BitScope SP01 is dual channel mixed signal BNC adapter for BitScope Mini. It connects standard oscilloscope probes.
We call it BitScope Hammerhead: a universal I/O adapter for BitScope Mini.
In addition to the two BNC connectors, SP01 includes a 16-pin socket and a pair of terminators for connection to all of the BitScope inputs and outputs.
It plugs into BitScope's Smart Interface (via the IDC-26) so the signals and features of the smart interface remain available when accessed via SP01.
SP01 makes it possible to use standard oscilloscope probes with BitScope Mini.
Passive probes that have 1:1, 10:1, 100:1 or other attenuation ratios can be used.
It also supports active differential probes, current probes and most other types of probe which are BNC terminated and designed for use with standard scope inputs.
This is possible because despite its tiny size and appearance, BitScope Mini has electrically compatible analog inputs with 1MΩ/20pF impedance so compensation circuits in standard probes will work the same with BitScope Mini and SP01.
SP01 is not just for oscilloscope probes. It also allows the use use BNC terminated cables for connection with other equipment that uses this common standard. This makes SP01 ideal for data acquistion and related applications where RG-58 cabling with BNC termination is commonly used. If an application requires 50Ω termination, pass-through terminators like PAC-01 are available.
In addition to the BNC connected analog inputs, SP01 provides connections for six of BitScope's logic inputs, the two comparators, waveform and clock generator.
This is done via the integrated 16-pin header between the BNC sockets.
Every input and output has an associated ground pin located directly below it which allows the use of twisted pairs for low noise connection to circuits under test.
This is especially useful when working at the very low levels supported by BitScope's Macro Mode.
Extending the BitScope Smart Port Interface, SP01 offers even more flexible signal routing options.
In addition to the BNC inputs, the analog channels also appear on the header.
Analog (or logic) signals connected via either set of analog inputs are routed to BitScope's logic channels 6 and 7 via its built-in comparators.
This means it's possible to capture up to 8 logic channels at once where two channels can be set to switch at an adjustable level which is ideal for unusual logic families or specialised signal standards (e.g. bipolar or negative voltage logic).
Colour coded shorting plugs are supplied which allow up to two unused inputs to be shorted for ground reference. In the case of the analog inputs it also prevents noise or crosstalk from unconnected inputs. The shorting plugs may also be used to route the waveform generator output to the CHB BNC socket and the built-in clock generator to CHA.
The keycard shows how this is done.
Using the shorting plugs the CHA BNC connector can be connected to ground, CLK/L5 or L3 and CHB BNC connector connected to ground, AWG/L4 or L0.
In addition to grounding, waveform and clock outputs, connecting either analog input to an adjacent logic channel reduces the input impedance of the analog input from 1MΩ to 100kΩ which in can be very handy if the lower input impedance is required.
The fully programmable signal control provided by the BitScope Mini Smart Port is available via SP01. For example the four logic channels can be set as active low pull-downs to configure a connected circuit for up to 16 states of operation.
| SP01 (100:1) | SP01 (10:1) | BS10 (1:1) |
| 110V | 11V | 1.1V |
| 350V | 35V | 3.5V |
| 520V | 52V | 5.2V |
| 1kV | 110V | 11V |
This table enumerates full scale voltage ranges available with SP01 when used with BitScope Mini and a 1:1, 10:1 and 100:1 probe.
It shows the maximum peak-to-peak signal that can be captured at full resolution with (8 bits in normal mode and up to 12 bits in macro mode).
With BitScope DSO this is simply a matter of right-clicking the probe scale widget and choosing the right scale. In the example shown here, a probe scaling of 2:1 has already been chosen but the prescaler (1:5) is about to be selected instead.
Many scaling options are available to support the wide range of oscilloscope probes available because all of them can be used with BitScope Mini and SP01.
Coming soon are some mounting and case design ideas for SP01. The BNC sockets are supplied with ring nuts and washers so SP01 can be permanently mounted (with appropriate metalwork) and BitScope Mini plugged in as and when required.
| Feature | Specification |
| Analog Inputs (Standard Probe) | 2 |
| Analog Inputs (Twisted Pair) | 2 |
| Logic Inputs (3.3V/5V) | 6 |
| Comparator Channels | 2 (via analog inputs) |
| Waveform Generator | 1 (via L4) |
| Clock Generator | 1 (via L5) |
| Input Impedance (Analog) | 1M Ω / 20pF |
| Input Impedance (Digital) | 100k Ω / 5pF |
| Voltage Range (Direct) | -7.5 V ~ +10.8 V (1:1 probe) |
| Voltage Range (Scaled) | -75 V ~ +108 V (10:1 probe) |
| Device Connection | IDC-26 (Smart Port) |
| Power Requirement | None |
| Pass Through Power | 5V (via pin 2) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 40 °C |
| Storage Requirements | -40 °C ~ +40 °C / 5 % ~ 95 % RH |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 60 x 50 x 20 mm |
| Weight (Net) | 32g |