to "big iron" scopes, it actually is quite usable for a large variety of
tasks (in parentheses I show the approximate maximum frequency in the particular application):

- audio (20 kHz)

- infrared remote control signals (38 kHz)
- ultrasound (200 kHz)
- servo signals (a few kHz)
- bio signals, medical instruments (< 100 Hz)
- I2C (1 MHz)
- RS-232 (115 kHz)
- one-wire
- SPI (as long as <= 1 MHz)

The capture rate is a very important measure as well; it needs to be fast enough so ideally you instantly any changes on the signal or to the scope settings - this makes
for a very responsive feel during practical use of the scope. Now that means it should at least be around 15 - 20 records per second (your eye isn't much faster than that
anyway). The DPScope manages to do around 35 - 40 frames/sec (assuming a sufficiently fast timebase setting), so passes that criterion easily.

The DPScope also offers a datalogger mode (roll mode) for slow sample rates (between 10 samples/sec and 1 sample/hour); in that mode the waveform continuously
scrolls to the left, and you can record it directly into a file. That's very useful to record slow-varying signals, e.g. temperature.

But now let's dive into the design, and start with some pictures!

step 3: Design Overview

Below is a block diagram of the oscilloscope. The architecture is fairly traditional; the input signals are conditioned in the analog frontend which depending on the signal
levels either attenuates them or amplifies them, and can also add offset. All this is necessary to make optimum use of the fixed voltage range that the analog-to-digital
converters can convert into digital information.

The analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) take the analog signals and convert them into digital numbers. The sample logic controls the sampling process and the storage of
the converted data in the capture memory. The trigger circuitry decides when to start the sample process.

The controller takes care of setting signal gains and offset, setting up the sample logic, selecting trigger source, trigger level, and trigger polarity, and communicating the
the PC.

As you can see, the dsPIC30F2020 microcontroller allows to implement most of it without external circuitry - controller, memory, sample logic, analog-to-digital converter
(ADC), trigger and trigger level control all reside within a single chip. This makes the design very compact, inexpensive, and easy to build.

USB interface to the PC as well as power supply for the scope are provided by the FTDI232R serial-to-USB converter cable - again a very user-friendly solution since
there is nothing to assemble.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DPScope-Build-Your-Own-USBPC-Based-Oscilloscope/
step 4: Circuit Schematic
Below is the full schematic. If you aren't an experienced electrical engineer it may seem daunting at first, but we'll break it down into easier-to-digest subsections in the
following few slides.

If you want to get the schematic with better resolution (which is much easier to read), you can download it in PDF format.

step 5: Input Stage / Analog Frontend (part 1)

The microncontroller's analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) have a fixed input range of 0 to 5V. Signals smaller than that range will have reduced resolution, and larger
signals will get clipped. Since the input signal that the scope is supposed to measure can span a wide range from quite small to quite large, we need an input stage that
can attenuate and/or amplify the incoming signal to make it suitable for the ADC. The circuit shown here is for channel 1, but channel 2 looks identical.

First, the incoming signal is attenuated by a factor of 4. This increases the maximum voltage range to 20V. Since the subsequent circuits cannot deal with negative
voltage (to keep the circuit simple, the scope has only a single +5V supply and no negative supply), the only way to measure negative signals is to shift them up with a
programmable offset voltage (between 0 and 4 V) provided by a digital-to-analog converter (shown later). This way the scope can display voltages between -12V and
+20V max with a 1:1 probe (-120V to +200V with a 1:10 probe - but be VERY CAREFUL whenever working with such high voltages!).

The offset is fed in on the bottom of the voltage divider (between C12 - which buffers fast transients - and R2).

The input divider deserves some further consideration. It is a so-called compensated attenuator and consists of a combination of a fixed ohmic divider (R1 and R2) and
an adjustable capacitive divider (C19 and C6). The reason for adding the capacitive divider is the fact that the protection diodes (D1 and D2) as well as the input of the
op-amp (OP1.1) have some unavoidable parasitic capacitance in the order of a few pF. With only R1 and R2 this would create a low-pass R-C filter (the divider feeding
the parasitic capacitance which would need some time to charge up), severely limiting the achievable bandwidth.

Quick estimate: output impedance of the divider is R1 || R2 = 187 kOhm, parasitic C_par maybe 20 pF, that would give a time constant of 187k * 20p = 3.74us and a
bandwidth of just 0.35/3.74 = approx. 90 kHz). This is much too low for our scope!

