XYZs of Oscilloscopes
Introduction
Nature moves in the form of a sine wave, be it an ocean wave, earth-quake, sonic boom, explosion, sound through air, or the natural frequency of a body in motion. Energy, vibrating particles and other invisible forces pervade our physical universe. Even light - part particle, part wave - has a fundamental frequency, which can be observed as color. Sensors can convert these forces into electrical signals that you can observe and study with an oscilloscope. Oscilloscopes enable scientists, engineers, technicians, educators and others to "see" events that change over time.
Oscilloscopes are indispensable tools for anyone designing, manufacturing or repairing electronic equipment. In today's fast-paced world, engineers need the best tools available to solve their measurement challenges quickly and accurately. As the eyes of the engineer, oscilloscopes are the key to meeting today's demanding measurement challenges.
The usefulness of an oscilloscope is not limited to the world of electronics. With the proper transducer, an oscilloscope can measure all kinds of phenomena. A transducer is a device that creates an electrical signal in response to physical stimuli, such as sound, mechanical stress, pressure, light, or heat. A microphone is a transducer that converts sound into an electrical signal. Figure 1 shows an example of scientific data that can be gathered by an oscilloscope.
Figure 1 - An example of scientific data gathered by an oscilloscope.
Oscilloscopes are used by everyone from physicists to television repair technicians. An automotive engineer uses an oscilloscope to measure engine vibrations. A medical researcher uses an oscilloscope to measure brain waves. The possibilities are endless.
The concepts presented in this primer will provide you with a good starting point in understanding oscilloscope basics and operation.
The glossary in the back of this primer will give you definitions of unfamiliar terms. The vocabulary and multiple-choice written exercises on oscilloscope theory and controls make this primer a useful classroom aid. No mathematical or electronics knowledge is necessary.
After reading this primer, you will be able to:
- Describe how oscilloscopes work
- Describe the differences between analog, digital storage, digital phosphor, and digital sampling oscilloscopes
- Describe electrical waveform types
- Understand basic oscilloscope controls
- Take simple measurements
The manual provided with your oscilloscope will give you more specific information about how to use the oscilloscope in your work. Some oscilloscope manufacturers also provide a multitude of application notes to help you optimize the oscilloscope for your application-specific measurements.
Should you need additional assistance, or have any comments or questions about the material in this primer, simply contact your Tektronix representative, or visit www.tektronix.com.
03W-8605-2, 05/2001, 07/17/2001
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