FPEXP2-01

OSCILLOSCOPE AND APPLICATIONS

I. OBJECTIVES
The primary purpose of this experiment is for you to become familiar with how to
operate an oscilloscope, and then, how to use it in various applications.
You will learn to display various electrical signals and to measure such quantities
as voltage, time, frequency, and phase.
II. THEORY
1. The function of an oscilloscope:
An oscilloscope is a laboratory instrument commonly used to display and analyze
the waveform of electronic signals. In effect, the device draws a graph of the
instantaneous signal voltage as a function of time.
2. Operations of Cathode ray tube (CRT) and oscilloscope.
The basic constituent of an oscilloscope is the cathode ray tube (CRT) as shown in
Figure 1. This highly evacuated tube contains an electron gun, two sets of deflection
plates (X-plates, Y-plates), and a fluorescent screen at the enlarged end. The purpose of
the gun is to produce an electron beam by evaporating electrons of the cathode and
focusing them into a narrow stream. The electrons are accelerated to a high velocity and
strike the fluorescent screen, leaving a bright spot where they hit. The electron beam
traces out a pattern on the screen - depending on the potential difference across the plates.

Bright spot on
screen where
electrons hit

Vertical
Heater deflection plates
current

Cathode Anode
Horizontal
deflection plates
Path of electrons Florescent Screen

Figure 1. Internal structure of CRT.

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 When both applied waveforms are sinusoidal, the resulting Lissajous pattern may
take many forms depending on the frequency ratio and phase difference between the
waveforms. Figure 2 shows Lissajous patterns for sinusoids of the same frequency, but
varying phase relationships.
00 450 900 1350 1800

Fig.2. The Lissajous patterns are from sinusoids of varying frequency and phase
relationships.
To determine the frequency ratio, draw horizontal and vertical lines through the
center of the pattern as shown in Figure 3. The ratio of the number of horizontal axis
crossings to the number of vertical axis crossings determines the frequency ratio. This
ratio is given as
f୶ number of vertical axis crossings n୷
= = (1)
f୷ number of horizontal axis crossings n୶
where fx and fy are the frequencies of the two waveforms.
For example, in Fig.3 the frequency ratio would be
f୶ number of vertical axis crossings 6
= = =3
f୷ number of horizontal axis crossings 2
Thus
f୶ = 3f୷
If one of the input waveforms is completely known the
frequency, the unknown waveform frequency is calculated by (1). Figure 3
III. PROCESDURES.
1. Apparatus.
The apparatus of this experiment are shown in table 1.

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 Table 1. Apparatus and materials for experiment
Equipment Quantity
Oscilloscope, two channels 1
Standard function generator 1
Function generator
generator, needed determine the 1
frequency and the voltage
Some resistors
Some capacitors

2. Learn function of some switches on the oscilloscope

a. Figure 4 shows the front panel of oscilloscope

oscilloscope:

