Handbook of Oscilloscope Technology

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Handbook of Oscilloscope Technology Dr.-Ing. Artur Seibt Handbook of Oscilloscope Technology Circuitry – Accessories - Measurement – Selection Criteria - Service 2nd extended and updated edition 2006 2 Preface to the second edition 2005. After ten years from its first edition this handbook needed updating. HAMEG Instruments GmbH, a major manufacturer of both Combiscopes and analog scopes, a subsidiary of Rohde & Schwarz, sponsored this second edition. Repetitions are intentional, because this book is also intended for use as a reference to specific topics. The chapters about basics, analog circuitry, calibration, service and repair hints required only minor changes and additions; they remain important as there is a multitude of analog scopes in use, also many measurement tasks can not be fulfilled with any scope out of current production (e.g. 10 uV/cm). As there were few new accessories, the important chapter 10 is as valid as ever. Due to the predominance of DSOs meanwhile, the pertinent chapter 6 was considerably extended. As socalled Combiscopes were and remain the optimum choice, they were given extensive treatment in a new chapter 7 with special consideration to the HAMEG 1508. A greater selection of screen photos further assists the interested reader in his difficult task of making his choice Vienna, March 2006. 3 Table of Contents. 1. Oscilloscope families. 1.1 Introduction and principle. 1.2 Integrated and plug-in instruments 2. Oscilloscope displays 2.1 Cathode ray tubes (crt’s) 2.1.1 Electron optics basics 2.1.2 Beam generation and forming 2.1.3 Beam control, unblanking 2.1.4 Electrostatic deflection 2.1.5 Segmented deflection plates 2.1.6 Magnetic deflection 2.1.7 Methods of acceleration 2.1.8 Display distortions 2.1.9 Focus distortions 2.1.10 Types of phosphors 2.1.11 Writing rate 2.1.12 Graticule 2.1.13 Light filters. 2.2 Operation of cathode ray tubes 2.2.1 Generation of high voltage 2.2.2 Generation of auxiliary voltages 2.2.3 Unblanking 2.2.4 External interferences 2.2.5 Handling of crt’s 2.3 Storage cathode ray tubes. 2.3.1 Basics of storage 2.3.2 Bistable storage crt’s 2.3.3 Transmission storage crt’s 4 2.3.4 Transfer storage crt’s 2.3.5 Scan converter crt’s 2.4 Special cathode ray tubes. 2.4.1 Microchannel secondary electron multiplier crt 3. Analog oscilloscopes. 3.1 Block diagram of integrated instruments 3.2 Block diagrams of plug-in instruments. 3.3 Vertical channel. 3.3.1 Requirements 3.3.2 Properties of active components 3.3.3 Basic circuits 3.3.4 Properties of passive components 3.3.5 Input attenuators 3.3.6 Preamplifiers and their operating modes 3.3.7 Trigger signal take-off 3.3.8 Delay lines 3.3.9 Output stages 3.3.10 Adjustment of vertical amplifiers 3.4 Horizontal channel 3.4.1 Block diagram and operating modes 3.4.2 Interface to the vertical channel 3.4.3 Trigger circuits 3.4.4 Sawtooth generators 3.4.5 Horizontal output amplifiers 3.5 Additional features 3.5.1 Calibrators 3.5.2 Readout 3.5.3 t, Delta t, V, Delta V, f etc. 3.5.4 Auxiliary inputs and outputs 5 3.6 Power supplies 3.6.1 Linear regulators 3.6.2 SMPS 3.7 Operation and control 3.7.1 Direct operation 3.7.2 Indirect operation 3.7.3 Remote control 4. Analog storage oscilloscopes 4.1 General remarks 4.2 Bistable storage oscilloscopes 4.3 Transmission storage oscilloscopes 4.4. Transfer storage oscilloscopes 5. Sampling Oscilloscopes. 5.1 History. 5.2 Application of Sampling Oscilloscopes (SO’s) and DSO’s 5.2.1 Common characteristics. 5.2.2 SO’s 5.2.3 DSO’s 5.3 Basics of sampling 5.3.1 Common characteristics of the sampling methods 5.3.2 Real Time Sampling /RTS) 5.3.3 Single Event Sampling 5.3.4 Equivalent Time Sampling (ETS) 5.3.5 Random Sampling (RS) 5.3.6 False displays. 5.4 Vertical Channel 5.4.1 Sampling gate and sampling pulse generation 6 5.4.2 Sampling probes 5.4.3 Sampling gates with termination; „sampling heads“. 5.4.4 Sampling gates with trigger take-off, delay line with termination. 5.4.5 Feed-through samplers, reflectometer. 5.4.6 Hints for troubleshooting and adjustments. 5.4.7 Output stage. 5.5 Horizontal Channel. 5.5.1 Real Time Sampling (RTS) 5.5.2 Special circuits 5.5.3 Equivalent Time Sampling 5.5.4 Random Sampling (RS) 5.5.5 Hints for troubleshooting and adjustments Kapitel 6, zu überarbeiten und zu ergänzen, folgt Kapitel 7 wird gänzlich neu „Combiscopes“ mit dem Hameg 1508 als zentralem Gegenstand. Die Kapitel 8 .. 12 werden noch überarbeitet und folgen. 7 1. Oscilloscope families. 1.1 Introduction and Principle. The instruments covered here are called oscillo“scopes“ although they should rather be called oscillo“graphs“ because they do not „see“ but „write“ waveforms on the screen; however, this expression is standardized. Early oscilloscopes were by far no measuring instruments, waveforms could only be observed qualitatively. 