FAQ

1. Is there any test lead or probe associated with the software? How to make the connection to external devices?

The dedicated sound card oscilloscope probe can be purchased separately from us. However, if you want to make the probe by yourself, please refer to Section “Input & Output Connection” in the first chapter.

2. How to calibrate the input channel and output channel?

The simplest way is to use a multimeter. Please refer to Section “Calibration” in the oscilloscope chapter for detail. If VIRTINS Sound Card Oscilloscope Probes are used, then you also need to refer to the manual of the probe.

3. Can I use all instruments such as Oscilloscope, Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Generator simultaneously?

Yes. For example, you can use the Signal Generator to generate a signal to a Device Under Test (DUT) and observe the response from the device in the Oscilloscope and Spectrum Analyzer simultaneously.

4. Does the software support external USB sound cards?

Yes. It supports any Windows compatible sound cards. You can select the sound card via [Setting]>[Calibration]>[Input Sound Card] or [Output Sound Card].

5. Does the software support multiple sound cards in one computer?

Yes. Each instance of the software supports the selection of one sound card for input and one for output. The selection is done via [Setting]>[Calibration]>[Input Sound Card] or [Output Sound Card]. If you run multiple instances of the software, you may select multiple sound cards.

6. Can I see the generated signal in the Oscilloscope in real time?

Yes, you can. Different types of loopback modes are provided in the Signal Generator. Please refer to Section “Loopback Mode” in the Signal Generator chapter for detail.

7. Can I analyze data that are not acquired from the sound card?

Yes. You can use the software to analyze any WAV data or TXT data as long as the required format is followed. Please refer to Sections “Open” and “Import” in the Oscilloscope chapter for detail.

8. Can it measure DC signal?

It depends on the sound card used. Most of sound card inputs are AC-coupled. There is normally a capacitor in series at the input which blocks DC and very-low-frequency components.

9. Can it output DC signal?

No. Almost all sound card outputs are AC-coupled.

10. When I use a sampling frequency of 96 kHz to generate a 1 kHz sine wave signal, the output signal does not seem to be 1 kHz?

This will happen when your sound card does not support a sampling frequency of 96 kHz. Some sound cards do not return an error message when the sampling frequency requested exceeds their capability. Please check your sound card manual to make sure your sound card supports a sampling frequency of 96 kHz before you can use it. An ordinary sound card normally supports a sampling frequency of up to 44.1 kHz.

11. When I use a sampling frequency of 96 kHz to monitor a 1 kHz sine wave signal, the spectrum analyzer does not show a peak frequency at 1 kHz?

This will happen when your sound card does not support a sampling frequency of 96 kHz. Some sound cards do not return an error message when the sampling frequency requested exceeds their capability. Please check your sound card manual to make sure your sound card supports a sampling frequency of 96 kHz before you can use it. An ordinary sound card normally supports a sampling frequency of up to 44.1 kHz.

12. How to make the software accessible by different limited user accounts and administrator accounts under Windows NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista?

The software must be installed and then unlocked by an administrator. It can be accessed by any users including restricted users afterwards.