EE 101 MEASUREMENT Oscilloscope and Signal Generator / 1

TOPIC 3 : OSCILLOSCOPE AND SIGNAL GENERATOR

3.1 Introduction Of Oscilloscope

Define as an electronic measuring instrument that is used to measure and analyze
electronic signals (waves and pulses) displayed on its screen.

Figure 3.1 : X-axis and Y-axis

The x-axis represents time, and the y-axis represents an instantaneous view of the
voltage of the input signal. To allow viewing signals across a wide frequency range,
the rate and speed at which the sweep of the x-axis occurs is configurable. The
sensitivity of the inputs can also be configured to accept signals from microvolt’s
peak-to-peak to many thousands of volts peak-to-peak.
Its functions are :
a) Shows and calculate the frequency and amplitude of an oscillating signal.
b) Shows the voltage and time of a particular signal.
c) Helps to troubleshoot any malfunction components of a project by looking at the
expected output after a particular component.
d) Shows the content of the AC voltage or DC voltage in a signal.

Some of the common waveforms that are measured using an oscilloscope are as
shown below.

Figure 3.2 : Type of Waveform

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Type of Oscilloscope

1. Analog

In an analog scope, the x-axis is controlled by an internal time base, and the y-axis is
directly controlled by the input signal. Analog uses continuously variable voltages.
Analog oscilloscope works by directly applying a voltage being measured to
an electron beam moving across the oscilloscope screen. The voltage deflects the
beam up and down proportionally, tracing the waveform on the screen.

2. Digital
In a digital model, the input voltage is sampled at a preset frequency. The x-axis
represents the samples along a timeline, and the y-axis shows the voltage levels of
each sample. Digital uses discrete binary numbers that represent voltage samples.

Digital oscilloscope samples the waveform and uses an analog to digital

converter to convert the voltage measured into digital format. It then uses this digital
format to display the waveform. It enables one to capture and view events that may
happen only once. They can process the digital waveform data or send the data to a
computer for processing. Also, they can store the digital waveform data for later
viewing and printing.

Digital Osilloscope Analog Osilloscope

Figure 3.3 : Type of Oscilloscope

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Block Diagram of an Analog Oscilloscope

Figure 3.4 : Block Diagram of an Analog Oscilloscope

When probe touch the component , the signal travels directly to the vertical
deflection plates of the cathode ray tube (CRT). Voltage applied to these deflection
plates causes a glowing dot to move. (An electron beam hitting phosphor inside the
CRT creates the glowing dot.) A positive voltage causes the dot to move up while a
negative voltage causes the dot to move down.

The signal also travels to the trigger system to start or trigger a “horizontal sweep.”
Horizontal sweep is a term referring to the action of the horizontal system causing
the glowing dot to move across the screen. Triggering the horizontal system causes
the horizontal time base to move the glowing dot across the screen from left to right
within a specific time interval. Many sweeps in rapid sequence cause the movement
of the glowing dot to blend into a solid line. At higher speeds, the dot may sweep
across the screen up to 500,000 times each second.
Together, the horizontal sweeping action and the vertical deflection action traces a
graph of the signal on the screen. The trigger is necessary to stabilize a repeating
signal. It ensures that the sweep begins at the same point of a repeating signal,
resulting in a clear picture as shown in following figure. The attenuation or
amplification of the signal.
Use the volts/div control to adjust the amplitude of the signal before it is applied to
the vertical deflection plates.
• The time base. Use the sec/div control to set the amount of time per division
represented horizontally across the screen.
• The triggering of the oscilloscope. Use the trigger level to stabilize a repeating
signal, as well as triggering on a single event.
Also, adjusting the focus and intensity controls enables you to create a sharp, visible
display.
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Block Diagram of a Digital Oscilloscope

Figure 3.5 : Block Diagram of a Digital Oscilloscope

Some of the systems that make up digital oscilloscopes are the same as those in
analog oscilloscopes; however, digital oscilloscopes contain additional data
processing systems. With the added systems, the digital oscilloscope collects data for
the entire waveform and then displays it.
When attach a digital oscilloscope probe to a circuit, the vertical system adjusts the
amplitude of the signal, just as in the analog oscilloscope.
Next, the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) in the acquisition system samples the
signal at discrete points in time and converts the signal’s voltage at these points to
digital values called sample points. The horizontal system’s sample clock determines
how often the ADC takes a sample. The rate at which the clock “ticks” is called the
sample rate and is measured in samples per second.
The sample points from the ADC are stored in memory as waveform points. More than
one sample point may make up one waveform point.
Together, the waveform points make up one waveform record. The number of
waveform points used to make a waveform record is called the record length. The
trigger system determines the start and stop points of the record. The display
receives these record points after being stored in memory.
Depending on the capabilities of your oscilloscope, additional processing of the
sample points may take place, enhancing the display. Pre-trigger may be available,
allowing you to see events before the trigger point. Fundamentally, with a digital
oscilloscope as with an analog oscilloscope, you need to adjust the vertical,
horizontal, and trigger settings to take a measurement.
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3.2 Basic Control Function of Oscilloscope