The solution - if you can't beat them, join them. Adding the capacitive divider and adjusting it to the same division ratio (1:4) as the resistive divider makes the frequency
response flat from DC to light (at least in theory - but close enough for our purpose). The necessary condition is:

(C6 + C_par) / C19 = R1 / R2

Adjustment is done with C19. Since nothing comes for free in life, it's not surprising there is a price to pay - the capacitive divider causes the scope's input impedance to
drop for higher frequencies. Still this is a worthwhile tradeoff and thus such a compensation can be found in virtually every oscilloscope.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DPScope-Build-Your-Own-USBPC-Based-Oscilloscope/
step 6: Input Stage / Analog Frontend (part 2)
The two diodes (D1, D2) act as input protection, clipping any signals to the preamplifier that exceed either +5V or 0V by more than one diode drop. They need to be fast-
switching (both in
conduction as well as in recovery) and have low input capacitance. On the other hand, given the high input resistance value (750 kOhm) they don't need to shunt a lot of
current even at large
overvoltages at the scope input.

The signal is then fed into a simple op-amp follower stage (OP1.1, which is one of the four op-amps inside the Microchip MCP6024). This buffering is also necessary
because the following stage (the MCP6S22 p rogrammable-g ain a mplifier or PGA) does not react kindly to an input source with too high an impedance - wild oscillations
would be the result (yes, I tried and it is true!). The input divider's output impedance (R1||R2) is around 187 kOhm while the PGA requires a source impedance of less
than 1 kOhm.

The buffered signal drives one of the PGA's inputs (CH0) directly, and also feeds the input of a 1:10 gain stage that produces a signal amplified by 10, which in turn goes
to CH1 of the PGA. That way the PGA can choose between less pre-amplification for large input signals, and large amplification for small signals. The PGA has a
specified bandwidth (not gain-bandwidth product!) of between 2 and 12 MHz (depending on amplification setting), so we are in safe territory here; the scope actually uses
only gain settings of 1, 2, 5, and 10 - according to my experiments higher settings (up to gain = 32 would be possible) are quite sensitive and tend to exhibit excessive
noise (an indication that oscillation may not be far away).

The MCP6024 has a gain-bandwidth product of 10 MHz, which is more than sufficient for the buffer stage (gain = 1, so BW = 10 MHz), but marginal for the gain=10 stage
(OP1.2) - we can only expect ~1 MHz of bandwidth here, and the other stages (buffer stage, PGA, ADC inside the microcontroller) will further reduce that number
somewhat. For that reason I added C14 which increases the gain at higher frequencies. It is chosen so that the gain increase starts approximately at the frequency where
otherwise the gain would start to drop off, that way the flat gain region is extended to higher frequencies. On my prototypes I measured a gain-stage bandwidth of around
800 kHz without this compensation but almost 1.3 MHz with C14 in place - quite some bang (50% improvement) at virtually no cost! Its effect is also clearly visible - much
faster settling transitions - when using the scope to look at a fast-rising square wave. Ideally C14 would be adjustable, but its value is not overly critical so I stuck with
fixed 100pF which was very close to the optimum I determined experimentally as well as by simulating the stage with Microchip's free Spice tool. If C14 were too larger,
overshoot would occur.

The resistor trimmer (VR1) is here to allow minor offset adjustments in the high-gain path. The main reason for this is leakage current through the clamp diodes (D1, D2)
which introduces a small positive offset onto the signal. This offset is small, but becomes noticeable when multiplied by 10. (VR1 also impacts the exact gain, but the
effect is small enough to be ignored (less than 1%), especially when compared to the tolerances of the gain-setting resistors (R7, R8).

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step 7: Input Stage / Analog Frontend (part 3)
The signal now arrives at the previously mentioned programmable-gain amplifier (PGA), a Microchip MCP6S22. Such a PGA is a beautiful device because it allows us to
change the
channel gain (amplification) without any moving parts like relays. This reduces cost, component count, size, and improves reliability (no mechanical wear-out) at the same
time. The only reason I can see why this isn't more widely used in other oscilloscopes is that there aren't many PGAs available for very high bandwidths (several 100
MHz or even GHz). But for the DPScope with it's design goal of 1 MHz or maybe slightly above this is just what the doctor ordered - the PGA's minimum specified gain is
2 MHz.

Since the two selectable inputs of the PGA are fed with signals differing by a factor of 10, with the PGA we can effectively choose a total amplification of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20,
50, and 100 only use gain settings 1, 2, 5, and 10.

The microcontroller controls the PGA through a standard SPI interface consisting of three signal lines - clock, data, and chip select.

