PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

CLASS :

S.E. E &TC

SUBJECT : EIT

EXPT. NO. : 5

DATE :

TITLE

: STUDY OF DIGITAL STORAGE OSCILLOSCOPE

OBJECTIVE

1. To study the front panel controls of digital

storage oscilloscope.
2. To study measurement techniques of various
functions of DSO & to measure parameters.
APPARATUS

: Digital storagel oscilloscope and probes.

THEORY

Oscilloscope
is
electronic
instrument used to observe, measure,
or record transient physical phenomena
and present the results in graphic form.
The oscilloscope produces a twodimensional graph with the voltage
presented at an input terminal plotted
on the vertical axis and time plotted on
the horizontal axis.
Usually the graph appears as an illuminated trace on the screen of a
cathode-ray tube (CRT) and is used to construct a useful model or
representation of how the instantaneous magnitude of some quantity varies
during a particular time interval. The "quantity" measured is often a
changing voltage in an electronic circuit.
An electric current probe is designed specifically for use with an
oscilloscope.
General-purpose oscilloscopes are classified as analog oscilloscopes or
digital oscilloscopes.

P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.1

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

Analog and digital oscilloscope basics
The classic oscilloscope is the analog form, characterized by the use
of a CRT as a direct display device. A beam of electrons (the "cathode
rays") is formed, accelerated, and focused in an electron gun and strikes a
phosphor screen, causing visible light to be emitted from the point of
impact.

The voltage transients to be displayed are amplified and applied

directly to vertical deflection plates inside the CRT, resulting in an angular
deflection of the electron beam in the vertical direction. This amplifier
system is conventionally referred to as the "vertical amplifier." The linear
vertical deflection of the point at which the electron beam strikes the
screen is thus proportional to the instantaneous amplitude of the voltage
transient. Another voltage transient, generated inside the oscilloscope and
increasing at a uniform rate, is applied directly to the horizontal deflection
plates of the CRT, resulting in a simultaneous, uniform, left-to-right
horizontal motion of the point at which the electron beam strikes the
phosphor screen. The electronic module that generates the signals that
sweep the beam horizontally and control the rate and synchronization of
those signals is called the "time base." Thus the point on the phosphor
screen illuminated by the electron beam moves in response to those
voltages, and the glowing phosphor traces out the desired graph of voltage
versus time.
The digital oscilloscope has been made practical and useful by recent
advances in the state of the art of the digitizing devices called "analog-todigital converters" (ADC). An ADC is a device, which at suitable regular
P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.2

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

intervals measures ("samples") the instantaneous value of the voltage at
the oscilloscope input
and converts it into a
digital value (a number)
representing
that
instantaneous value.
The
oscilloscope
function of recording a
voltage
transient
is
achieved by storing in a
digital memory a series
of samples taken by the
ADC. At a later time, the
series of numbers can be retrieved from memory, and the desired graph of
volts versus time can be constructed. The graphing or display process,
since it is distinct from the recording process, can be performed in several
different ways. The display device can be a CRT using direct beam
deflection methods (in effect using an analog oscilloscope as the display
device in a digital oscilloscope). Alternatively, a "raster scan display,"
similar to that used in a conventional television receiver or a computer
monitor, can be used. Or the samples could be plotted on paper using a
printer with graphics capability or a plotter.
The digital oscilloscope is usually configured to resemble the
traditional analog instrument in the arrangement and labeling of its
controls, the features included in the vertical amplifier, and the labeling and
presentation of the display. In addition, the system that controls the
sample rate and timing of the data acquisition cycle is configured to
emulate the functions of the time base in the analog instrument.
Control panel
The control panel of the oscilloscope contains three important groups:
(1) the display screen and its associated controls, such as focus and
intensity adjustments, (2) the vertical amplifier input signal connectors,
sensitivity adjustments, and other input signal conditioning controls, and
(3) the horizontal or time-base controls, which set the speed and timing of
the signal capture.
P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.3

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

These controls are provided so that the operator can adjust the oscilloscope
to frame a precise window in voltage and time to capture and display the
desired voltage transient.
The Digital Oscilloscope
In the analog oscilloscope and the operation of various parts of the
oscilloscope that are essentially the same in the analog and digital models.
Block diagram
A block diagram of a two-channel digital oscilloscope is shown in Fig.

