DPScope USB Oscilloscope

The DPScope USB Oscilloscope lab provides a comprehensive hands-on experience in electronics assembly and signal analysis. Students build a fully functional two-channel digital storage oscilloscope from a kit, practicing through-hole soldering, component identification, and circuit troubleshooting. Upon completion, the system uses a Microchip dsPIC microcontroller and specialized analog front-end components to capture and visualize signals on a PC. Students learn the fundamental operations of an oscilloscope, including vertical and horizontal scaling, triggering mechanisms, and various acquisition modes such as real-time sampling, equivalent time sampling, and data logging. Advanced topics like Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis, probe compensation, and the prevention of aliasing are also explored, making this an ideal bridge between circuit construction and professional measurement techniques.

electronics oscilloscope soldering microcontroller dsPIC digital storage oscilloscope DSO PCB assembly signal analysis Fast Fourier Transform FFT data logging triggering equivalent time sampling ETS analog front end instrumentation calibration circuit troubleshooting USB interface

Uploaded by demo on 2026-07-09 · ready · Electronics · Original source ↗

Files: directions.md · assembly_guide.pdf · schematic_v1_3.pdf · components.html · user_manual.pdf

Readiness checks

  • complete 2026-07-19 16:53 38 searches · 0 pages
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Latest report — 2026-07-19 16:53

Readiness: DPScope USB Oscilloscope

Verdict: Ready with caveats · 2026-07-19 · est. parts cost $65–$75

This lab is implementable but requires attention to component package transitions and obsolescence. This is a baseline check to establish a sourcing and pricing foundation. The core microcontroller is available but requires a specific suffix (-SP) to meet the 300 mil DIP footprint requirement, and the original trimmer capacitors and DIP sockets are now obsolete. The project website has migrated, making local hosting of critical firmware binaries a high priority.

Action required

Part Problem Recommended action
dsPIC30F2020-E/P Snapshot part number mismatch Order dsPIC30F2020-30I/SP to ensure the required 300 mil footprint.
TZ03Z500E169B00 Obsolete Order substitute GKG60015 (active stock).
4828-3000-CP Obsolete Order ED281DT or equivalent through-hole sockets.
dsPIC Firmware External dependency risk Download and host the .hex and MPROG files locally; the primary domain has shifted.

Parts

Integrated Circuits

Part Spec/Package Status Stock Price Source
dsPIC30F2020-30I/SP 16-bit MCU, 300 mil SPDIP Active 474 $7.85 Mouser
MCP6S22-I/P SPI PGA, DIP-8 Active 218 $1.97 Mouser
MCP4822-E/P 12-Bit DAC, DIP-8 Active 1,322 $4.28 DigiKey
MCP6024-I/P Quad Op-Amp, DIP-14 Active 232 $2.72 DigiKey

Passive Components

Part Spec/Package Status Stock Price Source
MFR-25FBF52-249K 249 kΩ, 1%, Axial Active 3,087 $0.10 DigiKey
MFR-25FBF52-9K1 9.1 kΩ, 1%, Axial Active 8,185 $0.10 DigiKey
CF14JT1K00 1 kΩ, 5%, Axial Active 710,261 $0.10 DigiKey
3362P-1-504LF 500 kΩ Trimmer Active 792 $1.23 DigiKey
K104K15X7RF53L2 0.1 µF Ceramic Active 34,360 $0.27 DigiKey
TZ03Z500E169B00 10–60 pF Trimmer Obsolete 0 — —
ECA-1VHG101B 100 µF, 35 V Radial Active 6,784 $0.44 DigiKey

Discrete Semiconductors & Clocking

Part Spec/Package Status Stock Price Source
1N914ATR Switching Diode, Axial Active 51,247 $0.30 DigiKey
WP7113ID 5mm Red LED Active 156,949 $0.21 DigiKey
CSTLS16M0X53-B0 16 MHz Resonator NFND 14,714 $0.34 DigiKey

Connectors & Hardware

Part Spec/Package Status Stock Price Source
112408 BNC Jack, R/A PCB Active 152 $5.45 DigiKey
FT232RL Breakout USB-to-TTL Adapter Active High $5.25 ShillehTek
4828-3000-CP 28-pin Socket Obsolete 0 — —
A21-BK Serpac Enclosure Active 158 $12.79 DigiKey
Inland Mini-USB USB-A to Mini-B Cable Active High $2.99 Micro Center

Substitutes

For part Substitute Differences Verified Judgment
MCP6S22-I/P MCP6S92-E/P Higher bandwidth (10 MHz); better availability. package + pinout Acceptable
TZ03Z500E169B00 GKG60015 12–60 pF (vs 10–60 pF); higher voltage (100 V). package + range Acceptable
4828-3000-CP ED281DT Standard 300 mil DIP socket. 28-pin, 300 mil width Acceptable

Instructors should verify substitute footprints against the PCB layout before procurement.