The output of the PGA feeds the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) inside the dsPIC microcontroller. It also drives into a second input which goes to a comparator inside
the dsPIC. This comparator creates an interrupt whenever the input voltage crosses a certain, programmable threshold in a pre-defined direction (rising or falling signal
level, respectively; this is also called a rising - or falling - edge). The threshold voltage is generated by a 10-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) inside the dsPIC (it's
amazing how much peripherals Microchip has put inside a single, inexpensive microcontroller - all this reduces cost and complexity of the scope a lot). Since the DAC
can only produce up to 2.5V (i.e. half the maximum signal level), the easiest solution was to divide the incoming signal by two with a voltage divider (R14 and R15). That
way the trigger threshold can be set anywhere within the incoming signal range.

Finally, on the right you see the external 12-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC, a Microchip MCP4822) which sets the offset for the input signal. It has two independent
output channels, one used for each of the two scope input channels. The microcontroller drives the DAC through the SPI interface as well (the dsPIC uses the chip
selecty (CS) line of the respective device - DAC, PGA1 or PGA2 - to determine which device is getting the SPI data at any given time).

step 8: Microcontroller
The Microcontroller is the heart of the DPScope. It is a 16-bit Microchip dsPIC24F2020 which has a lot of desirable features: Not only is it blazingly fast (it runs 32 MIPS
on a 128 MHz clock - this is very slightly outside spec - max. 120 MHz - but works perfectly fine) and comes in a hobbyist-friendly DIP package; since it is geared towards
digital signal processing or DSP (that's where the "ds" in the name comes from) it also has a bunch of useful mixed-signal periphery already built in:

First and most important, it has an analog-to-digital converter that can acquire samples at 2 MSamples/sec. At least that's what the spec seems to say at first glance. The
reality is - it can acquire two channels simultaneously at 1 MSample/sec each, and the Microchip marketing guys simply added those two numbers... anyway, that's
perfectly fine for us because we need two channels anyway. The ADC has a resolution of 10 bits, but in order to maximize acquisition speed and reduce memory
requirements only the upper 8 bits get used (i.e. one byte per sample). The reason for using a 128 MHz clock is the same - at that speed the dsPIC is just barely fast
enough to repeatedly sample two channels and store the data into internal memory at 1 MHz sample rate.

The analog bandwidth of the ADC is well above 1 MHz, so it's not a limiting factor in the signal chain. For sample rates faster than 1 MSample/sec - up to 20
MSamples/sec - the DPScope employs a technique called "equivalent time sampling" - basically it runs at 1 MSample/sec real sample rate and acquires only a subset of
the data points at each sweep, and then overlays two or more subsequent sweeps (each with slightly increased start delay after the trigger) for a composite picture with
higher effective timing resolution. You can read more details about this technique in the Tektronix application note"The XYZ of oscillscopes" .

The second great feature of this microcontroller is a set of comparators with finely controllable threshold (10 bit resolution); most other Microchip devices have only very
coarse compare threshold steps. These comparators are all we need to implement a full-blown scope trigger with adjustable threshold and selectable edge polarity (rising
or falling edge, respectively), which cuts down on overall component count and thus cost and complexity.

The only sore point with this dsPIC is its small RAM size - just 512 bytes. Some of that is taken up by program overhead (e.g. global variables, parameter stack and so
on), and it was a challenge to get at least 200 bytes per channel (actually 205, since this works out to 410 points for FFT - where only one channel as acquired at a time -
and 410 is 4/5 of the 512 points needed for the FFT, which makes interpolating it to 512 points fairly straightforward); a future version of the scope may use a different
dsPIC device (but right now there isn't any that has all the other features, runs at 5V, and is available in DIP package). Adding external RAM is not an option either - first,
it would add cost and complexity, second, the dpPIC does not have enough output pins to control it, and third, at maximum sample rate there is no time for additional
control tasks anyway. But 200 points is good enough for a full display, and in most applications the DPScope's delayed trigger capability provides exactly the same
functionality that a longer capture memory would.

Finally, the dsPIC supports SPI and USART communication, which it uses to control the other devices in the DPScope (adjustable gain amplifiers, offset DAC) and
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communicate with the PC, respectively.

step 9: USB Interface, Power Supply

The connection to the PC is very straightforward. The DPScope uses a USB-to-serial converter cable from FTDI. This cable has a FT232R chip built into the USB
connector and translates the USB data stream into a standard RS-232 asynchronous serial data stream (output levels on the serial side are TTL, not true RS-232 - this is
what the microcontroller needs anyway). That way the scope does not have to deal with a complex USB interface but sends and receives data as if the connection were a
simple RS-232 link.