Signal acquisition is by means of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC)

or digitizer, which at uniformly spaced time intervals measures (samples)
the instantaneous amplitude of the signal appearing at its input and
converts it to a digital value (a number), which in turn is stored in a digital
memory. When the trigger condition is satisfied, the sampling process is
interrupted, the stored samples are read from the acquisition memory, and
the volts versus time waveform is constructed and graphed on the display
screen. The time interval between samples ts is called the "sample time,"
and its reciprocal is called the "sample frequency" fs. The signal that
regulates the sampling process in the ADCs is called the "sample clock,"
P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.4

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

and it is generated and controlled by the time-base circuit. A crystal
oscillator is used as a reference for the time base to ensure the accuracy of
the sample interval and ultimately of the time measurements made using
the digital oscilloscope.
Resolution
Voltage resolution is determined by the total number of individual
codes that can be produced. A larger number permits a smoother and more
accurate reproduction of the input waveform but increases both the cost of
the oscilloscope and the difficulty in achieving a high sample frequency.
ADCs are usually designed to produce a total code count that is an integer
power of 2, and a unit capable of 2n levels of resolution is called an "n-bit
digitizer."
Digital oscilloscopes are available in resolutions from 6 up to 12 bits,
with the resolution varying generally in an inverse relationship to sample
rate. Eight bits is the most frequently used resolution.
Acquisition memory
Each sample code produced must be stored immediately in the
acquisition memory, and so it must be capable of accepting data from the
digitizer continuously at the sample frequency.
Acquisition methods
The digital signal capture is performed in three distinct modes
depending on the intended application. The three acquisition methods are
called "real-time sampling," "sequential repetitive sampling," and "random
repetitive sampling."
Automatic measurements
Embedded controllers are beneficial and widely used in analog
oscilloscopes, e.g., in implementing a user interface that is powerful yet
easily understood. However, in the digital configuration, the waveform data
are accessible to the computer, and this opens up a large array of useful
features.
Calibration
The ability to take measurements and analyze the results
automatically is used to streamline the process of calibration of the digital
P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.5

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

oscilloscope. Previously, calibration was done by a trained technician who
viewed the response to various standard signals and adjusted internal
controls to bring the instrument responses into conformance with the
manufacturer's specifications, but this is a costly and time-consuming
process potentially involving many tens of measurements and adjustments.
The automated process in a digital oscilloscope uses the system-embedded
controller to measure and analyze the response to standard signals, and
the results are stored in calibration tables in nonvolatile memory.
Auto scale.
Automatic measurement is also used to implement "auto scale."
Invoked by pressing a button on the control panel, auto scale causes the
oscilloscope to scan all channels for active signals. If any are found, the
control settings are automatically adjusted to display a few cycles in the
display window. This helps the operator quickly get a picture on screen and
is especially useful when the signal has an unknown amplitude, dc offset,
or frequency.
Measurement
Measurement of signal parameters, such as amplitude or period, is
easily done directly from the display screen, but in addition, a number of
preprogrammed parametric measurements can be selected which are
calculated directly from the sampled data record. In some cases, the
automatic computation is merely a convenience for the operator. However,
the measurement may be difficult to execute or may need to be repeated
many times, and using the computing power built into the oscilloscope can
be a real time saver. The following is a representative list of built in
measurements: rise time, fall time, frequency, period, positive pulse width,
negative pulse width, duty cycle, delta time, peak -to- peak voltage,
maximum voltage, minimum voltage, average voltage, and rms voltage.
Mathematical operations
Occasionally, it is desirable to do a mathematical operation on the
entire sampled data record captured on a single channel, with the result
plotted on the display screen. Examples of this type of analysis are
inversion, integration, differentiation, or fast Fourier transform.
Additionally, it may be of interest to combine data captured on two
different channels. If the two records are labeled A and B, then the result
P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.6

