Subject: Electronics

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

Topic: CATHODE-RAY OSCILLOSCOPE (CRO)

Applications of CRO

Measurement of Currents
A CRO with an electrostatic deflection system is basically a voltage indicating device.
For measuring current, it is passed through a suitable, known resistor. Then the potential
developed across this resistor is measured. The current can then easily be determined.
Measurement of Frequency
One of the quickest and most accurate methods of determining frequencies is by using
Lissajous patterns. A Lissajous pattern is produced on the screen when two sine-wave voltages
are applied simultaneously to both pairs of deflection plates. A stable pattern is obtained when
the ratio of the two frequencies is an integer, or a ratio of integers. The type of pattern observed
depends upon this ratio (and also upon the relative phase of the two waves). The following figure
1 illustrates how the Lissajous pattern is obtained for the two voltages applied to two sets of
deflection plates, when the ratio of their frequencies is 1:2. Figure 2 shows some typical cases of
Lissajous patterns for various frequency ratios and phase differences.
To measure the frequency of a sine-wave voltage, it is applied to one set of deflection plates (say
Y-plates). To the other set (say, X-plates) we apply a sine-wave voltage obtained from a standard
variable-frequency oscillator. The frequency of this oscillator is varied till a suitable stationary
pattern is obtained on the screen. Knowing this frequency, it is easy to determine the unknown
frequency.
In CROs available nowadays, the time base is calibrated. It is possible to display the
unknown voltage wave and to read its frequency directly.

Fig.1
Fig.2