On the PC side there is a driver that emulates a RS-232 connection as well, so the scope application only has to deal with a standard serial connection, too. Data transfer
rate is still a respectable 500 kBaud (the converter cable could go up to 1 Mbaud but the transmitted data volume is too small to really need full bandwidth - each record is
approx. 0.5 KByte, so even at 40 frames/sec this amounts to just 20 KByte/sec or around 200 kBaud average serial data rate (note that each data byte needs a start bit
and a stop bit, so for each byte actually 10 bits are sent).

The interface uses software handshaking (the scope responds to each transmission from the PC with an acknowledge packet), so while CTS and RTS are physically
connected - just in case a later revision wants to use them - they are not used in the current design.

The converter cable also makes the USB port's 5V supply available. The DPScope needs about 250mA of supply current, a USB port can provide up to 500 mA, so the
scope can get its power from the USB line and does not need an external power supply. One word of caution though, some USB ports have rather large variation in
supply voltage (sometimes down to little more than 4V). In my experience this is mostly true when connecting to an unpowered USB hub or when many other power-
hungry devices are connected to the same USB hub, so try to avoid this. The DPScope assumes a 5V supply and uses that as its voltage reference, so while it will
function even at lower voltage, any deviation directly impacts its voltage accuracy. Some USB ports (laptops are notorious) are also quite noisy, this will show up as noise
on the measured signals.

If you are absolutely unable to provide close to 5V from USB, or the USB supply turns out to be too noisy, then the DPScope allows to use an external power supply
(7.5V/500mA). All you need to do is add the regulator (REG, a simple 7805 linear regulator) and a buffer capacitor (C5), hook up the power supply, and set the jumper
(PWR_SEL) to "external supply". REG and C5 are very generic types and should be available in any hobby electronics store (and in any case are most likely already in
your drawer).

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step 10: Board Layout
Once I had the design complete - including a working breadboard assembly of the prototype - it was time to lay out a printed circuit board for the scope. I did both the
schematic capture as well as the board layout with a design tool called Diptrace . This is quite a capable tool that also comes with great customer support - the
developers really listen to user feedback! - at a fraction of the price of so-called professional tools. In fact, they offer a free version that is restricted to two copper layers
and a maximum of 250 component pins - which is actually more than the DPScope layout needs (it has two layers but only about 200 pins). So you could do this design
without paying a dime for the tool.

The final layout is shown below. You can see that I placed the components in a logical order: To the left, close to the BNC probe connectors, is the input circuitry
(attenuator, input amplifier, clampd diodes, probe compensation). In the middle is the offset DAC and the programmable gain amplifiers, follower by the dsPIC
microcontroller. On the right finally you have the USB cable connector and the power supply. All the chips are placed in the same orientation (pin 1 is bottom left, notch is
left) to minimize the chance for assembly mistakes.

As for the trace layout, the ground plane is a solid copper fill on the bottom plane - this minimizes supply inductance and provides some shielding against interference.
The power supply traces are made pretty wide (50 mil / 2.25mm) since they carry considerable current, and again to minimize inductance. With some exceptions the top
ayer carries the vertical traces, and the bottom layer the horizontal traces.

Now let's see how to build up this scope in practice!

step 11: Assembly - Tools

While the kit that is robust and simple to assemble, there are some components that are sensitive to mishandling, e.g. putting them in with wrong polarity, so please pay
close attention to the description for every step. Moderate soldering experience is required (If you have never soldered before, there are many good introductions to be
found on the web, and you should probably practice a little bit before attemption to put together a larger circuit like the DPScope).

You will need a few tools for the assembly:

- Small soldering iron (about 17 Watts power) with sufficiently fine tip
- Solder wire
- Flat-nosed pliers (to bend component leads)
- Small wire cutter (to cut off component legs)
- 14mm wrench (to fasten the BNC connectors to the front panel)
- Small Philips screwdriver (to adjust the trimmer resistors and for the enclosure
- Small non-metal screwdriver (to adjust the trimmer capacitors)

The time required for putting the scope together will depend on your experience – a seasoned hobbyist should be able to do it in maybe two hours (I do it in 45 minutes
but of course I know the component locations by heart now), but if you are new to this it will take longer.

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step 12: Assembly Step 1: Unpacking the Kit
Below you see the kit as it comes out of the box:

• Probe cables
• Enclosure, which holds all the small components
• FTDI USB cable
Unscrew the two screws on the bottom of the enclosure and carefully lift the bottom – make sure not to drop any components.

We don’t need the probes and the USB cable right now, so put them to the side for the moment.

step 13: Assembly Step 2: Components

Below you see all the components spread out. Everything you need to build the oscilloscope is included. Please use the component list (on the next page) to verify that
you have all the parts shown below.

