Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Lesson: Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Author: Dr. Arijit Chowdhuri

College/ Department: Acharya Narendra Dev

College, University of Delhi

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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO)

Introduction
During a typical teaching-learning course in electronics one encounters a plethora of Signals in
the classroom study as also laboratory which convey and impart information about
characteristics of some phenomenon. The international body IEEE Transactions on Signal
Processing broadly describes the term signal as including amongst others audio, video, speech,
image, communication, geophysical, sonar, radar, medical and musical signals. Some other
examples include outputs of typical transducers and sensors like -

a) Digital Thermometer (temperature) b) pH meter (acidity/alkalinity)

c) Microphone (sound) d) Loudspeaker (sound)

e) Tactile Sensor (vibration) f) Piezoelectric crystal (mechanical)

Thus processing of signals, forms the bulwark of any course on electronics and interpretation of
their characteristics is a very important part of it. The typical attributes that characterize any
signal are Amplitude, Frequency and if two or more signals are being compared
simultaneously then Phase. For comparison and measurement of these characteristic features of
signals, utility of Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes (CRO) or in more contemporary times Digital
Storage Oscilloscopes (DSO) cannot be done without.

Cathode Ray Oscilloscopes (CRO) as one of the pre-requisites of any electronics laboratory, are
known to be amongst one of the most flexible and adaptable instruments. A basic CRO is a test
instrument that allows an individual to plot and view two-dimensional (2 D) graphs of
electronic signals during real-time measurements just like a visual voltmeter would do so. CRO
can therefore be compared to an electronic X Y plotter which plots electronic signals including
voltage, current, phase difference etc. mainly as a function of time and sometimes as a function

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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

of voltage. Typically any existing CRO in a contemporary electronics laboratory would have two
input channels (vertical Y channels: Y1 and Y2) along with an in-built X channel (horizontal)
with a knob to vary the time quotient. The signal that needs to be analyzed or studied is directly
fed to any of the Y - channel (vertical) whereas the time function is available on the X - axis
(horizontal) by default. The two Y channels of the CRO allow measurement of two separate
signals at any given point of time and their attributes including amplitude, time-period
(frequency) studied or phase difference compared. This type (most common) of CRO is
popularly referred to as dual-trace CRO.

Over the last couple of decades the CROs have evolved from CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) based
power hungry bulky contraptions to LCD panel based with small form factor and high power
efficiency. Some of the modern ones are even battery operated, can be held in hand and operate
via touch screen interface enabled with wi-fi / bluetooth data transfer capability and GPS
connectivity. The images below show the evolution of the CROs to DSOs to handheld ones.

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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

For what measurements can a CRO be used in the laboratory?

a) Calculating the frequency of a time-varying electronic signal.
b) Finding phase difference between two time-varying signals.
c) Tracing and trouble-shooting a malfunctioning component in a given circuit.
d) Visually see the signal modifications being carried out real-time by different electronic
components in any given circuit.
e) Quantizing the amount of DC component in an AC signal and vice-versa.
f) Quantizing the amount of Noise in a Signal and its dependence on time.
g) Finding the type of signal under test e.g. sinusoidal, saw-tooth, triangular, rectangular etc.

Block Diagram of CRO

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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

A CRO in use in any laboratory worldwide consists of the following components as a standard:

a) Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)

b) Trigger Circuit
c) Time- Base Generator
d) Horizontal Amplifier
e) Vertical Amplifier
f) Delay Line

In conventional CROs the main constituent has been the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) and rest of the
test equipment consists of electronic circuitry used to operate the CRT reproducibly and
efficiently. All CROs typically have two in-built power supplies - a High Voltage supply (HV
supply from -1000 V to -1500 volts) and a Low Voltage supply (LV supply from + 300 V to +400
V). The negative HV supply drives the CRT whereas the positive LV supply takes care of the
associated electronics.

