PicoScope 9200 Series

12 GHz bandwidth
8 GHz optical channel, 120 ps TDR/TDT, 2.7 Gb/s CDR
2 channels
200 fs timing resolution, 200 kHz sampling rate

Microwave test & sub-picosecond timing without high cost

Key specifications:

  • 12 GHz (29 ps) bandwidth
  • 200 kS/s sample rate to 4 kS store
  • 200 fs, 5 THz effective sample rate
  • 10 GHz prescaled, 1 GHz direct and 2.7 Gb/s clock recovery trigger
  • Pattern sync trigger of length 7 to 2¹⁶ −1
  • 3.5 ps typical RMS jitter
  • 16 bit ADC resolution

 

 

Typical applications

  • Telecom service and manufacturing
  • RF & Microwave Measurements
  • Radar bands I, G, P, L, S, C, X.
  • Precision Timing and Phase analysis
  • Digital system design and characterization
  • Eye diagram, Mask and Limits test to 6 Gb/s
  • Ethernet, HDMI1, HDMI1, PCI, SATA, USB2, USB3
  • TDR/TDT network measurement and analysis
  • Optical fibre, transceiver and LASER test
  • Semiconductor characterization

12 GHz bandwidth with TDR and optical options

The PicoScope 9200A oscilloscopes uses sequential sampling technology to measure fast repetitive signals without the need for expensive real-time sampling hardware. Combined with an input bandwidth of 12 GHz, this enables acquisition of signals with rise times of 50 ps or even faster. Precise timebase stability and accuracy, and a resolution of 200 fs, allow characterization of jitter in the most demanding applications.

The PicoScope 9200A scopes are designed with our PC Oscilloscope architecture to create a compact, lightweight instrument that can be easily carried around with your laptop.

 


10 GHz prescaled trigger

The PicoScope 9200A scopes have a built-in high-frequency trigger with frequency divider. Its typical bandwidth of up to 10 GHz allows measurements of microwave components with extremely fast data rates.

 

1 GHz full-function direct trigger

The scopes are equipped with a built-in direct trigger for signals up to 1 GHz repetition rate without using additional trigger units.

 

Built-in 2.7 Gb/s clock recovery trigger

The PicoScope 9211A and 9231A have a dedicated clock recovery trigger input for serial data from 12.3 Mb/s to 2.7 Gb/s.

 


 

Pattern sync trigger and eye line modes

The PicoScope 9211A and 9231A can internally generate a pattern sync trigger derived from bit rate, pattern length, and trigger divide ratio. This enables it to build up an eye pattern from any specified bit or group of bits in a sequence.

Eye line mode works with the pattern sync trigger to isolate any one of the 8 possible paths, called eye lines, that the signal can make through the eye diagram. This allows the instrument to display averaged eye diagrams showing a specified eye line.

 


 

8 GHz Optical to electrical converter

The PicoScope 9231A has a built-in 8 GHz optical electrical converter. This allows analysis of optical signals such as SONET/SDH OC1 to OC48, Fibre Channel FC133 to FC4250, and G.984.2. The converter input accepts both single-mode (SM) and multimode (MM) fibers and has a wavelength range of 750 to 1650 nm.

A selection of Bessel-Thomson filters can be purchased separately for use with specific optical standards.

 

 


 

Time Domain Reflectometer (TDR/TDT)

The PicoScope 9211A and 9231A TDR/TDT Oscilloscopes are specially designed for time-domain reflectometry (TDR) and time-domain transmissometry (TDT). It provides a low-cost method of testing cables, connectors, circuit boards and IC packages for unwanted reflections and losses.

The PicoScope 9211A and 9231A work by launching pulses into the device under test using programmable, 100 ps rise-time step generators. They then use their 12 GHz sampling inputs to build up a picture from a sequence of reflected or transmitted pulses. The results can be displayed as volts, ohms or rho against time or distance.

 

 


 

Built in signal generator

The scope can generate industry-standard or custom signals including clock, pulse and pseudo-random binary sequence. These can be used to test the instrument’s inputs, experiment with its features and verify complex set-ups such as mask tests.

 

 


 

Product videos

Basic menu

Clock Characterisation

Jitter Measurement

RZ Mask Test

SM4 Mask

Trigger Pattern Scan

Measuring TDR with Picoscope 9211A and 9231A oscilloscopes

Eye diagram analysis, mask testing, histograms and more

The PicoScope 9000A software molds to your application by presenting only the feature controls that you need. Select the control panels you need with a single left or right click on the controls bar at the bottom of the display.

