BS325 is a classic 2+8 channel BitScope which combines deep capture high performance mixed signal data acquisition and full network connectivity in one compact unit. It builds on the success of the earlier BS310 and BS300 models.
Key features:
BS325 supports up to eight times more data per frame than earlier models. It adds a built-in record/replay waveform generator, dedicated external trigger and probe calibration, full isolation from the host computer and simultaneous capture on all 10 channels.
It's the ideal choice for deep capture mixed signal measurement and data acquisition.
BS325 includes 4 analog inputs feeding 2 capture channels plus another 8 sample synchronized logic channels and an integrated waveform generator all in one low profile unit. On the front panel are a pair of BNC connectors for standard oscilloscope probes.
To their right is a BitScope Smart Port connector with access to another pair of analog inputs and the 8 logic channels.
The POD connector also provides power, ground and control signals for powered mixed signal probes or other intelligent signal processing devices.
Conveniently accessed via the front are new external trigger and oscilloscope probe calibration signals.
And on the back panel are 12 VDC power and Ethernet sockets as well as a ground reference socket especially useful for lab installations.
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.
BS325 is an integrated mixed signal waveform analysis and synthesis system.
Analog and digital signal paths can be reconfigured for the task at hand.
BS325 Block Diagram (click to enlarge)
For example, buffer B can be used to replay an arbitrary waveform (via the DAC) while analog channels A and B are multiplexed to capture to buffer A.
The generated waveform can be sent to BNC B or just the timing/POD pins (to free channel B for a different signal).
Or for high speed dual channel analog capture, each analog channel can be switched to use its own ADC and buffer.
And for mixed signal, the 8 logic channels are switched to buffer B while both analog channels are captured to buffer A allowing a total of 10 concurrent capture channels.
It is even possible to load and replay arbitrary logic patterns while simultaneously capturing analog signals or alternate capture across all 4 analog inputs (two via BNC inputs and two via the POD) to measure voltages on four analog channels and logic levels 8 logic channels.
All these options and many others are set up as needed automatically in software.
Superb analog performance has always been a key design criteria for BitScope.
With BS325 this design philosophy has been refined even further, with independent analog front end electronics providing four analog ranges and separate 20x analog pre-scalers for each channel.
The independent analog channels, each of which can be configured to use its own dedicated ADC and buffer, means BS325 enjoys exceptionally low levels of analog crosstalk in dual channel mode.
Careful attention to detail in the analog design, with separated grounds, double isolation switches, and all housed in a referenced aluminum case means BS325 is highly noise immune too.
All this can be very important, especially in data acquisition and spectrum analysis applications.
Included with BS325 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, BS325 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.
BS325 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 BS325N 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, BS325 has standard 1M/20pF oscilloscope inputs).
BS325 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 BS325 providing power, control and waveform capture and generation and your BitScope and circuitry can be programmed using BitLib (see below).
BS325 is housed in a low profile extruded aluminum case specially designed for harsh working environments. Whether it's the rough and tumble of a typical undergrad student lab or hard at work in a heavy engineering workshop, BS325 is built to last and take the knocks along the way. The BS325 monolithic case design and lexan aluminum front and back panels also serve as an effective heatsink and EMI shield for silent operation with exceptional noise immunity.
It will even survive being crushed by a fork-lift truck, although it does not look so good if you this!
BS326 is modified version of BS325 in a fully enclosed rack-mount configuration.
Available as one or two units per 1U rack, or as a stand-alone desktop unit, this model is ideal for data acquisition. It may be custom programmed or used with software such as BitScope Chart. It is of course also compatible with all BitScope 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.
BS325 connects via ethernet and is electrically isolated from the host
If required, a low cost USB/Ethernet adapter may also be used to connect via USB.
Ethernet connection via a LAN allows remote connection between the host and the BitScope. It also supports routed networking so even if BitScope is located on the other side of the world you can access it via the Internet. Network connectivity also means you can share access to BitScope among several computers and users simultaneously.
Ethernet is also a good choice in environments subject to high levels of EMI or in the presence of high voltages or unavoidable ground loops. For example when working with high power systems or heavy machinery, MRI/CAT equipment, synchrotrons, nuclear reactors etc. Network BitScopes are already deployed successfully in all these sorts of applications.
More information about BitScope Networking is available here.