Oscilloscope tutorials

Hi Steven,

I've not watched these completely, but these two seem ok for the essential controls:

How to use an Oscilloscope part 2 of 5

Measure Period, Frequency and Amplitude on an Oscilloscope part 3 of 5

They are slow-going though. I don't like it when they waste too much time on humour, because I'd rather spend that time watching a comedy if I wanted that : ). There's a PDF lab series here, which is more technical and to-the-point, and prompts you to try out things... it relies on a more modern 'scope with built-in signal generator, but you could use other signal sources (e.g. a phone with jack plug and WAV files could work at a pinch):

http://www.ee.ic.ac.uk/pcheung/teaching/DE1_EE/Lectures/Lecture%203%20-%20Electrical%20Signals%20&%20Oscilloscope%20(x2)…

That document refers off to this video:

MAKE presents: The Oscilloscope

I think 'Art of Electronics' had a good chapter on oscilloscopes too - I can check my copy if you plan to purchase any books on a recommendation.

Also, bear in mind that modern 'scopes are multi-purpose tools, so you may get the impression that 'scopes do very little unless you check the datasheets and user manuals of modern scopes. Then you'll see that you may also need tutorials on things like signal generators, logic analyzers, and maybe even spectrum analyzers. They may not all apply to your current goal of course. Most people first get familiar with observing simple waveforms without much noise, and repetitive, like sine or square waves, to learn the basics - amplitude+coupling, timebase and trigger.

Plus, to really understand the subtleties of using scopes there's more intensive stuff to learn about probes, transmission lines and sampling, which may be glossed over in a general oscilloscope tutorial, simply because the subject is too big. Incidentally, 'scopes generally measure voltage, not current, so you'd need to make a decision how you intend to interface your circuit to a probe to measure the quantity of interest. There are specialist probes but they cost a lot. I'm wondering if you're using a traditional x10 voltage measuring probe, which is what one normally sees in beginner oscilloscope tutorials.

Hi Steven,

I've not watched these completely, but these two seem ok for the essential controls:

How to use an Oscilloscope part 2 of 5

Measure Period, Frequency and Amplitude on an Oscilloscope part 3 of 5

They are slow-going though. I don't like it when they waste too much time on humour, because I'd rather spend that time watching a comedy if I wanted that : ). There's a PDF lab series here, which is more technical and to-the-point, and prompts you to try out things... it relies on a more modern 'scope with built-in signal generator, but you could use other signal sources (e.g. a phone with jack plug and WAV files could work at a pinch):

http://www.ee.ic.ac.uk/pcheung/teaching/DE1_EE/Lectures/Lecture%203%20-%20Electrical%20Signals%20&%20Oscilloscope%20(x2)…

That document refers off to this video:

MAKE presents: The Oscilloscope

I think 'Art of Electronics' had a good chapter on oscilloscopes too - I can check my copy if you plan to purchase any books on a recommendation.

Also, bear in mind that modern 'scopes are multi-purpose tools, so you may get the impression that 'scopes do very little unless you check the datasheets and user manuals of modern scopes. Then you'll see that you may also need tutorials on things like signal generators, logic analyzers, and maybe even spectrum analyzers. They may not all apply to your current goal of course. Most people first get familiar with observing simple waveforms without much noise, and repetitive, like sine or square waves, to learn the basics - amplitude+coupling, timebase and trigger.

Plus, to really understand the subtleties of using scopes there's more intensive stuff to learn about probes, transmission lines and sampling, which may be glossed over in a general oscilloscope tutorial, simply because the subject is too big. Incidentally, 'scopes generally measure voltage, not current, so you'd need to make a decision how you intend to interface your circuit to a probe to measure the quantity of interest. There are specialist probes but they cost a lot. I'm wondering if you're using a traditional x10 voltage measuring probe, which is what one normally sees in beginner oscilloscope tutorials.

This is really very helpful Shabaz.

Even this video is helpful to understand the oscilloscope : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzY2abWCVTY