Experiment

AC
The Oscilloscope

6
Objectives:
To introduce the basic components and use of an oscilloscope and audio oscillator (or
function generator) .

Equipment :
1- DMM or VOM
1- Oscilloscope
1- Audio Oscillator or Function Generator

Theory :
Oscilloscope
The cathode-ray oscilloscope is an instrument that displays the variations of a voltage
with time on a cathode-ray tube (CRT) such as that appearing in Fig 6.1. The CRT is an
evacuated glass envelope, shaped as shown in Fig 6.1, with the following essential
components:

Figure 6.1

1-An electron gun that generates rapidly moving electrons, shapes them into
a pencil-like beam, and then directs them along the axis of a tub.
2-Deflection plates for producing a vertical and horizontal deflection of the
beam from its original path.
3-A fluorescent screen that emits light at point where the beam strikes
 The electron gun is made up of the following components:
1-A heater and cathode that serve as the source of the electrons.
2-A control electrode that serves to vary the strength of beam current.
3-A focusing electrode that focuses the beam to sharp point on the screen
4-Accelerating and preaccelerating electrodes that give the electrodes that
give the electrons the high velocity required to reach the screen and cause
secondary emission.

The deflection of the beam may be accomplished either electostatically or

electromagnetically. Most oscilloscopes use electrostatic deflection (Fig 6.1). To deflect
the beam, a potential is applied across pates D1 and D2 or D3 and D$. The horizontal
plates D1 and D2 deflect the beam vertically, whereas the vertical plates D3 and D4
deflect the beam horizontally. The deflection of the beam is directly proportional to the
impressed voltage.
The CRT is, in itself, not a very sensitive device. A 5-in. CRT under ordinary conditions
will give about 1 in. of deflection for difference of potential of 100 V. The signals
encountered most frequently are usually well under 100 V, so it becomes necessary to
amplify the signals before a usable deflection will be obtained. Two deflection amplifiers
are required, one for each set plates.
For the oscilloscope to indicate the variations of an electrical quantity in the vertical
direction as a function of time, there must be a voltage impressed on the horizontal
deflection plates that varies linearly with time. This voltage is shown graphically in Fig
6.2. An oscillator that can generate such voltage is called, for obvious reasons , a sawtooth
oscillator. Frequently, the term sweep oscillator is used. Fig 6.3 provides a block diagram
of general purpose oscilloscope.

Figure 6.2

Figure 6.3
All of the controls for proper operation of an oscilloscope are mounted on the front
panel of the instrument. Fig 6.4 indicates the approximate location of the controls

found on most general-purpose oscilloscopes. The location of the control shown varies
according to manufacturer. Table 6.2 describes the function of each.

Figure 6.4 Dual-channel oscilloscope

Control Function
Power Turn on the main power.
Intensity Controls the intensity of the pattern on the screen
Focus Focuses the electron beam so that the pattern will clearly
defined
Triggering mode Determines the type of triggering for horizontal sweeping
pattern
Triggering level Determines the level at which triggering should occur
Vertical display mode Determines whether one or two signals will be displayed at
the same time and which technique will be used to display
the signals
Y-position Controls the vertical location of the pattern
X-position Controls the horizontal location of the pattern
Vertical sensitivity Determines the volts/cm for the vertical axis display
Sweep time horizontal Determines the time/cm for horizontal axis of display
sensitivity
Dc/ac/GND switch Determines whether dc levels will be displayed on the
screen and permits determining the Gnd(zero-volt input
level) of the display
Table 6.2
 (a) Voltage measurements

DC Levels :
To use the scope to measure dc levels, first place dc/ac/Gnd switch in the Gnd position
to establish the ground (zero-volt) level on the screen.
Then switch the dc/ac/Gnd switch to the dc position to measure the dc level.
In the ac mode, a capacitor blocks the dc from screen.
Then place the scope leads across the unknown dc level and use the following equation
to determine the dc level:

dc Level(V) = deflection(cm) * vertical sensitivity (V/cm) 6.1

AC Levels :
After reestablishing the ground level, place dc/ac/Gnd switch in the ac mode and
connect the scope leads across the unknown voltage. The peak to peak voltage can then
be determined from:

VP-P(V) = deflection peak to peak(cm) * vertical sensitivity (V/cm) 6.2

(b) Frequency Measurements:

The oscilloscope can be used to set the frequency of an audio oscillator or function
generator using the horizontal sensitivity in the following manner.
Determine the period of described waveform and then calculate the number of divisions
required to display the waveform on the horizontal axis using the provided
µs/cm, ms/cm or s/cm on the horizontal sensitivity control. Then adjust the audio
oscillator or function generator to provide the proper horizontal deflection for the desired
frequency.
Of course, the reverse of the above procedure will determine the frequency of an
unknown signal.

Audio Oscillator and Function Generator:

The audio oscillator is designed to provide a sinusoidal waveform in the frequency

range audible by the human ear. A function generator typically expands on the
capabilities of the audio oscillator by providing a square wave and triangular waveform
with an increased frequency range. Either instrument is suitable for this experiment
since we will be dealing only with sinusoidal waveforms in the audio range.
Most oscillators and generators require that the magnitude of the output signal be set by
an oscilloscope or DMM(or VOM). That is, the amplitude dial of the oscillator is not
graduated and peak or peak-to-peak value is set by connecting the output of the
oscillator to a scope or meter and adjusting the amplitude dial until the desired voltage is
obtained.
Procedure:

Part 1: Introduction
(a) Your instructor will introduce the basic operation of the oscilloscope and audio
oscillator or function generator.
(b) Turn the oscilloscope and establish a horizontal line centered on the face of the
screen. There are no connections to the vertical input sections of the scope for this
part.
(c) Adjust the controls listed in Table 6.3 and comment on the effect.

Control Observed Effect

Focus
Intensity
Y-position
X-position
Table 6.3

Part 2 : DC Voltage Measurements

(a) set the dc/ac/Gnd switch to the Gnd position and adjust the Y-position control until
zero-volt reference is a line centered vertically on the screen.
(b) Once the zero-volt level is established, move the dc/ac/Gnd switch to the dc position
and set the vertical sensitivity to 1V/cm and connect one channel of the scope across
the 1.5-V battery as shown in Fig 6.5

Figure 6.5

Record the vertical shift below

Vertical shift = ------------------cm
Determine the voltage by multiplying the vertical sensitivity. That is,
Dc voltage = (vertical Shift)(vertical Sensitivity)
= (---------------)(----------------------)
= ----------------V
Change the sensitivity to 0.5 V/cm and note the effect on vertical shift. Recalculate
the dc voltage with this new shift.

dc voltage = (vertical Shift)(vertical Sensitivity)

=(----------------)(----------------------)
=-------------------V
How do the two measurements compare?

Which is more accurate? Why?

(c) Disconnect the 1.5-V battery and reestablish the zero-volt reference line.
Then connect the vertical input section of the scope as shown in Fig 1.6 with the vertical
sensitivity set at 1V/cm.

Figure 6.6

What was the effect on the magnitude and direction of the shift?

Can a scope determine whether a particular voltage is positive or negative? How?

Calculate the measured voltage as follows:

Dc Voltage = (vertical Shift) (vertical Sensitivity)
= (---------------) (----------------------)
=-----------------V

Measure the voltage with the DMM(or VOM) and compare results.

DC Voltage [DMM(or VOM)] = -------------------V

Part 3: Sinusoidal Waveforms-Magnitude

In this part of experience we will learn how to set the magnitude of sinusoid signal using
an oscilloscope or DMM (or VOM). The frequency will remain fixed 500Hz

Oscilloscope:
(a) Connect the output of the oscillator or generator directly to one channel of the
scope as shown in Fig 6.7.

Figure 6.7

(b) Set the output frequency to the oscillator or generator to 500Hz using the dial and
appropriate multiplier. Turn the magnitude knob all the way to the left for minimum
output.
(c) Set the vertical sensitivity of the scope to 1V/cm and horizontal sensitivity to
0.5ms/cm and turn on both the scope and the oscillator or generator.
(d) Set the dc/ac/Gnd switch to the Gnd position to establish the zero-volt reference
level (also the vertical center of a sinusoidal waveform) and then return the switch to the
ac position.
(e) Now adjust the amplitude control of the oscillator or generator until the signal has a
4-V peak-to-peak swing. The resulting waveform has the following mathematical
formulation:
υ= Vmsin2πft = 2sin2π500t
(f) Switch to the dc position and comment below on any change in the waveform.

