Subject: Electronics

Semester: 5th
Paper Title: Electronic Instrumentation
Unit II: Power Supply and Oscilloscope

Topic: CATHODE-RAY OSCILLOSCOPE (CRO)

Block Diagram of a CRO

A block diagram showing the various subsystems of a CRO is shown below. This
diagram does not show all the possible subsystems, but the minimum stages required. These
subsystems are:
(i) the vertical deflection system;
(ii) the horizontal-deflection system, including the time-base generator and
synchronization circuitry;
(iii) the CRT; and
(iv) the high-voltage and low-voltage power supplies.
The vertical deflection system consists of an input attenuator and a number of amplifier
stages. The gain of the vertical amplifier can be controlled by the attenuator. The waveform to be
displayed is fed to this Yinput. The horizontal deflection system provides the voltage for moving
the beam horizontally. It includes a number of amplifier stages, the gain of which can be
controlled. It has a sawtooth oscillator, or a time-base generator. Also included in this subsystem
is a synchronization circuit. The purpose of this circuit is to start the horizontal sweep at a
specific instant, with respect to the waveform under observation. In addition to the internal
sweep, there is a provision for the external horizontal inputs (or X-inputs). One may either select
the internal sweep voltage or any other voltage fed externally for deflecting the beam
horizontally. Basically, the operation of the vertical section does not affect the horizontal section,
and vice versa. When operated together, they will display the incoming signal on the screen of
the CRO.