Pico DrDAQ - Versatile Data Acquisition

You can start using your USB DrDAQ Data Logger straight out of the box; it features built-in sensors for light, sound and temperature, and an RGB LeD that you can program to show any one of 16.7 million colours.

External sensor sockets also allow you extend the functionality of your DrDAQ. with external sensors your DrDAQ can measure humidity, oxygen levels, external temperatures and much more. pico technology provide you with everything you need to know to connect, use, and even design your own sensors.

Data logger, oscilloscope, signal generator and more!

DrDAQ is a versatile instrument that connects to the USB port of any PC. Using the supplied PicoScope software it can be used as an oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer and signal generator.

Using the supplied PicoLog software it can be used as a data logger with built-in sensors for light, temperature and sound. It can also measure voltage and resistance. In addition it has a socket for standard pH electrodes and connectors that allow the use of optional external sensors for measuring temperature, humidity, pressure and more.

Oscilloscope / spectrum analyzer

The DrDAQ oscilloscope input has a 100 kHz bandwidth, 8-bit resolution and four input ranges. It is supplied with a full version of the PicoScope software, which offers high-end oscilloscope functions such as FFT spectrum analysis, mask limit testing, software-based filters and measurements.

Signal generator / arbitrary waveform generator (AWG)

The DrDAQ has a built in DC to 20 kHz function generator which when used with PicoScope software can output sine, square, triangle, ramp and DC voltage signals.

As well as the standard waveforms available from the function generator, custom waveforms can be created using the 10-bit 2 MS/s arbitrary waveform generator (AWG). AWG waveforms can be created or edited using the built-in editor, imported from oscilloscope traces, or loaded from a spreadsheet.

Sound level meter / sound waveforms

The built-in microphone can be used in two ways.

• Sound level meter / data logger with a 55 to 100 dB range using PicoLog
• Oscilloscope / spectrum analyzer with views of sound waveforms using PicoScope

Temperature sensor / data logger

A built-in sensor allows measures room temperature from –10 °C to +70 °C (14°F to +158°F) The optional DD100 external sensor measures over a wider range of –10 °C to +105 °C (14°F to +221°F).

pH meter / redox meter

DrDAQ is compatible with standard pH electrodes allowing measurement and data logging over the full pH range. Since pH values are temperature-dependent you can use a DD100 temperature sensor and DrDAQ automatically corrects the pH value based on the temperature of the solution.

A kit is available containing a DrDAQ, pH electrode and temperature sensor. If you already own a DrDAQ, these sensors can be purchased separately.

The same high-impedance input used for pH can alternatively be used with redox sensors. The ability to measure and record pH and redox along with temperature and oxygen levels makes DrDAQ ideal for a wide range of chemistry and biology experiments.

External sensors

Three sockets are dedicated to external sensors. Simply plug in one of the optional external sensors and the software identifies the type of sensor and scales results with the correct units. Available sensors (see the Accessories tab) include temperature, oxygen, humidity and position. Available accessories for the BNC inputs include oscilloscope probes, pH electrodes, redox sensors and a magnetic induction kit (educational experiment). If you want to interface other sensors or design your own, full instructions are included.

Digital I/O, RGB LED and more!

The DrDAQ has 4 digital inputs / outputs. Each can be individually configured to be an input or alarm output, generate a PWM output signal or act as a pulse counter. Resistance over a 0 to 1 MΩ range can be measured through the screw terminals. If used with resistive sensors (thermistors, light etc.) then the supplied software allows for scaling into the correct units.

Finally there is a software-controlled status LED that can be programmed to output any one of 16.7 million different colors.

Science experiments and education

As well as its use within industry, DrDAQ has proved itself to be popular both as an educational data logger (physics, chemistry, biology and electronics) and also as a versatile instrument for hobby use at home. Visit our library of experiments for dozens of experiments you can perform with your DrDAQ.

Software drivers and example code

DrDAQ is supplied with full versions of both PicoScope and PicoLog software. It is also supplied with a wide range of drivers and example code to allow you to write your own programs and interface to third-party software. Drivers are included for Microsoft Windows (XP, 7 & 8), Apple Mac (OS X) and Linux (including Raspberry Pi and BeagleBone). Code examples are supplied for C, C++, LabView and Excel.

Spreadsheet view

Displays text data in a format that can be easily copied and pasted into other applications. Data can also be saved to disk in standard ASCII text format.

Graph view

Graphs can be displayed both during and after data collection. Each channel can be displayed in its own graph or multiple channels can be displayed in the same graph. Axes can be set up manually, automatically or in chart recorder mode. Multipliers allow you to magnify areas of interest. Graphs can be copied and then pasted into reports.

XY graph view

Displays one parameter against another. Useful for plotting voltage against current, for example.

Player view

Displays previously recorded data. It enables you to scroll quickly through stored files to compare results on successive runs. The player can be used to examine old data while new data is still being recorded.