Introduction/Analog and Digital Oscilloscopes

A measurement is made in order to quantify some parameter of interest.

Why?
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

General Measurement System

Stage 1: Sensor-Transducer Stage

Stage 2: Signal Conditioning Stage

Stage 3: Readout or Output Stage

Thermometer

Figliola and Beasley, 2006

Tire Gauge

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/pressuregauge4.htm

The output of any device can be either analog or digital. What is it for these
two examples? What is the difference between the analog and digital?

T = period
f = cyclic frequency
= angular frequency
VP = Peak voltage
VP-P = Peak to peak voltage

VRMS = Root-mean-square voltage

How does a digital oscilloscope scope work?

- Captures analog signal (samples and hold once every T seconds)
- Converts to digital (A/D)
- Stores in memory
- Converts back to analog (D/A)
- Sends new analog voltage to display
Advantages of a digital oscilloscope
- Data is stored
- Calculations can be made (t, V, max, min, area under curve, etc.)
- Can store past events

Input signals can be characterized by their time dependence

1) Static - use a digital multimeter

2) Dynamic (varying in time)

a) Steady state periodic
b) Non-repetitive (transient)

EXAMPLE 1
Suppose we have a 3-bit A/D converter for 0-10 V signal. Determine voltage levels for each
discrete digital value.

EXAMPLE 2
Suppose we have an 8-bit resolution over 0 to 5 V range and we are attempting to
measure the following analog voltage (3.681 V).

Voltage (V)

5
4

Range of DAQ Device

3
Analog Signal 3.681 V

2
1
0
0

0.2

0.4
time (s)

What value will actually be displayed?

0.6

0.8