Special Purpose Oscilloscopes

In previous chapter, we had discussed about Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO), which is a basic oscilloscope. We will get special purpose oscilloscopes just by including few additional blocks to the basic oscilloscope based on the requirement.

Following are the special purpose oscilloscopes.

Dual Beam Oscilloscope

Dual Trace Oscilloscope

Digital Storage Oscilloscope

Now, let us discuss about these special purpose oscilloscopes one by one.

Dual Beam Oscilloscope

The Oscilloscope, which displays two voltage waveforms is called Dual Beam Oscilloscope. Its block diagram is shown in below figure.

As shown in above figure, the CRT of Dual Beam Oscilloscope consists of two sets of vertical deflection plates and one set of horizontal deflection plates.

The combination of the following blocks together is called a channel.

Pre-Amppfier & Attenuator

Delay Line

Vertical Amppfier

A set of Vertical Deflection Plates

There are two channels in Dual Beam Oscilloscope. So, we can apply the two signals, namely A & B as input of channel A & Channel B respectively. We can choose any one of these four signals as trigger input to the trigger circuit by using a switch. Those are input signals A & B, External signal (Ext) and Line input.

This oscilloscope will produce two vertically deflected beams, since there are two pairs of vertical deflection plates. In this oscilloscope, the blocks which are useful for deflecting the beam in horizontal direction is common for both the input signals. Finally, this oscilloscope will produce the two input signals simultaneously on the screen of CRT.

Dual Trace Oscilloscope

The Oscilloscope, which produces two traces on its screen is called Dual Trace Oscilloscope. Its block diagram is shown in below figure.

As shown in above figure, the CRT of Dual Trace Oscilloscope consists of a set of vertical deflection plates and another set of horizontal deflection plates. channel consists of four blocks, i.e. pre-Amppfier & attenuator, delay pne, vertical amppfier and vertical deflection plates.

In above block diagram, the first two blocks are separately present in both channels. The last two blocks are common to both the channels. Hence, with the help of electronic switch we can connect the delay pne output of a specific channel to vertical amppfier.

We can choose any one of these four signals as trigger input to the trigger circuit by using a switch. Those are input signals A & B, External signal (Ext) and Line input.

This oscilloscope uses same electron beam for deflecting the input signals A & B in vertical direction by using an electronic switch, and produces two traces. the blocks that deflect the beam horizontally is common for both the input signals.

Digital Storage Oscilloscope

The oscilloscope, which stores the waveform digitally is known as digital storage oscilloscope. The block diagram of (digital) storage oscilloscope is below −

Additional blocks required for digital data storage are added to a basic oscilloscope to make it convert it into a Digital Storage Oscilloscope. The blocks that are required for storing of digital data are pes between the pre-amppfier & attenuator and vertical amppfier in Digital Storage Oscilloscope. Those are Sample and Hold circuit, Analog to Digital Converter (ADC), Memory & Digital to Analog Converter.

Control logic controls the first three blocks by sending various control signals. The blocks pke control logic and Digital to Analog Converter are present between the trigger circuit and horizontal amppfier in Digital Storage Oscilloscope.

The Digital Storage Oscilloscope stores the data in digital before it displays the waveform on the screen. Whereas, the basic oscilloscope doesn’t have this feature.