EE 2101 - EXPERIMENT 1

BASIC OSCILLOSCOPE OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTION

The oscilloscope is the most versatile and most important tool in this lab and is probably the best tool
an electrical engineer uses. This outline guides you through the basic operations of a specific oscilloscope,
an AGILENT DSO5012A, 2 channel, dual time base scope with a DC-100 MHz vertical-amplifier
bandwidth. Almost any modern scope will have the same control functions, and a good understanding of
this scope will give you confidence in the use of any scope.

Other Equipment
DC Supply: Tenma 72-6615
Signal Generator: GW Instek GFG-8250A

Introduction to signal types:

DC (Direct Current) signal: A voltage level that remains constant with respect to time is called
DC signal. To describe a DC signal, only the voltage level needs to be known.

AC (Alternating Current) signal: If the voltage level varies with time, then the signal is called an
AC signal as shown below.
 To describe a sine wave, some characteristics of a sine wave need to be known or measured. When you
see a sine wave you are seeing a varying voltage with respect to time in a cyclic fashion as shown in the
figure. One complete cycle which is one positive half cycle and one negative half cycle constitutes one
complete cycle of the waveform. The time taken for this signal is called the period (T) of this waveform
and is measured in seconds. The number of times one cycle of the waveform repeats in one second is called
the frequency of the waveform and is measured in cycles per second or Hz (Hertz). If the signal repeats
itself then it is a periodic waveform otherwise it is aperiodic in nature. This describes the basic timing
characteristic of the waveform. There are other timing measurements that can be done and you will be
introduced to them as and when they are required for any particular experiment. The other major
characteristic of a periodic waveform is the voltage level or the amplitude. There are various ways to define
this characteristic. The figure shows two such definitions. The peak value of the voltage (Vp), and the
peak-to-peak value of the voltage (Vpp). In addition, it is possible to characterize voltage levels in terms of
the average and RMS value. These later definitions will be described in subsequent exercises. Peak, peak-
to-peak, average and RMS values can also be applied to periodic signals that are not sinusoid, such as
square and triangle waves. Again these periodic non-sinusoid signals will be discussed in subsequent
exercise.
 Now you are ready to look at using the most important tool in this lab, the oscilloscope.

The oscilloscope sitting in front of you has the following main sections.
The screen
The Vertical (Analog) Section
The Horizontal Section
The Trigger Section
The Measurement section
Disk Storage Section

While doing the experiments and learning to use the oscilloscope, you will be required to record all
observed data and waveforms. This oscilloscope has built in features to store the current screen in a few
formats. This part is explained to you first so
Store them in a USB storage drive and attach them later to your final draft of the write up.

Saving the waveform:

After stabilizing the waveform and obtaining all the required measurements pertaining to the waveform,
perform the following steps to save the waveform. This is the simplest way of saving waveforms for future
reference.

Press the Save/Recall key to display the Save/Recall menu. You will find a menu pop-up (called
the soft menu) on the bottom of the screen. Each displayed icon on the menu has a push button key
associated with it located below the screen. These push buttons are called soft keys.
Press the Formats soft key to display the Formats menu. The oscilloscope allows you to store the
screen images in BMP and PNG formats, and into a CSV (Comma Separated Variable) file suitable
 for spread sheet analysis. BMP and PNG formats store the complete screen image, including the
status line and soft keys. Do NOT use the Trace & Setup format, as it will not save any time or
voltage information.
Choose the BMP or PNG format and wait until you see a clear waveform and the measurements
that you have taken.
Press the front panel Press to Save key to start transfer to the drive.

In the following sections there are bold and italicized numbers in the font Copperplate Gothic Bold, i.e. .
When you encounter one of these numbers, entries in your lab note book will be expected. There are
of these in the vertical section, and in the horizontal section. Note that these numbers are not intended
to be steps, but points of entry in the lab notebook where your TA will be expecting an answer to a question
or a result(s) noted from the oscilloscope.

This oscilloscope supports two inputs. Therefore, you can observe two external signals simultaneously.
There are some internally generated signals that can be observed along with the two applied signals, but
they will be discussed later. The vertical section has the following controls and buttons associated with it:

Each channel has an input to which the signal is applied, a volts/div knob (in the Analog section

marked ) that helps in enlarging or shrinking the vertical size of the oscilloscope pattern

(trace) and a position control knob (marked ) for positioning of the waveform on the screen.
These are mainly to assist in viewing the waveform under observation.

There is a math key, when pushed opens up a soft menu that allows the user to perform
mathematical operations with the signal on either, or in some cases both, input channels.

Experiments with the vertical section.

