Specifications

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ABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 4
So what exactly is an oscilloscope? ....................................................................................... 4
Signals ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Frequency measurements ..................................................................................................... 7
Amplitude measurements ...................................................................................................... 8
Non-sinusoidal waveforms ................................................................................................... 10
Analog oscilloscopes ................................................................................................................ 11
Analog scope controls ........................................................................................................... 11
Theory of operation .............................................................................................................. 13
Cathode ray tube (CRT) ................................................................................................... 13
Vertical circuits ................................................................................................................. 14
Horizontal and trigger circuits ........................................................................................... 15
Graticule ........................................................................................................................... 16
Delayed sweep ................................................................................................................. 17
Operation of an analog scope .............................................................................................. 18
Vertical coupling ............................................................................................................... 19
Variable adjustments ........................................................................................................ 19
Trigger controls ................................................................................................................. 19
Slow waveforms ............................................................................................................... 20
XY display mode ............................................................................................................... 20
Component test ................................................................................................................ 21
Digital oscilloscopes ................................................................................................................ 23
Digital scope controls ........................................................................................................... 23
Other types of digital oscilloscopes ...................................................................................... 28
Mixed signal oscilloscope (MSO)...................................................................................... 28
USB oscilloscope.............................................................................................................. 28
Handheld oscilloscopes .................................................................................................... 28
Theory of operation .............................................................................................................. 29
Sampling .......................................................................................................................... 30
Dead time ......................................................................................................................... 33
Operation and features ........................................................................................................ 34
The AUTO button .............................................................................................................. 35
Quick help ........................................................................................................................ 35