Other dependencies

  • Microcontroller Firmware: Critical; available at dpscope.freevar.com. Must be flashed to dsPIC before assembly.
  • PC Application: Legacy Windows software; Windows 11 compatibility requires testing with "Compatibility Mode."
  • FTDI Drivers: Standard VCP drivers required from ftdichip.com.
  • Configuration File: MPROG file required to set the specific serial number for hardware recognition.
  • Fabrication: 2-layer PCB (approx 4.25" x 2.25"); status not checked.

Watch list

  • dsPIC30F2020 Stock: DigiKey stock is extremely low (7 units); procurement should be directed to Mouser.
  • Resonator Status: The CSTLS16M0X53-B0 is "Not For New Designs." While current stock is high, future cycles may require a transition to SMD resonators with board modifications.
  • Software Hosting: Original dpscope.com has moved to a free hosting domain; mirror all binaries locally to prevent loss of access.
Snapshot What the lab depended on when it was uploaded — the baseline the readiness checks research against.

This snapshot documents the temporal dependencies of the DPScope USB Oscilloscope, a two-channel digital storage oscilloscope. The system relies on a Microchip dsPIC30F2020 microcontroller for signal processing and acquisition, an analog front end for signal conditioning, and a Windows-based PC application for visualization. The build depends on specific high-speed analog ICs and pre-programmed firmware, making it vulnerable to component obsolescence and software/driver incompatibility with newer operating systems.

Bill of Materials

Integrated Circuits

  • Microcontroller (dsPIC)
    • Identity: Microchip dsPIC30F2020-E/P
    • Quantity: 1
    • Footprint: DIP-28 (300 mil)
    • Electrical Constraints: 5 V logic, high-speed 10-bit ADC capability.
    • Substitution Latitude: None; the firmware is compiled specifically for this architecture.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: dsPIC30F2020-E/P.
  • Programmable Gain Amplifier (PGA1, PGA2)
    • Identity: Microchip MCP6S22-I/P (or MCP6S92-I/P as per assembly guide)
    • Quantity: 2
    • Footprint: DIP-8
    • Electrical Constraints: SPI interface, 1 MHz to 10 MHz bandwidth depending on gain.
    • Substitution Latitude: Low; must be SPI-compatible and pin-compatible with MCP6S series.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: MCP6S22-I/P.
  • Dual 12-Bit DAC (DAC1)
    • Identity: Microchip MCP4822-E/P
    • Quantity: 1
    • Footprint: DIP-8
    • Electrical Constraints: SPI interface, internal voltage reference. Used for offset and trigger level generation.
    • Substitution Latitude: Low; firmware expects specific SPI command structure for this DAC.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: MCP4822-E/P.
  • Quad Op-Amp (OP1)
    • Identity: Microchip MCP6024-I/P
    • Quantity: 1
    • Footprint: DIP-14
    • Electrical Constraints: Rail-to-rail I/O, 10 MHz GBW.sitting on 5 V rail.
    • Substitution Latitude: Moderate; any rail-to-rail quad op-amp in DIP-14 with ≥10 MHz bandwidth works.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: MCP6024-I/P.

Passive Components

  • Precision Resistors (1% Tolerance)
    • Identity: Axial metal film resistors, 0.25 W, 1% tolerance.
    • Values: 249 kΩ (R2, R4), 9.1 kΩ (R7, R10).
    • Quantity: 4 total.
    • Footprint: Axial 0207.
    • Substitution Latitude: High; any 1% resistor of these values will maintain calibration.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup (representative example): RNMF14FTC249K.
  • General Resistors (5% Tolerance)
    • Identity: Axial carbon film resistors, 0.25 W, 5% tolerance.
    • Values: 470 Ω (R19), 1 kΩ (R5, R6, R8, R11, R14, R15, R16, R17, R18), 750 kΩ (R1, R3).
    • Quantity: 12 total (Note: R8 is listed in schematic/assembly guide but not itemized in the "Value" summary of the components list; board file lists 8x 1 kΩ).
    • Footprint: Axial 0207.
    • Substitution Latitude: High.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup (representative example): CF14JT1K00.
  • Trimmer Resistors (VR1, VR2)
    • Identity: 500 kΩ Trimmer potentiometer.
    • Quantity: 2
    • Footprint: Through-hole square (top adjust), ~5mm lead spacing.
    • Electrical Constraints: 0.25 W. Used for offset nulling.
    • Substitution Latitude: Moderate; footprint must match PCB.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: 3362P-1-504LF.
  • Ceramic Capacitors
    • Identity: Ceramic disc or MLCC through-hole.
    • Values: 22 pF (C5, C8), 47 pF (C6, C11), 100 pF (C14, C15), 0.1 µF (C1, C2, C3, C4, C7, C10, C12, C13, C16, C17).
    • Quantity: 16 total.
    • Footprint: Radial, 2.54mm or 5.08mm lead spacing.
    • Electrical Constraints: ≥16 V rating.
    • Substitution Latitude: High.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup (representative example): K104K15X7RF53L2.
  • Trimmer Capacitors (C18, C19)
    • Identity: 10..60 pF Trimmer capacitor.
    • Quantity: 2
    • Footprint: Radial 2-pin, 5mm diameter.
    • Electrical Constraints: Used for probe compensation.
    • Substitution Latitude: Moderate; must be non-metallic adjustment compatible.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: TZ03Z500E169B00.
  • Electrolytic Capacitor (C9)
    • Identity: Aluminum electrolytic capacitor.
    • Value: 100 µF (Assembly Guide/Schematic) vs 470 µF (BOM list). Board file typically prioritizes 100 µF.
    • Quantity: 1
    • Footprint: Radial, 2.54mm lead spacing.
    • Electrical Constraints: ≥16 V rating. Polarized.
    • Substitution Latitude: High; larger capacitance (up to 470 µF) is acceptable for power filtering.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: ECA-1VHG101.