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

of the following operations could be plotted on the display screen as a
single waveform: A+B, A-B, AB, and A versus B.
Data communication
Captured waveforms can be stored in the embedded controller
memory and later recalled, as can the oscilloscope control settings needed
to perform a particular measurement, called a "setup." But there is also a
need to transmit waveforms and setups to and from an external computer
or computer peripheral device.
Information can be copied to a flexible disk memory in the
oscilloscope for storage or transfer, or it can be transmitted over an I/O
bus. RS-232 and IEEE-488 (HPIB or GP-IB) are two bus protocols
commonly used for this purpose.
A printer or plotter produces a permanent copy of a waveform when
connected to a digital oscilloscope using an I/O bus. Connection to an
external computer brings even more power and flexibility. Waveforms and
setups can be shared.

P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.7

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

Comparing Analog and Digital Oscilloscopes
Type
Analog

Advantages
Responsive display
Direct access controls
Easily understood
Low cost

Real
time
Digital

Multi-channel simultaneous
Low
throughput
capture
(Waveforms / second)
Negative time

Possibility
of
aliased
Easy
single
transient
displays

High cost
capture
Stored display image
Easy calibration
Printer or plotter hard copy
Automatic
measurement
support
Digital waveform I/O

P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

Disadvantages
No negative time
No
multi-channel
simultaneous capture
Dim display (low repetition
rate signals)
Camera hard copy
No waveform I/O

5.8

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

Operating Basics:

Model No. TDS 1000/2000

Make: Tektronix
TDS 1002: Two channel, 60 MHz, 1 GF/S

The figure shows the front panels for 2-channel and 4-channel models.

P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.9

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

To use your oscilloscope effectively, it is necessary to learn about the
following oscilloscope functions:
_ Setting up the oscilloscope
_ Triggering
_ Acquiring signals (waveforms)
_ Scaling and positioning waveforms
_ Measuring waveforms
The figure below shows a block diagram of the various functions of the
oscilloscope and their relationship to each other.

Setting Up the Oscilloscope

You should become familiar with three functions that you may use
often when operating your oscilloscope: Autoset, saving a setup, and
recalling a setup.
Using Autoset
The Autoset function obtains a stable waveform display for you. It
automatically adjusts the vertical scale, horizontal scale and trigger settings.
Autoset also displays several automatic measurements in the graticule area,
depending on the signal type.
P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.10

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

Saving a Setup
The oscilloscope saves the current setup if you wait five seconds after
the last change before you power off the oscilloscope. The oscilloscope
recalls this setup the next time you apply power. You can use the
SAVE/RECALL Menu to permanently save up to ten different setups.
Recalling a Setup
The oscilloscope can recall the last setup before power off, any of your
saved setups or the default setup.
Default Setup
The oscilloscope is set up for normal operation when it is shipped
from the factory. This is the default setup. To recall this setup, push the
DEFAULT SETUP button.
Triggering
The trigger determines when the oscilloscope starts to acquire
data and display a waveform. When a trigger is set up properly, the
oscilloscope converts unstable displays or blank screens into meaningful
waveforms.

When you push the RUN/STOP or SINGLE SEQ buttons to start an

acquisition, the oscilloscope goes through the following steps:
1. Acquires enough data to fill the portion of the waveform record to the
left of the trigger point. This is also called the pre-trigger.
2. Continues to acquire data while waiting for the trigger condition to occur.
3. Detects the trigger condition.
4. Continues to acquire data until the waveform record is full.
P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.11

