Oscilloscopes translate an electronic signal into a pattern or waveform on a screen. As it is traced across the screen, the waveform creates a signature of the signal's characteristics. Specifications for oscilloscopes include bandwidth, number of input channels, number of trigger inputs, and resolution. Bandwidth is the frequency range over which oscilloscopes meet their accuracy specifications. Accuracy degrades at lower and lower frequencies unless the oscilloscope is capable of direct current (DC) response. Accuracy also degrades at higher frequencies near resonance and beyond, causing the output response to roll off. The number of input channels is the number of possible, simultaneous signal measurements.
Oscilloscopes provide many different features. Some devices have a relay or switch output for limit detection or other state signalling. Others are powered by a replaceable or rechargeable battery, or are designed to be used while held in one hand. Oscilloscopes that are rated for high-power applications can monitor and/or display currents and voltages associated with electrical power or high-power switching.
Oscilloscopes provide many different features. Some devices have a relay or switch output for limit detection or other state signalling. Others are powered by a replaceable or rechargeable battery, or are designed to be used while held in one hand. Oscilloscopes that are rated for high-power applications can monitor and/or display currents and voltages associated with electrical power or high-power switching.
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Last Updated: June 16, 2007
Last Updated: June 16, 2007
What is a Oscilloscope?
Typically, these currents and voltages are much higher that standard sensor signal levels. In terms of storage capacity, oscilloscopes can include a hard drive, nonvolatile memory, or on-board random access memory (RAM). Removable storage media devices such as tapes, diskettes, and PCMCIA cards are also available.
Although most people think of an oscilloscope as a self-contained instrument in a box, a new type of "oscilloscope" is emerging that consists of an external analogue-to-digital converter (sometimes with its own memory and perhaps even some data-processing ability) connected to a PC that provides the display, control interface, disc storage, networking and often the electrical power. The viability of these so-called PC-based oscilloscopes depends on the current widespread use and low cost of standardised PCs. This makes the instruments particularly suitable for the educational market, where PCs are commonplace but equipment budgets are often low.
The advantages of PC-based oscilloscopes include:
Lower cost (assuming the user already owns a PC).
Easy exporting of data to standard PC software such as spreadsheets and word processors.
Ability to control the instrument by running a custom program on the PC.
Use of the PC's networking and disc storage functions, which cost extra when added to a self-contained oscilloscope.
PC's typically have larger and higher resolution color displays which can be easier to read. Color can be utilized to diffentiate waveforms. It can also show increased information including more of the waveform or extras like automatic waveform measurements and simultaneous alternative views.
Easier portability when used with a laptop PC.
There are also some disadvantages, which include:
Need for the owner to install oscilloscope software on the PC.
Time taken for the PC to boot, compared with the almost instant start-up of a self-contained oscilloscope (although, as some modern oscilloscopes are actually PCs or similar machines in disguise, this distinction is narrowing).
Reduced portability when used with a desktop PC.
Inconvenience of using part of the PC's screen for the oscilloscope display.
The distinction is becoming increasingly blurred, however, as mainstream oscilloscope vendors such as Tektronix convert their product line over to large-screen, PC-based oscilloscopes as well, albeit PCs equipped with very fast (multi-GHz) input digitizers and highly-customized human interfaces.
Although most people think of an oscilloscope as a self-contained instrument in a box, a new type of "oscilloscope" is emerging that consists of an external analogue-to-digital converter (sometimes with its own memory and perhaps even some data-processing ability) connected to a PC that provides the display, control interface, disc storage, networking and often the electrical power. The viability of these so-called PC-based oscilloscopes depends on the current widespread use and low cost of standardised PCs. This makes the instruments particularly suitable for the educational market, where PCs are commonplace but equipment budgets are often low.
The advantages of PC-based oscilloscopes include:
Lower cost (assuming the user already owns a PC).
Easy exporting of data to standard PC software such as spreadsheets and word processors.
Ability to control the instrument by running a custom program on the PC.
Use of the PC's networking and disc storage functions, which cost extra when added to a self-contained oscilloscope.
PC's typically have larger and higher resolution color displays which can be easier to read. Color can be utilized to diffentiate waveforms. It can also show increased information including more of the waveform or extras like automatic waveform measurements and simultaneous alternative views.
Easier portability when used with a laptop PC.
There are also some disadvantages, which include:
Need for the owner to install oscilloscope software on the PC.
Time taken for the PC to boot, compared with the almost instant start-up of a self-contained oscilloscope (although, as some modern oscilloscopes are actually PCs or similar machines in disguise, this distinction is narrowing).
Reduced portability when used with a desktop PC.
Inconvenience of using part of the PC's screen for the oscilloscope display.
The distinction is becoming increasingly blurred, however, as mainstream oscilloscope vendors such as Tektronix convert their product line over to large-screen, PC-based oscilloscopes as well, albeit PCs equipped with very fast (multi-GHz) input digitizers and highly-customized human interfaces.