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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Broadly, the conventional CRO consists of the following:

a) Electron Gun - Generates a fine beam of electrons (cathode ray) by means of cathode and a
set of three anodes
b) Deflection assembly - Set of pairs of vertical plates (Y1 and Y2) and horizontal plates (time
base)
c) Phosphor coated Screen Coated with visible light emitting Phosphors of specific colours,
the processed cathode ray impinges on it and creates light based on secondary emission
principle.

The working principle how the signal to be measured / tested gets displayed onto the CRO screen
is described briefly as follows. Initially, as shown in Figure 1, the input signal (signal to be
viewed or under test) is fed directly to the Y - input channels of the CRO. This is done by
coupling the input signal through a male BNC (Bayonet Neil Concelmann) cable to the female
BNC connector on the CRO. The shielded cable allows signal to be fed into the CRO with
minimal loss (especially high frequency signals). The Y input channels consist of a pair of
deflection plates that induces the electron beam (cathode ray) generated from the electron gun of
the CRO to move vertically in positive or negative direction. The amount of vertical movement
of the electron beam from the centre of the screen is directly proportional to the strength
(amplitude) of the input signal and this phenomenon happens after it has been duly processed by
the vertical amplifier. The processed vertical signal is thereafter momentarily stopped from

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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

reaching the phosphor screen because there is no signal on the X axis (generally time) to
balance the input vertical signal on the Y axis. This momentary stopping is typically in the
range of 80 200 nanoseconds (10-9 seconds) and is achieved with a circuit known as Delay
Line.
With vertical signal stopped at the Delay Line the associated electronics in the CRO tries
to generate the balancing signal on the X axis such that the processed input signal on Y axis
can be faithfully displayed on the CRO screen. For this all conventional CROs have a time-base
circuits and their function is to generate sawtooth signals. Typical sawtooth signals are shown as
follows (Figure).

Comparing the sawtooth wave to some of the typical signals encountered in a regular electronics
laboratory (Figure), it is observed that they are be modified triangular wave signals

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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Specifically, sawtooth signals can be realized from triangular waves by making the fly-back time
of the triangular signal negligible (ideally zero). Fly-back time is defined to be the time taken by
the triangular or the sawtooth signal to fall from its maximum value to its minimum value. The
obtained sawtooth wave is seen to possess a linear rise in its characteristics from a minimum to
a maximum value as a function of time followed by a sudden drop to its minimum from the
attained maximum value. This characteristic of the sawtooth signal is observed when it is plotted
as a function of time along the Y-axis. However when the electron beam in the CRO is subjected
to the influence of a sawtooth signal along the horizontal X-axis then, the beam is seen to move
from left of the phosphor screen to the right gradually with time. Once it reaches the end of the
screen it resets back to left almost instantly just like the raster patter in a conventional television.
The raster pattern is shown is shown in Figure

Hence the sawtooth signal applied horizontally within the CRO moves the electron beam
along the X axis from origin to the right corner and resets it back almost instantaneously,
however there still remains the problem of synchronization between the vertical (input / test)
signal and horizontal time-base signals (sawtooth wave). This problem is overcome using the
synchronization circuit within the CRO mainly consisting of the Trigger mechanism. As seen in
the Figure as soon as a test signal is input on the Y plates of the CRO, some portion of it is taken
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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

as a feedback to the Trigger mechanism that initiates generation of the Time-Base signal.
Feedback of the original signal onto the X plate portion electronics not only helps in
synchronized plotting of the X and Y signals but also helps in obtaining a stable waveform on the
CRO screen. As soon as the intelligent processing is completed on the X plate electronics, the
horizontal signal is amplified and intentional delay on the Y signal is removed. Thereafter one
gets a faithful and stable visual signal on the CRO screen.

