1.1 Experiment No.

: 01

1.2 Experiment Name: Exploring Signal Generator & Oscilloscope Functionality and Response to Input
Command.

1.3 Theory:

1.3.1 Oscilloscope:

An oscilloscope, or scope, is a device that graphically displays electrical signals and their changes over
time. It connects with sensors that convert physical stimuli like sound, light, or heat into electrical signals
for measurement. Essential for engineers, it helps troubleshoot, measure electrical phenomena, and
verify designs in various applications. Modern oscilloscopes also offer advanced features like waveform
analysis, storage, and digital processing, making them invaluable in fields such as telecommunications,
automotive systems, and medical testing.

Fig. Basic working principle of an oscilloscope.

Types of Oscilloscopes:

 Analog Oscilloscope: Uses a cathode ray tube (CRT) to display signals in real-time, ideal for
observing continuously varying waveforms.
 Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO): Digitally samples and stores signals, enabling detailed
analysis and playback of transient events or complex waveforms.
 Mixed-Signal Oscilloscope (MSO): Combines the functionality of a digital oscilloscope with logic
analyzer capabilities, allowing simultaneous analysis of both analog and digital signals.

Fig.Oscilloscope.

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1.3.2 Signal Generator:

Signal Generators are used to replicate and control the source of electrical signals for many different
applications, signal generators are crucial devices for electrical and electronics engineers. From
electronic circuit testing to the diagnosis, and repair can all be done with signal generators. A signal
generator produces test signals for electronic devices, consisting of key components: an oscillator,
modulator, amplifier, and output stage. The process begins with the oscillator, which creates a stable
waveform. This waveform passes through the modulator, where it is shaped and modulated into the
desired signal type and can have changes in amplitude, frequency, or phase. The signal is then amplified
to the required level and delivered to the device under test (DUT).

Fig.Signal Generator.

Types of Signal Generator:

 RF Signal Generator: Produces radio frequency signals for testing RF devices. Used in
communication systems, antennas, and RF spectrum applications.
 Vector Signal Generator: Generates complex signals with amplitude and phase modulation for
testing advanced communication systems. Useful for schemes like QAM and PSK.
 Arbitrary Waveform Generator: Allows creation of custom waveforms for detailed testing and
simulation. Used in research, development, and prototyping for precise waveform control.
 Audio Signal Generator: Produces audible signals from 20 Hz to 20 kHz for testing audio
systems. Primarily used in audio response and distortion measurements.
 Video Signal Generator: Generates high-quality video outputs, including synchronization signals.
Essential for TV and video display testing.
 Function Generator: Creates standard waveforms (sine, square, triangle) for testing electronic
and communication circuits. Used in education and basic waveform synthesis.
 Pulse Generator: Generates pulses with variable widths and frequencies for digital circuit
testing. Common in PWM applications, radar systems, and medical devices.

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  Signal Generator Formats: Signal generators come in various formats, including USB-based
options, to suit different user needs and device availability.

1.4 Required Apparatus:

1. Oscilloscope- Tektronix TBS1072B

2. Signal Generator- SG 1639A
3. Probes
4. Words

1.5 Procedure:

 The oscilloscope was powered on.

 The signal generator was powered up.
 The oscilloscope probes were properly attached.
 A connection was made between the signal generator and the oscilloscope.
 The oscilloscope settings were adjusted to display the waveform produced by the signal
generator.
 The signal generator was configured to create different signal types.
 The generated signals were displayed and observed on the oscilloscope.
 The signals were examined and documented.

1.6 Inputs and Outputs

Oscilloscope

Display

Acquisition Readout:Displays the current acquisition status, showing whether the acquisition is running
or has stopped. It also provides insight into whether the oscilloscope is actively collecting data or if the
data capture has been halted due to a trigger or stop command.

Trigger Position Icon:Indicates the position of the trigger within the acquisition, adjustable using the
Horizontal Position knob. This allows users to align the trigger with specific parts of the waveform,
enabling easier analysis of events that occur before or after the trigger point.

Trigger Status Readout:Shows the current trigger state:

 Armed: Collecting pretrigger data; triggers are ignored. This state allows the oscilloscope to
capture data before the trigger event occurs.
 Ready: Awaiting a trigger after pretrigger data has been collected, ensuring that the oscilloscope
is ready to capture the next event.
 Triggered: Acquiring posttrigger data, capturing events after the trigger point.
 Stop: Acquisition of waveform data has stopped, signaling that no further data is being
captured.
 Acq. Complete: A single sequence acquisition has finished, indicating that the data collection for
one cycle is complete.

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  Auto: Continuously acquiring without waiting for a trigger. Ideal for capturing free-running
waveforms or testing without precise synchronization.
 Scan: Continuously acquiring and displaying data, often used in situations where ongoing
observation of dynamic signals is needed.

