A mode that blocks the DC component of a signal but passes the dynamic (AC) component of the signal. Useful for observing an AC signal that is normally riding on a DC signal.
The process of sampling signals from input channels, digitizing the samples, processing the results into data points, and assembling the data points into a waveform record. The waveform record is stored in memory.
The cursor that moves when you adjust the general-purpose knob. The @ readout on the display shows the position of the active cursor.
A false representation of a signal due to insufficient sampling of high frequencies or fast transitions. A condition that occurs when an oscilloscope digitizes at an effective sampling rate that is too slow to reproduce the input signal. The waveform displayed on the oscilloscope may have a lower frequency than the actual input signal.
A small module that you plug in to the front panel to add capabilities to your oscilloscope. You can use up to four application modules at one time.
An optional package that may include an application module, a firmware upgrade, and manuals that add capabilities to your oscilloscope.
The degree the amplitude of a signal is reduced when it passes through an attenuating device such as a probe or attenuator (the ratio of the input measure to the output measure). For example, a 10X probe attenuates, or reduces, the input voltage of a signal by a factor of 10.
Auto Trigger Mode
A trigger mode that causes the oscilloscope to automatically acquire if it does not detect a valid trigger event.
A feature that automatically sets the vertical, horizontal, and trigger controls to provide a usable display.
Average Acquisition Mode
A mode in which the oscilloscope acquires and displays a waveform that is the averaged result of several acquisitions. The oscilloscope acquires data as in the sample mode and then averages it according to a specified number of averages. Averaging reduces uncorrelated noise in the displayed signal.
The illumination behind the liquid-crystal display.
A second trigger system that works with the main (A) trigger to capture more complex events. You can use the dual A and B triggers to trigger after a given wait time or number of events.
Paired markers that you can use to make measurements between two waveform locations. The oscilloscope displays the values (expressed in volts, time, or frequency) of the position of the active cursor and the distance between the two cursors.
A mode that passes both AC and DC signal components to the circuit. Available for both the trigger system and the vertical system.
A optional module that adds I/0 ports to the oscilloscope.
A means to delay the acquisition to start long after the trigger event has occurred. The trigger point does not have to be within the waveform record when delay is on.
A term that describes the way the digitizing oscilloscope can simulate the acquisition behavior of an analog oscilloscope. Displayed points vary in intensity depending on the frequency of their acquisition and then decay as if the oscilloscope had an analog CRT (cathode ray tube).
Digital Real Time Digitizing
A digitizing technique that samples the input signal with a sample frequency of four to five times the oscilloscope bandwidth. Combined with (sinx)/x interpolation, all frequency components of the input up to the bandwidth are accurately displayed.
The process of converting a continuous analog signal such as a waveform to a set of discrete numbers representing the amplitude of the signal at specific points in time.
Triggering that occurs when the oscilloscope detects the source passing through a specified voltage level in a specified direction (the trigger slope).
Envelope Acquisition Mode
A mode in which the oscilloscope acquires and displays a waveform that shows the variation extremes of several acquisitions.
Triggering that occurs when the oscilloscope detects the external input signal passing through a specified voltage level in a specified direction (the trigger slope).
Voltage measurements where the reference voltage is not earth ground.
General Purpose Knob
A knob on the front panel that you can use to set parameters, for example, cursor position. The specific parameter assigned to the general-purpose knob depends on other selections.
The waveform display capable of showing points at different intensities, depending on the frequency of their occurrence. Color "gray scale" consists of light and dark shades of the color.
Ground (GND) Coupling
Coupling option that disconnects the input signal from the vertical system.
The reference lead for an oscilloscope probe.
A wire that must be connected between the ground terminal and earth ground when using the oscilloscope with battery power.
An electronic copy of the display in a format usable by a printer or plotter.
A specified amount of time that must elapse after a trigger signal before the trigger circuit will accept another trigger signal. Holdoff helps ensure a stable display.
Horizontal Bar Cursors
The two horizontal bars that you position to measure the voltage parameters of a waveform. The oscilloscope displays the value of the active (movable) cursor with respect to ground and the voltage value between the bars.
A set of labels shown in the display to identify the functions of the bezel buttons. The specific menu contents depend on the menu button you press.
Normal Trigger Mode
A mode where the oscilloscope does not acquire a waveform record unless a valid trigger event occurs. It waits for a valid trigger event before acquiring waveform data.
An acquisition mode that captures spikes and glitches that may occur between normal sample points.
The decay of waveform points. With persistence turned off, the points decay quickly. With persistence on, the points decay more slowly or not at all, depending on the setting.
A visible point on the display. The display is 640 pixels wide by 480 pixels high.
The specified portion of the waveform record that contains data acquired before the trigger event.
The oscilloscope capability to show you what the next acquisition might look like if you change control settings while acquisition is stopped or waiting for the next trigger. The new control settings take effect for the next acquisition. Both horizontal and vertical preview are available.
An alternate display presentation that lets you control the most commonly used functions with the screen buttons. Optional application packages may have an available QuickMenu display.
The specified number of samples in a waveform.
A saved waveform selected for display. You can save and display up to four reference waveforms.
An acquisition mode useful at slow horizontal scale settings. Roll mode allows you to view the waveform as it is acquired point-by-point. The waveform appears to roll across the display.
The serial communication port used to connect to a hard-copy device, computer, controller, or terminal.
Sample Acquisition Mode
A mode in which the oscilloscope creates a record point by saving the first sample during each acquisition interval. This is the default mode of the acquisition system.
The time interval between successive samples in a time base. For real-time digitizers, the sample interval is the reciprocal of the sample rate.
The process of capturing an analog input, such as a voltage, at a discrete point in time and holding it constant so that it can be quantized.
A built-in QuickMenu that places the most commonly used oscilloscope controls around the screen. With the Scope QuickMenu, you may not need to use the main menu system to operate the oscilloscope.
The rows of buttons below and to the right of the display that select items in the menus.
The waveform on which all measurements are performed and which is affected by vertical position and scale adjustments.
Signal Path Compensation (SPC)
The ability of the oscilloscope to minimize the electrical offsets in the vertical, horizontal, and trigger amplifiers caused by ambient temperature changes and component aging. You should run SPC when the ambient temperature varies more than 5' C from the last SPC or before performing critical measurements.
A single shot acquisition if Sample or Peak-detect acquisition mode is selected. A series of N acquisitions if Average or Envelope acquisition mode is selected (N is the number of averages or envelopes).
The off-like state when the instrument in not in use. Some circuits are active even while the instrument is in the standby state.
An interface that communicates information between a probe and the oscilloscope, such as the probe type and its attenuation factor. The interface also supplies power to active probes.
A feature that erases all waveform and setup memory locations (setup memories are replaced with the factory setup). Then it checks each location to verify erasure. This feature is useful where the oscilloscope is used to gather security - sensitive data.
The set of parameters that let you define the time and horizontal axis attributes of a waveform record. The time base determines when and how long to acquire record points.
Vertical Bar Cursors
The two vertical bars you position to measure the time parameter of a waveform record. The oscilloscope displays the value of the active (movable) cursor with respect to trigger and the time value between the bars.
Triggering on the sync pulse of a composite video signal.
A display format that compares the voltage level of two waveform records point by point. It is useful for studying phase relationships between two waveforms.
The conventional oscilloscope display format. It shows the voltage of a waveform record (on the vertical axis) as it varies over time (on the horizontal axis).
The horizontal magnification capability of the oscilloscope. Zoom is a display function; adjusting zoom does not affect the acquired waveform.