Picoscopes

An oscilloscope, also known as an O-scope or scope, is a complex electronic laboratory instrument commonly used to capture, process, display and analyse the waveform and bandwidth of electronic signals. This device graphs instantaneous signal voltage as a function of time, making it essential for visualizing electronic phenomena.

Oscilloscopes serve as analyzers for signals generated by signal generators. Digital oscilloscopes, often referred to as digital storage oscilloscopes (DSO) or digital sampling oscilloscopes, provide enhanced capabilities for storing and analyzing waveforms, making them invaluable tools in both research and industry.

How Does an Oscilloscope Work?

The oscilloscope is a graph-displaying instrument. It draws a graph of an electrical signal. In most applications the graph shows how signals change over time, the vertical (Y) axis represents voltage, and the horizontal (X) axis represents time.

In its simplest form, a digital oscilloscope features six elements:

• Analogue vertical input amplifiers
• Analogue-to-digital converter and a digital waveform memory
• Time base which features a triggering and clock drive
• Circuits for waveform display and reconstruction
• LED or LCD display
• Power supply

Modern digital oscilloscopes may also feature additional user-friendly elements such as USB ports for downloading measurement data; advanced triggering to capture specific events or signal patterns; and connectivity options for integration with computers and other test equipment.

Oscilloscope Types

Oscilloscopes fall into various categories. The biggest distinction is whether they are digital or analogue oscilloscopes. Within the digital oscilloscopes umbrella term, there are several different types.

Digital Oscilloscopes

Digital oscilloscopes convert analog signals into digital data for analysis and display. They offer features like waveform storage, automated measurements, and advanced triggering options, making them versatile for various applications.

Storage Oscilloscopes (DSO)

A storage oscilloscope (DSO) captures and stores waveforms in memory, enabling analysis of transient events and comparisons between past and present signals. This capability is crucial for capturing glitches, studying signal variations, and troubleshooting intermittent faults.

Phosphor Oscilloscopes (DPO)

Phosphor oscilloscopes (DPO) utilise a parallel processing architecture for high-speed waveform capture and display. They are a commonly used industrial oscilloscope that excels at capturing infrequent events, displaying signal history with intensity grading, and providing insights into complex signal behavior.

Digital Sampling Oscilloscopes

Digital sampling oscilloscopes employ under-sampling techniques to analyse extremely high-frequency signals, often beyond the range of conventional o scopes. They are crucial for applications like telecommunications and high-speed digital design, where accurate measurement of fast signals is essential.

Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes (MDO)

Mixed domain oscilloscopes (MDO) combine the functionality of an oscilloscope machine with a spectrum analyzer. This allows engineers to analyse signals in both the time domain (waveforms) and frequency domain (spectra), providing a comprehensive view of signal characteristics.

Mixed Signal Oscilloscopes (MSO)

Mixed signal oscilloscopes (MSO) integrate the capabilities of oscilloscope equipment with a logic analyser. This enables simultaneous analysis of both analog and digital signals, making them invaluable for troubleshooting embedded systems, digital circuits, and mixed-signal designs.

Analogue Oscilloscopes

Analogue oscilloscopes utilise cathode ray tubes (CRTs) to display waveforms in real-time. While largely superseded by digital oscilloscopes, they still find use in specific applications where real-time visualisation and responsiveness are paramount.

Key Features of an Electronic Oscilloscope

Bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the range of frequencies an electronic oscilloscope can accurately measure. It is recommended to choose an oscilloscope with a bandwidth that matches or exceeds the highest frequency components in your signals.

Sample Rate

Sample rate determines how many samples per second the oscilloscope can capture. A higher sample rate allows for more accurate representation of high-frequency signals.

Memory Depth

Memory depth determines how much waveform data the oscilloscope can store. A deeper memory allows you to capture longer signal durations and analyse more complex waveforms.

Triggering

Triggering allows you to capture specific events or signal patterns of interest. Electronic oscilloscopes offer various triggering modes to isolate and analyse specific signal behavior.

Display

The display size and resolution affect the clarity and detail of the waveform presentation.

Why Use an Oscilloscope Instead of a Multimeter?

While multimeters can measure basic electrical parameters like voltage and current, oscilloscopes offer several advantages:

• Visualising Waveforms: Oscilloscopes allow you to see the actual shape of the signal, revealing details like noise, distortion, and transients that multimeters cannot capture.
• Analysing Dynamic Signals: Multimeters typically measure average values, while oscilloscopes can capture and analyse dynamic signal behavior over time.
• Troubleshooting: Oscilloscopes are invaluable for troubleshooting electronic circuits, allowing you to identify signal anomalies and pinpoint the source of problems.

How to Use an Oscilloscope Machine

1. Connect the Probe: Connect the machine’s probe to the signal source you want to measure.
2. Set the Vertical Scale: Adjust the vertical scale (voltage) to display the signal amplitude appropriately.
3. Set the Horizontal Scale: Adjust the horizontal scale (time) to display the desired portion of the waveform.
4. **Set the Trigger: **Configure the trigger settings to capture the specific signal event or pattern you want to analyse.
5. Observe the Waveform: Observe the waveform on the display and use the oscilloscope's measurement and analysis tools to extract relevant information.

Industrial Applications of Oscilloscopes

• Electronics Design and Manufacturing: Oscilloscopes are essential tools for designing, testing, and troubleshooting electronic circuits and devices.
• Telecommunications: Oscilloscopes are used to analyse signals in telecommunications systems, ensuring signal quality and identifying potential issues.
• Automotive: Oscilloscopes are used in automotive diagnostics to analyse signals from various sensors and systems, aiding in troubleshooting and repair.
• Industrial Automation: Industrial oscilloscopes are used to monitor and analyse signals in industrial automation systems, ensuring proper operation and identifying potential faults.
• Research and Development: Oscilloscopes are used in research and development laboratories for various scientific and engineering applications, including signal analysis, characterisation of materials, and testing of new technologies.

How to Select the Right O-Scope

Choosing the right oscilloscope depends on several factors:

• **Bandwidth: **Select an oscilloscope with a bandwidth that matches or exceeds the highest frequency components in your signals.
• Sample Rate: Choose a sample rate that is sufficient to accurately capture the details of your waveforms.
• Memory Depth: Consider the memory depth required to capture the desired signal duration and complexity.
• Application: Choose a product with features and capabilities that are relevant to your specific application, such as automotive diagnostics or industrial automation. For example, small, lightweight handheld digital oscilloscopes are ideal for use by technicians working in service, maintenance, and installation applications.
• Budget: Oscilloscopes are now available at a wide range of prices. Determine your budget and choose an oscilloscope that offers the best value for your needs.

Find out more in our buyer’s guide to oscilloscopes.

Trusted Oscilloscopes Manufacturer, Supplier & Distributor in Australia

RS is a trusted and leading oscilloscope manufacturer, supplier, and distributor in Australia. We offer a wide range of oscilloscopes from top brands, including Tektronix, Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, and our own RS PRO line. Other Test & Measurement devices we carry include insulation testers and infrared scanners, enabling you to achieve a wide range of industrial applications.

Our oscilloscopes are available for sale in various price ranges to suit different budgets. You can find affordable options for hobbyists and educational institutions as well as high-end models with advanced features for professional engineers and researchers.

Buy Oscilloscope Equipment Online from RS

Buying oscilloscope equipment from RS Australia is quick and easy. Browse our online catalogue, select the desired oscilloscope, and add it to your cart. We offer secure payment options and fast delivery across Australia, with nationwide doorstep delivery and options for next-day delivery on many items. For more details on our ordering process, delivery services, and delivery fees, please refer to our Delivery Page.