Electronics Workshop

AIM: Acquire the knowledge of output devices like CRO and DSO for observing output
waveforms.

OBJECTIVE:

 To understand the operation of waveform display devices and its need in electronics
circuits.
 To know the analysis of the waveform using CRO and DSO.

APPARATUS:

Sr. No. Name of Apparatus/Components Rating/Type Quantity

1 CRO 20 Hzs/Analog 01
2 DSO Digital 01
3 Function Generator Analog 01
4 Probes - 03

THEORY:

CATHODE RAY OSCILLOSCOPE

The cathode ray oscilloscope is probably the most useful and versatile laboratory
instrument for the development of electronic circuits and systems. It is used for studying
wave shapes of alternating currents and voltages as well as for measurement of voltage,
current, power and frequency, in fact, almost any quantity that involves amplitude and
waveform. It allows the amplitude of electrical signals as a function of time on the screen. It
is widely used for trouble shooting radio and TV receivers as well as laboratory work
involving research and design. It can also be employed for studying the wave shape of a
signal with respect to amplitude distortion and deviation from the normal. In true sense the
cathode ray oscilloscope has been one of the most important tools in the design and
development of modern electronic circuits.
The oscilloscope is basically an electron beam voltmeter. The main part of
oscilloscope is the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) which makes the applied signal visible by the
deflection of a thin beam of electrons. Since the electron has practically no weight, and hence
no inertia, therefore the beam of electrons can be moved to follow waveforms varying at a
rate of times/second. Thus, the electron beam faithfully follows rapid variations in signal
voltage and traces a visible path on the CRT screen. In this way, rapid variations, pulsations
or transients are reproduced and the operator can observe the waveform as well as measurer
amplitude at nay instant of time.

Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur

 Electronics Workshop

 The major block circuit shown in below Fig. of a general purpose CRO is as follows:
1. CRT: This is the cathode ray tube which emits electrons that strikes the phosphor screen internally
to provide a visual display of signal.
2.     Vertical Amplifier: This is a wide band amplifier used to amplify signals in the vertical
section.
3.     Delay Line: It is used to display the signal for some time in the vertical section.
4.     Time Base: It is used to generate the sawtooth voltage required to deflect the beam in the
horizontal section.
5.     Horizontal Amplifier: This is used to amplify the sawtooth voltage before it is applied to
horizontal deflection plates.
6.     Trigger Circuit: This is used to convert the incoming signal into trigger pulses so that the
input signal and the sweep frequency can be synchronized.
7.     Power Supply: There are two power supplies, a -ve High Voltage (HV) supply and a +ve
Low Voltage (LV) supply. Two voltages are generated in the CRO. The +ve voltage supply is
from + 300 to 400 V. The –ve high voltage supply is from -1000 to -1500 V. This voltage is
passed through a bleeder resistor at a few mA. The intermediate voltages are obtained from
the bleeder resistor for intensity, focus and positioning controls.

PROCEDURE:
Part one
1. Turn on the Oscilloscope, wait a couple of seconds to warm up, then the trace will
show up
2. on the screen.
3. Adjust the intensity and the focus of the trace.
4. Use the X &Y-post. knobs to center the trace horizontally and vertically.
5. Connect a cable to Ch1 socket.
6. Connect the cable from Ch1 of the CRO.
7. A signal will appear on the screen.
8. Make sure that the inner red knobs of the Volt/Div and the Time/Div are locked
clockwise.
9. Set the frequency of the generator to 200 Hz
10. Adjust the Volt/Div and the Time/Div knobs so that you get a suitable size signal
(from 1-2 wavelengths filling most of the screen vertically).
11. Calculate the period T, record in Table I:
T = No. horizontal Div. × Time/Div
12. Calculate the frequency, ƒ=1/T, record in the table.
13. Repeat steps 10-14 for the frequency values as in the table.

Part two
1. Connect the cable from Ch1 to the upper connector.
2. Adjust the Volt/Div and the Time/Div knobs so that you get a suitable size signal
(from 1-2 wavelengths filling most of the screen vertically).
3. Calculate the peak to peak voltage value.

Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur

 Electronics Workshop

4. Calculate Vrms value.

5. Measure Vrms using the multimeter6. Measure the period T, then calculate the
frequency.
Vp-p=
Vrms=
Vrms(multimeter)=
T=
f=

DIGITAL STORAGE OSCILLOSCOPE:

A Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO) uses digital memory to store a waveform. In

order to do this the incoming signal must first be digitised, once this is complete the data in
the memory can be continuously replayed through a digital to analogue converter and
displayed on a CRT. Unlike analogue storage scopes the captured waveform does not decay
over time. The speed and length of the recording are parameters that limit the type of signals
that can be analysed by a DSO.
Most commercially available DSO’s allow the user to increase the length of the
recording only by reducing the sampling frequency. This is not always desirable as it can lead
to aliasing of the signal and the loss of small details ike signal glitches that can seriously
restrict the usefulness of a DSO, as engineers are often interested in these very glitches. The
memory capacity of a DSO determines the maximum length of a recording for a given
sample rate. Therefore increasing the storage capacity of a DSO enables the recording to be
lengthened without reducing the sample rate.

The specification of the project DSO should be as follows:-

• The module must connect to a standard PC with little or no modifications, and should be
easy to set-up.
• The DSO must be capable of high sample rates of around 40MHz. Lower sample rates
should be user selectable from within the software.
• The DSO should have a large storage depth of 3Mbit. This would give a recording length of
around 10mS at a sample rate of 40MHz.
• The cost of the final DSO must be less than £100. If the unit was commercially produced
this price could be significantly reduced through bulk purchasing.
• The DSO should have 2 analogue channels with an 8Bit resolution.
• The unit should also be able to operate as a 16Bit Logic Analyser with no analogue
channels, or an 8Bit Logic Analyser with 1 analogue channel.
• The unit should be able to trigger from either of the analogue channels or the logic input.
The unit must also have a Pre-Trigger mode to allow the user to capture data that occurs
before the trigger point.
The concept behind the digital oscilloscope is somewhat different to an analogue scope.
Rather than processing the signals in an analogue fashion, the DSO converts them into a

Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur

 Electronics Workshop

digital format using an analogue to digital converter (ADC), then it stores the digital data in
the memory, and then processes the signals digitally, finally it converts the resulting signal in
a picture format to be displayed on the screen of the scope. Since the waveform is stored in a
digital format, the data can be processed either within the oscilloscope itself, or even by a PC
connected to it. One advantage of using the DSO is that the stored data can be used to
visualize or process the signal at any time. The analogue scopes do not have memory
therefore the signal can be displayed only instantaneously. The transient parts of the signal
(which may vanish even in milliseconds or microseconds) cannot be observed using an
analogue oscilloscope. The DSO’s are widely used in many applications in view of their
flexibility and performance.

Measurement Techniques
The major concern in observing a signal on the oscilloscope screen is to make voltage and
time measurements. These measurements may be helpful in understanding the behavior of a
circuit component, or the circuit itself, depending on what you measure. Except for the X-Y
mode of operation, the oscilloscope displays the voltage value of the waveform as a function
of time. The oscilloscope screen is partitioned into the grids, which divides both the
horizontal axis(voltage) and the vertical axis(time) into divisions which will be helpful in
making the measurement.

Obviously one needs to know the time or the voltage values corresponding to each division,
in order to make accurate calculations. These values are determined by two variables namely
the time/div and the volt/div both of which can be adjusted from the relevant buttons
available on the front panel of the oscilloscope (see Figure 10-13). Also note that, the
time/div button controls the trace time of the sweep generator, whereas the volt/div button
controls the `gain` in the vertical amplifiers in the vertical deflection system. Typical
quantities, which are of primer interest when observing a signal with the scope.

Phase difference:

In some applications, one may need to monitor or compare two or more signals
simultaneously. A typical example can be the comparison of the input voltage with the output
voltage of a two-port (input and output ports) circuit. If the signals that are being monitored
have the same frequency, a time delay may occur between the signals (i.e. one signal may
lead the other or vice versa). Two waves that have the same frequency have a phase
difference that is constant (independent of t). When the phase difference (modulo 2) is zero,
the waves are said to be in phase with each other. Otherwise, they are out of phase with each
other. If the phase difference is 180 degrees (radians), then the two signals are said to be in
anti-phase. If the peak amplitudes of two anti-phase waves are equal, their sum is zero at all
values of time, t.

Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur

 Electronics Workshop

RESULT: We observe the various waveforms and make the analysis of these waveforms
which displays on the CRO and DSO.

CONCLUSION:

DISCUSSION & VIVA VOCE:

1. What is the difference between CRO and DSO

2. What are the major blocks of CRO?
3. What is phase difference in DSO?

REFERENCE:

Department of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering, S.B.J.I.T.M.R, Nagpur