1947 saw the birth of the oscilloscope as we know it today when two engineers (with some partners who later left) founded Tektronix Inc. in Portland OR, USA. This company presented the first calibrated oscilloscope, type 511 (10 MHz, 0.25 V/cm, 0.1 us/cm, $ 795, 50 lbs.). Already this first instrument contained an impressive number of achievements and innovations in circuitry to be found in every oscilloscope to this date witnessing a profound understanding of the fundamentals of electronics. The most important innovations were: - The principle of the enforced operating point: At that time there were only electron tubes available. Tubes are unequalled for linear low distortion amplification, especially, as they do not change their characteristics when driven and because they are immune to temperature. However, they age, also their characteristics depend on the heater voltage. The amplification of all active elements depends on the current; if the current is held constant the amplification will remain constant. This is the prerequisite for a calibrated instrument. Tektronix introduced the principle of enforced operating current into all stages which influence the calibration either by using current generators or approximating those by a large resistor returned to a large voltage. - Introduction of the difference amplifier. Making use of the principle of enforced operating current causes the complete loss of amplification in simple stages. Only by using difference amplifiers is it possible to keep the operating currents stable while retaining amplification. This is only one reason for its introduction, far and above the difference amplifier and especially its extended version as a cascode is the only dc-coupled wide band amplifier worth that designation. - Regulated power supplies. 8 - Perfect pulse response. Correct measurement of nonsinusoidal waveforms requires perfect pulse response - Triggered, calibrated time base. Former instruments had to be synchronized with the measuring signal in order to obtain a stable display, hence the time base could not be calibrated. The value of this new instrument was immediately recognized, the company grew enormously, its leadership was often challenged but rarely with success, and when only temporarily. Modern electronics is inconceivable without the modern oscilloscope, it remains hence its most important measuring instrument. Since then the oscilloscope remained the domain of American companies markedly proving their superiority in electronics. While later there appeared some Japanese instruments of partly impressive quality European firms never played any significant role regarding top performance instruments. The most important European company, a part of Philips, was sold to Fluke in 93. There is no room to describe the whole oscilloscope history. 1954 Tektronix introduced the first plug-in oscilloscope, the series 530. 1957 the 540 series followed (30 MHz), the work horse of the next decades. Both series used distributed tube amplifiers: input and output capacitances were built into associated delay lines eliminating them practically. The bandwidth of the amplifier, however, was not extended to the bandwidth of the delay lines because these do not exhibit Gaussian behaviour. The amplifications of the individual stages of a distributed amplifier only add as their currents add up at the output impedance. The delay line consisted of appr. 30 elements with an equal number of trim capacitors the alignment of which was more of an art. 1959 the first scope with a higher bandwidth (85 MHz, 0.1 V/cm, 10 ns/cm) appeared, the 581/5, still using distributed tube amplifiers throughout the vertical except for a few transistors at the input stage and also tubes in the other sections except for a tunnel diode/transistor trigger circuit. The crt had distributed deflection plates, the delay line was already a special cable. The aforementioned instruments although nearly completely equipped with tubes presented an extraordinarily high standard of quality, not surpassed to date, hardly touched. In order to reach certain performance levels the tubes in some stages (e.g. horizontal output) had to be heavily overstressed, causing tubes to fail after some time. So their ability to carry heavy 9 overloads for extended periods of time - in contrast to all semiconductors – gave rise to the unjustified opinion that tubes were less reliable than semiconductors. The first fully transistorized (except for input nuvistors) oscilloscope was the type 766 (25 MHz) by Fairchild/Dumont, however, of poor performance. 1962 Tektronix presented their first fully transistorized (except for nuvistors in the vertical, trigger inputs and the time bases) 647 (50 MHz, 10 mV/cm, 10 ns/cm) oscilloscope with no compromises in performance, a top product with some specifications never again achieved to this date like a working temperature spec of – 30 to + 65 degrees C, no fan.