Detailed description of the components in a conventional CRO

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) is a vacuum sealed glass envelope that has a source of electrons
(electron gun) which emits electrons (cathode ray), that are accelerated to pass through two-sets
(pairs) of plates (one set each of vertical and horizontal plates) before striking a phosphor coated
screen internally so as to provide a visual display of signal. CRTs therefore are constituted of
three basic systems
a) Electron gun assembly
b) Electrical deflection system consisting of X X (horizontal) and Y Y (vertical) plates
c) Phosphor coated screen to visually depict the electrical waveform.
The block diagram of the CRT is shown in Figure 2.

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Electron Gun Assembly

The electron gun assembly works to generate a sharp and focussed beam of electrons (cathode
ray) that finally strikes the screen. The electron gun assembly consists of the following:

a) Heated cathode
b) Control Grid
c) Three sets of Anodes

The cathode acts as a source of electrons which metamorphoses into a thin electron beam
(cathode ray) that after due passage through electric field (pair of plates) strikes the phosphor
coated screen and traces out the waveforms. The cathode ray therefore acts as the electronic
stylus on the phosphor coated screen. The cathode is indirectly heated through a filament heater
and this mode of operation is considered advantageous despite being less efficient compared to
direct heating. However, indirect heating provides uniform heater control with even heat
distribution resulting in stable electron emission, besides allowing the usage of easily available
ac voltage supply. The generation of electrons from the cathode is mainly thermionic in nature
wherein current is passed through a filamentary heater which heats up the cathode. The electrons
thus emitted are in form of an envelope much like a solid angle.

The control grid (S.No.2, Figure 3) affixed immediately after the cathode is biased negative with
respect to it and functions to control the number of electrons being generated by the cathode as
well as the energy with which they are emitted. The number and energy of the electrons being
emitted by the cathode influence the intensity and focus aspects of the electron beam on the
phosphor coated screen. The negative HV supply of the CRO is associated with a bleeder resistor
(mA range current carrying capacity) which is able to provide intermediate voltages that control
intensity, focus and positioning of the electron beam. The electron beam after passing through
the grid tends to dilate (spread-out) as a solid cone and the constituent electrons tend to lose
velocity.

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 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

In this context the influence of the anodes becomes very important. The anodes (three in number
and fixed sequentially) not only accelerate the electron beam in a linear fashion but also sharply
focus the cathode rays. The three anodes (Figure 2) are chronologically named as per their
functions as a) First or pre-accelerating anode b) Second or focusing anode and c) Third or final
accelerating anode. As the name suggests the pre-accelerating anode linearly accelerates the
electrons constituting the emergent electron beam from the grid. The first anode is in the form of
a hollow cylinder with a hole in a diaphragm at its centre. The diaphragm directs back all the
electrons striking it to the cathode. Although a narrow beam of electrons is achieved after the
First anode however, due to mutual repulsion amongst the electrons the beam tends to spread.
The focusing anode has two diaphragms, both having holes at their centres. By means of an
electric field a cylindrical shaped converging electrical lens is generated and which functions to
shape the linearly accelerated beam of electrons into a fine spot. The electrical lens plays an
influential role sharply focusing the highly dense electron beam while overcoming the effects of
electrical repulsion between the electrons. Just like light beam can be made to converge or
diverge using a convex or concave lenses, electron beams are known to get converged or
diverged using electrostatic lenses. Electrostatic lenses are realized by applying suitable potential
to a pair of diaphragms wherein the electron beam can be passed through the holes at their
centres. The focal length of the electrostatic lenses is varied by varying the potential on the
diaphragms Generally, the electrostatic lenses are of two types a) Aperture lens and b)
Cylindrical lens. It is interesting to note that whereas the electron gun in the CRT is a
combination of aperture and cylindrical lenses, the control grid and First anode form aperture
lens while Second and Third anode are exclusively cylindrical in nature.

The Third or final anode imparts another level of amplified linear acceleration to the electron
beam and focuses it towards the screen.

