Recording signals
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Recording signals
I'm interested in recording some of the signals from the various sensors the DME monitors for my web site (lame right now).
In any case, it would be nice if I could get a cheap, low cost, digital storage oscilloscope with an interface to a PC so I could capture the signals and then use them as part of my web site.
It's been a long time since I've had to work with o-scopes, and I know the technology has changed radically over the years. I assume that since we're dealing with automotive type signals, a bandwidth of 1MHz would be sufficient. Is this correct? I would like the scope to be portable, but that's not extremely critical.
How much money am I looking at? A few hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars? This doesn't need to be a "cutting edge" type of device, just something that will make the waveforms clear. Maybe theres some type of A-to-D converter you can plug directly into a portable PC with a program to record the signals.
Ideas anyone??
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In any case, it would be nice if I could get a cheap, low cost, digital storage oscilloscope with an interface to a PC so I could capture the signals and then use them as part of my web site.
It's been a long time since I've had to work with o-scopes, and I know the technology has changed radically over the years. I assume that since we're dealing with automotive type signals, a bandwidth of 1MHz would be sufficient. Is this correct? I would like the scope to be portable, but that's not extremely critical.
How much money am I looking at? A few hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars? This doesn't need to be a "cutting edge" type of device, just something that will make the waveforms clear. Maybe theres some type of A-to-D converter you can plug directly into a portable PC with a program to record the signals.
Ideas anyone??
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 66
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From: Iowa
Bill,
First of all, 1MHz bandwidth is more than enough. If your looking used, a hundred or so will buy you a non-portable scope. Fluke makes a series of scopes that are portable and you can download waveforms to the PC. Those will work for what you are looking for. They are near the $1000 range if I remember correctly.
As for data acqusition(sp)systems that interface to the PC, they are usually sample rate limited. Make sure that your sample rate is fast enough that you don't alisas the signal.
Gary
First of all, 1MHz bandwidth is more than enough. If your looking used, a hundred or so will buy you a non-portable scope. Fluke makes a series of scopes that are portable and you can download waveforms to the PC. Those will work for what you are looking for. They are near the $1000 range if I remember correctly.
As for data acqusition(sp)systems that interface to the PC, they are usually sample rate limited. Make sure that your sample rate is fast enough that you don't alisas the signal.
Gary