DIGITAL STORAGE OSCILLOSCOPE :-

Digital storage oscilloscope definition is an electronic device that stores and analyses
the signal in the digital format is known as Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO). When
the input signal is given to the DSO, then it is processed, stored in the memory, and
displayed on the screen. It stores the signal in the form of digital data as either 1 Or 0.

Digital Storage Oscilloscope

The advanced features of the DSO are triggering, storage and measurement. It can
display the waveform or signal both numerically and visually.

Block Diagram

The block diagram of the Digital Storage Oscilloscope is shown below.

 Digital Oscilloscope Block Diagram

The analog input signal is digitized by the digital storage oscilloscope and is stored in
the digital memory. The Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) is employed to display the stored
signal or data in the memory. As the stored data in the memory is in digital format, the
signal is reconstructed into analog form and displayed on the CRT.

The analog input signal is amplified by the amplifier and its output is digitized by the
digitizer and stored in the memory. The analyzer circuit analyses the digital output and it
can be reconstructed to visualize the final waveform using the Interpolation technique.
The output is displayed on the CRT screen.

Working Principle

The working principle of a Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO) is based on digitizing

and storing the input signals with the help of CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and digital
memory. The process of digitization is the sampling of input signals at different periodic
signals. Here, the signal’s maximum frequency measured by the DSO depends on 2
factors, which are sampling rate and the converter nature. And also the function of the
digital storage oscilloscope depends on the sampling and the converter.

Sampling Rate

In this factor, the sampling theory is used for the safe analysis of input signals. The
statement of sampling theory is, the sampling rate of the signals should be twice as fast
as per the received input signal’s highest frequency. That means, sampling rate refers
to the fast and high conversion rate of an analog to a digital converter.

Converter
It uses high-priced flash, whose resolution decreases with an increase in sampling rate.
So, the limited resolution and bandwidth of the DSO are obtained due to the sampling
rate.

The Function of Digital Storage Oscilloscope

 The function of a digital storage oscilloscope is to process, capture, analyze and

display the applied analog input signal in digital format and also store the data in
the digital memory. The signals are received, stored, and displayed by the DSO
to calculate the frequency, amplitude, time period of a signal. It operates in 3
modes such as roll mode, store mode, and save Or hold mode.
 In roll mode, the DSO displays the fast fluctuating input signals very clearly on
the screen without triggering. It is one of the basic modes in the working of DSO
and similar to the operation of CRO. It monitors the characteristics of the given
input signal to process and displays its trace on the screen.
 In-store mode, the signals are stored in the memory.
 In hold mode or save mode, the data is saved Or held for a while until it gets
stored in the digital memory.

Waveform Reconstruction

According to the sampling theory, the given input signal is sampled to avoid the aliasing
effect. But the aliasing effect can still occur in the signal because the output signal is
obtained in the series of dots in response to the sample value.

A technique called Interpolation is used by the Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO) for
final wave visualization. The technique that generates new data points by using a set of
known discrete data points is known as Interpolation. Generally, it is classified into two
types, illustrated in the figure shown below.

Linear Interpolation

In this type, the data points, which are in the form of dots are connected with a straight
line as shown in the figure above. It is used in the generation of pulse waves or square
waves.

Sinusoidal Interpolation

In this type, the dots are connected to generate a sinusoidal waveform as shown in the
figure above. It is used in oscilloscopes.

Advantages

The advantages of Digital Storage Oscilloscope include,

 Easy to operate, efficient data display, and high quality

  It allows the property of flexible display with infinite storage time
 Analyzes and stores the data in the digital format (0 or 1) and prevents signal
degradation
  It provides triggering, storage, measurement functions to display the signals
digitally or in virtual format.
 Cost-Effective when compared to analog oscilloscopes.
 It can trace and record temperature changes.
 It can analyze high-frequency transient responses.
 It can collect large samples of input data with the help of storage memory.

Applications

The applications of Digital storage oscilloscope include,

 It is used in circuit debugging to test the voltage of the signal

 Used in testing during manufacturing
 Used in Radio Broadcasting to test the signals
 Used in Research and medical field
 Used in video and audio recording equipment
 Used to measure time period, frequency, voltages, currents, inductance,
capacitance, and time intervals between the signals in both AC and DC circuits.
 Used in the representation of radar’s target like airplane, ship, etc visually.
 Used to analyze the TV signals
 Used to compute the V-I characteristics of transistors and diodes.