Electrical Deflection System

After materializing out of the electron gun assembly the sharply focused electron beam with
ample linear acceleration is made to pass through pairs of vertical (Y) and horizontal plates (X).
Initially only one set each of the Y and X plate pairs were present in the CROs however with the

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advent of dual-trace CROs two sets of Y plates (Y1 - Y1 and Y2 Y2) and one set of X plates
(X1 X1) came into existence. In the dual-trace CRO the two input signals that are to be
analyzed (determination of amplitude, frequency etc.) are fed directly to the (Y1 - Y1 and Y2
Y2) plates respectively with help of Bayonet Neill Concelman (BNC) connectors. The incoming
electron beam is influenced to move in both horizontal as well as vertical directions in
accordance with the input signal strength. The plates are so oriented that signal voltages when
applied to each of the pairs, makes the electron beam move either horizontally or vertically
thereby providing the option to traverse the entire length and breadth of the entire screen. The
pair of plates that make the electron beam traverse in the horizontal direction only are referred to
as X plates (default time). While the pair that makes the electron beam move in vertical
direction only are called Y plates (voltage, current etc.).

How the dual-trace CRO with single electron beam displays two different waveforms is
explained in the FAQ section

CRT Screen

The screen of the CRT is coated with a natural or synthetic phosphor that emits visible light
when the electron beam impinges on it. The phosphor tends to absorb the kinetic energy of the
impinging electron beam and re-emits the same absorbed energy in the visible spectrum (400
700 nm). This phenomenon of certain materials to emit energy in the visible range after
absorbing energy or being stimulated by radiation is referred to as Fluorescence. Fluorescent
materials sometimes also possess a secondary property called Phosphorescence wherein they
continue to emit light even after the source of excitation is removed. The length of time during
which afterglow or Phosphorescence occurs is popularly referred to as Persistence of the
phosphor. Luminance is another property of the phosphor that gives an idea about the intensity
of light emitted from the phosphor. The choice of the phosphor depending on its characteristics
of Phosphorescence, Luminance and Persistence determine whether high (fast) or low
frequency (slow) can be seen on a particular CRO. Typically Luminance is governed by the
following factors:
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a) Physical characteristics of the phosphor

b) Number of bombarding electrons striking the screen

c) Enhance accelerating potential of the electron beam

d) Faster time-base or sweep speed reduces Luminance since electron beam gets less time to
interact with the coated phosphor.

A high density of electrons in the cathode ray or screen exposure for a large amount of time tends
to destroy the phosphor coating of the CRT screen and must be avoided.

The phosphor coating is done on the inside glass portion of the sealed vacuum CRT. A high level
of vacuum is necessary inside the CRT to ensure that the electron beam moves exclusively under
the influence of the electric field generated because of potentials present on the vertical and
horizontal plates.

Some of the standard phosphor types include materials including Zn2SiO4:Mn [Green, 528 nm],
ZnS:Cu(Ag)(B*) [Blue-Green, 543 nm], Zn8:BeSi5O19:Mn [Yellow, 602 nm] etc. The type of
phosphor controls the type of signal whether fast or slow can be seen on the CRT screen. Details
about more phosphor types are available in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosphor

HORIZONTAL DEFLECTION SYSTEM (HDS)

Typically in any CRO trigger circuit, time-base generator and horizontal amplifier together
constitute the Horizontal Deflection System (HDS). The main function of the HDS is to deflect
horizontal portion of the trace at a constant rate as a function of time and which is a function of
the input signal to be tested.

Block Diagram of the HDS

TRIGGER TIME BASE GENERATOR HORIZONTAL AMPLIFIER

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Brief description of the components of HDS:

a) Trigger Circuit: The trigger circuit ensures that generation of the horizontal time-base
(sweep) starts at the same point of the vertical input signal.

b) Time-base: The time-base (sweep) generator controls the rate with which the electron beam is
scanned across the face of the screen of the CRT. The same is adjusted from the front panel of the
CRO

c) Horizontal amplifier: Its function is to enhance the level of the signals generated in the time-
base generator to the level required by the HDS plates.