Figure 3.6 Front Panel of an Analog Oscilloscope

1. Display Controls
The display is usually a CRT or LCD panel which is laid out with both horizontal
and vertical reference lines referred to as the graticule. In addition to the screen,
most display sections are equipped with three basic controls, a focus knob, an
intensity knob and a beam finder button.

2. Vertical Controls
The vertical section controls the amplitude of the displayed signal. This section
carries a Volts-per-Division (Volts/Div) selector knob, an AC/DC/Ground selector
switch and the vertical (primary) input for the instrument. Additionally, this section
is typically equipped with the vertical beam position knob.

3. Horizontal Controls
The horizontal section controls the time base or “sweep” of the instrument. The
primary control is the Seconds-per-Division (Sec/Div) selector switch. Also
included is a horizontal input for plotting dual X-Y axis signals. The horizontal
beam position knob is generally located in this section.

4. Trigger Controls
The trigger section controls the start event of the sweep. The trigger can be set to
automatically restart after each sweep or it can be configured to respond to an
internal or external event. The principal controls of this section will be the source
and coupling selector switches. An external trigger input (EXT Input) and level
adjustment will also be included.
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3.3 Oscilloscope Probes

A test probe (test lead, test prod, or scope probe) is a physical device used to connect
electronic test equipment to the device under test (DUT).

Figure 3.7 Oscilloscope Probe

3.4 Application of Oscilloscope

Procedure for Calibrate Oscilloscope

An Oscilloscope is a useful tool to when observing electronic circuit signals. To get

an accurate measurement, should be to calibrate the oscilloscope.
1. Turn on Oscilloscope. Allow it to warm up for approximately 10 minutes.
Letting the oscilloscope warm up prevents damage to its Cathode Ray Tube.
2. When the oscilloscope is ready you should see a green line on the CRT screen.
The green line should run across the screen horizontally and should be in the
center of the screen.
3. Usually an oscilloscope has two channels CH1 and CH2. Connect your O-scope
Probe to CH1.
4. Find the voltage selector switch on oscilloscope and set it to AC volts.
5. Find the CAL connector on your O-scope. It looks like a small enclosed hook,
similar to the eye of a needle. You should see the abbreviation CAL above it in
capital letters. Its calibration rating should be beneath the connector. It's usually
1-2v p-p/div.
6. Set your Volts/Div switch to 1vpp.
7. Attach oscilloscope probe to the CAL connector. Ground the ground wire. You
should see a peak to peak square wave one volt above the center division and
one volt below the center division. This means your Oscilloscope is correctly
calibrated at 2vpp.
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Figure 3.8 : Connection for Calibrate Oscilloscope

Using Oscilloscope To Measure Voltage, Frequency, Time And Phase Angle

a) Refer Figure 3.9, connect the circuit and oscilloscope probe.

b) Set both VOLTS/DIV controls to 1 V/DIV and the TIME/DIV control to
0.2 s/DIV, its slowest setting.
c) Increase the sensitivity of the VOLTS/DIV control by rotating it clockwise until
you can see changes on the oscilloscope screen. Adjust TIME/DIV until the
shape of the signals is clear.

Figure 3.9 : Connection Between Oscilloscope and Circuit

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1. Using Oscilloscope to measure Voltage

Peak-to-peak Voltage
10 Div
1 cycle
= 1 Peak Voltage

Figure 3.10 : Voltage peak-to-peak

a. Refer figure 3.10, calculate the voltage peak-to-peak with the formula below.
If the setting VOLT/DIV = 1V.
Voltage peak–to-peak = Volt/Div X Div

Example :
Voltage peak–to-peak = Volt / Div X Div
= 1 Volt / Div X 10 Div
= 10 Vp-p

2. Using Oscilloscope to measure frequency

(T)
Ti

Figure 3.11 : Time (T)

a. Refer figure 3.11, calculate the frequency with the formula below. If the setting
TIME/DIV = 0.2ms.





Where , T = Time/div X Div

So,


 




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Example :















= 500Hz

3.5 Signal Generator

An electronic test instrument that delivers a sinusoidal output at an accurately
calibrated frequency that may be anywhere from the audio to the microwave range;
the frequency and amplitude are adjustable over a wide range, and the output
usually may be amplitude - or frequency-modulated. Also known as test oscillator.

