Ja’Mia Marine

Lab - The Digital Oscilloscope

Topology

Objectives
Use Falstad’s Web Circuit Simulation Tool to get familiar with waveforms and basic electronics components.

Background / Scenario
Electronics is deeply connected to IoT. In this lab you will use Falstad’s Web Circuit Simulatior to visualize
waveforms. Secondarily, you will gain a better understanding of their functions and usage by changing the
arragement and values of some specifc electronic components.
Credits:
Falstad’s Circuit Simulator Tool: http://www.falstad.com/circuit/
Iain Sharp's JavaScript port of Falstad's Circuit Simulation Tool: http://lushprojects.com/circuitjs/

Part 1: The Circuit Simulator and Basic Circuits

You will use the Web Circuit Simulator located inside the Connected Things course, page 2.1.2.8 to
complete this lab.
Using the Basic LED circuit, follow the steps below:

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a. The electrons flow from the battery’s positive terminal to the battery’s negative terminal, passing through
the resistor and the LED in the way. The flow of electrons through the LED, lights it up. Hover the mouse
on the LED and write down the values you see.
b. Hover the mouse on the resistor and write the values you see.

What’s the voltage on the LED? 1.8v

What’s the voltage on the resistor? 3.2v

What voltage of the battery? 2.01v
Red LEDs need around 2V to operate. Since the battery is 5V, the resistor is used and dimensioned to
protect the LED by limiting the voltage on it. If the resistor wasn’t used, the LED could be permanently
damaged.

Part 2: Visualizing Signals

While electrical signals are not visible, specific equipment can be used to measure and display such signals.
Known as waveforms, common signal shapes have special names. When the signal amplitude (maximum
and minimum levels) conforms to a mathematical sine function, the wave is said to be a sine wave. a. Using
Falstad’s Web Circuit Simulator, navigate to Circuits >> Basic >> LRC Circuit.
b. While the details of this circuit is out of the scope of this course, notice how it creates sine waves on the
bottom portion of the screen. The circuit design forces the electrons to change their flow direction,
creating alternating signal levels. A sine wave is created.
Note: Alternating Current (AC) is used by many countries to transport energy through long physical
distances. Because the polarity varies over with AC, the electrons are also forced to change flow direction
and therefore, AC also generates sine waves.

Square waves are most seen in digital circuits. Since digital circuits often deal with discrete amplitudes,
representing 0s and 1s for example, the wave form becomes very distinct.
c. Using Falstad’s Web Circuit Simulator, navigate to Circuits >> 555 Timer Chip >> Square Wave
Generator.
d. The details of this circuit are also out of the scope of this course but notice how it creates square waves
on the bottom right portion of the screen.
Challenge question: Alternating Current (AC) creates square waves or sine waves? Explain. The
timer switches on and releases 10v that makes the square waves.

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Lab – Python on Packet Tracer 7.0

© 2017 Cisco and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public. of

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