What are the differences between a digital oscilloscope and data logger? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: fishandchips
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 06:13:50 pm
content: Could anybody please let me know the differences and which is better?

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 07:03:31 pm
content: Which is better?Depends what you want it for.An oscilloscope shows how voltage changes with time. It is able to show thus over very small amounts of time.A data logger stores data over a period of time. The period is confugurable. Loggers usually do not have any method of displaying the data they have logged, the data must be downloaded onto a computer for analysys.What are you looking to do?

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 07:07:35 pm
content: Differences: sampling rate. Entry level scope these days would be 1 GS/s. Dataloggers might be kS/s or possibly MS/s. Number of channels. Scopes are usually 2-4 channels. Data loggers can have many more.Which is better: I am not aware of any datalogger that includes Tetris, so to me scopes are clearly better. They also tend to have prettier colors.

author: fishandchips
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 07:24:02 pm
content: I plan to use the equipment to test circuits in real-time under different input conditions. I also want to use the equipment to gather analog and digital data for post-processing, analysis and report writing.

author: MosherIV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 07:40:16 pm
content: QuoteSounds like you need an oscilloscope. Get one with either USB data port or network port for transfering data.

author: Yokogawa TM UK
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 09:04:31 pm
content: Why not have both in one unit?We do a product called a Scopecorder - with a Scopecorder you can capture transient events and trends for up to 200 days. It is not limited like a scope either in that it can measure more than Voltage, Current and Serial Bus. You can also measure Temperature, Strain, Acceleration, Frequency, Logic plus more.We have just launched a battery powered version too!Check out the home page and see it for yourself -http://tmi.yokogawa.com/gb/products/oscilloscopes/scopecorders/

author: abraxa
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 09:13:49 pm
content: Do you really mean a data logger or do you mean a logic analyzer?

author: fishandchips
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 02:26:08 am
content: Quote from: abraxa on June 15, 2017, 09:13:49 pmSomebody mentioned that logic analyzer only takes digital signals. I work on both analog and digital signals.

author: alm
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 07:15:41 am
content: I would first figure out your requirements before considering spending any money. Figure out the number of signals you need to monitor at the same time, required bandwidth, voltage / current levels, duration (required sample depth). Also consider software support. If you build your software on top of Labview, a NI DAQ might be more convenient than a low-end digital scope with limited software support.It might help to get a basic digital scope (that is pretty much required for any serious electronics work anyway) to figure some of this out.

author: pascal_sweden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 07:28:14 am
content: You could build your own data logging system using a set of cheap microcontrollers that come with a good built-in A/D converter.This way your data logging system is a perfect fit for the application in particular.And you can improve your microcontroller programming skills

author: Fungus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2017, 08:49:52 am
content: You might need both!As noted: Data loggers are easy to build. A $2 Arduino will do the job for simple voltage measurements (but you'll need an op-amp if the voltages are in the millivolt range).Ideally you need to supply more info - what are you measuring, how fast are the signals, etc.