Choose to specify timebase offset numerically, or use the traditional dual timebase “Delay”, “A”, “A intensified by B” and “B” controls, or click, drag and zoom, which ever you find more natural.

Display your waveforms on a single, dual or quad graticule; persisted, colour or intensity graduated, vectored or not.

 


 

Comprehensive measurements and statistics

The PicoScope 9200A scopes quickly measure over 40 pulse parameters, so you don’t need to count graticules or estimate the waveform’s position. Up to ten simultaneous measurements or four statistics measurements are possible. The measurements conform to the IEEE standards.

 

 


 

Powerful mathematical analysis

The PicoScope 9000 Series supports up to four simultaneous mathematical combinations and functional transformation of acquired waveforms. You can select any of the mathematical functions as a math operator to act on the operand or operands.

Single-input operators: Invert, Absolute, Exponent, Logarithm, Differentiate, Integrate, Inverse, FFT, Interpolation, Smoothing.

Two-input operators: Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide.

 

 


 

Histogram analysis

A histogram is a probability distribution that shows the distribution of acquired data from a source within a user-definable histogram window. The information gathered by the histogram is used to perform statistical analysis on the source.

Histograms can be constructed on waveforms on either the vertical or horizontal axes. The most common use for a vertical histogram is measuring and characterizing noise on displayed waveforms, while the most common use for a horizontal histogram is measuring and characterizing jitter on displayed waveforms.

 

 


 

Eye diagram analysis

The PicoScope 9200 Series quickly measures more than 30 fundamental parameters used to characterize non-return-to-zero (NRZ) and return-to-zero (RZ) signals. Up to four parameters can be measured simultaneously.

The PicoScope 9211A, 9221A and 9231A also include a 10 Gbps software pattern sync trigger for averaging eye diagrams.

 

 


 

Mask testing

For eye-diagram masks, such as those specified by the SONET and SDH standards, the PicoScope 9200 Series supports on-board mask drawing for visual comparison. The display can be grey-scaled or colour-graded to aid in analyzing noise and jitter in eye diagrams. Over 150 industry-standard masks are included.

 

 


 

FFT spectrum analysis

All PicoScope 9200 Series oscilloscopes can perform up to two Fast Fourier Transforms of input signals using a range of windowing functions. FFTs are useful for finding crosstalk problems, finding distortion problems in analog waveforms caused by nonlinear amplifiers, adjusting filter circuits designed to filter out certain harmonics in a waveform, testing impulse responses of systems, and identifying and locating noise and interference sources.

 

 


 

Software development kit

The PicoScope 9000 software can be operated as a standalone oscilloscope program and as an ActiveX control. The ActiveX control conforms to the Windows COM model and can be embedded in your own software. Programming examples are provided in Visual Basic (VB.NET), LabVIEW and Delphi, but any programming language or standard that supports the COM standard can be used, including JavaScript and C.

A comprehensive Programmer’s Guide is supplied that details every function of the ActiveX control.

The SDK can control the oscilloscope over the USB port or the LAN port.

 

Please give us your feedback about PicoScope 9200 Series

Your opinion is very important to us. We appreciate your feedback and will use it to evaluate changes and make improvements in our products:

PicoScope 9200 Series Downloads

Here you can download the latest PicoScope 9200 Series Data Sheets, Manuals, Guides and other relevant documents:

ResourcesLanguageVersionSizeUpdated
Application Notes
Sampling Techniques used in the PicoScope 9000 Sampling OscilloscopeEnglish171.76 Kb2008
Picoscope 9300 Series migration guideEnglish1497.69 Kb2017
PicoScope 9000 Sampling Oscilloscope Questions and AnswersEnglish1348.07 Kb2020
Data Sheets
PicoScope 9200A 系列 数据表中文 (简体)117.31 Mb2016
Scheda tecnica PicoScope serie 9200AItaliano117.18 Mb2016
PicoScope 9200A Series Data SheetEnglish146.31 Mb2016
Datenblatt PicoScope 9200A-SeriesDeutsch117.22 Mb2016
Ficha Técnica de la serie PicoScope 9200AEspañol117.20 Mb2016
Fiche Technique de la série PicoScope 9200AFrançais117.24 Mb2016
Presentations and Training
PicoScope 9201 Новый миниатюрный 12- ГГц стробоскопический осциллографRussian17.43 Mb2007
PicoScope 9201 – World Smallest 12–GHz PC Sampling Oscilloscope. Product PresentationRussian15.17 Mb2008
PicoScope 9201 presentationEnglish11.71 Mb2008
Modern Communication Measurements with the PicoScope 9000 Sampling OscilloscopeEnglish12.27 Mb2009
Low-cost High-resolution TDR Measurements with the PicoScope 9211 USB-Sampling OscillloscopeEnglish1688.32 Kb2010
Sampling Oscilloscope Training. Munchen Olympic TowerEnglish12.24 Mb2010
PicoScope 9200A. New USB connected sampling oscilloscopes featuring 12-GHz electrical, 8-GHz optical bandwidth, and 100-ps TDRTDT. Munchen OlympicTowerEnglish12.95 Mb2011
PicoScope 9000 Series and the NEW 9300 20 GHz Sampling Oscilloscopes. Distributor Training FINALEnglish18.31 Mb2013
Programmer's Guides
PicoScope 9200A Series Programmer’s GuideEnglish4739.40 Kb2010
Quick Start Guides
PicoScope 9200A Series Quick Start GuideEnglish141.43 Mb2017
Software
Picoscope 9000 R2.4.9English244.85 Mb2020
PicoScope 9200 SoftwareEnglish2.6.4-2022
User's Guide
PicoScope 9200A Series User’s GuideEnglish521.51 Mb2015

Pico Scope 9200 Specifications

Here you can check the latest PicoScope 9200 Series specifications:

 

Channels (verctial)

Channels 2 (simultaneous acquisition)
Bandwidth
Full DC to 12 GHz
Narrow DC to 8 GHz
Rise time (calculated) 10% to 90%, tR = 0.35/BW
Full bandwidth 29.2 ps
Narrow bandwidth 43.7 ps
Input connectors SMA (F)
ADC resolution 16 bits
Scale factors (sensitivity) 2 mV/div to 500 mV/div. 1-2-5 sequence and 0.5% fine increments
Nominal input impedance (50 ±1) Ω

 

Optical–electrical (O/E) converter (PicoScope 9221A and 9231A)

Unfiltered bandwidth DC to 8 GHz typical.
DC to 7 GHz guaranteed at full electrical bandwidth)
Effective wavelength range 750 nm to 1650 nm
Calibrated wavelengths 850 nm (MM), 1310 nm (MM/SM), 1550 nm (SM)
Transition time 10% to 90% calculated from tR = 0.48 / BW: 60 ps max.
RMS noise, maximum 4 µW (1310 and 1550 nm), 6 µW (850 nm)
Scale factors (sensitivity) 1 µV/div to 400 µV/div (full scale is 8 divisions)
DC accuracy, typical (±25 µW ±10% of vertical scale
Maximum input peak power +7 dBm (1310 nm)
Maximum input peak power Single-mode (SM) or multi-mode (MM)
Fiber input +7 dBm (1310 nm)
Fiber input connector FC/PC
Input return loss
SM −24 dB, typical
MM −16 dB, typical; −14 dB, maximum

 

Timebase (horizontal)

Digitising rate DC to 200 kHz maximum
Timebases 10 ps/div to 50 ms/div (main, intensified, two delayed, or dual delayed)
Time interval resolution 200 fs minimum
Data record length 32 to 4096 points maximum per channel in x2 sequence
Delta time interval accuracy
For horizontal scale > 450 ps/div ±0.2% of Delta Time Interval ±15 ps at a temperature within ±3 °C of horizontal calibration temperature.
For horizontal scale = 450 ps/div ±15 ps or ±5% of Delta Time Interval ±5 ps, whichever is smaller at a temperature within ±3 °C of horizontal calibration temperature.
Acquisition modes Sample (normal), average, envelope

 

Dynamic performance (typical)

RMS noise, maximum
Full bandwidth 2 mV
Narrow bandwidth 1.5 mV
With averaging 100 µV system limit

 

Clock recovery and pattern sync trigger (PicoScope 9211A only)

