Electronics 1 Experiment 1: Oscilloscope Measurements Materials: Oscilloscope, multimeter, function generator, power supply Basically, an oscilloscope is a measuring instrument

that displays a voltage vs. time graph of an input signal. Many different models are commercially available, from basic to extremely advanced. Although controls differ from model to model, all models have certain controls in common, which are briefly described below. As with any graph, we are free to select the origin and the range along the vertical and horizontal axes. The following controls let us do this: Vertical axis. Voltage is displayed in the vertical direction. Vertical Position. Moves the entire display up or down. Vertical Gain Discrete: Sets vertical amplifier gain to fixed values in volts/cm Variable: Adjusts the vertical amplifier gain in a continuous manner. Set to maximum or CAL when making measurements. Input: AC, Ground, DC AC: Input passes through a capacitor, removing any constant voltage. Ground: Input signal disconnected from vertical amplifier. DC: Input signal connected directly to vertical amplifier. Dual Channel. If the oscilloscope is a dual channel model, two separate traces may be displayed. In this case, there are two sets of vertical controls, for channel A and B, along with a selection for A, B, Both, A+B, A-B. Horizontal axis. Time is displayed along the horizontal axis. Horizontal Position. Moves the entire display left or right. Horizontal Time Base. Discrete: Sets horizontal sweep speed in mSec/cm or Sec/cm Variable: Adjusts sweep speed in a continuous manner; Set to maximum or CAL when making measurements Triggering. Determines when the horizontal sweep begins. Mode Auto: Trace visible even if no input signal. Normal: Trace begins, depending on Trigger Source. Trigger source. Channel A, Channel B, Line Voltage, External source Trigger character Signal Level: + or -: Sweeps starts if input greater than or less than some selected value Signal Slope: + or -: Sweeps starts if signal is increasing or decreasing Trace controls Brightness. Sets intensity level of trace.

Focus. Makes trace sharp or fuzzy. Rotation. Makes trace horizontal (Earths magnetic field can tip trace) Test Point. Reference signal, 1000Hz square wave, 1.0 volt, peak-to-peak. PROCEDURE: 1. With the oscilloscope model you are using, identify and adjust each of the controls noted above. 2. DC Voltage Measurements. Set the vertical gain to 1.0 volt/cm, and the input to DC. Move the trace to the bottom line of the screen. Connect the power supply to the input and vary this input from 2.0 to 10.0 volts steps, as measured from the oscilloscope screen. Also with the digital multimeter, measure and record the minimum and maximum voltages that correspond to the same voltage level as viewed on the oscilloscope screen. This is an indication of the precision of the oscilloscope measurement. (Current may be measured simply by passing it through a known resistor, measuring the voltage drop, and applying Ohms Law.) 3. AC Voltage Measurement. Set the vertical gain to 2.0 volt/cm, and the input to AC. Set the function to 500Hz, sine wave and connect this, in parallel with the mutimeter, to the oscilloscope input. Vary the function generator output from 2.0 to 16.0 volts, peak-to-peak, in 2.0 volt steps. Record the oscilloscope peak-topeak reading and the AC multimeter RMS readings and calculate Vp=p(2-3/2) and %-difference (200% x |A-B|/(A+B)) AC multimeters normally have poor high-frequency response. Repeat the above measurements for 5,000 Hz and 50,000 Hz, and note any differences. 4. Time Base Measurements. Set the function generator to square wave and the time base variable to CAL. Use the following settings to compare accuracy of the sweep speed. Sweep Speed Function Generator 10 mSec/cm 50.0 Hz 1 mSec/cm 500 Hz 100 Sec/cm 5000 Hz 10 Sec/cm 50.0 kHz 5. Triggering. Set the oscilloscope time base to 1 mSec/cm and CAL. Set the function generator to 500 Hz, sine wave, and adjust amplitude display to 8.0 Vp-p. The display should appear as shown. Adjust the Trigger Level and Slope as shown, and record the screen display. Level Slope 0V +2.0 V + - 2.0 V + -2.0 V -

Electronics 1 Data Sheet OSCILLOSCOPE MEASUREMENTS Group Number: 1 DC Voltage Measurement Oscilloscope Setting

Experiment 1

Date: February 14, 2011 Multimeter Minimum Multimeter Maximum

AC Voltage Measurement 500 Hz Vp-p

VRMS

Vp-p (2-3/2)

%-Diff

5.00 kHz Vp-p

VRMS

Vp-p (2-3/2)

%-Diff

50.0 kHz Vp-p

VRMS

Vp-p (2-3/2)

%-Diff

Time Base Measurements Sweep Speed 10 mSec/cm 1 mSec/cm 100 Sec/cm 10 Sec/cm

Function Generator 50.0 Hz 500 Hz 5000 Hz 50.0 kHz

Over/Under

5,000 Hz 50.0 kHz

Triggering. Sketch oscilloscope display