Self-Study Workbook 970193

Pulse
Width

High
e
State
Leading
Edge

Channe
el A

Trailing
Edge
Channe
el B

Low
State

Perio
od

Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO)

Hands-On Exercise

Audi of America, LLC

Service Training
Printed in U.S.A.
Printed 7/2010
Course Number 970193

2010 Audi of America, LLC

All rights reserved. Information contained in this manual is

based on the latest information available at the time of printing
and is subject to the copyright and other intellectual property
rights of Audi of America, LLC., its afliated companies and its
licensors. All rights are reserved to make changes at any time
without notice. No part of this document may be reproduced,
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All requests for permission to copy and redistribute

information should be referred to Audi of America, LLC.

Always check Technical Bulletins and the latest electronic

repair literature for information that may supersede any
information included in this booklet.

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Automotive Electrical Signals Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Analyzing Automotive Electrical Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Automotive Electrical Sensors and Actuators . . . . . . . .16

Knowledge Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

The Self-Study Workbook provides introductory information regarding the design

and function of new models, automotive components or technologies.
The Self-Study Workbook is not a Repair Manual!
All values given are intended as a guideline only.
Refer to the software version valid at the time of publication.
For maintenance and repair work, always refer to the current technical literature.

Reference

Note

!
i

ii

Introduction

Due to the increasing complexity of todays

electronic systems in Audi vehicles, using
a digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) to
accurately diagnose electrical concerns has
become a necessity. It is important that every
Audi Technician thoroughly understand the
capabilities and use of the DSO.
This workbook will help reinforce and test the
knowledge you gained in the DSO web-based
training course (970194). Through the use of a
signal generator, you will have the opportunity
to practice and apply your new DSO knowledge
in real world situations. This workbook will guide
you through the process.
It is recommended that you print out the
workbook so that you can ll in the DSO
readings requested throughout the exercise.
This workbook will also be a helpful reference
for the future.
To complete the following exercise, you will
need a VAS Scan Tool with Test Instruments
function, and an Elenco Electronics FG-500 1Mhz
Function Generator.

To order the correct FG-500, type FG-500 in the

search eld of any of the sites listed above.
There are two versions available, the FG-500
(factory assembled version) and the FG-500K
(kit version).
It is recommended that you purchase the
FG-500 assembled version and not the FG-500K
kit version because the latter requires soldering
and assembly.
Once you have the VAS Scan Tool and the
FG-500, you are ready to perform the exercise.
However, if you have a thorough working
understanding of the DSO, feel free to go
straight to the workbook assessment on
the CRC.
Please note that the DSO web-based training
course (970194) must be completed before
you attempt the assessment for this workbook.
Be sure to complete the workbook assessment
(970193B) to receive credit for these combined
courses.

The Elenco Electronics FG-500 1Mhz Function

Generator can be purchased online from one of
the following sources (you may be able to locate
additional online sources as well):
http://techedu.com
http://www.tequipment.net
http://electronickits.com

Note
Do not try to rush through this exercise! Remember that this is a learning process. Try to see how
accurately you can complete it, not how quickly. Take your time and make sure that you understand each
step before proceeding.
1

Exercise

1. To start, congure the FG-500 as follows:

Make sure that the FG-500 has a good
battery
Turn the Course Frequency knob to 10
Turn the Find Adj. Frequency knob to the
left (counter-clockwise) until it stops
Make sure that the ON/OFF switch is in
the OFF position. It will be turned ON in a
later step
The Sine/Triangle switch will not be
used in this exercise, so it can remain in
either position
2. Start the VAS Scan Tool DSO by selecting:
Test Instruments
Go To
DSO
3. Connect the DSO to the Function Generator
as follows:
Connect the DSO 1 red lead to the yellow
banana jack labeled Square Wave
Connect the DSO 1 black lead to the black
banana jack labeled GND

4. The rst waveform is a relatively slow (low

frequency) signal. To properly view this
waveform, Draw Mode must be used:
Select the Measuring Mode button
Select the Draw Mode button
Deselect the Measuring Mode button

5. Turn the Function Generator ON. You should

see a waveform that is similar to the one at
right. If the DSO screen does not look like
this:
Make sure that the battery in the FG-500
is OK
Go back to the beginning of the exercise
and read each step carefully
There are two things wrong with this
waveform:
The waveform is displaying above the top
of the screen (arrow). A waveform should
never display above or below the top or
bottom of the screen
The individual pulses of the waveform are
so compressed that they are unreadable
To remedy these problems, the DSO must
be congured to display the waveform
properly, which you will do in the next steps.