Clock recovery sensitivity
12.3 Mb/s to 1 Gb/s 50 mV p-p
1 Gb/s to 2.7 Gb/s 100 mV p-p Continuous rate
Pattern sync trigger 10 Mb/s to 8 Gb/s with pattern length from 7 to 65,535 max.
Recovered clock RMS trigger jitter, maximum 1 ps + 1.0% of unit interval
Maximum safe trigger input voltage ±2 V (DC + peak AC)
Trigger input connector SMA (F)

 

Signal generator output (PicoScope 9211A and 9231A)

Modes Step, coarse timebase, pulse, NRZ, RZ
Rise/fall times 100 ps (20% to 80%) typical

 

Measurement and analysis

Marker Vertical bars, horizontal bars (measure volts) or waveform markers (× and +)
Automatic measurements Up to 40 automatic pulse measurements
Histogram Vertical or horizontal
Mathematics Up to four math waveforms can be defined and displayed
FFT Up to two fast Fourier transforms can be run simultaneously with the built-in filters (rectangular, Nicolson, Hann, flat-top, Blackman–Harris and Kaiser–Bessel)
Eye diagram Automatically characterizes NRZ and RZ eye patterns. Measurements are based on statistical analysis of the waveform.
Mask test Acquired signals are tested for fit outside areas defined by up to eight polygons. Standard or user-defined masks can be selected.

 

Display

Display resolution Variable
Display style Dots, vectors, variable or infinite persistence, variable or infinite grey scaling, variable or infinite colour grading

 

Environmental

Temperature range (operating) +5 °C to +35 °C
Temperature range (stated accuracy) +15 °C to 25 °C
Temperature range (storage) -20 °C to +50 °C
Humidity range (operating) Up to 85% RH, non-condensing, at +25 °C
Humidity range (storage) Up to 95% RH, non-condensing

 

Physical properties

Dimensions 170 x 255 x 40 mm (6.7 x 10.0 x 1.6 in)
Weight 1.1 kg (2.3 lb) max.

 

Software

PicoScope 9000 for Windows PicoScope 9000 software is capable of many advanced features such as mathematical analysis, histogram analysis, eye-diagram analysis and mask testing. All features are included as standard. Updates can be downloaded for free.
Software development kit The SDK allows you to control the scope from your own program. The software can act as an ActiveX COM server, allowing any program to send commands to it using a standard Windows protocol. This is ideal for production and test environments where multiple scopes need to be controlled from a single PC, or where automated tests need to be run. The SDK contains full documentation and example code for various programming languages.
Languages English

 

General

Additional hardware (supplied) 2 x SMA M-F connector savers (supplied fitted to scope)
Additional SMA M-F connector saver (9221A and 9231A only)
TDR Accessory Kit (PicoScope 9211A and 9231A only)
LAN patch and crossover cables (9211A and 9231A only)
USB 2.0 cable
AC adaptor
Tough carry case
TDR Accessory Kit contents (supplied with PicoScope 9211A and 9231A only) 30 cm precision cable
80 cm precision cable
0 Ω short
50 Ω terminator
Coupler
Resistive power divider
SMA wrench
Operating system 32-bit edition of Windows XP (SP3), 32 or 64-bit edition of Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8 (not Windows RT)
PC connection USB 2.0 (USB 1.1 and USB 3.0 compatible)
LAN connection 10/100 Mb/s (PicoScope 9211A and 9231A only)
Power supply
PicoScope 9201A +6 V DC ±5%. @ 1.9 A max
PicoScope 9211A +6 V DC ±5%. @ 2.6 A max
PicoScope 9221A +6 V DC ±5%. @ 2.3 A max
PicoScope 9231A +6 V DC ±5%. @ 2.9 A max
AC adaptor Mains adaptor supplied for USA, UK, Europe and Australasia
Compliance
FCC (EMC), CE (EMC and LVD)
Total satisfaction guarantee In the event that this product does not fully meet your requirements you can return it for an exchange or refund. To claim, the product must be returned in good condition within 14 days.
Warranty 2 years (1 year for input sampler)

Models

Discover out models range

9201A 9211A 9231A
12 GHz sampling oscilloscope
USB port
LAN port
Clock recovery trigger
Pattern sync trigger
Dual signal generator outputs
Electrical TDR/TDT capability
8 GHz optical-electrical converter
Accessories included
Price €8 815 €11 015 €20 575
Buy now
9201A 9211A 9231A