Figure 4. Front panel of oscilloscope

1. POWER: POWER button - depress to turn on the oscilloscope

2. POWER LED: Lights when oscilloscope is “on”.
3. TRACE ROTATION: Adjust to maintain trace at a horizontal position.
4. INTEN: Intensity. Adjust the brightness of the trace until you can just
see all the details of the waveform. If the trace is too bright, your eyes will get very tired.
t
NOTE: Too bright a beam can damage to the CRT tube!
5. FOCUS: Rotate this button until the trace is sharp.
6. CAL (0,5V-1kHz): Provides 0,5V – 1 kHz square wave signal. This signal is
useful for checking vertical calibration.
7. Y- POSITION: to vertically move the trace of one channel or the other.
8. INV: Invert the phase of CH2 signal by 180o.
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 9. VOLTS/DIV: Sets the vertical scale for each channel’s trace. The small
button provides a fine adjustment.
10. AC/DC/GND: Selects the coupling mode of that channel’s display. AC means
that only the alternating portion of the signal is displayed. DC will display both the
alternating portion of the signal, plus any DC component. GND shows the 0 V reference
level.
11.CH1-X: input for the X-channel.
12. CH2-Y: input for the Y-channel.
13. MODE [CH1, CH2, Dual, ADD ]:
Selects which channels are displayed on the screen: CH1,
CH2 or BOTH. ADD graphically adds the Channel CH1
signal to the Channel CH2 signal.
14. x10 MAG: Selects ten times period magnification.
15. X-POSITION: horizontal position control.
16. TIME/DIV: Provides step selection of sweep rate for delayed sweep time
base. This control has 23 steps from 0.2 µs/DIV to 0.5
s/DIV.
17. VARIABLE: Allows selection of a sweep not given on the TIME/DIV.
18. TRIGGER LEVEL: This sets an internal voltage which is compared to the
voltage of the input signal. When the input signal voltage equals the trigger voltage, the
oscilloscope triggers. If you get an image that seems to be a superposition of many
waves, turn the level knob back and forth slowly until you get a stable image.
19. TRIGGER SOURCE:
The trigger-source switches select which signal the oscilloscope will attempt to lock
onto. Possible choices include CH1, CH2, VERT MODE, or EXTERNAL. Selecting
CH1 or CH2 will make the oscilloscope attempt to trigger on those channels. If no input
is available on that channel, there may be problems when attempting to view both
channels simultaneously. For this reason, it is recommended that this switch be left on
VERT MODE, which provides an automatic trigger on either CH1 or CH2.
20. SLOPE: If this switch is in the + position, the trace will start on a
portion of the signal which has a positive slope. If the switch is in the - position, the
trace will start on a portion of the signal with a negative slope

The Probe

An oscilloscope is only good if you can actually connect it to a signal, and for that
you need probes. Probes are single-input devices that route a signal from your circuit to
the scope. They have a sharp tip which probes into a point on your circuit. The tip can
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also be equipped with hooks, tweezers or clips to make latching onto a circuit easier.
Every probe also includes a ground clip, which should be secured safely to a common
ground point on the circuit under test.

Figure 5. The Probe

Most probes have a 9MΩ resistor for attenuating, which, when combined with a
standard 1MΩ input impedance on a scope, creates a 1/10 voltage divider. These probes
are commonly called 10X attenuated probes. Many probes include a switch to select
between 10X and 1X (no attenuation).
Attenuated probes are great for improving accuracy at high frequencies, but they
will also reduce the amplitude of your signal. If you’re trying to measure a very low-
voltage signal, you may have to go with a 1X probe.
b. When working directly with the oscilloscope, you should study by following steps:
* Step 1. Preliminary Set-up.
+ Set these switches to the middle:
FOCUS INTEN CH1-POSITION CH2-POSITION
Y-POSITION TRIG-LEVEl
+ Set these switches:
MODE set to CH1.
NORM INV at ALT.
AC - GND - DC at CH1 and CH2 at AC position.
TRIG. SLOPE at (+) position.
VOLT/DIV of CH1 and CH2 at position 0.5 V.
TIME/DIV at 0,2 ms scale.
* Step 2. Turn on the oscilloscope by POWER switch.
* Step 3. Work with the standard generator.
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 + Set AMPLITUDE switch to the middle.
+ Set WAVE FORM switch to the sin wave form.
* Step 4. Learn the function of various switches.
+ Connect the probe to the CH1 of the CRO to the function generator and switch it
on.
+ Adjust gently following switches and then return them to the initial position.
Observe the changes of the signal on the screen of oscilloscope:
FOCUS INTEN
MODE
CH1V - POSITION CH2V-POSITION
Y-POSITION TRIGLEVEL
Determine the effect of these switches and write in the report.
+ Do the same with CH2 channel.
* Step 5. Comment:
+ Which switches are used only for CH1 channel, for CH2 channel?
+ Which switches are used for both CH1, CH2 channel?
+ When is the signal on screen not sharp, not stable? how to fix it?
3. Using the oscilloscope to determine waveform parameters.
a. Determine the frequency by Lissajous method.
+ Use two generators: Connect the standard generator (you know its frequency)
output to the horizontal (CH1) oscilloscope input. Connect the generator (needed to
determine the frequency) output to the vertical oscilloscope input (CH2) as shown in the
figure 6.

Standard Function
generator Oscilloscope generator

CH1 CH2

+ Set TIME/DIV switch at X-Y position.