When you first switch on the oscilloscope, it is advisable to use the default factory settings (press
Save/Recall key and then press the Default Setup soft key). After you have gained some
experience and confidence, you can use your own personal settings.

Connect a 1V DC signal from the DC power supply to the Channel 1 of the oscilloscope. One rule
to stabilize waveform quickly is to use Auto Scale feature of the oscilloscope. Press the Auto Scale
button located on the front panel of the oscilloscope. You will notice that the oscilloscope
automatically makes some adjustments and stabilizes the waveform. Note: the oscilloscope may
auto scale to the AC noise present on the signal, not the DC component.

Note the location of the ground level and the level of the signal.
Turn the volts/div (Vertical) knob clock wise and anti-clockwise in steps. You should notice the
volts/div changing on the top left hand corner of the screen, and numbers will change in a 1:2:5
sequence (e.g. 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 5 etc.).

Note what happens when turning the volts/div Vertical knob.

Note the effect of turning the position knob for Channel 1.

Signal Coupling: This oscilloscope supports 2 types of signal coupling. Pressing the
Coupling soft key, allows you to choose the signal coupling. DC coupling allows a
complete transfer of the signal arriving at the oscilloscope inputs. It has all the components,
DC and AC. Choosing AC coupling, inserts a capacitor in series with the signal there by
allowing pure AC signal to pass through to the input circuits.
The BW limit soft key allows you to clean your signal. If you have a very fuzzy waveform,
which is basically a clean signal with high frequency noise over it, this feature inserts a
filter removing all the high frequency noise. Mainly used for improving signal quality for
accurate measurements.
The Invert soft key is used to provide a 180 degree phase shift, negate it, to the signal. It
is useful for doing many mathematical operations.
The Vernier soft key is used to provide smaller increments or decrements in the volts/div
knob. Press the Vernier soft key and try changing the volts/div knob.
Note the difference when the Vernier soft key is engaged.
Apply a 5 volts DC signal to Channel 1.

Note the effect of each type of signal coupling on the waveform signal in your lab note book.
Note the effect of increasing and decreasing the volts/div setting on the waveform.
Manually calculate the voltage level by counting the number of the divisions and multiplying it by the
volts/div. Try this at different volts/div settings.

Quick Measurements (QM): This oscilloscope has built in capabilities that allow the user to take
simple measurements quickly. To use this feature, press the Quick Meas key located on the front
panel. This brings up a soft key menu. Press the Source soft key to choose the channel on which
you want to perform the quick measurement. Choose the Select soft key to choose the measurement
you want to perform on the signal and then press the Measure soft key. You should notice the
measured reading appear just above the soft key menu. The screen can hold up to three
measurements. You can clear the current measurements, by pressing the Clear Meas soft key.

Measurement using Cursors. The cursor feature allows the user to make custom voltage or time
measurements.

Once you have obtained a stable display, press the Cursors key and the press the Mode
soft key. Choose Normal

and Y2 cursors (voltage difference).

Press the Source soft key to select the source for your cursor. Using Manual mode allows
you to perform operations on analog and math waveforms.
X Y soft key allows you to select either X cursors or Y cursors for adjustment.
X cursors are vertical dashed lines that adjust horizontally and normally indicate time
relative to the trigger point. Y cursors are horizontal dashed lines that adjust vertically and
 normally indicate voltage. It can change while using math operations.
X1 and X2 : The X1 cursor (short-dashed vertical line) and X2 (long-dashed vertical
line) adjust horizontally and indicate time relative to the trigger point. The cursor
values for the selected waveform source are displayed within the X1 and X2 soft keys.

You can individually select X1 or X2 and adjust them to the positions required for
measurements.
Y1 and Y2: The Y1 cursor (short-dashed horizontal line) and Y2 (long-dashed
round
point. The cursor values for the selected waveform source are displayed within the Y1

keys. You can individually select Y1 or Y2 and adjust them to the positions required
for measurements.
Select Y1 Y2 linked to adjust the Y1 and Y2 cursors together by turning the cursor

Select X1 X2 linked to adjust the X1 and X2 cursors together by turning the cursor

Explain which of the volts/div setting gives the most accurate answer?
a) Measure the voltage level using the quick measure feature by measuring the maximum
and the average value. OR
b) Use the cursor feature to measure the maximum and average voltage levels.
Record the (Quick Measurement) QM_Max, QM_Avg, Cursor_Max, and Cursor_Avg values from 8a
and store the screen images of the measurement.

