Unlike bus-based systems such as PCI and PXI boards that require a specialized backplane or mainframe, USB-connected PS6407 is a compact, economical instrument that can be plugged into any Windows PC. The software development kit (SDK) supplied allows the digitizer to be integrated into any programming environment that supports C-calls. This includes Visual Basic, C++ and C#, and instrumentation software such as National Instruments LabVIEW. Example programs are supplied free with PS6407. It can also be used with standard PicoScope software to provide all of the functions of a fast oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer. PicoScope software harnesses the PC’s extensive processing power, storage, graphics and networking capabilities. The user interface is easy for novices to learn, but professional users will find many advanced features including spectrum analysis, persistence display, automatic measurements with statistics, advanced triggers, channel math capabilities, mask limit testing, advanced triggering and serial decoding.
PS6407 also includes a built-in function/arbitrary-waveform generator, with an external trigger input. The huge internal buffer stores each captured waveform for subsequent review, assisting in the discovery of very fast glitches.