Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro

Department of Telecommunication Engineering

Applied Physics (1st Semester, 1st Year)
______________________________________________________________________________
Name: ______________________________________________ Roll Number: _____________

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LAB HANDOUT # 10
INTRODUCTION TO THE OSCILLOSCOPE AND FUNCTION GENERATOR

OBJECTIVE:
 To understand the basic functionality of Function/Signal Generator and Digital Storage
Oscilloscope.
 Basic signal generation from function generator and observation at Digital Storage
Oscilloscope.
THEORY:
i) Function Generator
The front panel of your function generator is shown in Figure 1. This instrument outputs a time-
varying periodic voltage signal (the OUTPUT connector, do not use the sync connector. By
pushing the appropriate buttons on the front panel, the user can specify various characteristics of
the signal.

Figure 1: Front panel of a conventional function/signal generator

The main characteristics that you will be concerned with in this class are:
• Shape: sine, square, or triangle waves.
• Frequency: inverse of the period of the signal; units are cycles per second (Hz)
• Vpp: peak to peak Voltage value of the signal
• DC Offset: constant voltage added to the signal to increase or decrease its mean or average
level. In a schematic, this would be a DC voltage source in series with the oscillating voltage
source.

Figure 2 demonstrates few of the above stated parameters.

 Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Department of Telecommunication Engineering
Applied Physics (1st Semester, 1st Year)
______________________________________________________________________________

Figure 2: Basic parameters of a function/signal generator

You must specify the characteristics of the signal you need. For example, to set the frequency of
the signal:

Enable the frequency modify mode by pressing the Freq button.

Enter the value of the desired frequency by operating of the corresponding button with rotary
knob and two cursor buttons < > or with the decadic range buttons ÷10 and ×10.

The parameter to be changed is selected by operating the corresponding button in the

PARAMETER field (OFFSET, AMPL, PULSE WIDTH, FREQ). the button is illuminated,
when the parameter can be changed. By operating the rotary knob the value of the digit
underlined by the cursor is modified. If the cursor underlines a blank position, it is considered as
0 and can be changed by turning the rotary knob to the desired value. The cursor is shifted to
another position with two cursor buttons < >. Turning the rotary knob increments or decrements
the value depending on the direction the knob is turned.

ii) Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO):

What is an oscilloscope? An oscilloscope is basically a graph-displaying device – it draws the
graph of an electrical signal. In most applications, the graph shows how signals change over
time: the vertical (Y) axis represents voltage and the horizontal (X) axis represents time. The
intensity or brightness of the signal is sometimes called the Z axis. This can be shown in Fig 3.

Figure 3: X, Y and Z components of a waveform

 Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Department of Telecommunication Engineering
Applied Physics (1st Semester, 1st Year)
______________________________________________________________________________

This simple graph can tell you many things about a signal such as:
• The time and voltage values of a signal
• The frequency of an oscillating signal
• Whether or not a malfunctioning component is distorting the signal
• How much of a signal is direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC)

BNC inputs:
The channel 1 and 2 BNC inputs receive electrical signals for display.

You can measure different characteristics of a waveform with an oscilloscope – amplitude,

frequency, DC offset and phase.

Figure 4: Digital Storage Oscilloscope

Your oscilloscope consists of four main systems – the vertical system, the horizontal system, the
main function and the trigger system. The different systems are described below.

 The Vertical System:

You select the channel you want by pressing CH1 or CH2. You can use the Volts/Div to
adjust the vertical scale. The position knobs move the waveform up or down on the
scope screen.

 The Horizontal System:

An oscilloscope’s horizontal system is most closely associated with its acquisition of an
input signal. Horizontal controls are used to position and scale the waveform horizontally
 Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Department of Telecommunication Engineering
Applied Physics (1st Semester, 1st Year)
______________________________________________________________________________

Figure 5: Vertical and Horizontal Systems

The Main Function

The main function keys are: Acquire key, Display key, Utility key, Hard copy key, Program key,
Cursor key, Measure key, Help key, Save/Recall key, Auto set key, Run/Stop key.
To measure the amplitude/volts and frequency/time period, press the cursor button and follows
the steps:
1. Press the F1, for selecting the channel.
2. To select the cursor to be activated, press F2 (Horizontal cursor) and F3(Vertical cursor).
3. To move the cursor, use the vertical knob.
4. The bottom right corner of the display shows the position of two cursors (T1 and T2), their
time difference (Δ), and the frequency (f).

Even the most advanced instrument can only be as precise as the data that goes into it. A probe
functions in conjunction with an oscilloscope as part of the measurement system. Hence we talk
about the probes you use with your oscilloscope. Figure 6 shows a picture of your scope probe.

Figure 6: Scope probes

 Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro
Department of Telecommunication Engineering
Applied Physics (1st Semester, 1st Year)
______________________________________________________________________________
QUESTIONS:
i) What is the use of volts/div and time/div? And what happen with the signal by
altering these parameters of the Oscilloscope?

ii) Which connector is used in the probes of oscilloscope?

iii) What is the difference between cursor and measure option?

iv) What is function of Function Generator? List the waves which be generated via
Function Generator.

v) Differentiate Function Generator and Digital Storage Oscilloscope.

vi) Generate arbitrary waveforms from the Signal Generator and observe the signal at the
oscilloscope. Record the readings

FINAL CHECK LIST

1. Return all equipment and material to their proper storage area
2. Submit your answers to questions, and results before the next laboratory