Thanks to advancements in ASICs and DSPs, ability to process data within a DSO has evolved tremendously in just the past few years. Even still, there are many instances where a DSO is used simply as a data acquisition system. This intent becomes less focused on the capabilities of the DSO, and more on data sharing, or interfacing with the DSO. Gould DSOs are well versed for connectivity, offering the following:
RS-423 Serial Interface – Strength is how common it is. Nearly every PC has a serial interface that is compatible with this port.
IEEE488 / GPIB Parallel Interface – Much faster data transfer, multiple instruments can be tied together for remote control.
3.5” Floppy Disk – MS-DOS compatible, any data, setup or sequence can be saved to floppy disk. The Classic’s Auto-Save feature can be used to save data to the floppy disk automatically, allowing for unattended operation.
Integral Plotter – Not to be overlooked as a useful and convenient means of documentation. Fully time and date stamped, traces and measurements can be plotted and, with the Classic’s Auto-Print feature, unattended operation can be utilized.
Centronics Interface – Allows a user to easily hook up the common DeskJet type printer directly to the DSO for large, vivid color hard copy. This can also utilize the Auto-Print feature.
External VGA Monitor Output – Any objection to a small DSO screen can be overcome. Easily, any VGA monitor can be hooked directly up to the Classic for live, large screen presentation. Useful for medical and educational applications, this can also be quite helpful in a control room, or for presentations. Works well with overhead projector adapters.
External Trigger Input– BNC connector allows analog level triggering on a signal other than the four input channels.
External Trigger Output – Part of the rear MISC I/O connector, this is very useful for triggering other instruments. Many medical research applications use this to begin a delay timer for recovery testing.
External Timebase Input and Output – Useful for Master/Slaving of multiple instruments or for use with external sampling devices like the Synchroscope.