Center Graticule Readout:Displays the time at the center of the graticule, with the trigger time set to
zero. This helps in precisely locating the trigger event on the display for accurate waveform analysis and
timing measurements.

Trigger Level Icon:Shows the trigger level on the waveform, such as Edge or Pulse Width, and helps
users set the exact voltage level at which the oscilloscope should trigger. This ensures that only relevant
events are captured by the oscilloscope.

Trigger Readout:Displays trigger settings, including source, level, and frequency, along with parameters
for different types of triggers. This detailed information allows users to fine-tune their setup for the
most accurate waveform acquisition.

Horizontal Position/Scale Readout:Displays the main time base setting for horizontal scaling, showing
how much time is represented by each horizontal division. This is essential for viewing fast or slow-
changing signals, helping users zoom in on key details of the waveform.

Channel Readout: Displays the vertical scale factor (per division) for each channel. It also helps users
adjust the amplitude of the displayed signal, ensuring the waveform fits properly within the
oscilloscope's display range.

Waveform Baseline Indicator: Indicates the zero-volt level of a waveform, serving as a ground
reference. It helps users visualize where the signal crosses the zero axis, which is essential for accurate
amplitude and voltage measurements.

Fig.: Display Interface of Oscilloscope

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Menu Controls

 Cursor: Turn the knob to scroll and position the selected cursor. The cursor allows precise
measurement of specific points on the waveform, such as peak-to-peak voltage or time
differences between two events.
 Help: Turn to highlight entries in the index and links in topics; push to select the highlighted
item. The Help function provides context-sensitive assistance, guiding users on how to navigate
and adjust the oscilloscope’s settings.
 Math: Turn to scroll and scale the Math waveform; push to select the operation. This function
enables advanced waveform manipulation, allowing mathematical operations such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and more on the displayed waveforms.
 FFT: Turn to select the source, window type, and zoom values; push to confirm selections. The
Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) feature converts time-domain signals into frequency-domain
representations, useful for analyzing the frequency components of complex signals.
 Measure: Turn to scroll through automatic measurement types for each source; push to select a
measurement type. This feature simplifies waveform analysis by automatically calculating and
displaying key measurements like peak-to-peak voltage, frequency, and rise time.
 Save/Recall: Turn to scroll through file options and push to select the action and file format. This
functionality helps users save waveform data for later use or recall previously stored data,
ensuring the ability to review and compare multiple signal captures.
 Trigger: Turn to scroll and adjust trigger settings such as type, source, slope, coupling, and
polarity; push to select. Adjust holdoff and pulse width by turning. Fine-tuning these settings
enables users to capture very specific events or conditions within the waveform.
 Utility: Scroll to select miscellaneous menu items and push to confirm; turn to adjust settings
like backlight. This menu contains additional settings that may not be directly related to
waveform capture but are useful for overall oscilloscope operation.
 Vertical: Scroll and push to select vertical menu items or toggle the channel waveform display.
This allows precise control over the vertical axis, adjusting signal amplitude and turning specific
channels on or off for focused analysis.
 Zoom: Scroll to change the scale and position of the zoom window. This feature allows users to
zoom in on specific portions of the waveform for a more detailed examination of signals at
particular time intervals.

Horizontal Control

 Position: Adjusts the horizontal position of the waveform on the display, helping to align the
waveform with specific events for analysis.
 Scale: Selects horizontal scale factors for time/div, allowing users to expand or compress the
time axis to view more or less detail of the waveform over time.
 Acquire: Sets the acquisition mode (e.g., Sample, Peak Detect, or Average). The mode selected
affects how the oscilloscope collects and processes waveform data, impacting the waveform's
accuracy and appearance.

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 Fig.: Horizontal Control of Oscilloscope

Vertical Control

 Position (1 and 2): Adjusts the vertical position of waveforms for channels 1 and 2, allowing
users to reposition the waveforms for better viewing or comparison.
 1, 2 Menu: Displays vertical settings and toggles the channel waveform on/off. This allows users
to customize the vertical scale and enable or disable individual channels for focused analysis.
 Scale (1, 2): Adjusts vertical scale factors for channels 1 and 2, providing control over the
amplitude of the displayed waveforms for each channel.

Fig.: Vertical Control of Oscilloscope

Trigger Control

 Trigger Menu: Press once to open the trigger menu. Holding for 1.5 seconds switches to trigger
view, where the trigger waveform replaces the channel waveform. This view provides a focused
analysis of how trigger settings, like coupling, affect the waveform.
 Level: For Edge or Pulse triggers, adjusts the amplitude level required for signal capture.
Pressing the knob sets the trigger level to the midpoint (50%) of the trigger signal’s peaks,
ensuring consistent trigger behavior.
 Force Trig: Press to manually acquire a waveform, regardless of trigger detection. Useful for
single-sequence acquisitions or when in Normal trigger mode. In Auto mode, the oscilloscope
periodically forces triggers when no external trigger is detected.

