Oscilloscopes, used across fields from engineering to medical applications, were first produced for laboratory use following the development of cathode ray tubes in the 1920s. While analog models containing cathode ray tubes, magnets, and deflection coils were used for many years, today oscilloscopes that can connect to computers are widely used.
What Is an Oscilloscope? What Does It Do?
Oscilloscopes are devices that measure the change of electrical voltage in a circuit over time and display it graphically. When measuring a signal, a voltmeter may come to mind first, but oscilloscopes not only show magnitude and direction, they also display how voltage changes over time—on a graph with X and Y axes.
The horizontal axis (X) represents time, while the vertical axis (Y) represents signal intensity. This allows electrical signals to be displayed clearly and accurately in real time.
What Are the Types of Oscilloscopes?
Oscilloscopes are mainly divided into analog and digital (modern) oscilloscopes:
Analog Oscilloscopes
These contain cathode ray tubes and electron beam deflection coils. The measured electrical signals are projected onto the screen graphically, similar to old tube televisions. They display voltage in real time.
Digital Oscilloscopes
These replace analog models and offer more advanced measurement capabilities. They digitally capture circuit signals, store measurements in memory, process them, and display them graphically. They offer higher accuracy than analog models and allow recordings to be saved and compared.
Most digital oscilloscopes use LCD or TFT screens, while USB oscillilloscopes may not contain a built-in screen but exchange data directly with computers, making them highly practical.
What Does an Oscilloscope Measure?
Oscilloscopes provide multiple key data points from a connected circuit, including:
Voltage measurement (max, min, average)
Current measurement
Rise and fall time
Waveform display
Period and frequency
Phase difference
How Are Oscilloscopes Used?
Oscilloscope buttons and settings help optimize the signal display. The key settings include:
Volts/Div: Determines how many volts each vertical square represents.
Secs/Div: Determines how much time each horizontal square represents (seconds, milliseconds, microseconds, etc.).
Additional settings: AC/DC coupling, position alignment, trigger levels, etc.
How Is an Oscilloscope Connected to a Circuit?
Oscilloscopes must be connected in parallel, not in series, due to their high internal resistance. If connected in series, they block current and prevent measurement.
Probes, usually connected using BNC connectors, allow for safe and stable signal measurement.
What to Consider When Buying an Oscilloscope
The key factors include:
Purpose of use (professional or hobby)
Measurement sensitivity and capability
Budget alignment
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