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 […]
Digital Oscilloscope
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 […]
Rigol oscilloscopes reach 13 GHz bandwidth
The DS8000 series features four 4-channel models with bandwidths from 6 GHz to 13 GHz. Rigol has introduced the DS8000 series of digital oscilloscopes. The series takes over as the company’s high-end line with four models topping out at 13 GHz of analog bandwidth. All models feature four analog channels, 40 Gsamples/s sample rate, 500 […]
Oscilloscope software automates automotive ASA-ML serial link tests
QPHY2-ASA software from Teledyne LeCroy lets you perform physical-layer tests on ASA-ML v1.1 devices. SerDes devices transfer data from sensors and cameras to an in-vehicle processing unit, which then sends instructions to the motion systems that drive autonomous vehicles. Teledyne LeCroy has released the QPHY2-ASA oscilloscope software, which automates testing of the Automotive Serdes Alliance […]
Understanding ADC specs and architectures: part 5
ENOB describes an analog-to-digital converter’s performance with respect to total noise and distortion. In the earlier parts of this series on analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), we looked at the basics (part 1); gain error, offset error, and differential nonlinearity (part 2); and integral nonlinearity (part 3); and then we looked at some ADC topologies and introduced […]
Review: Micsig TO3004 tablet oscilloscope
If you’re looking for a portable oscilloscope for field troubleshooting or for demonstrations, look at the Micsig TO series. Here’s my take on the four-channel 300 MHz variant, TO3004. The Micsig TO3004 oscilloscope (Figure 1) is an 8-bit, four-channel, tablet-sized portable oscilloscope that’s also available with 100 MHz and 200 MHz varieties with two or […]
APEC 2025 test equipment: oscilloscopes and probes
Oscilloscopes and probes play a vital role for engineers designing and testing power electronics. Delivering electrical power to analog and digital circuits and systems is more than just DC measurements. That’s because nearly all power-converter circuits use switching techniques to maximize efficiency. Silicon carbide (SiC and gallium nitride (GaN) transistors, with their higher voltage and […]
How to use convolution to implement filters: part 1
Convolution is used in a variety of signal-processing applications, including time-domain-waveform filtering. In a recent series on the inverse fast Fourier transform (FFT), we concluded with a mention of convolution and its application to filtering. Convolution Q: What is convolution? A: Convolution, denoted by * symbol, combines two functions to form a third function in […]
Tryout: Uni-T UPO1202 200 MHz oscilloscope
You need not spend a ton of money to get a feature-packed oscilloscope, provided you don’t need high bandwidth. While the oscilloscope works well, the free software needs help. After seeing the Uni-Trend (Uni-T) UTG962E Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator ($182), we at EE World bought one and, at the same time, ordered a UPO1202 200 MHz […]
Make the most of oscilloscope triggering: part 2
Advanced triggering techniques can help you track down elusive problems. In part 1 of this series, we investigated the fundamentals of the oscilloscope trigger function, including the simple edge trigger that originated with analog oscilloscopes. In this part, we look at additional triggers that help with troubleshooting. What are some other types of triggering? Advanced […]
