UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering & Computer Science

Electronics Lab

Digital Oscilloscope Measurements

Note: Words shown below in italics and underlined (both) are front panel keys.

Words in boldface only are softkeys.

For all measurements, first adjust the display to show at least one full cycle of the waveform.

Frequency

Press Time

A softkey menu appears with 6 softkey choices.

Toggle the Source softkey to select a channel for the frequency measurement.

Press the Freq softkey.

The oscilloscope automatically measures the frequency and displays the result on the lower line of the display. The number in parentheses after the word Freq is the number of the channel that the oscilloscope used for the measurement.

Period

Same as above except choose Period rather than Freq.

Pulse Width

Press Time

A softkey menu appears with 6 softkey choices.

Press the Next Menu softkey.

Press the +Width softkey or the -Width softkey to measure the period of the high or low parts of the waveform respectively. The Time/Div knob must be set so that at least one full cycle of the waveform appears on the screen. So, e.g., if the pulse is 10 s, the Time/Div knob must be at least 2s/div.

Rise Time and Fall Time

Press Main/Delayed

Press the Delayed softkey. At this point the screen splits into two parts, with the upper part being the original waveform and the lower part being a segment of the top waveform expanded in time. The part of the top waveform that is being expanded is shown by vertical bars. That region may be moved by the use of the Delay knob and expanded or contracted by the Time/Div knob. Use those knobs to expand the bottom display to show a clear indication of the rise time part of the waveform.

Press Time.

Press Next Menu.

Press RiseTime and read the answer at the bottom of the menu.

Press Slope/ Coupling.

Press the negative going (down arrow ) softkey.

Press Time.

Press Next Menu.

Press FallTime and read the answer at the bottom of the menu.