Oscilloscope

An oscilloscope, sometimes shortened to “scope” or “o-scope”, is a test instrument that captures and displays the behavior of electrical signal over time. For example, it can plot a graph of voltage (y-axis) versus time (x-axis) on its display.

Oscilloscopes are powerful tools that engineers use for designing and testing electronic devices. They are vital in determining which components of a system are behaving correctly and which are malfunctioning. They can also help you determine whether or not a newly designed component behaves the way you intended. This can be done by analyzing signal properties such as amplitude, period, frequency, rise time, pulse width, and more. Modern digital oscilloscopes can also perform mathematical functions on waveforms, such as a Fourier transform, making analysis quicker.

With so many brands and types of oscilloscopes available, they might look different from one another, but most have the same basic steps to get started. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use an oscilloscope:

1. Connect the Probe: Attach the probe to the oscilloscope's input channel. Make sure it’s securely connected. If you have an attenuated probe, you may need to compensate your probe until you have a perfect square waveform.
2. Probe the DUT: Connect the probe to your device under test (DUT) by attaching the probe tip to the point of interest on the circuit and connecting the ground clip to a common ground point on the DUT.
   
3. Adjust Vertical and Horizontal Scales: Use the oscilloscope controls to adjust the vertical (voltage) and horizontal (time) scales. This ensures that the waveform is displayed correctly on the screen.
   
4. Set the Trigger: Use the trigger setting to stabilize the waveform. The trigger helps ensure that the signal is consistently displayed. Adjust the trigger level and type as needed.
   
5. Interpret the Waveform: Look at the waveform on the screen. The x-axis represents time, and the y-axis represents voltage. Observe the shape, frequency, and amplitude of the signal.
   
6. Analyze the Waveform: Identify any issues or anomalies. Is the signal behaving as expected? Are there noise spikes or irregularities? Troubleshoot any detected problems to ensure accurate signal performance. You may use the oscilloscope's features, like cursors and automated measurements, to assist in your analysis.
   

More information:

Keysight offers a wide range of free technical resources for engineers to learn about essential oscilloscope functions and how to get started.

• Learn oscilloscope fundamentals with the How to Use an Oscilloscope.
• Get started with Keysight oscilloscopes with free Oscilloscope Technical Resources such as lab guides and tutorials, advanced training guides, and application notes.