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An Oscilloscope is a fundamental tool used by Electronic and Electrical Engineers.
We sometimes call an Oscilloscope a ‘Scope’ or sometimes a DSO or MSO (for the more modern digital storage oscilloscopes).
We use an Oscilloscope to graphically display signals from Electrical or Electronic devices. Usually we use an Oscilloscope to look at Alternating Current (AC) waveforms but we can also look at signal pulses from other circuits such as DC circuits too.
For this activity we will use an Oscilloscope to measure a waveform from a Waveform Generator. Look at Fig 1 and Fig 2 to be able to identify an Oscilloscope (Fig 1) and a Waveform Generator (Fig 2).
We sometimes call an Oscilloscope a ‘Scope’ or sometimes a DSO or MSO (for the more modern digital storage oscilloscopes).
We use an Oscilloscope to graphically display signals from Electrical or Electronic devices. Usually we use an Oscilloscope to look at Alternating Current (AC) waveforms but we can also look at signal pulses from other circuits such as DC circuits too.
For this activity we will use an Oscilloscope to measure a waveform from a Waveform Generator. Look at Fig 1 and Fig 2 to be able to identify an Oscilloscope (Fig 1) and a Waveform Generator (Fig 2).
Whenever we start to use an Oscilloscope we must reset it to it’s default setup (if it has one) as some systems remember their setting from the previous time used. Do this by simply pressing the ‘default setup’ button (Fig 3) after switching it on.
We must now attach the correct leads to the Oscilloscope to be able to conduct our work.
We usually use an Oscilloscope probe such as the one shown in Fig 4 but we can also use other cables which use a BNC (Bayonet Neill–Concelman) fitting such as shown in Fig 5.
We usually use an Oscilloscope probe such as the one shown in Fig 4 but we can also use other cables which use a BNC (Bayonet Neill–Concelman) fitting such as shown in Fig 5.
For this experiment you will need to use both of the above cables as we are going to connect the Oscilloscope Probe (Fig 4) to Oscilloscope Channel 1 and the BNC to crocodile clip cable (Fig 5) to the output connection on the Waveform Generator.
Remember to twist the connecting plug to the right (clockwise) to ensure that it is attached securely to the correct device.
Remember to twist the connecting plug to the right (clockwise) to ensure that it is attached securely to the correct device.
- Connect the Oscilloscope probe (the one with the yellow tags on) to Channel 1 of the Oscilloscope.
- Connect the BNC to Crocodile Clip cable to the Output connection of the waveform generator.
- Connect the Black lead (ground) from the Waveform Generator to the Black lead (ground) of the Oscilloscope probe using the Crocodile clips (ground leads must always be together).
- Pull back the slider on the end of the other connection of the Oscilloscope probe and attach the hook to the red wire from the Waveform Generator.
- Use the parameters and soft key buttons on the waveform generator to set the Frequency to 5hz and the Amplitude to 5.0 Vrms.
- Set the waveform of the Waveform Generator to Sine Wave.
- Twist the horizontal and vertical knobs of the Oscilloscope until you can see a waveform.
You should now see a Sine wave on your Oscilloscope screen.
Try altering the frequency and the amplitude from the Parameters function of the Waveform Generator and see what happens.
If you use the rotational knob (see Fig 9) of the Waveform Generator when you select the correct parameter it will allow you to change it more easily.
If you increase or decrease the Frequency what happens to the wave?
If you increase or decrease the Amplitude what happens to the wave?
What does this tell you about what you are measuring here?
Try altering the frequency and the amplitude from the Parameters function of the Waveform Generator and see what happens.
If you use the rotational knob (see Fig 9) of the Waveform Generator when you select the correct parameter it will allow you to change it more easily.
If you increase or decrease the Frequency what happens to the wave?
If you increase or decrease the Amplitude what happens to the wave?
What does this tell you about what you are measuring here?
You may now wish to add measurements to your Oscilloscope. Use the ‘Meas’ key and add any types of measurements you wish.
You can add measurements by using the ‘Add Measurement’ option from the soft keys at the bottom of the screen and then choosing a type by turning then pressing the ‘Push to Select’ knob (see Fig 10).
What is the peak to peak value?
What is the Frequency?
What is the RMS value?
As an extension activity, have a go at building the Astable circuit:
https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/diamond-electronics/3-building-and-testing-circuits/astable/building-an-astable-circuit
Once you have built and tested the circuit see if you can connect the Oscilloscope to the output of the circuit (where the flashing light is).
Can you show the Astable 'pulse' on the Oscilloscope screen?
You can add measurements by using the ‘Add Measurement’ option from the soft keys at the bottom of the screen and then choosing a type by turning then pressing the ‘Push to Select’ knob (see Fig 10).
What is the peak to peak value?
What is the Frequency?
What is the RMS value?
As an extension activity, have a go at building the Astable circuit:
https://sites.google.com/sheffield.ac.uk/diamond-electronics/3-building-and-testing-circuits/astable/building-an-astable-circuit
Once you have built and tested the circuit see if you can connect the Oscilloscope to the output of the circuit (where the flashing light is).
Can you show the Astable 'pulse' on the Oscilloscope screen?
From the Astable circuit you should see a square wave.
Ask yourself a few fundamental questions:
Is this signal AC or DC?
Why do you think you will see a square wave from the Astable circuit?
What is the difference between a Sine wave and a Square Wave?
Use the Oscilloscope to work out the following values:
Frequency -
Amplitude -
Duty Cycle -
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