TRIGGER CIRCUIT

It is the link between the signal waveform to be observed (vertical input) and the time-
base (horizontal time-base)

It synchronizes the horizontal deflection of the electron beam with the vertical input
signal waveform.

It ensures
TIME-BASE that each time the horizontal deflection starts at the same point of the
GENERATOR
vertical input

The trigger circuit is also known as SWEEP / Saw-Tooth generator / Time-Base generator. The
main function of the trigger is to provide linear time-base from an in-built generator for
observation of the input waveforms. It is responsible for supplying the CRT with the correct
voltage to deflect the spot of electron beam at a constant time-dependent rate along the
horizontal X-axis besides acting as a pick-off from the time whenever any signal is input to the
vertical plates. It also controls the rate at which the electron beam (cathode rays) is scanned
across the face of the CRT. Generally the time-base voltage supplied has a Saw-Tooth nature.

VERTICAL DEFLECTION SYSTEM (VDS)

It amplifies small voltages and is used so that the CRO is able to measure even small
changes in the vertical or the Y- direction
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It is a very high class amplifier (Direct Coupled type) which ensures that it does not
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It also has a proper gain over a broad frequency range

 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Block diagram of Vertical Deflection System of a typical CRO

Pre-amplifier Vertical Vertical amplifier

DC Vertical

To vertical deflection
Attenuator plates

AC
To Trigger

The main function of the Vertical Deflection System (VDS) of a CRO to suitably amplify the
signal input to it such that its basic characteristics do not undergo any change or modification.
Further, VDS converts the input signal to a proper level such that it can then drive the vertical
plates, devoid of any distortion whatsoever. The frequency (bandwidth) and the sensitivity (gain)
response characteristics i.e. the performance of a CRO is directly influenced by the quality of its
vertical amplifier which is a part of the VDS. Since gain-bandwidth product of an amplifier is a
constant hence for higher gain bandwidth is narrowed and vice-versa. The VDS has a switchable
input coupling capacitor which helps view the ac signals even within high voltage dc. The
capacitor helps filter out the ac component from within dc. During dc measurements the
capacitor is bypassed.

DELAY LINE

It is fixed in series with the vertical amplifier and introduces a DELAY in its signal
processing

The horizontal time-base is triggered by a portion of the input signal that starts the
Sweep generator, the output of which is then fed to the horizontal amplifier
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All this signal processing leads to a delay

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and horizontal of Delhi
signals start simultaneously, a
DELAY line is intentionally introduced with the vertical amplifier.
 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Pre-amplifier Vertical Main amplifier

Delay Line
(~ 80 ns)

Trigger pick-off
Horizontal amplifier

Sweep
Generator
Block diagram of VDS and HDS in a typical CRO

It is well-known fact that all electrical wiring offers resistance to the flow of current thus causing
delay. Besides this during transmission of signals all electronic components also induce a delay
especially when they are amplifying / attenuating / shaping the input signal.

Comparing the VDS and HDS sections in a CRO it is noted that the input original signal
undergoes extensive modification in the HDS. Specifically, as shown in figure the horizontal
signal (sweep or the time-base) is initiated from a portion of the original signal that is configured
to reach the vertical plates directly. The leading part of any waveform is lost if the vertical signal
reaches the vertical plates before the horizontal sweep starts. Hence an intentional delay (~ 80
nanoseconds) is introduced in the path of the vertical signal and same is provided through the
means of a Delay Line.

