PPMScope / Blog: Recent posts

The test procedure in the help file was out of date (referenced values for an old schematic). I simply updated a few words and numbers in the test procedure to reflect the current schematics.

I have decided to change my hosting service from Tripod to Weebly, so the project homepage has changed to http://jonw0224.weebly.com/ppmscope.html.

I am hoping the reduced advertising will make for a more pleasant experience as you surf the project homepage.

Thanks,

Jonathan

PPMScope version 2.19 has been released. This release is primarily bug fixes and corrections to the PCB and documentation. Sorry, there is practically no new functionality with this release. The release notes are below.

Release Notes for version 2.19 build 4/17/2014

• Modified side panel code to handle different text size selections (font screen DPI settings) correctly.
• Made the hardware test automatically disable triggering and use the highest possible sample rate during the test to ensure a successful test for a correctly connected oscilloscope.
• Changed the spectrum display voltage scaling to handle the display more intelligently for all volt per div modes.
• Correction to the version 1.21 PCB layout (it was missing the AC/DC connection point).
• Updated the wiring diagram for connecting the PCB to components not mounted on the PCB.... read more

This release is primarily to address updating the help documentation and cleaning up the source code. The improvements to the software are limited. Here are the release notes.

Release Notes for version 2.18 build 1/28/2014

• Increased the performance of SINC reconstruction code to be as efficient as other methods of reconstruction.
• Added COM10 through COM19 to the serial port dropdown list (for people using multiple COM Ports or Serial to USB converters)
• Trigger indicators on the scope screen are no longer Channel 1, Channel 2, but follow the designation in the panel for Channel A and Channel B when possible.
• Corrected a bug in oscdisp.c which caused the program to not work when compiled with the latest version of Code::Blocks (version 13.12) or Dev-Cpp (version 5.5.3)
• Cleaned up source code to minimize compile warnings in Code::Blocks environment
• Updated Help Documentation to include USB connections and usage with Fedora Linux

A few people were interested in compiling the source code in response to my last e-mail about getting the software to run on Linux. Compiling the source is not necessary, I used the download executable on wine, however, there were some missing steps to compiling in CodeBlocks on the website and in the help file.

In addition to the instructions on the website, in the CodeBlocks environment, you will need to update the library file. You can do this by selecting "Project" -> "Build Options" from the main menu. And then you should select the "Linker Settings" tab and edit the path to the library to match your install.... read more

I had a request for the PPMScope software to be run on Fedora 19. It has been a while since I attempted running the software on Linux, and I had never been able to do it successfully until this past weekend. I focused on the USB connection since that was the one requested, however, I am certain this will work with the serial connection. I've not yet tested the parallel port connection. I plan to test the parallel port connection later. I'll also test on Ubuntu, though I suspect the setup will be similar.... read more

Today, I responded to a PPMScope communications problem e-mail, similar to several others I've responded to in the past. I wanted to share the e-mail at large in hopes that it would help others with similar problems and give me something to refer people to in the future. The following is a description of the problem:

Dear sir,

We have constructed the circuit on a PCB for PPMscope but we are unable to connect to our PC. The red circle seen on the left of PPMscope screen is always red. We are using a USB to serial converter (FT232RL) to connect to our laptop. Please help us.... read more

I've been working on changes since October after a brief break from the 2.16 release. I have decided to do a pre-release of the PPMScope software, since development is going so slow. The slower development is mostly due to constraints on my schedule - Evan is 13 months old and Samantha is due with our third child in October. So, the Weaver house is a bushel of activity. Still, there are some great aspects of the 2.17 pre-release and some important bug fixes. They are:... read more

A new multiboard PCB layout using thru hole components was contributed by Dennis Waddell and posted to the files section.

The project website has changed to http://jonw0224.tripod.com.

I decided to terminate my paid hosting account and go back to free hosting with Tripod.

-Jonathan

Here are the release notes for version 2.16 build 8/20/2012 of the PPMScope:

• Corrected more software and firmware bugs in the serial port interface. The particular nasty bug caused the scope hardware to freeze temporarily while sampling or triggering at low rates.

• Added a USB to Serial port daughter board adaptor for connection of the oscilloscope via a USB port. The board is built around the FT232 USB interface IC.... read more

PPMScope version 2.15 build 6/20/2012 has been released. The key features are Windows 7 support and correction of serial port interface bugs. The USB interface
continues to be developed, but I had made so many changes I thought I should release what I had so far. Enjoy!

Release Notes for version 2.15 build 6/20/2012

(1) Upgraded version of inpout32.dll for parallel port compatibility in Windows 7 and 64 bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista. See the readme.txt file for instructions to install the new parallel port drivers on Windows 7 and Windows Vista.... read more

About a week before we had Evan, a gentleman named Rudolf Muehlbauer contacted me with some fantastic news. I've been meaning to share this, but I've been busy catching
naps and changing diapers. He has developed
the SampleScope (https://github.com/mru00/SampleScope) based on the PPMScope and has made his design available on GitHub.
Rudolf is a true gentleman and has worked hard developing the project in a short amount of time and has insisted I tell you that SampleScope is "an early development".... read more

Release Notes for version 2.141 build 3/30/2012

• Correction of bug. The program would sometimes freeze when turning the trigger off.
• Fine tuning of waveform and measurement logging.
• Feedback of modes on the toolbar using depressed buttons.
• Upgrade of software license to GPL v3.
• Ground plane added to PCB layout.
• Parts list added for version 1.2 of the hardware.

... read more