REPORT OSCILLOSCOPE
WHAT IS OSCILLOSCOPE?
Oscilloscope is an essential tool used in a multitude of technical fields. From
engineering to healthcare and beyond, the ability to visualize and analyze electrical
signals is fundamental to various applications.
An oscilloscope, often referred to as an ‘O-scope’, is a device that graphically
displays varying signal voltages. Traditionally, it draws a graph of an electrical
signal, with voltage on the vertical Y-axis and time on the horizontal X-axis. This
visual representation allows users to examine the properties of the signal such as
amplitude, frequency, periodicity, noise, and other phenomena.
FUNCTION OF OSCILLOSCOPE
An oscilloscope does only one thing: it captures a representation of a live signal
from a test circuit and displays it on a screen. This representation is often the
signal's voltage as it changes over time.
An oscilloscope is an electronic instrument that presents a graphical display of its
input voltage as a function of time. It is important to note that oscilloscopes only
measure voltages, not currents or resistances however it is possible to convert
quantities such as current, strain, acceleration, pressure, and so forth into voltages
that the oscilloscope can then use.
Basic Features of the Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope contains four basic circuit blocks, namely:
Vertical amplifier
Time-base
Trigger
Display
These basic circuit blocks are illustrated in the figure below:
Vertical Amplifier
The vertical amplifier conditions the input signal so that it can be displayed on the
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT). The vertical amplifier provides controls of volts per
division, position, and coupling, allowing the user to achieve the desired display.
Trigger
The trigger is responsible for starting the display at the same point on the input
signal every time the display is refreshed. It is the stable display of a complex
waveform that allows the operator of an oscilloscope to make an interpretation of
the waveform and how it affects the operation of the device under test.
Time-base
The time base in an oscilloscope controls how quickly the signal is displayed on the
screen.
Example: It's like the speed of a camera taking pictures.
Types of Waves
You can classify most waves into these types:
Sine waves.
Square and rectangular waves.
Sawtooth and triangle waves.
Step and pulse shapes.
Complex waves.
1. Sine Waves: These are the simplest type of wave, characterized by a
smooth, continuous oscillation. They are often used as a reference for other
waveforms.
2. Square and Rectangular Waves: These waves have a flat top and bottom,
with sharp transitions between the two levels. They are commonly used in
digital electronics.
3. Sawtooth and Triangle Waves: Sawtooth waves have a linear ramp-up
followed by a sharp drop, while triangle waves have a triangular shape. Both
are used in electronic signal generation and modulation.
4. Step and Pulse Shapes: Step waves have a sudden change in amplitude,
followed by a constant level. Pulse waves are similar to step waves but have
a finite duration.
5. Complex Waves
Complex waves are combinations of multiple simple waves.
Types of Oscilloscope
Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO)
A DSO is the most common type of oscilloscope. It has evolved from the analogue
oscilloscope, and while it still looks exactly the same, it uses a completely different
architecture. It transforms the analogue signal into a digital waveform. This is why
criteria such as bandwidth, sampling rate and rise time become so important when
selecting an oscilloscope.
Mixed Signal, Mixed Domain Oscilloscope (MSO/MDO)
An MSO combines the function of the DSO with a logic analyzer. It usually has a
combination of 2 to 4 analogue channels and more than 10 digital channels. An
MDO can display signals in both the time and frequency domains. If you want to
display digital waveforms, analogue synchronized waveforms or decoded serial
protocols, you’ll need an MDO. Usually, up to 15 channels are used for debugging.
Handheld oscilloscope
Handheld oscilloscopes are useful when working in the field or with heavy
machinery. You are not bound to your desktop but can take the oscilloscope with
you to where the machinery is.
PC-based oscilloscope
PC-based oscilloscopes are connected to a computer or laptop. Storage capability is
only limited by your computer’s storage space. The software usually comes with the
oscilloscope, but it might also be capable to run other software. These high-
performance devices often surpass the capabilities of a DSO; however, some people
prefer to adjust parameters on a knob right next to the screen instead of entering
them on their laptop.
Automotive PC oscilloscope
Use an automotive PC oscilloscope to measure everything electronic within a
vehicle. Often signals change too quickly to be measurable with a multimeter.
Analogue oscilloscope
The analogue oscilloscope follows the principle “What you see is what you get”. You
don’t need to worry about your bandwidth and sampling rate. If you are using it for
audio or video work, a good analogue oscilloscope will even be more accurate than
a DSO of the same price range. Modulated signals will show up better on an
analogue scope and digital signals perform well too. But, as soon as you are working
in the realm of digital signals with high data rates, you get to the limitations of an
analogue oscilloscope and want to look at a DSO.
Oscilloscope Applications
Oscilloscopes are widely used in a range of disciplines. Let’s explore some of the
primary applications.
1. Engineering: Oscilloscopes are fundamental in electrical engineering for
analyzing circuit performances.
2. Telecommunications: In the telecommunications industry, oscilloscopes
help to test and troubleshoot signal quality.
3. Medical Applications: Medical devices such as Electrocardiogram (ECG)
and Electroencephalogram (EEG) machines use oscilloscope technology to
monitor heart and brainactivities.
Clearly, oscilloscopes play a pivotal role in our modern world, underpinning
many of the technologies and systems we rely on every day.
(NOTES AFTER KAN REPORT TA)
In conclusion, the oscilloscope is a vital instrument in many industries, including
engineering, telecommunications, and healthcare. Its ability to visualize and analyze
electrical signals makes it an indispensable tool for debugging and testing electronic
systems. From the basic analog oscilloscopes to advanced digital storage
oscilloscopes, these devices help facilitate a deeper understanding of the complex
world of electronics. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the capabilities
and applications of oscilloscopes, further highlighting their importance in our
technological landscape.
We can use oscilloscopes for looking at all kinds of signals in all kinds of ways. If you
ever study electronics, you'll use oscilloscopes to watch how signals change in
circuits over time; you can also them to locate faults in broken televisions, radios,
and all kinds of similar equipment. The probes on a typical oscilloscope let you feed
in electric currents through coaxial cables—but that doesn't mean an oscilloscope
can only measure electricity. Plug in a transducer (which converts one kind of
energy into another) and you can use an oscilloscope to measure almost anything.
For example, you could use a microphone (a type of transducer that converts sound
energy into an electrical signal) to study sound signals with an oscilloscope; you
could use a thermocouple (a transducer that converts heat into electricity) to study
temperature changes; or you could use a piezoelectric transducer (which generates
electricity when you squeeze it) to study vibrations—such as a person's heartbeat.
