Difference between revisions of "Oscilloscopes and waveform generators"
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An oscilloscope is a device that lets you analyze electrical signals. Its use is often indispensable when designing, debugging or simply using electronic circuits. | An oscilloscope is a device that lets you analyze electrical signals. Its use is often indispensable when designing, debugging or simply using electronic circuits. | ||
| − | A signal generator is a device | + | A signal generator is a device capable of producing electrical signals (typically ''periodic'' signals), the characteristics of which can be specified by the user. The main characteristics of a periodic signal are waveform, amplitude, and frequency. |
| − | A good introductory guide to signals and oscilloscopes can be downloaded from http://www.tek.com/Measurement/App_Notes/XYZs/. | + | A good introductory guide to signals and oscilloscopes can be downloaded from [http://www.tek.com/Measurement/App_Notes/XYZs/ | Tektronix] (one major oscilloscope manufacturer). |
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| + | Beware! Especially with high-frequency circuits, you definitely 'cannot' ignore the fact that oscilloscope probes are not ideal. You could even destroy your electronic circuit pretty easily. Before it's too late, read [http://www.eetimes.com/discussion/break-points/4236927/Probing-pointers?pageNumber=0 | this] (useful ''and'' funny!). | ||
Revision as of 13:03, 6 March 2012
An oscilloscope is a device that lets you analyze electrical signals. Its use is often indispensable when designing, debugging or simply using electronic circuits.
A signal generator is a device capable of producing electrical signals (typically periodic signals), the characteristics of which can be specified by the user. The main characteristics of a periodic signal are waveform, amplitude, and frequency.
A good introductory guide to signals and oscilloscopes can be downloaded from | Tektronix (one major oscilloscope manufacturer).
Beware! Especially with high-frequency circuits, you definitely 'cannot' ignore the fact that oscilloscope probes are not ideal. You could even destroy your electronic circuit pretty easily. Before it's too late, read | this (useful and funny!).
