LCS-1M - A Full-Featured, Low-Cost Hobby Oscilloscope

Step 2 Main Features

Here is an overview about the capabilities of my design:

Hardware Performance:

• Two independent input channels
• Sample rate up to 1 MSample/sec (good enough for signals up to approx. 150 kHz)
• Analog bandwidth approx. 400 kHz
• Input impedance > 100 kOhm
• Sensitivity from 20mV/div to 1V/div (20 vertical divisions).
• Vertical offset 0 - 20 divisions (except for 0 - 12 divisions in 1V/div range)
• Record length 256 samples per channel
• Trigger on CH1 (rising or falling edge, selectable) or autotrigger
• Connects to PC through serial port (RS-232) or USB
• Power supply from a generic wall-wart type supply (9 - 15 V DC)
• Compact and lightweight (about the size of a DVD box)

PC-based Scope Software:

• Runs on Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, Vista
• Fully graphical interface.
• All settings (timebase, vertical resolution, trigger) are controlled from the PC.
• Screen update rate up to 7 frames/sec (mostly limited by scope hardware; will improve with future

versions of the hardware)

• Real-time Fourier transform (frequency spectrum display)
• Real-time averaging
• Waveform measurements using cursors
• Waveform export to Excel etc. (.CSV file format)

Construction:

• All components easily available and inexpensive. About half of the chips can be obtained as free

samples from the manufacturer.

• Total parts cost approx. US$60 for minimal version (bare board, i.e. no enclosure).
• Through-hole and DIP packages only - easy to assemble and solder.
• Can be built up on a breadboard or a protoboard (but I'd recommend the "real" printed circuit board

to minimize work and possibility for mistakes).

• No adjustments or trimmings necessary whatsoever - put it together and use it right away! Thus

very beginner-friendly.

• No separate programmer needed for the microcontroller (Picaxe 28X1) - the cable already used for

PC connection is all that is needed. Programming software is freely available as well.

• Fits in a robust standard enclosure
• Accepts standard 1:1 probes, BNC cables, or grabber cables.