6. To make the waveform t the screen, the

voltage division must be changed:
Select Channel A
Since the waveform needs to be smaller,
the voltage division must be made larger
Select the voltage division arrow
until the Channel A voltage division
displays 5 V/Div.
Deselect Channel A
The waveform now ts the screen

7. To make the individual pulses of the

waveform visible, the time division must be
changed:
Since the pulses need to be wider, the
time division must be smaller
Select the Time/Div. arrow until the
time division displays 0.5 s/Div.
8. Take a few moments to experiment with how
the voltage and time division buttons alter
the appearance of the waveform:
Change the voltage division and then the
time division up and down while
observing the changes to the waveform
When nished, return the voltage and
time division to their previous settings
5 V/Div.
0.5 s/Div.

9. Notice that the height of the waveform only

occupies about 25% of the screen. While this
is perfectly acceptable, it may be possible to
make it taller. To do this, the zero point of the
waveform must be changed
Select the Channel A button
Move the slider down to the rst division
above the bottom of the screen as shown
at right
Press the voltage division arrow until
the voltage division for Channel A
displays 2 V/Div.
Deselect the Channel A button

10. The waveform is now looking good, but there

is still one problem: The green Channel B
waveform (DSO 2) is in the middle of our
waveform, which could make it hard to read.
Two things can be done to remedy this:
Move Channel B to the bottom of the
screen (similar to how Channel A was
moved previously)
Turn Channel B OFF, which removes it
entirely
11. Lets do both:
Select Channel B
To move Channel B, move the slider to the
bottom of the screen, as shown at right.
Now the Channel B waveform does not
interfere with the Channel A waveform
To turn Channel B OFF entirely, select the
Channel button, then select OFF. This
removes the waveform, and may be the
best choice for our next step, measuring
pulse width
Deselect the Channel button
Deselect the Channel B button

12. Before proceeding, lets review the names for

the parts of a waveform. Knowing the parts
of a waveform will help you perform the
following steps.

Pulse
Width

High
e
State
Leading
Edge

Please refer to the Automotive Electrical

Signals Glossary for more information

Trailing
Edge

Low
State

Perio
od

13. Now measure the amplitude of the high and

low signal states:
Select the Freeze Frame button
Select the Cursor 1 button
Tap the screen to move the cursor to
approximately the middle of one of the
high state pulses as shown at right
The high state amplitude can be found in
the box labeled Channel A Amplitude.
Write the amplitude below:
_________________________________________
Tap the screen to move the cursor to the
middle of one of the low state pulses
The low state amplitude can now be
found in the box labeled Channel A
Amplitude. Write the amplitude below:
_________________________________________
Ignore the number in the box labeled
Time
Deselect the Freeze Frame button

Cursor 1

14. Next, measure the pulse width of the signal:

Select the Freeze Frame button
Select the Cursor 1 button

Curso
or 1

Move the Cursor 1 to the left of the

leading edge of one of the pulses and
then use the Cursor button to move
it to the right until the box labeled
Channel A Amplitude starts to increase.
It is important to see where the amplitude
begins to increase. This is the point where
the signal turns ON
Ignore the number in the box labeled
Time
Go to the next step

15. Select Cursor 2:

Move Cursor 2 to the left of the trailing
edge of the same pulse and then use the
Cursor button to move it to the right
until the voltage display labeled
Amplitude Diff. A starts to decrease. It is
important to see where the amplitude
begins to drop. This is the point where
the signal turns OFF

Cursor 2

The box labeled Time Difference is the

pulse width of the signal. Read the pulse
width and write it below:
_________________________________________