Type of signal Generator

1. Function generators
A function generator is a device which produces simple repetitive waveforms.
Such devices contain an electronic oscillator, a circuit that is capable of creating a
repetitive waveform. (Modern devices may use digital signal processing to
synthesize waveforms, followed by a digital to analog converter, or DAC, to
produce an analog output).
The most common waveform is a sine wave, but sawtooth, step (pulse), square,
and triangular waveform oscillators are commonly available as are arbitrary
waveform generators (AWGs). If the oscillator operates above the audio
frequency range (>20 kHz), the generator will often include some sort of
modulation function such as amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation
(FM), or phase modulation (PM) as well as a second oscillator that provides an
audio frequency modulation waveform.

Function generators are typically used in simple electronics repair and design;
where they are used to stimulate a circuit under test. A device such as an
oscilloscope is then used to measure the circuit's output. Function generators
vary in the number of outputs they feature, frequency range, frequency accuracy
and stability, and several other parameters.

Features and controls:

Most function generators allow the user to choose the shape of the output from a
small number of options.

• Square wave - The signal goes directly from high to low voltage.
• Sine wave - The signal curves like a sinusoid from high to low voltage.
• Triangle wave - The signal goes from high to low voltage at a fixed rate.

The amplitude control on a function generator varies the voltage difference

between the high and low voltage of the output signal.

The direct current (DC) offset control on a function generator varies the average
voltage of a signal relative to the ground.
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The frequency control of a function generator controls the rate at which output
signal oscillates. On some function generators, the frequency control is a
combination of different controls. One set of controls chooses the broad
frequency range (order of magnitude) and the other selects the precise frequency.
This allows the function generator to handle the enormous variation in frequency
scale needed for signals.

2. Arbitrary waveform generators

Arbitrary waveform generators, or AWGs, are sophisticated signal generators
which allow the user to generate arbitrary waveforms, within published limits of
frequency range, accuracy, and output level.
Unlike function generators, which are limited to a simple set of waveforms; an
AWG allows the user to specify a source waveform in a variety of different
ways. AWGs are generally more expensive than function generators, and are
often more highly limited in available bandwidth; as a result, they are generally
limited to higher-end design and test applications.

Function Generator Arbitrary waveform generators

Figure 3.12 Type of Signal Generator

Panel of a Single Generator

Frequency Selection Amplitude
Group Modulation
Sweep Group

Function or Waveform
Group Offset Output Group

Figure 3.13 Front Panel of Signal Generator

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The front panel is divided into six major control groups:

1. Frequency Selection Group:
• These controls are used to select the operating frequency of the function
generator. This group consists of the frequency control knob and the eight
frequency multiplier selection buttons.
• For example, to set the function generator to an operating frequency of 2000 Hz
(2 kHz):
i. Rotate the frequency control knob to 2.
ii. Select the 1 kHz frequency multiplier button.
iii. With the result that: 2.0 * 1 kHz = 2.0 kHz.

2. Output Group:
• The group consists of the attenuation buttons and the fused 50 ohm BNC
connector.
• The attenuation buttons are used to attenuate (decrease) the amplitude of the
signal by a factor measured in decibels.
• The fused 50 ohm BNC connector is used for connecting the function generator to
other equipment. The most common connection used to connect the function
generator to other equipment is a cable with a BNC connector on one end and
two alligator clips on the other end.

3. Amplitude Modulation
• Amplitude knob is used to increase the amplitude of waveform.

4. Sweep Group
• Sweep is used to set the frequency output.

5. Function/Waveform Selection Group:

• This group is used to select the shape of the generated waveform. The group is
made up of the six wave-selector buttons. The six waveforms that the function
generator can produce are the sine wave, the square wave, the triangle wave,
two sawtooth waves, and the variable-width pulse wave.

Figure 3.14: Available Generated Waveforms

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Connection Between Signal Generator And Oscilloscope For Signal

Measurement

Signal Generator
Osilloscope

volt/div volttime/div
/div

Figure 3.15 : Connection Between Signal Generator and Oscilloscope

Figure 3.16 : Connection Between Signal Generator and Oscilloscope

1. Connect the oscilloscope probe and signal generator, refer figure 3.14 and 3.15.
2. Switch on the signal generator and adjust the output level to produce a visible signal
on the oscilloscope screen.
3. Adjust TIME/DIV and VOLTS/DIV to obtain a clear display and investigate the
effects of pressing the waveform shape buttons.
4. The rotating FREQUENCY control and the RANGE switch are used together to
determine the frequency of the output signal.