Connect a 100 mVpp, 1 kHz Sine wave from the signal generator to Channel 1.
Press Auto Scale to stabilize the signal. Use the position knob to bring the ground level of the
waveform to the center of the screen. Observe the effect of AC vs DC signal coupling on the
waveform.
Note your observations on the effects of changing the signal coupling.
Increase and decrease the volts/div setting.
Note the effect of increasing and decreasing the volts/div on the waveform.
Measure the peak-peak voltage, maximum and minimum voltage using both the quick
measurement feature as well as cursors. Measure the average value of waveform. Measure
the RMS value of the waveform using quick measurement and a DMM.
Store screen images of the QM_VPP and Cursor_VPP measurements only.
Record values for QM_VPP, QM_Max, QM_Min, QM_Avg, Cursor_VPP, Cursor_Max,
Cursor_Min, and Cursor_Avg.
Record values for QM_RMS and DMM_RMS.
The instructor will explain the concept of DC offset. Introduce some into your signal using
the signal generator (e.g.: 20mV).
 Observe and note the effect of AC and DC signal coupling on the sine wave.
With the DC offset still there, try to measure the average value using cursors and using the
formula (Positive peak voltage + Negative peak value)/2. Measure the average value
using the quick measurement and compare it with the calculate value.
Record Cursor_Formula_Avg and QM_Avg.
Connect 1 kHz Square wave.
Observe and note the effect of increasing and decreasing the volts/div on the waveform.
Measure the peak-peak voltage, maximum, minimum, and average value using both the
quick measurement feature as well as cursors. Measure the RMS value of the waveform
using quick measurement and a DMM. Record your observations and store the waveforms.
Store screen images of the QM_VPP and Cursor_VPP measurements only.
Record QM_VPP, QM_Max, QM_Min, QM_Avg, Cursor_VPP, Cursor_Max, Cursor_Min, and
Cursor_Avg.
Record values for QM_RMS and DMM_RMS.

The horizontal section provides the timing control on the waveform that is being observed. It has the
following controls and buttons associated with it.

There is a secs/div (Horizontal scale) knob marked that helps in modifying the horizontal
scale and a horizontal position control knob marked for positioning of the waveform on the
screen. These are mainly to assist the viewer in ease of viewing the waveform under observation
and making time measurements.

Connect a 1 Vpp, 1 kHz sine wave from the signal generator to Channel 1 of the
oscilloscope and stabilize the signal using Auto Scale feature. Turn the secs/div knob
clock wise and anti-clockwise. You should notice the secs/div changing on the screen. It
will light up, when you adjust this setting. The secs/div knob changes in a 1:2:5 sequence
(e.g. 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2 5 etc).
Note what happens when turning the secs/div knob.
Try to measure the period of the waveform by measuring the number of horizontal
divisions and multiplying it by the secs/div.
Try this at different settings, and note results.
Verify your results by finding the period of the signal. The period is the reciprocal of the
frequency.
. Record values for
QM_Period and Cursor_Period.
Save your waveforms for both the measurements.
Note your observations of the effect of turning the horizontal position knob.
 Press Menu/Zoom then select Normal, or press Main/Delay and select Main, depending on the
oscilloscope at your station.

You can change the mode to Roll or XY mode by the soft keys below the display.
Connect a very low frequency signal (e.g. 1 Hz), select Roll from the Time mode soft key.
Note your observations of what happens to the waveform as a result of switching to the Roll mode.
Set the frequency back to 1 kHz, press Zoom, formerly called Delayed sweep mode, is a
horizontally expanded version of the normal display. It allows you to; expand a portion of the main
waveform to observe the timing details more clearly. Pressing this key, divides the screen into two
parts. The top half of the display shows the main waveform in the normal time/div window and the
bottom half displays the expanded waveform using a faster Zoom time/div window. The Zoom
window is a magnified portion of the normal time/div window. You can use Zoom to locate and
horizontally expand part of the normal window for a more detailed (higher- resolution) analysis of
signals. Turning the secs/div knob allows you to select the range of the original waveform you want
to observe. The horizontal position control knob allows you to shift the selected region left or right.

Practice with different settings of the secs/div and the position control.
Note down your observation.
Save the screen image.
Set to Square wave, measure the Rise and Fall Times of the voltage using the Zoom and
Cursor measurement feature of the oscilloscope. Use the 10% to 90% method for
measuring Rise and Fall Time.
Record the Cursor_RT and Cursor_FT measurements.
The X-Y feature will be explained when you do the dual signal operation.
Time Ref Center key: When you stabilize the signal, you will see, on the top center of the
screen, an inverted triangle that depicts the timing reference. You can set this timing
reference to either, center, left or right by pressing the Time Ref soft key. If you turn the
horizontal position knob you will find the waveform shifting and the delay between the
current position and the time reference will be displayed on the screen temporarily.
Practice with this feature and note down your observations.