Recommended publications
  • Analog Oscilloscope Market 2018 - Global Market Historical Growth, Production Volume, Price, Gross Margin, and Revenue ($) Analysis & Forecast - 2023
    2018-08-10 08:08 CEST Analog Oscilloscope Market 2018 - Global Market historical growth, Production Volume, Price, Gross Margin, and Revenue ($) Analysis & Forecast - 2023 A New Research Report Titled "Global Analog Oscilloscope Market 2018 : By Key Players, Applications, and Type, Regions- North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, Middle East & Africa - Forecast 2023 " report offers concise and complete information on Analog Oscilloscope market. The comprehensive data related to growth aspects and Analog Oscilloscope market driving factors will lead to strategic business planning. Market statistics, leading Analog Oscilloscope players, their company profile, market share and geographical presence will help the readers in planning their business strategies. Global Analog Oscilloscope Market caters to the constraints and opportunities to help the competitors in their future projections. The competitive Analog Oscilloscope market scenario, innovations, manufacturing process, cost structures and technological advancements are presented in this report. The report is segmented on the basis of top Analog Oscilloscope players, product type, application, and geographical regions. The past, present and forecast Analog Oscilloscope information will help in understanding the investment feasibility. Download Sample Pdf Copy @ https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/manufacturing-&- construction/global-analog-oscilloscope-industry-market-research- report/729#request_sample Global Analog Oscilloscope Market Segmented By Top Players: SMT MAX,
    [Show full text]
  • Supported Hardware
    Supported hardware From sigrok sigrok is intended as a flexible, cross-platform, and hardware-independent software suite, i.e., it supports various devices from many different vendors. Here is a list of currently supported devices (various stages of completeness) in the latest git version of libsigrok (http://sigrok.org/gitweb/?p=libsigrok.git;a=summary) (fewer devices might be supported in tarball releases) and devices we plan to support in the future. The lists are sorted by category ( supported: 230, in progress: 8, planned: 145), and alphabetically within those categories. Contents 1 Logic analyzers 2 Mixed-signal devices 3 Oscilloscopes 4 Multimeters 5 LCR meters 6 Sound level meters 7 Thermometers 8 Hygrometers 9 Anemometers 10 Light meters 11 Energy meters 12 DAQs 13 Dataloggers 14 Tachometers 15 Scales 16 Digital loads 17 Function generators 18 Frequency counters 19 RF receivers 20 Spectrum analyzers 21 Power supplies 22 GPIB interfaces 23 Potential other candidates Logic analyzers ARMFLY Mini- ASIX SIGMA BeagleLogic Braintechnology Braintechnology Logic (8ch, 24MHz) (16ch, 200MHz) (12(max 14)ch, USB Interface V2.x USB-LPS (8/16ch, 100MHz) (8/16ch, 24/12MHz) 24/12MHz) ChronoVu LA8 (8ch, ChronoVu LA16 CWAV USBee SX Dangerous Dangerous 100MHz) (16ch, 200MHz) (8ch, 24MHz) Prototypes Buspirate Prototypes USB IR Toy (5ch, 1MHz) (1ch, 10kHz) DreamSourceLab DreamSourceLab DreamSourceLab DreamSourceLab EE Electronics DSLogic (16ch, DSLogic Basic (16ch, DSLogic Plus (16ch, DSLogic Pro (16ch, ESLA100 (8ch, 24MHz) 400MHz) 100MHz) 400MHz)
