FAQ

Technical

1. What is the smallest current that the PocketPico can measure?

   The PocketPico can measure to 20pA with resolution of 100fA (10e^-13 A)

2. Is the PocketPico calibrated?

   Yes, every PocketPico is calibrated using instruments traceable to the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) to be accurate to within 0.5%.

3. How can the PocketPico be calibrated in the future?

   Ix Innovations can calibrate the PocketPico at competitive rates. We are also developing procedures to enable calibration of the PocketPico by third party labs. Please call for details.

4. Can I use the PocketPico for ______?

   Picoammeters are used in many applications ranging from electronics testing, materials characterization and surface science. Please take a look at the technical specifications and support documents or contact us to determine if the PocketPico will meet your specific needs.

5. What are the allowable input voltage ranges for the PocketPico?

   The PocketPico uses a summing reference to measure current; therefore, the input voltage of either terminal must be between 0 and 5 Volts. Current must flow into the PocketPico. Please review the instruction manual for more details.

6. How does the PocketPico measure current?

   The PocketPico measures current in a fundamentally different method than other picoammeters. Please review our Ammeter Theory of Operation for a detailed explanation.

7. Can the PocketPico measure with a reference to V_DD?

   The current version of the PocketPico measures with a reference to ground and therefore cannot measure with a reference to V_DD. We are working on a follow-up version of the PocketPico that can measure to V_DD.

8. How fast and slow can the PocketPico sample?

   The PocketPico always samples as fast as possible, with the hardware sampling up to 15,000 per second. To ‘slow’ the sampling rate, readings may be averaged to a maximum of 32,768 samples; e.g. the PocketPico will report one reading that is the average of 32,768 samples. The frequency of unique readings sent over USB is limited by the USB port speed.

9. How much current does the PocketPico draw from the USB Port?

   The PocketPico requires no more than 100mA.

10. Can the PocketPico measure alternating current?

    The PocketPico measures only direct current.

11. Does the PocketPico work with Mac or Linux?

    The current PocketPico drivers only work with Windows OS. Drivers for Mac and Linux are slated for development. Please contact us if this is something that you require.

12. What does the PocketPico Reader application do?

    The PocketPico Reader application provides a virtual display panel to the PocketPico hardware. At its most basic, it displays the current being read by the device along with overall measurement statistics, such as minimum, maximum, average and number of readings. It can also be used to record measurements over time exported to a comma separated values (csv) format.

13. Can I use multiple PocketPicos on the same PC?

    Yes. Each PocketPico will enumerate as a separate USB device. If you are using the PocketPico Reader, open another instance of the application and make sure to select your appropriate device in the dropdown before clicking ‘Connect’.

14. Can I use the PocketPico with other software?

    Yes! Since the PocketPico is SCPI compatible, you may use the PocketPico with software such as MATLAB and LabVIEW. Example code may be found in the PocketPico manual available for download here.

Ordering

1. How can I purchase?

   You may purchase the PocketPico through our online store, by calling our sales department at 770-479-7138

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3. Do you ship outside the USA?

   Yes, we can ship outside the USA. Please call or email our sales department for details.