(g) Make the necessary adjustments to display the following waveforms on the screen.
Sketch both patterns in the space provided , showing the number of divisions ( in
centimeters) for the vertical and horizontal distances, and the vertical and horizontal
sensitivities.

1. V = 2 Sin 2π500 t
Vertical Deflection = ----------------cm
Vertical Sensitivity = -----------------
Horizontal Deflection = ---------------cm
Horizontal Sensitivity = ---------------

2. V = 8 Sin 2π500 t

Vertical Deflection = ----------------cm

Vertical Sensitivity = -----------------
Horizontal Deflection = ---------------cm
Horizontal Sensitivity = ---------------

DMM (or VOM)

(h)The sinusoidal signal 2sin2π500t has an effective value determined by:
Veff = 0.707Vm = 0.707(2) = 1.414V
Connect the DMM (or VOM) directly across the oscillator in the ac rms
mode and adjust the oscillator output until Veff = 1.414. Then connect the output of the
oscillator directly to the scope and note the total peak-to-peak swing.

Is the waveform the same as that obtained in (e)?

(i) Use the DMM (or VOM) to set the following sinusoidal output from the oscillator:
V = 5 Sin 2π500 t
Veff = --------------V
Set Veff with the DMM (or VOM) by adjusting the output of the oscillator and place
the signal on the screen.
Calculate thr peak-to-peak voltage as follows;
Vp-p = (Vertical distance peak to peak)(Vertical Sensitivity)
= (------------------)(-----------------)
= -------------------V
Hoe does above compare to desired 10-V peak-to-peak voltage?

Part 4: Sinusoidal Waveforms-Frequency

This section will demonstrate how the oscilloscope can be used to set the frequency
output or an oscillator or generator. In other words, the scope can be used to make the fir
adjustments on the frequency set by the dials of the oscillator or generator.
For a signal such as 2sin2π500t, the frequency is 500Hz and the period 1/500
= 2ms. With a horizontal sensitivity of 0.5ms/cm, the wave form should appear in
exactly four horizontal divisions. I it does not, the fine-adjust control on the frequency of
the oscillator or generator can be adjusted until it is exactly 4cm. The scope has the set
the output frequency of the oscillator.
Make the necessary adjustments to place the following waveforms on the
scope. Sketch the waveforms in the space provided , indicating the number of vertical
and horizontal deflections and sensitivity of each.

1. V = 4 Sin 60280 t

f = -----------------Hz, t=--------------sec
 Vertical Deflection = ----------------cm
Vertical Sensitivity = -----------------
Horizontal Deflection = ---------------cm
Horizontal Sensitivity = ---------------

2. V = 5 Sin 377 t

f = -----------------Hz, t=--------------sec

Vertical deflection = ----------------cm

Vertical sensitivity = -----------------
Horizontal deflection = ---------------cm
Horizontal sensitivity = ---------------

Part 5 : Sinusoidal Waveforms on a dc level

(a) Set the oscillator or the generator to an output of 1sin2π500t using a vertical
sensitivity of 1V/cm on the scope with a horizontal sensitivity of 0.5ms/cm.
(b) Measure the dc voltage of one of the D cells and insert in Fig 1.8.
E = --------------------V
(b) Construct the network of Fig 1.8.
 Figure 1.8

(d) The input signal now has a dc level equal to the dc voltage of the D cell.
Set the dc/ac/Gnd switch to the Gnd position and adjust the zero line to the center of the
screen.
(e) Switch the ac mode and sketch the response , clearly indicating the zero-level line
and the vertical deflection in centimeters.

(f) Switch to the dc mode and sketch the response, clearly indicating the zero-volt
reference level and the vertical deflections in centimeters.

(g) How are the waveforms of (e) and (f) different? Why?