16. While the previous waveform had a low

frequency, the next waveform has a high
frequency. Start by resetting the DSO to its
default values. The easiest way to do this is
to exit and restart the DSO
Select Go To
Select Exit
Select Text Instruments and start the DSO
Leave the DSO 1 leads in the same
positions as the previous steps
17. To congure the Function Generator:
Turn the Coarse Frequency knob to 100K.
Leave the other knobs and switches in
the same positions as they were in the
previous steps

18. The DSO should look like the screen shown

at right. To congure the DSO to display this
waveform:
First move or remove the Channel B
waveform from the screen using one of
the methods shown previously
Even though this is a high frequency pulsed
signal, all you will see is a at line for
Channel A. This is because the default time
and voltage settings are too slow to display
the individual pulses of the waveform, which
can make it difcult to set the proper time
and voltage divisions.
You can experiment to achieve the correct
settings manually, but there is an easier way.
When trying to congure the DSO for an
unknown signal, use the Auto Setup mode.
Select the Measuring Mode button
Select the Auto Setup button. It takes a
few seconds for Auto Setup to run
When Auto Setup has nished, the
measuring mode changes to Auto Level

Channe
el A

Channe
el B

19. Your screen should look like the screen

shown at right. Now it is time to practice the
skills you learned previously:
Change the voltage division to make the
waveform appear as large as possible in
the screen. You need to move the zero
point in the waveform so that the
waveform does not display above or
below the top or bottom of the screen
After completing the previous step, write
the nal voltage division of the waveform
below:
_________________________________________
Change the time division to display at
least 5 readable pulses (that are not
compressed) on the screen. Write the
time division below:
_________________________________________
Measure the high state amplitude and
write it below:
_________________________________________
Measure the low state amplitude and
write it below:
_________________________________________
Measure the pulse width of the waveform
and write it below:
_________________________________________
20. Turn the FG-500 OFF

Congratulations! You have completed

the DSO Hands-On Exercise. Please
remember to take the online assessment
on the CRC, course #970193B.

Automotive Electrical Signals Glossary

Amplitude: The voltage level of a signal above or below zero

volts. The signal in the example at left has an amplitude of 2V.

Analog Signal: An electrical signal whose amplitude can

be measured at an innite number of positions along the
waveform.

Digital Signal: An electrical signal with an instantaneous change

in amplitude (called a pulse) from low to high and high to low.
Since the change in state is instantaneous, the amplitude can
only be measured in two positions, high or low.
The pulse shown at left is a positive pulse, because the normal
state of the waveform is low and the pulse goes high. However,
with a negative pulse, the normal state of the waveform is high
and the pulse goes low.

Sine Wave: An analog signal where the current reverses

direction at regular intervals, also called alternating current (AC).
In automotive applications, sine waves are produced by either
the alternator (unrectied) or inductive sensors (such as the RPM
sensor).

10

Automotive Electrical Signals Glossary

Period: The time required for a signal to complete one cycle.

It can be measured in seconds (s), milliseconds (ms), or
microseconds (s).

Frequency: The number of times a signal repeats in one second

(cycles per second), measured in Hertz (Hz). The example at left
has a frequency of 3Hz.
The frequency of a signal can be xed or variable. Any sensor
that measures a rotating component (such as the camshaft
position sensor) generates a variable frequency signal.

Square Wave: A digital signal that continuously alternates

between ON and OFF. A true square wave is ON and OFF for
an equal length of time. A variation of the square wave is the
rectangular wave, which is ON and OFF for an unequal length of
time, but is usually still called a square wave.

Pulse Width: The time that a signal remains ON during one

period. It can be measured in seconds (s), milliseconds (ms), or
microseconds (s).
Pulse width is similar to duty cycle, except duty cycle is
measured in percent (%) instead of time. See Duty Cycle.