Some general remarks:

• All components that are difficult to distinguish (e.g. resistors) are clearly labeled with their respective value (e.g. “100 pF”).

• The integrated circuits and the diode are sensitive to electrostatic discharge – it is good practice to use a grounded wrist strap to avoid damage to them during
assembly, and to place all the components on an antistatic surface. Don’t wear clothes that get easily charged up (e.g. wool sweater).

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step 14: Assembly Step 3 - Component List
Below is the list of components - you can see that there really aren't too many. The microcontroller is already pre-programmed, so we'll only need to put it in and get
going.

step 15: Assembly Step 4 - Component Placement

Below is a picture showing the component placement on the board. This is the same as the layout picture, but with only the top silkscreen marking visible. Such a print is
useful to locate the different component positionsa during assembly.

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step 16: Assembly Step 5: Installing the First Part - R19
Let’s start out with a simple part – resistor R19, which has 470 Ohm. All the other parts will get assembled in a very similar way.

Find the resistor among all the parts – it is labeled with “470” (see picture below). On the printed circuit board (PCB) locate the component outline labeled “R19”. Bend
the resistor leads and stick them through the board. The final result is shown below.

step 17: Assembly Step 6: Soldering the First Part

On the PCB bottom bend the component leads apart – this will hold the resistor securely when you turn over the PCB to solder it on.

To solder, touch the component lead (wire) with the soldering iron and the solder wire at the same time. Surface tension will pull the solder into the via holes
automatically. Add enough solder so it completely fills the hole and leaves a small “hill” of solder. Remove the solder wire and the soldering iron but don’t move the
board before the solder has become completely solid again. The solder joint should be shiny and bright. Repeat for the other lead.

Check the topside of the board – you should see solder protruding a bit from the via holes – this shows the holes are nicely filled with solder (see picture below):

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step 18: Assembly Step 7: Next Components
Next is a pair of resistors – R7 and R10 (the 9.1 kOhm resistors, thus labeled with “9.1k”). Installation and soldering works just like for R19. Below you see what the
board looks like with them installed.

step 19: Assembly Step 8: Remaining Resistors

Now lets finish up the resistors. We still got R2 and R4 (249 kOhm), R1 and R3 (750 kOhm), and 8 pieces Of 1 kOhm resistors which are not labeled because they are
the last resistors left. Install the two pairs first, and then install the 1 kOhm resistors in all remaining resistor outlines on the PCB (refer to the parts list if find out which
resistor is which value).

The picture on the bottom shows the PCB populated with all the resistors.

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step 20: Assembly Step 9: Capacitors
Installing the capacitors works the same as for the resistors. We have 5 different types: C6 and C11 (ceramic, 47 pF), C14 and C15 (ceramic, 100 pF), C9 (electrolytic,
100 uF), C18 and C19 (trimmer), and 10 pieces of 0.1uF ceramic capacitors (not labeled because they are the only type left).

Note: Be careful when installing C9 – it has to be put in with correct polarity. The negative side of C9 is clearly labeled with a white stripe and “-” (minus) symbols
– make sure you install it as shown in the pictures below with this white strip facing inwards on the PCB!

step 21: Assembly Step 10: Diodes

Next in the row are the clamping diodes. These components need more care than the resistors.

• Make sure you insert them with correct polarity (correct orientation); the negative end is denoted by a black stripe around the diode body. The silkscreen outline also
shows a (white) stripe – this is the side the black stripe must lie. Note that the orientation is not the same for all diodes.

• Diodes are quite sensitive to heat. Thus try to minimize soldering time. The best approach is to first solder only one end of all diodes, then the other end – this gives
them enough time to cool down in the time between.

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step 22: Assembly Step 11: Trimmers, Resonator, Jumper
A few more small components are left: The two trimmers (VR1 and VR2, the blue blocks with the adjustment knob on the top), the ceramic resonator (X1), and the power
selection jumper (PWR_SEL). Install them as shown below and put the red shorting block on the jumper in the position indicated in the zoomed-in picture
(labeled “USB”) ; this jumper is used to select the optional external power supply & voltage regulator as the scope’s power source; per default these are not installed
because the instrument gets its power through the USB connection.

step 23: Assembly Step 12: First Socket

Now comes the first socket – lets start with the 28-pin one, which goes into the outline labeled “dsPIC” and will later hold the microcontroller. Be careful with its
installation because once soldered down it is almost impossible to remove. The best is to do it step by step:

(1) Place the socket on the board as shown in the big picture. Note the position of the notch on the left side of the silkscreen outline – make sure to orient the notch on
the socket to the same side. This will make installing the chip less error-prone.

