Learn what oscilloscopes are used for
Oscilloscopes are a throw in ofessential equipment used in electronics laboratoriesforPCB troubleshooting.
Learn more about what an oscilloscope is used for and the different types of oscilloscopes.
Since digital oscilloscopes can miss some transient signals, analog oscilloscopes are still prized for transient troubleshooting applications.
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However, high-end digital phosphor oscilloscopes can provide similar capabilities.
Storage capabilities allow the waveform to display for extended periods of time rather than decay immediately.
Where analog oscilloscopes come into their own is in dealing with analog signals and transient effects.
This process allows transients to stand out as well.
Analog oscilloscopes offer a better dynamic range than digital oscilloscopes.
These don’t suffer from aliasing problems, which can cause false readings.
Analog oscilloscopes are generally more affordable than digital oscilloscopes and are a great option for beginners and hobbyists.
Analog oscilloscopes that can also handle low-speed digital signals are especially ideal for audio and analog video work.
Digital Oscilloscopes
Digital oscilloscopes are available in many types.
Two key factors determine the performance of a digital oscilloscope: sampling rate andbandwidth.
An oscilloscope’s sampling rate limits its ability to capture transient, one-time events.
The bandwidth of an oscilloscope limits the frequency of repetitive signals that can be displayed.
Digital Storage Oscilloscopes
Most digital oscilloscopes are digital storage oscilloscopes.
These have permanent storage for recording signals and can be offloaded to other media for storage and analysis.
Digital storage oscilloscopes are the workhorses of real-world digital design where four or more signals are analyzed simultaneously.
Digital phosphor oscilloscopes are similar to analog oscilloscopes in displaying the intensity of a signal.
Like an analog oscilloscope, a digital phosphor scope can reveal transients by displaying the intensity level.
However, it can miss transients that happen outside of the data capture window and its update rate.
Digital phosphor oscilloscopes combine the features of digital storage oscilloscopes and analog oscilloscope technology.
Typically, mixed signal oscilloscopes have two or four analog input channels and around 16 digital input channels.
Digital sampling oscilloscopes only work on repetitive signals and will not help capture transients beyond the normal sampling rate.
These typically contain two inputs and have limited sampling rates and bandwidth.
Computer-Based Oscilloscopes
Computer-based oscilloscopes are small, external devices that connect to a computer throughUSB.
These types of oscilloscopes have seen significant improvements in sampling rates and bandwidth over the years.
Some computer-based oscilloscopes have the same capabilities as low-end digital storage oscilloscopes for only a few hundred dollars.
These are a great option for hobbyists looking for an oscilloscope.
