A continuous process of technical architecture modernization can help you prepare for any operating system’s inevitable demise. With the retirement of Windows 10, as described in part 1 of this series, users of the operating system to control test and measurement systems have a choice to make. In part 2, we looked at what steps […]
Make the most of oscilloscope triggering: part 1
Learning the basics of oscilloscope triggers can help you leverage advanced features. In an earlier series, we discussed how the oscilloscope has evolved over the past three-quarters of a century. We noted that the basic horizontal and vertical controls remain functionally similar, but today’s digital oscilloscopes offer many features, including waveform math functions, that go […]
Contending with Windows 10’s retirement: part 3
You can take several steps to ensure success when you upgrade to Windows 11. In part 1 of this series, we looked at the use of Windows to control test and measurement systems, and we considered the dilemma posed by the retirement of Windows 10 on October 14. In part 2, we looked at steps […]
Contending with Windows 10’s retirement: part 2
You may have good reasons to stay with Windows 10 for now, but be sure to take steps to maintain security. In part 1 of this series, we looked at the dilemma posed by the retirement of Windows 10 on October 14, with Microsoft ceasing to provide support or free security patches to customers, including […]
Contending with Windows 10’s retirement: part 1
The discontinuance of tech support and free security patches presents challenges to users of legacy Windows 10-based test-and-measurement systems. The test-and-measurement industry has long leveraged consumer technology to take advantage of economies of scale and lower costs. Consequently, it’s not uncommon to see sophisticated test and data-acquisition systems incorporating Windows computers. This approach works well […]
Getting the most from your oscilloscope: part 3
Built-in math operations enable your scope to calculate and display measurement results. In part 1 of this series, we looked at the features oscilloscopes have offered for the past three-quarters of a century. In part 2, we looked at some of the unique features of modern digital scopes. In this part, we’ll take a closer […]
Get the most from your oscilloscope: part 2
Modern scopes add a variety of new measurement and math features to the vertical, horizontal, and trigger controls used over a span of decades. In part 1 of this series, we looked at the features, such as the vertical, horizontal, and trigger controls that have appeared on oscilloscopes since the mid-20th century and that remain […]
Get the most from your oscilloscope: part 1
Oscilloscope technology has evolved from electromechanical assistance for hand-plotting to the development of full-featured automated digital instruments. The oscilloscope is an invaluable instrument that provides engineers with a picture of how signals inside their circuits behave. Today, they have evolved from analog versions, where the only option for long-term storage was to take a Polaroid […]
How to choose analog-signal-chain components: part 5
Transimpedance and transconductance op amps convert currents to voltages and voltages to currents. We concluded part 4 of this series with a look at the instrumentation amplifier. Like the other op-amps and filter circuits we have so far described, the instrumentation amp is a voltage-input, voltage-output device. Sometimes, however, we may need a current-input voltage-output […]
How to choose analog-signal-chain components: part 4
Op amps find use in second-order filters and instrumentation amplifiers. In part 3 of this series, we described using the op amp to build some single-pole filters. Q: How do we build higher-order filters? A: Figure 1 shows one approach to a low-pass filter using the Sallen-Key topology. With two capacitors, it’s a second-order filter. […]
