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Digital Storage Oscilloscopes

One of the most commonly used types of scope is the Digital Storage Oscilloscope, or DSO. A DSO samples and converts analog inputs to digital data, making it available for display, analysis and storage (hence the name) for further comparisons. As a DSO can measure signals such as voltage and current over time with accuracy, this is a great choice to help with debugging and general diagnostics to ensure your circuits and devices behave exactly as intended.

Mixed-Signal Oscilloscopes

Mixed-Signal Oscilloscopes, or MSOs, go one step further. They provide all the capabilities of a DSO, but add the option of connecting a logic analyzer. This lets you simultaneously input both analog and digital signals. These can then be displayed and aligned all on the same screen. If you need to monitor and test time-sensitive interactions between analog and digital signals, this instrument will help you do just that. In addition, it tends to be more user-friendly than a pure logic analyzer: If you have worked with a DSO before, it will not be that difficult to switch to an MSO.

Conclusion

Oscilloscopes are vital tools for a wide variety of industries, such as telecommunication, engineering and the sciences. Read our full Oscilloscope Basics Guide form our Knowledge Hub. A sturdy instrument can potentially serve you for many years, making it well worth the investment. Should high prices have so far deterred you from purchasing an oscilloscope or upgrading your current one, the Keysight Used Equipment Platform might be just the solution for you. Here, you can find high-quality instruments at significant discounts. Thanks to our ongoing trade-in program, we are continually adding more items to our inventory. Check our latest offers above.

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Manually Calculating Voltage Using an Oscilloscope

The most basic way of calculating voltage is to then count divisions from top to bottom and multiply this by the volts/division (y-axis scale) displayed on the screen. With the majority of oscilloscopes, however, such manual calculations will be unnecessary.

The Easy Way of Calculating Voltage with your Oscilloscope

Simply choose the “measure” button or touch screen option and select “peak-to-peak voltage”. Alternatively, mark two points with the screen cursors to measure their difference. Some scopes even feature a fully integrated digital volt meter (DVM). With an MSO, you will be able to not only measure analog signals parameters such as voltage over time, but can also verify concurrent digital signal integrity simultaneously. Although triggering works very differently for digital and analog signals, your MSO will de-skew and synchronize them, allowing for accurate and easy measurements. It really provides almost all the functions of a logic analyzer with much greater ease of use and versatility.

Performing a Logic Circuit Test

On top of measuring voltage on your analog signal as described above, you can also use your MSO to measure the digital signal and perform a logic circuit test.

1. Connect two oscilloscope probes to Channel 1 and Channel 2 and press the “Auto” key.
2. Use the display controls to center both waveforms on the screen in order to show their intersections and a complete cycle.
3. At the intersections of the waveforms, use the cursor to measure the voltage, i.e. the low and high voltage flips, then also record the logic output level, i.e. the logic high and logic low.

More on Oscilloscopes: How to use an Oscilloscope – The Oscilloscopes Basics Guide.

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Read more in our Oscilloscope Basics Guide.

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The primary function of a scope is to measure waveforms of electrical signals. Engineers use them for troubleshooting circuits, testing equipment performance, and understanding electronic circuit behavior. Oscilloscope probes are connected to the circuit being tested so the scope displays voltages on its display screen. The user then adjusts controls to display signal amplitude and offset to observe the waveforms. The waveforms can then be recorded for future reference.

Engineers in many fields can benefit from the use of a scope. Non-engineers, such as technicians, electricians, and researchers, can also benefit from using an oscilloscope.

For example:

• An engineer who needs to understand what's happening in the circuit they are working on

• A technician who needs to troubleshoot equipment performance

• A student who wants to learn more about circuits

One of the most common measurements made with a scope is current. Current is simply the measurement of the flow of electricity through a circuit or conductor, measured in amps. Since it's essential to understand how much current is being used in circuits, whether for safety reasons or power usage analysis, this measurement can help determine if something is malfunctioning.

There are three types of current:

• High current (hundreds to thousands of amps)

• Low current (microamp to amp)

• In-between (10 milliamps to 30 amps).

Manual measurements, such as the Ohm's Law Method, can be used to measure current using your scope, but this can be inaccurate and difficult to document. A more efficient way to test current is using a current probe attached to your scope. You will observe your measurement in amps directly on your screen with no calculations required. Different types of current probes can be used with our premium used oscilloscopes.

For a quick and easy explanation of how to measure current with your oscilloscope, check out this video.