Experiment #1 : Oscilloscope Measurements (Simulation)

Objective:
To be familiar with the use of Oscilloscope for measurements.

Materials:
Oscilloscope, multimeter, function generator, power supply (available in MultiSim)

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 the
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: (Perform using MultiSim simulation)

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 selector 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 - : Sweep starts if input greater than or less
than some selected value
Signal Slope: + or - : Sweep 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 (earth’s magnetic field can tip trace)

Test point: Reference signal, 1000 Hz square wave, 1.0 volt, peak-to-
peak

Procedure:

1: With the oscilloscope model in multisim you are using, identify and adjust
each of the controls noted above.
2: DC Voltage Measurement: 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, in 1.0
volt steps, as measured from the oscilloscope screen. Also with a digital
multimeter measure and record the minimum and maximum input 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 Ohm’s law.)
3: AC Voltage Measurement: Set the vertical gain to 2.0 volt/cm, and the
input to AC. Set the function to 500 Hz, sine wave and connect this, in
parallel with the multimeter, 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-to-peak readings 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 μSec / cm 5,000 Hz
10 μSec / 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 –
+2.0V +
–2.0V +
–2.0V –
Data Sheet:
DC Voltage Measurement:
Oscilloscope Multimeter Multimeter
Setting Minimum Maximum
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0

AC Voltage Measurement

500 Hz 5.00 kHz

Vp-p VRMS Vp-p (2) -3/2 %-Diff Vp-p VRMS Vp-p (2) -3/2 %-Diff
2.0 2.0
4.0 4.0
6.0 6.0
8.0 8.0
10.0 10.0
12.0 12.0
14.0 14.0
16.0 16.0

50.0 kHz
Vp-p VRMS Vp-p (2) -3/2 %-Diff
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
Time Base Measurements:
Sweep speed Function Generator Over / Under
10 mSec / cm 50.0 Hz
1 mSec / cm 500 Hz
100 μSec / cm 5.0 kHz
10 μSec / cm 50.0 kHz
5,000 Hz
50.0 kHz

Triggering: Sketch oscilloscope display

Level = 0 Slope = negative Level = +2.0 Slope = positive

Level = -2.0 Slope = positive Level = -2.0 Slope = negative