11.

DIGITAL STORAGE OSCILLOSCOPE AND

ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR

11.1. Tasks of the measurement

11.1.1. Make yourself acquainted with block diagrams of digital storage oscilloscope
(Fig. 11.2) and arbitrary function generator (Fig. 11.3).
11.1.2. Derive the conditions for frequency independent division ratio of the passive
oscilloscope probe 10:1 – see Fig. 11.1.
11.1.3. Using arbitrary waveform generator (settings: frequency 1 kHz, amplitude 1 V,
rectangle) perform a compensation of the probe 10:1 model (connected to
oscilloscope Channel 1). Draw the observed waveform to your notebooks for both
limit positions of the tuning knob (“overcompensated”/”undercompensated” probe)
and evaluate the signal parameters (amplitude, frequency, rise time, fall time and
overshot where relevant). Use cursor functions for this evaluation. Observe and draw
also the waveform from Channel 2 (the same signal acquired by professional probe).
11.1.4. Switch the generator to the “Burst” mode. Measure the overshot in the case of
“overcompensated” probe. Use triggering on negative edge and explain the
“pretrigger” oscilloscope mode that is being used in this case.

11.2. Block diagram

Rp= 9 MΩ Ro = 1 MΩ
Co = 14 pF(*)

G Cp

GENERATOR PROBE OSCILLOSCOPE

Fig. 11.1 Circuit connection ((*) value of Co is given for the used type of digital oscilloscope)

11.3. List of the equipment used

OSCILLOSCOPE - type ...;
G - arbitrary waveform generator, type ...;
PROBE - oscilloscope passive voltage 10:1 with frequency compensation.
11.4. Theoretical background

a) Digital oscilloscope description can be found in [1], Chap. 5.2.1.2, Fig. 5.13, arbitrary
waveform generator - Chap. 5.5.4, Fig. 5.41. Only block diagrams are given below.

INPUT
(4) CHANNEL 4 (DI, S/H, ADC, M)

MICRO-
PROCESSOR
INPUT
(1) DI S/H ADC M

EXT. COMPARATOR TIMER CLOCK RAM

TRIG.

VIDEO-
PROCESSOR

IEEE 488
STD. INTERFACE (RS-232)

Fig. 11.2 Block diagram of the digital oscilloscope (DI – input divider and amplifier, S/H – sample and
hold circuit, ADC – analogue-to-digital converter, M - memory)

DIGITAL DAC1
MEMORY FILTER
INPUT (k bit)
Nxk
(N x k bit) ANALOG
OUTPUT
UA

COUNTER AMPLITUDE
DAC2
“1 to N” (DIGITAL INPUT)

fS UN

Fig. 11.3 Block diagram of arbitrary waveform generator

(DAC1, DAC2 – digital-to-analog converters)

b) To minimize signal distortion during measurement, it is necessary to increase input

impedance of the oscilloscope and assure the input signal path shielding. Therefore,
passive (event. active) voltage probes are used (see Fig. 11.1). Transit impedance of the
probe is given by parallel combination Rp || Cp and it creates together with input
oscilloscope impedance (parallel combination Ro || Co) a voltage divider (with division
 ration 0.1 or 0.01). To assure frequency independent division ratio, the ratio of real parts of
denominator and numerator must be equal to the ratio of imaginary parts. After
recalculation it gives
Rp Co
= (11.1)
Ro Cp

To achieve the constant frequency response, the variable capacitor Cp is used both in our
model case and in real probes. In the case of real probe, a miniature capacitance trimmer is
used, which is to be set by proper insulating tool (plastic screwdriver). The real probe that
is available on CH 2 is compensated already. There is no need to compensate it again.
Usually, there is a calibration source of the rectangular signal available on the oscilloscope
for probe compensation in the field (we will not use it in our exercise).

c) Definition of rise time is available in Task No. 1. Overshot is defined as difference

between signal maximum (peak) and its steady-state value (before new pulse arises). It is
usually expressed in % of the steady state value.

d) The term „burst“ means a group of pulses. Since the default number of pulses in the group
is 1 in the case of our generator, the burst mode will be used for generation of short pulse
(its length is the same as in the previous task, it means 500 µs) with repetition rate app.
1 Hz. In this case, we cannot trigger on the signal rising edge (with overshot) since we
need to display the rising edge fully. Therefore the falling edge has to be used for trigger
and, consequently, a special mode „pre-trigger“ must be used for displaying the
waveform before trigger event. The detailed description of this mode is available in [1],
Chap. 5.2.1, see also Fig. 5.15 there.