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

5. Displays the newly-acquired waveform.
Source:
You can use the Trigger Source options to select the signal that
the oscilloscope uses as a trigger. The source can be any signal connected
to a channel BNC, to the EXT TRIG BNC or the AC power line (available only
with Edge triggers).
Types:
The oscilloscope provides three types of triggers: Edge, Video, and
Pulse Width.
Modes can select a Trigger Mode to define how the oscilloscope
acquires data when it does not detect a trigger condition. The modes are
Auto and Normal.
To perform a single sequence acquisition, push the SINGLE SEQ
button. Coupling you can use the Trigger Coupling option to determine
which part of the signal will pass to the trigger circuit. This can help you
attain a stable display of the waveform.
To use trigger coupling, push the TRIG MENU button, select an Edge
or Pulse trigger, and select a Coupling option.
To view the conditioned signal being passed to the trigger circuit,
push and hold down the TRIG VIEW button.
Position:
The horizontal position control establishes the time between the
trigger and the screen center.
Acquiring Signals
When you acquire a signal, the oscilloscope converts it into a digital
form and displays a waveform. The acquisition mode defines how the signal
is digitized and the time base setting affects the time span and level of
detail in the acquisition.
Acquisition Modes
There are three acquisition modes: Sample, Peak Detect, and
Average.
Sample.
In this acquisition mode, the oscilloscope samples the signal in evenly
spaced intervals to construct the waveform. This mode accurately
P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.12

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

represents signals most of the time. However, this mode does not acquire
rapid variations in the signal that may occur between samples. This can
result in aliasing and may cause narrow pulses to be missed. In these
cases, you should use the Peak Detect mode to acquire data.
Peak Detect.
In this acquisition mode, the oscilloscope finds the highest and lowest
values of the input signal over each sample interval and uses these values
to display the waveform. In this way, the oscilloscope can acquire and
display narrow pulses, which may have otherwise been missed in Sample
mode. Noise will appear to be higher in this mode.
Average.
In this acquisition mode, the oscilloscope acquires several waveforms,
averages them, and displays the resulting waveform. You can use this
mode to reduce random noise.
Time Base:
The oscilloscope digitizes waveforms by acquiring the value of an input
signal at discrete points. The time base allows you to control how often the
values are digitized. To adjust the time base to a horizontal scale that suits
your purpose, use the SEC/DIV knob.
Scaling and Positioning Waveforms
You can change the display of waveforms by adjusting their scale and
position (Vertical and horizontal). When you change the scale, the
waveform display will increase or decrease in size. When you change the
position, the waveform will move up, down, right, or left. The channel
reference indicator (located on the left of the graticule) identifies each
waveform on the display. The indicator points to the ground level of the
waveform record.
Taking Measurements
The oscilloscope displays graphs of voltage versus time and can help
you to measure the displayed waveform. There are several ways to take
measurements. You can use the graticule, the cursors, or an automated
measurement.
Graticule.
P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.13

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

This method allows you to make a quick, visual estimate. For
example, you might look at waveform amplitude and determine that it is a
little more than 100 mV. You can take simple measurements by counting
the major and minor graticule divisions involved and multiplying by the
scale factor.
Cursors:
This method allows you to take measurements by moving the cursors,
which always appear in pairs, and reading their numeric values from the
display readouts. There are two types of cursors: Voltage and Time. To use
cursors, push the CURSOR button.
Voltage Cursors: Voltage cursors appear as horizontal lines on the
display and measure the vertical parameters.
Time Cursors: Time cursors appear as vertical lines on the display and
measure the horizontal parameters.
Automatic:
The MEASURE Menu can take up to five automatic measurements. When
you take automatic measurements, the oscilloscope does all the calculating
for you. Because the measurements use the waveform record points, they
are more accurate than the graticule or cursor measurements.

OBSERVATION:
1) Analog and Digital Storage Oscilloscope Difference.

P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.14

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

2)Parameter measurement
Voltage
applied

Observed
voltage

Frequency
applied

Frequency
observed

3)Phase Measurements using XY mode:

P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.15

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

4) Measure Rise time and Fall time:

Sr. No.

Rise time

Fall time

5) Measurement of Propagation delay:

Sr. No.

Propagation
Delay in data
sheet

Propagation Delay
Measured

TTL
CMOS

P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.16

EIT

PUNE INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY, PUNE - 411043

Department of Electronics & Telecommunication

References:
1. Electronic Instrument Handbook - Coombs 3rd Edition
2. DSO User Manual TDS1000-and TDS2000-Series Tektronix.

P:F:-LTL-UG/03/R1

5.17

EIT