Tektronix, XYZs of Oscilloscopes / Oscilloscope Basics.
General oscilloscope architecture, waveform measurement, signal integrity, bandwidth and measurement-system fundamentals.
MS-02
Course overview
Oscilloscope, probes, generators & reproducible waveform measurement
An oscilloscope does not passively reveal a pre-existing waveform. Once connected, its channel reference, input impedance, probe, cable and bandwidth become part of the electrical system being measured. MS-02 builds oscilloscope practice from that measurement model first, then probes/loading, triggering/time base, generator source impedance and finally bandwidth/rise-time limits plus a reproducible waveform workflow.
5 chapters5 available · 0 plannedfoundational → intermediate
Prerequisites
- MS-01 — DC electrical measurement
- SG-01 — time-domain signals
- AC-01 — phasors & sinusoidal steady state
- AC-02 — frequency response & Bode
By the end of the course
- Model an oscilloscope input before connecting it.
- Choose and compensate a passive probe while quantifying loading.
- Set triggering, acquisition and time base from the expected signal.
- Predict generator source-impedance and amplitude-convention effects.
- Relate bandwidth, rise time and waveform fidelity.
- Document time/frequency measurements reproducibly.
Syllabus
Five readings from the physical measurement point to reproducible waveform measurement.
An oscilloscope does not passively reveal a pre-existing waveform. Once connected, its channel reference, input impedance, probe, cable and bandwidth become part of the electrical system being measured. MS-02 builds oscilloscope practice from that measurement model first, then probes/loading, triggering/time base, generator source impedance and finally bandwidth/rise-time limits plus a reproducible waveform workflow.
- 01→
Oscilloscope channels, reference & grounding
Before touching volts/div or time/div, model what a channel actually measures. Define the displayed channel voltage as the difference between signal input and channel reference, distinguish circuit reference/return/common/chassis/protective earth, model finite channel input impedance, show how ordinary earth-referenced bench scopes can connect probe ground to protective earth, and derive what happens if that reference is attached to an arbitrary circuit node.
150–190 min · Foundational → rigorous · available - 02→
Passive probes, compensation & loading
Treat a passive voltage probe as a frequency-dependent network, not as a wire. Derive the low-frequency divider ratio, the compensated RC condition that preserves attenuation versus frequency, effective tip resistance/capacitance, under/over-compensation signatures, ground-lead inductance and ringing, and a quantitative method for choosing 1× versus 10× probing from source impedance, signal amplitude and bandwidth requirements.
155–200 min · Foundational → intermediate · available - 03→
Triggering, acquisition & time base
Separate four ideas that oscilloscope tutorials often blur together: analog bandwidth, sample rate, record length and trigger. Model a real-time digital acquisition as sampled voltage stored in a finite record, derive Δt=1/fs and Trecord=N/fs, explain aliasing and why Nyquist is a mathematical floor rather than a waveform-quality recipe, distinguish time/div from sample rate, and derive how edge triggering creates a repeatable time reference without changing the underlying waveform.
155–205 min · Foundational → intermediate · available - 04→
Function generators, amplitude conventions & source impedance
Model a laboratory function generator as a Thévenin source before trusting its amplitude display. Derive Vload=VthZL/(Rs+ZL), explain the common 50 Ω-source / selectable expected-load convention without treating it as universal, convert among Vpp, Vpk, Vrms and dBm with the required waveform/load assumptions, separate DC offset from AC amplitude, and show why a frequency-dependent DUT impedance makes the actual applied Vin change during a sweep.
150–195 min · Foundational → intermediate · available - 05→
Bandwidth, rise time & reproducible waveform measurement
Close the measurement chain by treating oscilloscope/probe bandwidth as part of the transfer function. Derive the exact 10–90% rise-time relation of a first-order low-pass, show why the familiar BW·tr≈0.35 constant is model-dependent rather than universal, quantify amplitude error versus bandwidth, combine independent measurement-chain rise times with stated approximations, and finish with a reproducible waveform-measurement record that separates analog bandwidth, probing, acquisition, triggering and numerical extraction.
160–205 min · Intermediate · available
Reference backbone
References used
AoN separates universal measurement reasoning from instrument-specific topology and ratings. A conventional earth-referenced bench oscilloscope is taught as one important architecture, not as a universal property of every oscilloscope. The actual instrument manual remains authoritative for grounding, input ratings, impedance, coupling, bandwidth and safety.
Tektronix, Floating Oscilloscope Measurements and Operator Protection.
Ground-referenced versus differential/isolated measurement architecture, operator protection and why unsafe floating practices are unacceptable.
Keysight, 8 Tips for Better Scope Probing.
Probe loading as part of the measurement chain, practical loading tests and reliable probing practice.
Keysight, Becoming Familiar with Your Standard Oscilloscope Probe.
Generic 1×/10× passive-probe architecture, divider action, input loading and compensation concepts.
Rohde & Schwarz, Oscilloscope Fundamentals — Primer.
Cross-vendor oscilloscope/probe fundamentals, vertical/horizontal/trigger systems, bandwidth and resistive/capacitive/inductive loading.
Keysight, Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator output-load guidance.
Generic source-impedance model, load-dependent amplitude display, Vpp/Vrms/dBm conventions and the difference between expected load setting and physical output resistance.
Rohde & Schwarz, Key Characteristics of Signal Generators and Modulation Methods — Pocket Guide.
General signal-generator source/load impedance, 50 Ω system reasoning and mismatch concepts.
P. Horowitz & W. Hill, The Art of Electronics, 3rd ed., Cambridge University Press, 2015.
General practical measurement reasoning: loading, grounding, signal-source interaction and judgement.
AoN MS-01 — DC electrical measurement.
Prerequisite principle that the connected instrument becomes part of the circuit and actual input topology/specifications must be included in the measurement model.
AoN ADR-0018 — Electrical notation and sign conventions.
Voltage is always defined between two declared references; instantaneous waveform notation remains distinct from phasors and transfer functions.