    [Show full text]
  • A History of the Analog Cathode Ray Oscilloscope
    1 A History of the Analog Cathode Ray Oscilloscope by OLIVER DALTON and LIONEL KREPS 2 CONTENTS 1.Introduction 3 Cathode Ray Oscilloscope definition 3 A History of the Cathode Ray Oscilloscope 3 Chapter 1. 1800 - 1920. 5 Ferdinand Braun 5 Zenneck 6 first high speed cathode ray tube 7 Lissajous' figures 8 Chapter 2. 1920 - 1930 9 Gas Focused Tube 9 Time Bases 10 The Burt Oscilloscope 10 Chapter 3 1930 - 1945 11 Disadvantages to Gas focused tubes 11 Allen B. Dumont 13 A. C. Cossor 13 Phillips 14 Puckle 14 Voltage calibration 14 Time measurement 14 Alan Blumlein 14 Long-tailed pair 15 Miller Integrator 15 CHAPTER 4. 1945 - 1955 16 Improvements made between 1945 and 1955 16 Howard Vollum 17 Vertical Input Circuits and Probes 18 Amplifiers 18 Signal Delay 19 Horizontal System 19 Sweep Generator 20 Delayed Sweep 20 Z-Axis Amplifier 20 Cathode Ray Tubes 21 Calibrator 21 Power Supplies 21 Dual-Trace versus Dual-Beam 22 The Plug-in Concept 22 CHAPTER 5. 1955 - 1980 24 User Needs 24 Vertical Amplifiers 25 Horizontal Systems 26 Cathode Ray Tubes 28 Portable Oscilloscopes 28 Low Priced Oscilloscopes 29 Special Purpose Oscilloscopes 29 Storage Oscilloscopes 29 Sampling Oscilloscopes 31 High Speed Single Transient Reading Oscilloscopes 31 Offshoots 32 Competition in the Industry 33 3 A History of the Analog Cathode Ray Oscilloscope 1.Introduction The oldest measurement made was probably that of time. In earliest antiquity the sun dial was used to split the day into known increments but the best known early instrument capable of both night and day operation was the water clock used by the Greeks, Romans, Babylonians and Egyptians.
    [Show full text]
  • How Oscilloscopes Work (1): the C.R.T
    Oscilloscopes This Page Intentionally Left Blank Oscilloscopes How to use them, how they work Fifth Edition Ian Hickman BSc (Hons), CEng, MIEE, MIEEE AMSTERDAM 9 BOSTON ~ HEIDELBERG ~ LONDON ~ NEW YORK 9 OXFORD ELSEVIER PARIS ~ SAN DIEGO ~ SAN FRANCISCO ~ SINGAPORE ~ SYDNEY ~ TOKYO B~WORTI-I Newnes is an imprint of Elsevier Newnes An imprint of Elsevier Linacre House, Jordan Hill, Oxford OX2 8DP 30 Corporate Drive, Burlington, MA 01803 First published 1981 Reprinted 1984 Second edition 1986 Revised reprint 1987 Reprinted 1989 Third edition 1990 Reprinted 1992, 1994 Fourth edition 1995 Reprinted 1997, 1998, 1999 Fifth edition 2001 Reprinted 2004, 2005 Copyright 9 1986, 1990, 1991, 1995,2001. Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form (including photocopying or storing in any medium by electronic means and whether or not transiently or incidentally to some other use of this publication) without the written permission of the copyright holder except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a licence issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, 90 Tottenham Court Road, London, England W 1T 4LP. Applications for the copyright holder's written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publisher Permissions may be sought directly from Elsevier's Science & Technology Rights Department in Oxford, UK: phone: (+44) 1865 843830, fax: (+44) 1865 853333, e-mail: [email protected]. You
    [Show full text]
  • Vendor Contact Information
