At one time, oscilloscope users estimated waveform metrics by counting divisions and ticks in the graticule, a physical overlay affixed to the display. In the contemporary flat screen oscilloscope, the graticule is an electronic artifact that is part of the display. Its intensity can be varied or turned down to 0% so that it disappears. […]
FAQ
Characterizing sinusoidal signals with equations
Mathematics is the language we use to understand and communicate our knowledge about electrical relationships. It is easy to get overwhelmed by some of the complexity involved. The best approach is to begin at the most fundamental level and take it from there. Consider the realm of sinusoidal signals. First, a definition: A sinusoidal signal […]
Measuring inductance
Any conductive body has a certain finite inductance. This inductance is an intrinsic property of a conductive body and it is always the same, regardless of whether that conductor or device is energized in an electrical circuit or sitting on a shelf in a warehouse. The inductance of a straight wire segment can be greatly […]
Basics of measuring self capacitance
We ordinarily think of capacitance as a property of a device consisting of two conductive plates with terminals or leads, separated by an electrolytic layer. There is also unintended or parasitic capacitance, where two conductive bodies take the form of a capacitor and exhibit similar properties. An example of this is the atmospheric situation preceding […]
Using an oscilloscope to find an unknown capacitance
Usually a capacitor’s value in microfarads or picofarads is printed on its housing or there is a color code there. But sometimes we need to measure the amount of capacitance. For example, an electrolytic capacitor may lose capacitance over time (and exhibit more series resistance as well). In critical applications, this effect can be catastrophic. […]
Basics of LC oscillators and their measurement
Capacitors and inductors can be combined to create resonant circuits, which have pronounced frequency characteristics. The amount of capacitance and inductance of these devices determine both the resonant frequency and the sharpness of the response curve (known as Q) that these circuits exhibit. If the capacitance and inductance are in parallel, at resonance the parallel […]
Waveforms in oscilloscopes and elsewhere
Waveforms are patterns of signals that propagate through a medium such as water or air, or in the case of electromagnetic radiation, through empty space with no apparent material medium. (It is still not known how this is possible.) Electrical current, of course, can also propagate as a waveform. We call these patterns “waves” because […]
How to display histograms on oscilloscopes
Histograms are used to display graphically continuous variables. They are relevant in many areas including digital photography, census data, actuarial statistics and, as we shall see, signal measurements in an oscilloscope. In digital photography, an image histogram is a graphical representation of the tonal distribution. The graph depicts the number of pixels for each tonal […]
MIL-STD 1553 bus: Making measurements and connections
MIL-STD-1553 was first used by the US Air Force in 1973 to define a serial data bus for military aircraft, notably the F-16 Fighter. It soon began to be a means of moving data in many other US military jets, as well as in domestic and foreign avionics, showing up even in the Russian MIG-35. […]
Measuring the Universal Serial Bus (USB)
The average person on the street, computer literate since childhood, is familiar with the look and feel of a USB cable and is generally aware of the difference between types A and B plugs that go into host and peripheral ports respectively. It is also common knowledge that specialized cables with mini and micro plugs […]
