A Digital Oscilloscope is must have test equipment if you want to analyze an electrical signal. No Electrical/Electronic Lab is complete without it. It can help you analyze and detect various anomalies in an electrical signal. In this post we will discuss what is a Digital Oscilloscope, What are its functions (and uses) and various sections of a Digital Oscilloscope.
What is Digital Oscilloscope
A ‘数字Oscilloscope‘ is an electronic test equipment which is used to measure and compare a signal graph with respect to time. Further, it is one of the commonly used as well as Multipurpose Test Equipment to test even latest of Electronic-circuits.This test equipment provides graphical representation and analytical information about the signal amplitude (Voltage/Current/Power etc.) as time’s function.This is very useful in analyzing the condition and performance of the circuit/equipment.
Its functions does not end here only. You can use thistest equipmentfor measuring many other things too. It may also be used to measure clock-frequency, duty-cycle of a pulse width modulated signal, the propagation-delay, and signal’s rise/fall time etc. In addition, this test equipment can even carry out the task of alerting yourself whenever a glitch is observed in your logical and bouncy switches.
Uses of Digital Oscilloscope
An oscilloscope is used for finding :
- Signal-frequency
- Signal-amplitude (both DC and AC voltages)
- Phase-difference between 02 signals
- Wave-form analytics such as :-
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- Pulse-width
- Pulse’s Fall-time
- Pulse’s Over-rising
- Pulse’s rise-time
Various Sections of Digital Oscilloscope
Here, we are taking Digital Oscilloscope model Tektronix TDS3034B as example for our convenience. This Tektronix oscilloscope contains four I/P channels. Its various controls are in six fundamentals groupings:
1. Vertical Group – Digital Oscilloscope
It manages perpendicular placement of various traces. Furthermore, it can also control the choice of traces to display its scales.
2. Horizontal Group
It manages the time-scale and its spot on the display scale.
3. Trigger Group
As the name suggests, it manages the trigger. Useful in alignment in a repetitive signal in horizontal position.
4. Acquire Group – Digital Oscilloscope
This section helps in managing the process of acquiring a sample for analysis. Also, It consists of a ‘Auto set’ push button that functions on the basis of its preset settings. This button also helps in automatic selection of other settings to display best available wave-form. If you ask me, I will say that it is the most handy button of the entire equipment.
5. Miscellaneous Group
In this grouping, there is a bunch of unmarked buttons which is located at topmost part of Control-panel. These unmarked buttons manages some controls that have very sophisticated functions and does not have to do anything with the waveform display.
6. Basic-Selector-Button
As the name indicates, this section provides basic selection and is available at the right-side & bottom-side of the display.
Read Also:Test Equipment – Importance, How it Works, Types, Application
