Oscilloscopes display signal voltages as a function of time on a screen, measuring frequency and amplitude of an electrical signal. They have two types of units and basic features including a display screen, input connectors, and control knobs. They require additional training for special purpose units.
Oscilloscopes are electronic testing machines that are used to display signal voltages as a function of time on a screen. The screen provides a two-dimensional graph of electrical potential differences along the vertical axis and time or other voltage along the horizontal axis. These machines are also known as brooms or O-scopes and are among the most widely used electronic tools.
Used in medicine, engineering, telecommunications, science, and other technology-based industries, oscilloscopes are designed to measure the frequency and amplitude of an electrical signal. They provide a clear view of the exact waveform of the signal and show the distortion and timing of the waves for two related signals. A well-known tool, they are easy to use and understand for anyone who has studied electrical wave patterns.
There are two types of units: general purpose and special purpose. Electrical engineering and service technicians use the unit for general purposes to test and maintain electronic equipment. They are also used for complex experiments and tests. A special purpose unit can be used to display the waveform of a heartbeat, adjust settings on an automotive ignition system, or to provide information about the waveform of an electricity generator.
All oscilloscopes have the same basic features, including a display screen, various input connectors, control knobs, and buttons. There are portable battery units that can be carried in a backpack. Special scopes are usually attached to a rack or wheeled cart for easy transportation between locations.
Each unit has a grid etched into the screen surface. The purpose of the grid is to eliminate parallax errors, or differences in the orientation of an object based on different lines of sight. For example, if the oscilloscope screen is viewed from a standing position, looking at the output from above, the results will be different than if the screen is viewed directly.
Input connectors are usually coaxial plugs, binding posts or banana plugs. If the signal source or electrical device has a coaxial connector, the two units are connected with a basic coaxial cable. Otherwise, the oscilloscope probe is used.
This specialized cable is supplied with oscilloscopes and has a standard input resistance of 1 mega ohm. A high frequency drive provides the capacitance for a 50 ohm input. Special purpose units require additional training before they can be used in laboratory work, due to the complexity of the machine.
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