LCS-1M - A Low-Cost Hobby Oscilloscope
Hardware Performance:

  • Two independent input channels
  • Sample rate up to 1 MSample/sec (good enough for signals up to approx. 200 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.
  • Minimal version (bare board, i.e. no enclosure) to minimize cost, but also fits in robust standard
    enclosure.
  • Through-hole components 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 serial cable already
    used for PC connection is all that is needed. Programming software is freely available as well.
  • Accepts standard 1:1 probes, BNC cables, or grabber cables.
Main Features