11

Automotive Electrical Signals Glossary

Duty Cycle: The percentage (%) of time a signal remains ON

during one period.
Duty cycle is similar to pulse width, except pulse width is
measured in time instead of percent. See Pulse Width.
Duty cycle is calculated by dividing the pulse width (s, ms, or s)
by the period (s, ms, or s), and then multiplying the result by
100. For example, a signal with a 50 ms pulse width and a 100
ms period has a 50% duty cycle.
% Duty Cycle =

Pulse Width
X 100
Period

Pulse Width Modulation (PWM): A signal that varies the pulse

width of a signal. It is also called variable duty cycle.

Waveform: The graphic representation of an electrical signal

as displayed on an oscilloscope screen. While waveform is the
preferred name, it is also called a trace or a pattern.

12

Automotive Electrical Signals Glossary

Leading Edge: When viewing a waveform, the change in vertical

height at the beginning of the signal. It is also called the rising
edge or positive edge.

Trailing Edge: When viewing a waveform, the decrease in

vertical height at the end of a signal. It is also called the falling
edge or negative edge.

13

Automotive Electrical Signals Glossary

Networked Signals: A signal that consists of a sequence of

coded pulses (sequence of event signals) used to broadcast
data between a network of control modules. The CAN, LIN, and
FlexRay buses are networked signals.

Sawtooth Wave: A signal in which the amplitude instanteously

rises and then ramps down, giving the appearance of a
sawtooth.

!
14

Note
The following lists provide general information on sensors, actuators, and their signals. They are not
intended to account for every sensor and actuator in the vehicle, and applications include, but are not
limited to, those listed.

Analyzing Automotive Electrical Signals

Three Factors
Three factors affect automotive signals:
Amplitude
Frequency
Sequence of Events
Amplitude: ON/OFF, analog, pulse width
modulated, and duty cycle signals are
characterized by the rate of change in amplitude,
or the time the signal remains in the high or low
state.
When used in sensor applications, the amplitude
or pulse width (duty cycle) of a signal is varied
to supply data to a control module. Thermistors,
potentiometers, Hall switches and pressure
sensors are commonly used in this way.
Frequency: Square and sine wave signals are
examples of signals that are characterized by
changes in frequency (the number of times they
repeat themselves per second).
In sensor applications, Hall and inductive
sensors are used to provide rotational data such
as RPM, CMP, and wheel speed sensors.
Sequence of Events: Sequence of event signals
are characterized by a series of pulses that can
be compared to messages sent by Morse code.
By altering the sequence of the pulses, an
almost innite number of coded messages can
be quickly and accurately transmitted between
different control modules. Networked signals
that are used by the CAN, LIN, and FlexRay buses
are examples of sequence of event signals.

15

Automotive Electrical Sensors and Actuators

Analog Sensors

Digital Sensors

Thermistor: A two wire sensor that utilizes a

resistor whose resistance varies with temperature.
The thermistors used in most automotive
applications have a Negative Temperature
Coefcient (NTC), where the resistance of
the thermistor decreases as the temperature
increases. In a Positive Temperature Coefcient
(PTC) thermistor, the resistance of the thermistor
increases as the temperature increases.

Hall Sensors and Switches: A two or three

wire electronic sensor that produces a variable
frequency square wave signal. Power and ground
are supplied to a Hall Effect Transistor which
is located in a magnetic eld generated by a
permanent magnet.

NTC thermistors are commonly used as

temperature sensors. The temperature value is not
obtained by reading the sensor resistance directly,
but instead by placing a reference voltage (usually
ve volts) and ground across the sensor and then
reading the resulting voltage drop.
Potentiometer: A three wire variable resistor that
is used as a voltage divider. A reference voltage
(usually ve volts or battery voltage) and ground
are placed across a resistance element.
A wiper is moved across the element to produce
an innitely variable voltage signal from zero
up to the reference voltage, which is measured
on the third wire. In automotive applications,
potentiometers are commonly used as position
sensors for motors, or for measuring throttle plate
position.
Inductive Sensor: A two wire sensor that
measures the rotation of a shaft. Unlike other
sensors, this sensor does not have an external
power supply. Instead, it contains a permanent
magnet that creates a magnetic eld which
collapses and expands when a sensor wheel is
rotated through it, generating an AC sine wave
signal.
The frequency of this signal varies with changes
in the RPM of the sensor wheel. Many crankshaft
position (RPM) sensors and older ABS wheel
speed sensors are inductive sensors.
Knock Sensor: A two wire sensor that is used to
measure spark knock in an engine. This sensor
uses a crystal material that generates an AC
voltage when mechanical stress is applied to it
(piezoelectric effect) when spark knock occurs.
During installation, a knock sensor must be
properly torqued to read spark knock correctly.
16