    VENDOR CONTACT INFORMATION AssetRelay, Gatineau, QC, Canada. 819-770-7771. www.assetrelay.com. A AssetSmart, Santa Monica, CA. 800-755-3968. www.assetsmart.com. Associated Environmental Systems, BMA, Ayer, MA. 978-772-0022. A.H. Systems, Chatsworth, CA. 818-998-0223. www.AHSystems.com. associatedenvironmental-bma.com. A.T.E. Solutions, Los Angeles, CA. 310-641-8400. www.besttest.com. Associated Research, Lake Forest, IL. 800-858-8378. www.asresearch.com. ABSOPULSE Electronics, Ottawa, ON, Canada. 613-836-3511. www.absopulse.com. Astro-Med, W. Warwick, RI. 877-867-9783. www.astro-med.com/tmindex.html. ACCES I/O Products, San Diego, CA. 858-550-9559. www.accesio.com. Atlantic Coast Instruments, Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ. 732-714-7700. www.acitestnj.com. Accolade Engineering Solutions, Irvine, CA. 949-597-8378. www.accoladeeng.com. Atrenta, San Jose, CA. 866-287-3672. www.atrenta.com. Acculogic, Markham, ON, Canada. 909-475-5907. www.acculogic.com. Audio Precision, Beaverton, OR. 503-627-0832. www.audioprecision.com. Accuprobe, Salem, MA. 978-745-7878. www.accuprobe.com. AudioControl Industrial, Mountlake Terrace, WA. 425-775-8461. AccuSentry, Marietta, GA. 770-850-1700. www.accusentry.com. www.audiocontrolindustrial.com. ACL Staticide, Elk Grove Village, IL. 847-981-9212. www.aclstaticide.com. Auktionshaus Dechow, Hamburg, Germany. +49-(0)-40/43-13-00-70. www.dechow.de. A-Comm Electronics, Centennial, CO. 303-770-4855. www.a-comm.com. Autotest, San Antonio, TX. 210-661-8661. www.autotest.com. Acqiris USA, Monroe, NY. 845-782-6544. www.acqiris.com. Avalon Equipment, Vista, CA. 760-536-0191. www.avalontest.com.
    [Show full text]
  • (Pdf) (Link) Characteristics Photo 1 Spectrum Analyzer FSL6 Rohde &A
    EQUIPMENTS IN CCMSPS Manufactu Data sheet (pdf) Nr. Equipment Characteristics Photo rer (link) https://www.rohde- Spectrum schwarz.com/us/product/fsl- Rohde & 6GHz bandwith, Tracking Generator, LCD display, 1 Analyzer productstartpage_63493- Schwarz interfaces USB, Ethernet, GPIB. FSL6 8042.html 1GHz bandwith with Trachink generator, RS232 interfaces Spectrum Hameg http://www.farnell.com/datash + 2 Analyzer Instrument eets/318524.pdf HZ531 Sniffer probes kit: Electric field probe HM5014-2 s HZ530-E, Magnetic field probe HZ530-M, High impedance probe HZ530-H Oscilloscope Hameg http://www.farnell.com/datash 3 Hameg Instrument eets/56832.pdf 2 analogue channel, 35Mhz bandwith H303-6 s Function Hameg http://www.tme.eu/ro/Docume 10 MHz, sine, triangle, square waveform; sweep 4 Generator Instrument nt/ce7add5bb422cd8d7fdc121a function. HM8030-6 s c1e5d274/HM8030_6_D_E_F_S. 2 x 20V/0,5A adjustable, 1x 5V/1A, shortcircuit + Hameg pdf protection/current limiting/electronic fuse. Triple Power Instrument Supply s http://www.tme.eu/ro/Docume HM8040-3 nt/c5690750d59bcbd75c1825f2 06033a48/data_en_HM8030_6. pdf http://www.tme.eu/ro/Docume nt/3d153e56d7faf7c62268447a da4d4ff1/HM8040- 3_D_GB_F_E.pdf http://www.tme.eu/ro/Docume nt/87c762facbf8244b757460e0 802b6bc3/data_en_HM8040_3. pdf http://www.rigol- france.com/RIGOL/Serie- DG2000/ Function/Arb itrary http://www.batronix.com/shop 25 MHz, 100Ms/s, signal shape: sine, square, Waveform /waveform-generator/Rigol- ramp, arbitrary, noise; modulated signals AM, 5 Rigol generators DG2021A.html FM, FSK; Rigol
    [Show full text]