+ Change the frequency of the standard function generator so that the Lissajou
pattern appears on the oscilloscope screen with frequency ratio n = 1/1.
+ Continue to change the frequency of the standard function generator to obtain the
different Lissajou pattern with frequency ratio n = 1/2; 1/3; 2/1. Write your results in the
table:

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 N fs fy fy
1/1
1/2
1/3
2/1

b. Voltage measurements.
Voltage is the amount of electric potential, expressed in volts, between two points in
a circuit. Usually one of these points is ground (zero volts) but not always. Voltages can
also be measured from peak-to-peak – from the maximum point of a signal to its
minimum point. You must be careful to specify which voltage you mean
voltage peak to peak
voltage peak =
2
voltage peak
root mean square voltage =
√2
Voltage measurements are made by counting the number of division and then
multiplying this number by the sensitivity setting.
+ Use CH1 to measure this quantity.
Step 1: Set the probe to × 1 position.
Step 2: Normalization of the amplification factor for oscilloscope.
The oscilloscope has a reference signal 0.5V - 1KHz.
If you set VOL/DIV at sensitivity 0,5V, each vertical division is equal to 0.5 V.
Because voltage peak to peak of the reference signal is of 0.5 V, you must adjust CH1-
VARIABLE (small knob on top) so that the height of the signal is in division and the
value of a division is 1V (because 0.5: 0.5 = 1).
If you set VOL/DIV at 0,1V, the reference signal appears on the screen between 5
divisions (because 0.5 : 0.1 = 5).
The above steps have normalized the amplification factor for CH1. Henceforth,
do not turn VARIABLE switch.
Step 3. Voltage measurement.
+ Set VOL/DIV at maximum division 5V.
+ Connect the signal to be measured to the input CH1 channel.
+ Adjust so that the signal on screen appears stability.
Step 4. Read the number of divisions of voltage peak to peak on the oscilloscope.
The measurement is summarized by following equations.
Voltage peak to peak = Number of division × sensitivity VOL/DIV.
Step5.

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 Set VOL/DIV switch at different sensitivity – read the equivalent number of
division and write your results in the table:
Sensitivity Number of DIV Peak voltage U0 U0

c. Measurement of Phase Difference

Step 1. Connect a capacitor C and resistor R in series as shown in Figure 7.
Connect VR to the CH1 input and VC to the CH2 input of the oscilloscope.

DĐK
R
MF
AT
C

Figure 7. R-C Circuit

Step 2. Adjust the output of the generator to a sine wave with frequency about a
few hundred hz.
Step 3. Display both signals on the screen at the same time by selecting the DUAL
position on the MODE display switch.
Step 4. Use VOLTS/DIV switch of CH1 & CH2 to set the high of two signals in
about 4 Div.
Step 5. If two signals have the same frequency but different phase, the two waves
will be separated from each other by a phase difference ∆ϕ which can be measured using
the time base of the oscilloscope as shown in Figure 8.

V ∆t

t
T

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Figure 8. Phase difference
 Step 6. ∆ϕ can be determined using
∆t
∆φ = × 360୭
T
Step 7. Repeat measurement of the phase difference ∆ϕ with some values of time
T. Compare your measured results to theoretically predicted values of ∆ϕ for an RC
circuit.
IV. QUESTIONS
1. The phase difference between the two ends of the capacitor voltage and resistor
voltage in the RC series agrees with theory or not? Why?
2. The phase difference between the two ends of the inductor voltage and resistor
voltage in the RL series agrees with theory or not? Why?
3. How to determine the phase difference between the current and potential
difference of an element in the circuit?
4. A square wave is shown in figure 9. AA = 5DIV and BB = 3DIV. Votls/DIV
switch is at 2V position and Time/DIV is at 1ms position. Determine the peak to peak
voltage and the frequency of this signal.

Figure 9 Figure 10
5. A sin wave is shown in figure 10. AA = 6DIV and BB = 8DIV. Votls/DIV switch is
at 1V position and Time/DIV switch is at 5ms position. Identify the peak to peak voltage
and the frequency of this signal.
6. Beyond Lissajou method, introduce another method to determine frequency of a
signal using oscilloscope?

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