Summary of basic principle of operation of a CRO

Electron Beam is generated by an indirectly heated cathode

Control grid controls the electron density in the cathode ray beam
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Anodes (pre-accelerating, focussing and final) accelerate the generated electrons
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manner

Electron beam is deflected as per the strengths of the electronic signal and time-base
fed to the vertical (Y-Y) and horizontal (X-X) plates respectively
 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Applications of CRO
(1) Study of waveform

In this case the signal (sine, cosine, rectangular, square, triangular or sawtooth) is fed into the
vertical plates of the CRO by means of a shielded cable with BNC connector. Typical waveforms
are shown in Figure

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Some types of shielded cables with BNC connectors are shown as follows

a) b)

c) d)

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Figure: a) BNC to BNC connector b) BNC to crocodile clip connector c) Male BNC connector
and d) Female BNC connector

(2) Measurement of Voltage, Current, Frequency and Time-period

Figure: Vertical controls in a typical CRO

In order to view any waveform the input signal is fed to either of the Y-plates CH1 or CH2 of the
CRO. The time-base automatically latches onto the input signal. Under DUAL mode in a dual-
trace CRO two different signals can simultaneously be compared on the same screen by
providing inputs to both CH1 and CH2

Measurement of AC / DC level of the input signal - Choose Channel 1 or 2 (CH1, CH2) and
feed input signal to them (Y-plates). Select AC or DC from AC-GND-DC switch. Adjust
VOLTS/DIV and TIME/DIV knobs for optimal signal setting. Lock the VARIABLE knob at
CAL

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DC level measurement - Keep the switch first at GND (reference level) and then at DC.
Measure the vertical distance between reference level to the point to be measured

DC level = Vertical Distance (divisions) X VOLTS/DIV setting

Measurement of peak-to-peak voltage (Vpp) - Apply input signal to one of the Y-plates, set the
AC-GND-DC to AC, adjust VOLTS/DIV and TIME/DIV for optimal display

Using horizontal position control, allow the first and the second points to coincide with the
vertical graduated line one after another. Measure the vertical distance.

Vpp = Vertical distance (divisions) X VOLTS/DIV setting

For viewing two waveforms simultaneously feed input signals to both CH1 and CH2 and press
both the buttons (DUAL mode)

Measurement of time-period and hence frequency

Time-period between two points on a signal is measured from the product of TIME/DIV value
and horizontal distance between them (X-axis)

Feed the signal, choose AC from AC-GND-DC switch, adjust VOLTS/DIV and TIME/DIV for
optimal signal. Lock VARIABLE control to CAL.

Keeping one point as reference use horizontal position to make the second point intersect any
vertical graduation line. Measure the horizontal distance between the two points.

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Time-period = Horizontal distance (divisions) X TIME/DIV setting

Points to ponder: Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Q: Why two different CROs cannot be used for seeing the phase difference between tow signals?

A: Despite keeping all calibrations same on both the CROs the time-base and trigger signals can

never be made the same in two different CROs

Q: There is only one electron gun in the dual-trace CRO, however it is able to show two

waveforms at any given time.

A: There are two methods that are undertaken in analog CROs to overcome this problem a) the

electron beam is shared alternately between the two vertical channel inputs and b) fast switching

between the two inputs is achieved. In analog 2 - channel CRT based CROs there is a function

button named ALT/CHOP at the front interface wherein only one of them is in operation at a

given time. At each application of trigger (TRIG), ALT button causes the electron beam to

alternate between the two input channels (Y1 Y1 and Y2 Y2) and so for high frequency

signals it is preferred choice. While under CHOP mode rapid switching between the two inputs is

undertaken and hence it is suitable for low frequency signals. In both the cases the trigger signal

has to be robust and reproducible.

Q: Is a dual-beam CRO better than dual-trace CRO for measuring phase difference between two

signals?

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A: Dual-beam CROs are way too expensive because of the presence of two separate electron gun

assemblies. Also again unlike the dual-trace CRO the time-base and trigger values of the two

separate electron beams in the dual-beam CROs can never be made the same.

Time-Base control knob

Screen

Vertical Movement CH1

Horizontal Movement

Volts/ Div CH1

Signal input BNC CH1 AC-GND-DC switch

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