Channel toolbar

The Handyscope(s) opened by the Multi Channel oscilloscope software can be controlled in different ways. The most convenient way is to control the oscilloscopes and their channels by means of the toolbars, shown at the top of the main window.

Channels can also be controlled by means of popup menus and many settings are also accessible through hotkeys.

This page describes the channel toolbar. For configuring the oscilloscope, visit the page about the Oscilloscope toolbars.

Hardware instruments (Handyscopes) have settings that are divided into two groups: Oscilloscope settings, that affect all channels of the oscilloscope and Channel settings, which only influence a specific channel.

Using the channel toolbar

A channel toolbar is created for each oscilloscope channel. This convenient toolbar has large, clear, touchscreen friendly buttons for all channel settings, such as input range and coupling. It shows the current settings of the channel and allows to change all settings by clicking on the buttons.

When a single instrument is detected and opened, with up to four input channels, all channel toolbars are shown together.

Channel toolbar

When a combined instrument is created and opened the channels of the combined instrument are grouped in a tab per sub instrument. This reduces the space occupied by the toolbars, leaving more space for the graph(s). it also simplifies adjusting a channel for a specific sub instrument in the combined instrument.

Channel toolbar

When an instrument with more than 4 channels is opened, the channel toolbars are arranged on tabs with each up to four channel toolbars.

The channel toolbar is fully configurable through the program settings. You can set the button size, add or remove buttons and change the order of the buttons.

Channel toolbar

In the default setup, the channel toolbar contains the following items:

Channel settings dialog

Settings dialog button
Opens the Channel setings dialog, to change all channel settings via a settings window.

Channel identification

Channel ID
The channel ID displays the channel number and an icon resembling the input type (BNC or banana). Clicking the Channel ID of a channel that is not yet used in the active graph, will add the channel to the active graph. Clicking the Channel ID of a channel that is used in the active graph, will remove the channel from the active graph. Dragging the Channel ID to a graph and drop it there will add that channel to that graph. Right clicking the channel ID will show a popup menu with all channel settings.

SafeGround

The SafeGround button allows to select the state of the input channel:

SafeGround active
Input is switched to single ended, SafeGround protection is active
SafeGround inactive
Input is switched to differential, SafeGround protection is inactive

For Handyscopes without SafeGround, the SafeGround button is not available.

Input coupling button

Coupling button
The input coupling button allows to toggle between AC and DC input coupling. The image on the button reflects the current state of the input coupling. Hotkeys A and D can also be used to change the input coupling of a channel.

Auto ranging button

Auto ranging button
The auto ranging button switches auto ranging of the input on and off. The image on the button reflects the current state of the auto ranging status. Hotkey R can also be used to toggle the auto ranging of a channel.

Increase/decrease input range

Two buttons are available to increase or decrease the input range:

Decrease input range
Decrease the input range one step (hotkey F5).
Increase input range
Increase the input range one step (hotkey F6).

The steps that are taken are the input ranges that are available in the input range menu of the oscilloscope channel.

These buttons are particularly useful on touchscreens.

Input range indicator

Input range indicator
This item displays the channel full scale input range. Right clicking the Input range indicator will show a popup menu with all full scale input range settings. Hotkeys F5 and F6 can also be used to change the input range of a channel.

Probe

Probe readout
The probe readout shows the current probe setting of a channel. Clicking it opens a menu with available probes, attenuators and current clamps.

Additional buttons

Many more buttons and controls are available that can be placed on the channel toolbar. Refer to the settings for more info.

Input coupling AC and DC buttons

Two buttons are available to set the input coupling to a specific state:

Coupling AC button
Set the input coupling of the channel to AC (hotkey A).
Coupling DC button
Set the input coupling of the channel to DC (hotkey D).

Input range up/down

Input range Up/Down
With the input range up/down the required input range of a channel is set. Hotkeys F5 and F6 can also be used to change the input range of a channel.

Input range selector

Input range selector
With the input range selector the required full scale input range of a channel is set. Hotkeys F5 and F6 can also be used to change the input range of a channel.

V/div input range indicator

V/div input range indicator
This item displays the channel input range as a V/div value.

Bandwidth limit

Bandwidth limit
The Bandwidth limit button allows to select a bandwidth limit for a channel, or to switch it off (full bandwidth). Clicking it opens a menu with available bandwidth limiter settings.

For Handyscopes without adjustable bandwidth limit, the bandwidth limit button is not available.

Channel invert

Invert button
This button inverts the channel by setting the probe gain to -1.

Increase/decrease trigger level

Two buttons are available to increase or decrease the trigger level for a channel:

Decrease trigger level
Decrease the trigger level one step (hotkey F7).
Increase trigger level
Increase the trigger level one step (hotkey F8).

The steps that are taken are 2.5%, where 100% equals the full range between +full scale and -full scale. 50% equals 0 V.

These buttons are particularly useful on touchscreens.

Increase/decrease trigger hysteresis

Two buttons are available to increase or decrease the trigger hysteresis for a channel:

Decrease trigger hysteresis
Decrease the trigger hysteresis one step (hotkey [).
Increase trigger hysteresis
Increase the trigger hysteresis one step (hotkey ]).

The steps that are taken are 2.5%, where 100% equals the full range between +full scale and -full scale. One division equals 12.5%.

These buttons are particularly useful on touchscreens.

Trigger source on button

Trigger source on button
The trigger source on button sets the trigger source of the oscilloscope to this channel.

Create voltmeter button

Create voltmeter button
The create voltmeter button creates a voltmeter display for this channel.

Disconnect all sinks button

Disconnect all sinks button
The disconnect all sinks button disconnects all sinks from this channel.

Real-time SureConnect connection test indicator

The image on this button reflects the current state of the real-time SureConnect connection test for a channel:

SureConnect connection
connection
SureConnect no connection
no connection

It requires real-time SureConnect connection test to be enabled.

For Handyscopes without SureConnect, the SureConnect connection test indicator is not available.