(2) Turn the board around an solder only two of the corner pins as shown in the zoomed-in picture below. The reasons is simple – two pins diagonally opposed will
securely hold the socket in place, but still allow you to make corrections.

(3) Press the socket onto the board and re-heat both of these solder joint – this allows the socket to sit flush against the board. Visually inspect the socket to make sure
this is really the case.

(4) Only now solder all the other pins.

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step 24: Assembly Step 13: Remaining Sockets
Now install the remaining sockets – one 14-pin and three 8-pin ones. Proceed in the same manner as for the first socket. Again make sure all the notches match the
silkscreen outline (they are all on the left side in the picture).

Below you see how the board should look like after this step.

step 25: Assembly Step 14: BNC Connectors; Frontpanel

Snap the BNC connectors in place. Don’t solder them down yet!

Add the washers, the frontpanel, and finally the nuts. Tighten the nuts by hand (not too strongly, just so the frontpanel no longer moves freely).

Note that the frontpanel’s narrow end – close to the “DPScope” label” – is on the bottom (PCB) side, and the wide end – close to labels “CH1” and “CH2 –
is on the top (away from the PCB).

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step 26: Assembly Step 14: BNC Connectors; Frontpanel
Place the board with BNC connectors and frontpanel into the enclosure as shown (into the deep half of the enclosure).

Make sure the board fits and sits loosely on – but does not push too hard against – the standoffs inside the enclosure. If necessary loosen the nuts a bit so the
connectors can move against the frontpanel.

Tighten the nuts again sufficiently to hold the BNC connectors in place.

Only now solder the BNC connectors onto the board – start with the clamped-in feet, and finish with the signal wires. The clamped feet will need a lot of solder to fully fill
up the mounting holes – don’t be shy, because that’s the only thing holding the PCB in place.

step 27: Assembly Step 15: LED Indicator

Remove the frontpanel again. Take the LED (light emitting diode) and bend its legs by 90 degrees as shown in the picture. Fit it into the board. Make sure the short leg
of the LED goes into the side where the silkscreen circle has its notch (flattened side). The diode body also has a notch at the same side.

Now put on the frontpanel – the LED must go through the center hole. Put on the nuts again and tighten them down with a wrench. Be careful not to over-tighten them,
damaging the connectors threads!

The frontpanel now holds the LED securely in place. Turn the board around and solder the LED’s legs onto the board.

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step 28: Assembly Step 16: IC Installation
Now it’s time to install the ICs (integrated circuits). There are five of them.

Note 1: Make sure to put the chips on in the correct orientation. Each chip has a notch on one end – this notch must go on top of the notch in the silkscreen outline
(and the notch in the socket if you installed those correctly!).

Note 2: There are two different types of the 8-pin ICs – make sure you install them in the correct locations as shown in the picture below. Installing them in the
wrong place (or the wrong orientation) will destroy them when you power up the oscilloscope. You can distinguish the chips by the labels printed on them (two are labeled
MCP6S22, one is labeled MCP4822).

step 29: Assembly Step 17: USB Cable

Take the USB cable out of its antistatic bag and feed its wire ends through the hole in the backpanel plate. Secure the cable binder tightly around the cable – this will act
as a stress relief so the cable can’t pull on the solder joints later. Snap off the protruding part of the cable binder.

The cable has 6 wires in 6 different colors. Solder them into the respective hole of J3 (all holes have labels indicating the proper color, as shown in the zoomed insert).
The sequence from top to bottom is:

Red (red)
Yellow (yel)
Orange (org)
Green (grn)
Brown (brn)
Black (blk)

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step 30: Assembly Step 18: Probe Calibration Output
Take the two hookup cables and solder them into the board and onto the solder pads on the backpanel as shown.

Make sure to connect the hole labeled “CAL” with the backpanel pad going to the “CAL” hole on the backpanel, and the same for “GND”.

Put the two terminal turrets (not shown) into the holes and solder them on. The long part of the turret points to the outside of the backpanel.

step 31: Assembly Step 19: Putting It All Together

Now put the board back into the enclosure box, and snap in frontpanel and backpanel.

Congratulations – your oscilloscope is fully assembled!

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step 32: Assembly Step 20: Software Installation
If you haven’t already done so, go to the DPScope website ( http://www.dpscope.com ) and download:

• The oscilloscope software

• The FTDI USB driver
• The USB driver installation guide

First install the USB driver – follow the installation guide for that. Note that the installer will actually install two different drivers on your computer, i.e. go through two
installation cycles. Make sure to complete both of them.

