Mixed Signal Scope & Waveform Generator

BS120 combines a powerful Mixed Signal Scope with an integrated DSP waveform generator and logic analyzer.

It extends the BS100 design with an updated BitGen waveform generator as a standard feature with superior analog front end electronics and a wide range of sample rates and capture modes.

Key features:

• 100 MHz Analog Bandwidth Digital Scope.
• 40MS/s Logic Analyzer, 25nS capture.
• Dual Analog Channels (4 inputs, BNC & POD).
• 8 logic/timing channels and Smart Port.
• DSP based Waveform Generator.
• Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer.
• Mixed Signal Data Recorder.
• Programmable Logic Replay.
• Electrically Isolated USB.
• User Programmable.

It is an excellent choice for mixed signal test, measurement and waveform generation.

Compact Isolated USB

BS120 is an electrically isolated design. Unlike non-isolated USB Scopes this means drop-outs due to ground-loops or glitches in difficult measurement situations are not a problem. It can even be connected to a different ground reference than the PC to which it's connected. Just like network connected BitScopes, this offers the freedom to work in noisy environments or where a common ground connection may not be possible.

DSP Waveform & Timing Generator

BS120 includes the BitGen DSP Waveform & Timing Generator module as standard.

Generate and capture standard wave-functions, clocks, triggers, one-shot bursts, sweeps, chirps, pink/white noise, arbitrary waveforms or even waveforms previously captured with BS120.

The BitGen module operates independently but can be fully synchronized with signal capture.

Similarly triggers are independent but they can be interconnected under software control so setup is quick and easy; there are no external cables or connections required to use them.

The BitGen output (WavePort) is accessible via the Smart Port making it available to POD devices and a synchronised trigger/timing I/O signal (TimePort) is conveniently located on the front panel.

The TimePort may also be used for clock generation or synchronisation, scope probe compensation adjustments or when combined with the WavePort, single channel logic level shifting.

High Performance & Low Noise

BS120 is housed in a low profile extruded aluminum case which is ideal for harshest working environments. Whether it's a typical student lab or an engineering workshop, BS120 is built to last and take the knocks along the way.

The monolithic case and aluminum front and back panels also serve as an effective heatsink and EMI shield for silent operation and high noise immunity.

BS120 provides 2 analog channels, 8 independent sample synchronized logic channels and 2 waveform generator channels.

On the front panel are a pair of BNC connectors for standard scope probes.

To the right is Smart Port providing to a second pair of analog inputs and the 8 logic channels. SmartPOD also provides power, ground and control signals for powered mixed signal probes or intelligent processing devices.

Accessed via the front is a ground reference, external trigger and waveform generator TimePort and on the back panel are standard power and USB sockets.

Capture LEDs in channel colors (yellow, green and blue) on the front provide instant visual feedback and link, data and power LEDs on the back indicate power and connection status.

Flexible Mixed Signal Architecture

BS120 is an integrated mixed signal waveform analysis and synthesis system.

Analog and digital signal paths can be reconfigured for the task at hand.

BS120 Block Diagram (click to enlarge)

For example, buffer B can be used to replay an arbitrary logic pattern (via Smart Port) while analog channel A concurrently captures to buffer A.

The waveform generator co-processor can drive the WavePort and TimePort while BitScope captures analog, logic or mixed signal waveforms concurrently.

Each analog channel can be switched to select from a BNC or POD connected signal and capture can be configured so that each channel has its own ADC for coherent sampling at the highest speed.

Alternatively buffer B can be switched to logic capture allowing high speed mixed signal acquisition of up to 9 channels or at lower speeds all 10 channels can run concurrently streaming data to a connected PC.

It is even possible to alternate capture across all 4 analog inputs (two via BNC inputs and two via the POD) to measure voltages on four analog channels and levels via the 8 logic channels.

All these options and many others are set up as needed automatically in software.

Powerful Software Solutions

Included with BS120 is BitScope DSO, powerful test and measurement software.

When first powered on it presents a familiar dual channel digital oscilloscope display.

However there's much more to DSO than that.

Virtual Instrument buttons down the right hand side allow selection from an array of integrated test instruments.

These include a deep capture mixed signal and digital storage oscilloscope, logic state analyzer and spectrum analyzer, instant replay waveform generator, X-Y phase plotter and mixed signal data recorder.

Whether looking at waveforms down at audio frequencies or analyzing clock edges at the high speed of microcontroller and digital logic circuits, BS120 and the DSO do it all with ease.

And of course you can select the mixed signal or logic capture modes to analyze logic state transitions and timing or choose the spectrum analyzer to display waveforms and their spectra together, and all in real-time with display refresh rates as high as 50Hz.

Probes And Expansion Options

BS120 is compatible with industry standard oscilloscope probes. PRB-01 (pictured here) is the best choice for general purpose low voltage analog work.

This switchable probe with 10:1 and 1:1 attenuation and detachable head includes a full accessory kit comprising probe clips, SMB/BNC adapter and calibration tool.

Other choices available include the 100:1 attenuating PRB-02 for high voltage (1kV) or high impedance (100MΩ) work and PRB-04 if you just need a simple economical low bandwidth probe. We also have BitScope specific probes coming for BS120U such as the soon to be released active differential probe DP-01 (details)

We offer analog probes as optional accessories because you may already have some scope probes handy. If you do, these will work just fine (because like all BitScopes, BS120 has standard 1M/20pF oscilloscope inputs).

BS120 also has our standard 26-way Smart Port expansion connector on the front panel where you can connect high speed buffered mixed signal logic probes such as LP103X shown here.

Designed for TTL or 3.3V/5V CMOS levels these probes include 10 x SMT mini-grabber test clips for BitScope's eight logic channels plus the two POD connected analog inputs.

Other logic probe options include LP103W (when SMT connectivity is not required) or you can mix and match with attenuating test clips (eg, for 12V or 24V logic work).

Of course the Smart Port is not just for connecting probes. It can also be used for special function and software controlled signal processing modules such as waveform generators, RF mixers and sub-samplers or custom data acquisition signal conditioning circuits.

The key to this capability is the POD connector's power, ground and serial I/O pins. This makes it possible to connect your own circuits with BS120 providing power, control and waveform capture and generation and your BitScope and circuitry can be programmed using the BitScope Library.

Library Apps & Programming

BS120 is user programmable. It can integrated with third party software.

To make user programming easy the BitScope Library is available.

The library can be used to create custom applications or to integrate one or more units into specialised testing and acquisition systems.

Also included with the library is a growing range of software apps (with source) which may be modified or extended as required.

The library is included as standard with BitScope and is compatible for Windows, Linux and Macintosh.

It is provided as a standard dynamic function library (DLL) so it's easy to use with third-party numerical analysis and data acquisitions systems such as MatLab, LabVIEW or even Excel.

Write your own software with Microsoft Visual Studio, Apple Xcode or other tools such as Delphi. Other tools are supported with bindings for many programming languages.