As the magnet eld is altered by moving the

magnet in relation to the transistor, or by moving
a shutter wheel through the magnetic eld,
the reference voltage is alternately pulled high
or low, resulting in a square wave signal. Hall
sensors are often used to measure the position
of rotating components such as camshaft
position sensors.
Pressure Sensor: A three wire electronic sensor
that converts pressure measurements into an
electrical signal. Power and ground are supplied
to a pressure sensing device, which then
produces a PWM or analog signal relative to the
measured pressure.
The third wire transmits the PWM signal to the
control module. While the majority of automotive
pressure sensors fall into this category, some
older types of sensors may use potentiometers
to read pressure.

Automotive Electrical Sensors and Actuators

Actuators
Solenoid: A two wire electromechanical device
used to control the ow of liquids, gases, or the
operation of mechanical components. To operate
the solenoid, an ON/OFF, PWM, or variable
frequency signal (commonly a switched ground)
is supplied to a winding inside the solenoid,
which in turn generates a magnetic eld that
moves a plunger.
Depending on the design of the solenoid, the
plunger may be normally open, or normally
closed in its rest state. A fuel injector is an
example of a solenoid.
When the signal to the solenoid is switched
OFF and the magnetic eld around the winding
collapses, the winding produces a phenomenon
called inductive kick.

Motor: A device that converts electrical energy

into rotational motion. On late model vehicles,
the speed of most motors is controlled using
PWM circuits.
If a motor has low output, checking the motor
amperage can determine if the problem is
electrical or mechanical. Increasing the electrical
resistance in a motor circuit will decrease the
amperage in the circuit, while increasing the
mechanical load on the motor shaft will increase
the amperage in the circuit.
The direction of motor rotation can be changed
by reversing the polarity of the signals to the
motor.

Inductive kick is a high voltage pulse that is

injected back into the control circuit, and is
similar in principal to the pulse produced by an
ignition coil, although the voltage is much lower
(generally around 30 to 60 volts).
Relay: An electromechanical switch that uses a
low current input signal to control a high current
output signal. It contains a winding that is used
to magnetically move a set of points (switch),
similar to the operation of a solenoid. When
an ON/OFF signal is supplied to the winding, a
magnetic eld is generated which changes the
position of the switch.
Depending on the design of the relay, the switch
may be normally open, or normally closed, in
its rest state. The most common type of relay is
a four wire relay, which uses two wires for the
control circuit and two wires for the switched
circuit.
Relays that use more than four wires are usually
variations of this design, usually containing
multiple control and switched circuits. If a relay
contains logic circuits, it is generally considered
a control module, although it may still be called
a relay.
Like solenoids, relays also produce an inductive
kick. Automotive relays may have a built-in
suppression circuit consisting of a resistor or
diode placed parallel to the winding.

17

Notes

18

Knowledge Assessment

An online Knowledge Assessment (exam) is available for this Self-Study Workbook.

The Knowledge Assessment is required for Certication.
You can nd this Knowledge Assessment at:

www.accessaudi.com

From the accessaudi.com Homepage:

Click on the ACADEMY tab
Click on the Academy Site link
Click on the CRC/Certication link
Click on Course Catalog and select 970193B DSO Hands-On Exercise Self-Study
Workbook Assessment

For assistance call:

Audi Academy
Certication Resource Center (CRC)
1-877-283-4562

(8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST)

Or you may send an email to:

audicrchelpdesk@touchstone-group.com

Thank you for reading this Self-Study Workbook and taking the assessment.

19

970193
All rights reserved.
Technical specications subject
to change without notice.
Audi of America, LLC
2200 Ferdinand Porsche Drive
Herndon, VA 20171