An oscilloscope is one of the most commonly used test instruments in electronics. But how much do you really know about its advanced features? Here are 12 essential functions that every engineer should be familiar with.
1. Protocol DecodingIn the past, oscilloscopes were just tools for displaying waveforms and measuring basic data. To understand the meaning behind a protocol signal, engineers had to manually analyze each bit, which was time-consuming, inefficient, and prone to errors.
For example, when observing an I²C protocol, you need to match the clock and data signals bit by bit, convert them into 0s and 1s, and then map them to the corresponding physical values. This process was not only tedious but also very error-prone.
Modern oscilloscopes can automatically decode waveform data and display it in hexadecimal, decimal, or character form. This eliminates the need for manual conversion and significantly speeds up the development process. For instance, with CAN protocol decoding, you can get the result in one step.
CAN protocol decoding under dual ZOOM
2. Network AnalyzerAccurate amplitude and phase measurements require extensive practice to avoid major errors. RF measurements often come with uncertainties, and small mistakes can go unnoticed. A network analyzer is designed to detect even the smallest discrepancies.
Network analyzers can be either scalar (amplitude-only) or vector (amplitude and phase). Scalar analyzers were once popular due to their simplicity and low cost, while vector analyzers offer better accuracy and more advanced measurement capabilities. With modern technology, vector network analyzers have become more affordable and widely used.
They work by sending a sinusoidal signal, usually swept across frequencies, and analyzing the response from the device under test (DUT). The transmitted and reflected signals vary with frequency, providing insight into the DUT's performance and any impedance mismatches.
The DUT’s response reveals its characteristics, such as how well it handles different frequencies. For example, a bandpass filter has high transmission within its passband and high reflection outside of it. Even slight deviations from the characteristic impedance can cause unwanted reflections, making accurate measurement crucial.
3. Watch Movies on a DVD DriveYou might be surprised to learn that a large oscilloscope screen can also be used for entertainment. While you can’t watch 3D videos yet, you can definitely play the latest movies—making your lab experience a bit more enjoyable.
4. FilteringMost oscilloscopes have a hardware filter that limits bandwidth to 20MHz. Some models also support software filters with adjustable cutoff frequencies. For example, the ZDS2024Plus allows continuous adjustment from 100Hz to 100MHz.
The TDS5000 offers both 20MHz and 150MHz low-pass filtering, along with a high-resolution acquisition mode that increases vertical resolution from 8 bits to 12 bits. This helps in capturing cleaner waveforms, especially for signals like PWM or sine waves that may vary in pulse width.
5. Broadband Radar TestingAgilent’s Infiniium oscilloscopes, combined with 89601 vector signal analysis software, form a powerful broadband radar analyzer capable of performing various radar measurements—from pulse parameters to RF/microwave angle analysis.
Key features include:
- Radar pulse parameter testing (rise time, pulse width, stability)
- Jitter and PLL analysis
- In-pulse initial phase testing
- Vector signal analysis
- I/Q channel conformance testing
- Broadband and online amplifier testing
With bandwidths ranging from 600MHz to 13GHz and sampling rates up to 40GSa/s, these oscilloscopes provide excellent performance for complex radar applications.
The signal enters via a cable or probe, goes through attenuation and amplification, and is digitized by the ADC. From there, it can be displayed directly, converted to I/Q format, or analyzed using FFT. These tools help in understanding radar signals and improving system performance.
6. Improve Vertical ResolutionMost oscilloscopes have 8-bit ADC resolution. However, by using averaging techniques, the vertical resolution can be increased. Theoretically, the improvement follows the formula 0.5Log2N, where N is the number of averaged samples.
In practice, memory depth and rounding errors limit this. A 16-bit system may only provide around 13 effective bits. Using high-resolution modes and oversampling can help achieve higher precision, improving signal clarity and measurement accuracy.
Improve vertical resolution
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