Then install the DPScope software as well (unpack the files and click on Setup.exe).

Attach the DPScope to a free USB port on your computer. Wait for a minute or two to give the computer time to recognize the new instrument (you should get a screen
message when that happens.

The DPScope’s frontpanel LED should blink a few times and then stay on. The blinking should last for about one second total. If that’s the case then your oscilloscope
has just passed the first functional test!

Note 1: The DPScope software needs a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels.

Note 2: It is recommended to connect the DPScope to a USB port of your computer itself, or to a powered USB hub. Unpowered hubs tend to have large voltage drops,
and the DPScope’s level accuracy is dependent on a steady 5V supply voltage from the USB. You can test the voltage by connecting a voltmeter to the pins labeled “+”
and “-” on the expansion header (bottom right on the PCB).

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step 33: Assembly Step 21: Software Start
Launch the DPScope software. It should look like the picture below. Press the “Run” button – the two scope traces should come alive.

Attach the two probe cables to the BNC connectors (CH1 and CH2 on the frontpanel).

Now we need to make two simple adjustments to optimize the scope performance.

step 34: Assembly Step 22: Offset Adjustment

• In the “Vertical” menu change the scale for both channels to 20mV/div.

• In the “Acquisition” menu change the averaging to “Avg 10”.

• In the “Levels” menu move the sliders “CH1” and “CH2” to the middle. The ground level indicators (blue and red arrow on the left in the waveform display) will be in
the middle as well.

• Short the probes, i.e. connect red grabber and black grabber together.

With a small screwdriver you can now adjust the offsets of the two channels:

• Adjusting the two blue square trimmers (VR1 and VR2) will move the respective trace (red = CH1 and blue = CH2) up and down.

• Adjust the trimmers so the red trace is exactly at the height of the red arrow on the left, and the blue trace is exactly at the height of the blue arrow. Done!

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http://www.instructables.com/id/DPScope-Build-Your-Own-USBPC-Based-Oscilloscope/
step 35: Assembly Step 22: Offset Adjustment
Below you see the scope display before (left) and after (right) correct offset adjustment.

step 36: Assembly Step 23: Probe Compensation

• In the “Vertical” menu change the scale for both channels to 1V/div.
• In the “Acquisition” menu leave the averaging at “Avg 10”.

• In the “Levels” menu move the sliders “CH1” and “CH2” a bit below the middle.

• Connect the probes to the calibration outputs on the back side of the oscilloscope:
– Red grabber connects to “CAL” post
– Black grabber connects to “GND” post

• In the DPScope window on your PC select Utilities à Probe Compensation. A small window with instructions will pop up.

• With a small non-metal screwdriver you can now adjust the probe compensation capacitors (C18 and C19, respectively).

• On the right side you see examples for overcompensated, undercompensated, and compensated probes.

• The adjustment is correct when the displayed signals are nice square waves with sharp corners, i.e. when there is neither overshoot (sharp peaks after each
transitions) nor slow settling (rounded edges).

• At the same time, you have tested the scope’s acquisition circuitry.

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step 37: Scope Software
The DPScope is controlled by the DPScope software running on the PC. The user interface gives you full access to all the features of the DPScope like horizontal and
vertical resolution, trigger settings, acquisition settings (e.g. averaging, pre- and posttrigger range), and so on.

One neat feature is the FFT (frequency display) mode - in this mode the software performs a real-time F ast F ourier T ransform (FFT) on the data, so you see the
frequency spectrum of the signal(s). This is a great tool e.g. to pinpoint small periodic noise that would be difficult to see in the normal scope display, and also to acquire
an intuitive feel for the frequency domain.

Another mode is the X-Y-mode where you plot one signal versus the other (instead of both signals versus time). This allows quick characterization of components and
phase shifts.

For a detailed description you should download the DPScope User Manual .

Attached below are a few screenshots that show the DPScope in action.

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step 38: All Done!
Now put the bottom cover on the instrument and screw it shut with the four Philips screws.

Congratulations, you have successfully assembled, set up and tested your new oscilloscope!

As a reminder, you can get the DPScope as a kit or fully assembled from my website:

Webpage: http://www.dpscope.com

From there you can also download the PC software, user manual, drivers, and other documentation.

If you still have questions do not hesitate to contact me!