Discrete Semiconductors & Clocking

  • Protection Diodes (D1, D2, D3, D4)
    • Identity: 1N914A or 1N4148 Fast Switching Diode.
    • Quantity: 4
    • Footprint: DO-35 (Axial).
    • Electrical Constraints: Low capacitance, fast switching for input clamping.
    • Substitution Latitude: High; any high-speed signal diode (1N4148) works.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: 1N914ATR.
  • Status Indicator (LED1)
    • Identity: Standard 5mm Red LED.
    • Quantity: 1
    • Footprint: T-1 3/4 (5mm) radial.
    • Substitution Latitude: High; any color 5mm LED.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: WP7113ID.
  • Ceramic Resonator (X1)
    • Identity: 16 MHz Ceramic Resonator with built-in load capacitors.
    • Quantity: 1
    • Footprint: 3-pin radial, 2.54mm pitch.
    • Substitution Latitude: Low; circuit depends on the 3-pin configuration with internal caps.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: CSTLS16M0X53-B0.

Connectors & Hardware

  • BNC Connectors (J1, J2)
    • Identity: Right-angle PCB mount BNC Jack, female.
    • Quantity: 2
    • Footprint: Through-hole BNC, 4-pin or 2-pin with thick ground tabs.
    • Substitution Latitude: Moderate; must match PCB mounting holes and height for front panel alignment.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: 112408.
  • USB Interface Board (J_USB)
    • Identity: FTDI FT232R based USB-to-Serial breakout board.
    • Quantity: 1
    • Footprint: 6-pin 0.1" female header or direct wire-to-board.
    • Electrical Constraints: 5 V VCC, TTL level TX/RX.
    • Substitution Latitude: Moderate; can use a cable (TTL-232R-5V) or a breakout board. Labels must match (GND, CTS, VCC, TX, RX, DTR).
    • Sourcing Plan: retail shopping search: FT232RL 5V USB to TTL Adapter.
  • IC Sockets
    • Identity: DIP Sockets (28-pin x1, 14-pin x1, 8-pin x3).
    • Quantity: 5 total.
    • Footprint: 300 mil width.
    • Sourcing Plan: distributor lookup: 4828-3000-CP.
  • Mechanical Kit
    • Enclosure: Serpac A-21 Black (SRA21B-ND).
    • Rubber Feet: 4x 5mm dia. self-adhesive standoffs.
    • Jumper: 2-pin 0.1" pitch shorting block (JP_CAL).
    • Probe Cables: BNC-to-Microhook or standard 1:1/1:10 scope probes.
    • USB Cable: USB-A to Mini-USB (Mini-B) data cable. Note: Micro-USB is explicitly incompatible.
    • Sourcing Plan: retail shopping search: Serpac A-21 enclosure; retail shopping search: Mini-USB data cable.

Temporal Dependencies

Firmware and Software

  • Microcontroller Firmware: The dsPIC30F2020 must be flashed with DPScope firmware (v2.1 or later recommended). The firmware enables the internal sampling engine and SPI communication with the analog components. Without the pre-programmed hex file, the hardware is non-functional.
  • PC Application: DPScope Software (v1.4.6 described in manual). It requires a screen resolution of at least 800x600. It is written for legacy Windows environments and may require "Compatibility Mode" or specific .NET/VB runtimes on modern OS versions.
  • Drivers: FTDI Virtual COM Port (VCP) drivers are required to bridge the USB interface to the software. These are standard but must be compatible with the specific FT232R chip on the interface board.
  • Configuration File: For user-procured USB boards, an MPROG configuration file is required to burn a specific serial number (FTE0ZZ3K) into the FTDI chip so the software recognizes the hardware.

Fabrication Specs

  • PCB: 2-layer board. No dimensions are provided, but it is sized to fit the Serpac A-21 enclosure (external approx 4.25" x 2.25").
  • Soldering: Requires moderate soldering experience due to component density and sensitivity of the dsPIC and diodes to heat.

Sourcing Links

  • Project Website: http://www.dpscope.com (Main source for software, firmware, and USB configuration files).
  • Component references primarily point to DigiKey and Jameco. If the main website disappears, the firmware hex file is the single most critical point of failure for future builds.