Press Releases March 2007

MEphisto Scope has become a multipurpose electronic instrument

Seven USB electronic instruments in one

Meilhaus Electronic is introducing a new version of its MEphisto Scope. This dual-channel, multipurpose instrument includes a digital storage oscilloscope, a spectrum analyser with FFT, a voltmeter, a logic analyser, an analogue and a digital data logger, and a digital switchbox equipped with 24 I/O lines. The analogue-to-digital conversion resolution is 16 bits at 1 MS/s total sampling rate (ranging up to twice 1 million samples per second for simultaneous sampling). Its inputs are capable of withstanding voltages falling within the range ± 300 VDC. MEphisto Scope provides extensive triggering options, such as triggering by a preset threshold, by a preset window, by a rising or falling edge, by a preset slope (dV/dt), as well as manual and external triggering. Accommodated within a rugged, metal housing, this reliable multipurpose instrument is capable of withstanding hard, portable use for, e.g., field-maintenance, field service, and training purposes. The new offline version of the instrument is also capable of making measurements independently of a PC: acquired data are written to a standard SD flashcard – a 256 MB card is included as standard equipment. MEphisto Scope is interfaced to a PC via the latter’s USB 2.0 Full-Speed (USB 1.1-compatible) interface. As a real “power saver,” it is best suited as a portable adjunct to notebook PCs, since it is powered by their USB, requires no external power supply, and needs just 0.85 W for its operation. The offline version operates independently of a PC and runs off the external power supply that comes with it. Both versions are also available as complete packages in the handy carrier bag for portable use. In addition to the device itself, the packages include a pair of sampling heads, a USB cable, and software on a CD; the offline version also comes with an SD flashcard, a card reader, and an external power supply. The MEphisto Lab Windows software supplied provides a separate onscreen panel, complete with adjustment knobs, displays, etc., for each of the seven instruments. Users can thus operate the instrument in much the same manner as a conventional, tabletop instrument. A wealth of metrological know-how has gone into configuring the software’s online help. MEphisto Scope can also be very simply programmed in the field using, e.g., the C++, VEE Pro, or LabVIEW programming languages.

Detailed instrument technical data:

• Oscilloscope, spectrum analyser: dual channel, analogue sampling rate 1 MS/s per channel, 16 bit, analogue bandwidth up to 500 kHz, range 200 mV…20 V. Time-base mode, X-Y mode, and spectrum-analyser mode.
• Voltmeter: dual channel, input ranges of ±100 mV, ±1 V, ±10V. 16-bit resolution. Analogue-meter display (incorporated into its software). DC/AC (true rms values).
• Data logger: analogue and digital, up to 100 kHz.
• Logic analyser: 16 channels, up to 100 kHz, CMOS levels.
• Digital I/O switchbox: 24 TTL lines, every line may be programmed to act as either an input or output line. When used with optional accessories, the capabilities of its channels may be supplemented by adding relays or optocouplers.
• Stand-alone data logger (UM203 offline version ): analogue or digital data recording on SD flashcards at up to 100 kS/s (depends up on SD card capacity). Starts up with the last parameter set entered online as soon as it is connected to the supply voltage. Measurements commence upon insertion of an SD flashcard.

MEphisto Scope UM20x

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