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 Fig.: Trigger Menu of Oscilloscope

Connectors

 Blue Port: Inputs the first waveform signal for display. This is where you connect the first test
signal to be analyzed.
 Yellow Port: Inputs the second waveform signal for display. This allows for dual-signal analysis,
enabling comparison and correlation between two signals.
 ExtTrig (External Trigger): Provides an external trigger signal to synchronize waveform
acquisition. This is useful when you need to synchronize the oscilloscope's data capture with an
external event or signal.

Fig.: Input Connectors of Oscilloscope

Signal Generators:

Fig.: Signal Generator

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1. Power: Turns the device on by pressing the button. This is the primary control for powering the
device, allowing it to begin functioning.

2. Frequency Adjust: Allows the user to fine-tune the output frequency. This control is used to set the
desired frequency for signal generation, providing flexibility for different applications.

3. Select Switch (INT/EXT): Switches between internal (INT) and external (EXT) frequency measurement.
When set to EXT, it allows the device to measure the frequency of an external signal, providing
versatility for testing and comparison with external sources.

4. Attenuation (Input): Reduces the input signal by 10 dB when pressed. This feature is useful for
managing signal strength and preventing overdriving the device with high input levels, ensuring proper
signal scaling.

5. Input Socket: Provides a connection for external signals (EXT) to be input into the device. This socket
allows for the measurement or processing of external waveforms, expanding the device's functionality
for various testing purposes.

6. SYMM. Switch: Adjusts the symmetry of the waveform when the switch is pulled out. This feature
ensures that the waveform's positive and negative cycles are balanced, which is important for
generating precise, symmetrical signals for testing.

7. VCF Input Socket: Allows external control over the main output frequency via an external signal. This
feature facilitates modulation or adjustment of the output frequency based on an external voltage or
signal, making it suitable for more complex signal generation scenarios.

8. DC Offset Switch: Adjusts the DC offset of the output signal when the switch is pulled out. This allows
users to shift the baseline of the waveform, which can be essential for testing circuits with specific
voltage requirements.

9. TTL Output: Provides a connection for TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic) level signal output. This output
is useful for digital circuits, providing a square wave output at logic-level voltages that can drive logic
gates or digital systems.

10. Amplitude: Adjusts the amplitude of the output signal. When the switch is pulled out, the amplitude
inverts, which is useful for creating positive or negative pulses in waveforms for specialized applications,
such as differential signaling or reverse polarity testing.

11. Output Socket: Serves as the primary socket for the main signal output. This is where the generated
signal is available for connection to external devices or test equipment, allowing for further analysis or
testing of the waveform.

12. Attenuation (Output): Reduces the output signal strength by 40 dB when pressed. This helps
manage the output level, ensuring that the signal is at an appropriate amplitude for the next stage of
testing or analysis without causing distortion or overload.

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13. Attenuation (Output): Reduces the output signal strength by 20 dB when pressed. Similar to the 40
dB attenuation but offers a smaller reduction in signal strength, providing more control over the output
signal’s amplitude depending on the application.

14. Waveform Selector: Selects the type of waveform output. This control allows users to choose from
different waveform shapes (e.g., sine, square, triangle), enabling versatile signal generation for different
testing needs.

15. Frequency Range: Adjusts and selects the frequency range of the output signal. This allows the user
to set the generator to operate within specific frequency ranges, making it adaptable for a variety of
applications, from audio to high-frequency RF testing.

16. Frequency Counter: Displays the frequency of the output signal. This built-in feature helps users
monitor and verify the output frequency, ensuring it meets the desired specifications and facilitating
precise signal generation for various measurements.

1.7 Discussion:

During our experiment, we gained practical experience using the oscilloscope and signal generator, which
are crucial for analyzing and creating electronic signals. The oscilloscope allowed us to observe signal
characteristics like waveform shape and frequency, while the signal generator enabled us to produce
different signals for testing purposes. By adjusting various settings on both instruments, we explored how
signal properties could be manipulated and observed. Connecting them together allowed us to visualize
the effects of these adjustments in real time. This hands-on experience highlighted the importance of
these tools in testing, troubleshooting, and calibrating electronic circuits.

1.8 precautions:

The oscilloscope and signal generator were always turned off when not in use to prevent unnecessary
wear and extend their lifespan. Probes and cables were only connected or disconnected while the
devices were powered down to ensure safety and avoid accidental short circuits. Special care was taken
when adjusting settings to prevent inadvertent damage to the instruments. Only the designated probes
and cables, which were verified for proper functionality, were used to ensure accurate measurements.
After completing the experiment, the equipment was stored in a secure, dry location to avoid potential
damage. Regular checks for any wear or malfunction were conducted, and any issues found were
promptly addressed. Additionally, proper grounding procedures were followed to prevent static build-up
or electrical interference during operation.

1.9 References:

“https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/signal-generator/.” (Accessed 12/08/2024).

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