Thanks to BenF, we now have a much better open source firmware! With new gcc complier, we now can use bigger firmware than 32KB. People posted us about the ideas programming DSO Nano to something beyond oscilloscopes: [list]
Simple Mode Oscilloscope
Pulse monitor
FFT scope
Signal recorder
…
[/list]
Now, Seeed will allocate resources to help make them and public the source files, would you please let us know your need? So we can work out a list and keep thing going! Of course, you could also join us with these open source projects or host your own!
Protocol analyzer, show communication health based on profiles for different communication standards. Translate communication to ascii and save to SD. Unfortuately it would probably never be possible to watch both RX and TX at the same time if they are on separate wires unless someone finds a way to fake a second channel into the nano for one of them.
As probably one of the few “audio guys” who want to use this scope in the field when I was not expecting to need one…
It would be nice if the voltage could be interpreted in dBV or dBu with “0dB” being 1V or 0.775V rms. Also as someone posted previously a FFT would be really cool. I think it has also been suggested, but a higher input voltage (even if it is just over-voltage protection) in X1 would also help in a lot of situations.
I fully understand there are limitations to this little DSO - it is useful as it is!
The battery works best when it is equal to the DC level, or a little above or below the DC level. A simple 9V or 12V battery combination will do.
Remember, if you use a mains connected offset voltage (power supply), make sure that the Nano is not connected to a USB cable during the set up and measurement process to prevent ground loop current flow through the Nano ground lead.
“Every problem has a solution … it is just that some solutions are more acceptable than other solutions”.
I’ve put my wishes on “DSO firmware version 3.61” topic with all details.
In short, two most important are:
To increase refresh screen rate on AUTO. If trigger is not catch, let’s display new waveform immediately, or after some time which user define. The circular buffer has to be used, which always gives the last values in buffer.
Always to sample on 1 MHz (or higher possible freq which CPU allows) and capture three values Average, Min and Max for one buffer value. The Average with 8bit, Min and Max with 4 bit as NONE liner difference to Avg. That will reduce buffer to 2048 size, but it is not such bad as missing hight frequency changes. The Avg value is displayed as before (lines between v(t) and v(t+1)), but below that the vertical line between Min ans Max is displayed with lower color intensity per each t. Or just plot the two pixels (Min and Max). On that way we can see high frequency changes even on high Time/Dev. If it complicate, current Normal/Fast sampling can be only Normal, because we can detect hight freq changes with this option.
Other, but hard to realize (we can skip this):
LP, HP, Mid Pass filters. For example to extract low amplitude hight freq changes mixed with high amplitude f=50Hz.
Anti aliasing lines on screen to display full input resolution on smaller screen resolution. Not important, but looks great.
Definitely a good multi-meter mode with simple, large numbers for volts, frequency
Alluded to already as well, but a good data logger
Now to something new; a range of accessories with supporting profiles on the nano. For instance, a good current clamp with the clamp’s profile (they are generally non-linear) already in the nano. And the on-screen support to show current instead of volts. Other examples: accelerometer, resistance probe, temp sensor. I can see a whole line of “Seeedstudio approved” hardware accessories that I’d be more than happy to shell out money for.
While you are at it, how about thumb drive support for the USB port.
Any possibility of 2nd input via the USB? I know, slow, but possibly used as trigger, or data-logger style input.
That’s it for now. But the possibilities for this little wonder really get the creative juices flowing.