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Comments
15 comments Add Comment

jjack_ddaniels says: Feb 23, 2010. 5:35 PM REPLY

I was thinking this would be a great project. Starting to play around with guitar tube amplifiers. but I think plate voltages are more around the 500V
range. Don't this would work.

womai says: Feb 23, 2010. 9:47 PM REPLY

Actually it would be easy to make it work with such voltages. You just need to divide them down sufficiently so as to bring them into a range suitable for
the subsequent stages. An extension by a factor of 10 would be sufficient (for a total maximum measurement range of -1200V to +2000V):

A few possibilities:

- get yourself an off-the-shelf 1:100 probe. Then just multiply the displayed values on the screen with 100.

or:

- modify the input attenuator (R1, R2) and (R3, R4). Just make sure the total resistance stays 1 MOhm. In the original design R1, R2 are 249 kOhm and
750 kOhm, respectively, i.e. a division ratio of 1:4 (R2/(R1+R2)). To change this to 1:40 (so you can use a 1:10 probe and still get the 1:100 total ratio),
you'd need - to a good approximation - a 1 MOhm resistor for R1, and a 24.9 kOhm resistor for R2. Possibly only modify one input channel so you can
still use the other one for small signals.

Note: I would not recommend using a 1:1 probe and modifying the input attenuator to a 1:400 ratio, because that would mean applying full voltage
across the poor small resistor; I'd be afraid of arcing. On the other hand using 1:10 probe and a 1:40 attenuator limits the actual voltage at the scope
input to 1/10th of the circuit voltage and divides the voltage down in two stages rather than one.

azarpisces says: Feb 21, 2010. 9:00 PM REPLY

Hello Nice work
One thing, if it's not an add and open to all for construction, then why you have not given the firmware to be programmed in uController.
Dont u feel it against the spirit of an insutructable.

http://www.instructables.com/id/DPScope-Build-Your-Own-USBPC-Based-Oscilloscope/
 keastes says: Feb 21, 2010. 9:00 PM REPLY
ow my head hurts, this is even better than coffee in the morning

gmoon says: Feb 19, 2010. 8:18 AM REPLY

Nice!

Is this a clone, kit, or your own design?

womai says: Feb 19, 2010. 9:08 AM REPLY

Hi,

this is my own design from ground up - both hardware and software, which I'm offering as a kit.

The Ideanator says: Feb 19, 2010. 2:46 PM REPLY

How much will the kit cost?

womai says: Feb 19, 2010. 5:52 PM REPLY

The kit is already available; cost is $89 (this is actually less than you could get the components for if you did a one-off), secure payment through
Paypal (which accepts paypal balance, credit cards, and other funding options). Here is the purchase page:

http://www.dpscope.com/buy_it.html

Cracknel says: Feb 21, 2010. 9:53 AM REPLY

Do you plan a Linux release for the software?

Fred82664 says: Feb 21, 2010. 8:35 PM REPLY

I am a Linux man I have not done this but I have run many Linux distro and looked at a lot of the depositories where you can get open
souse software I think I saw one for Fedora and Ubuntu look in the package managers for your disto for Ubutu it is called synapic it is
located under the sub topic of eletronics I can not rembmer what it is iin Fedora. One can shop around for better prices on parts and could
get lucker at beatting the $89 tag on the parts with Linux the softwere is FREE ! God I love Linux for all that it has to offer as well as no
more Blue Screens of Death

womai says: Feb 21, 2010. 10:44 AM REPLY

As for programming, I'm a Windows-only guy, so the answer is "no". But if somebody would like to port the software to e.g. Linux or
MacOS please contact me and I'll be glad to assist. As mentioned before the interface to the scope is fully documented (see the second
section of the User Manual, which is available for download on the scope website), so anybody can write his/her own application for the
scope.

bishopdante says: Feb 21, 2010. 8:42 AM REPLY

whoa dude, this really isn't muckin' about!

Have you considered building an audio interface?

womai says: Feb 21, 2010. 10:41 AM REPLY

Can you elaborate a little bit more - do you mean a hardware interface (e.g. different type of connector), or additions to the software (e.g. audio spectrum
display in power-per-octave or the like)? I'm always very open to suggestions for improvements and new features, so the more details you can provide,
the higher the likelihood it gets implemented!

cpotoso says: Feb 19, 2010. 7:21 AM REPLY

Neat! Do you have labview plugins?

womai says: Feb 19, 2010. 8:38 AM REPLY

I don't have drivers for Labview but you can easily write your own - after all, the software interface is just a (virtual) RS-232 serial port (COM port), and
Labview has full support for serial ports. I'm not sure if you saw it, but the command interface protocol is fully described (go to the Download section, the
description is the second half of the User Manual).

http://www.instructables.com/id/DPScope-Build-Your-Own-USBPC-Based-Oscilloscope/