How to Use an Oscilloscope
Contributors:
jimblom
Resources and Going Further
With the tools discussed in this tutorial, you should be prepared to start scoping signals of your own. If you're still unsure of what certain parts of your scope are for, first consult your user's manual. Here are some additional resources we recommend checking out as well:
- The XYZs of Oscilloscopes (PDF) -- A great in-depth introduction to oscilloscopes.
- How to Use an Oscilloscope (YouTube) -- Great o-scope explanation straight from the makers of scopes (Tektronix).
- GA1102CAL User's Manual -- A user's manual for Atten's GA1102CAL 100MHz oscilloscope. While it's specific to that scope, it still provides a nice overview of what similar scopes are capable of, and how they work.
Going Further
Now that you're a practiced oscilloscop-er, what circuit are you going to be debugging? Need some inspiration? Here are some related tutorials we'd recommend checking out next!
- PCB Design with EAGLE -- If you're at a point where you need to troubleshoot circuits at the signal level, maybe you're ready to step into designing PCBs. Our EAGLE series of tutorials how to use the freely available software to design your own circuit boards.
- Recreating Classic Electronics Kits -- If you're in search of a circuit to troubleshoot with a scope, why not make your own version of 50-in-1 electronics kit?
- Pulse-Width Modulation -- PWM signals are the foundation behind dimming LEDs and driving servo motors. Learn about these signal types and then scope them with your new skills!
Or check out these tutorials using an oscilloscope to inspect a signal.
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