A guide to basic triggering techniques

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive overview of basic triggering techniques used in oscilloscopes. Triggering is essential for capturing and analyzing electronic signals accurately. This guide will help you understand the foundational concepts and techniques necessary for effective triggering, setting the stage for more advanced practices in subsequent tutorials.

Step 1: Understand Triggering Basics

• Definition of Triggering: Triggering is the process of stabilizing a repetitive waveform on an oscilloscope screen so that it can be analyzed.
• Purpose: The main goal is to capture a specific part of a signal at a consistent point in time, which allows for detailed examination.
• Types of Signals: Familiarize yourself with different types of signals, such as periodic and non-periodic signals, to better understand when and how to apply triggering techniques.

Step 2: Set Up Your Oscilloscope

• Connect Your Probe: Attach the probe to the circuit you want to measure. Ensure a good ground connection.
• Power On the Oscilloscope: Turn on the device and allow it a moment to boot up.
• Select the Channel: Choose the channel corresponding to the probe you connected.

Step 3: Choose the Trigger Source

• Trigger Source Selection: Access the trigger menu and select the appropriate source (e.g., channel 1, channel 2, or external).
• Internal vs. External Triggers: Understand the difference:
  • Internal Trigger: Uses signals from the connected channels.
  • External Trigger: Uses an external signal, useful for synchronizing with other equipment.

Step 4: Adjust Trigger Level

• Setting the Trigger Level: Use the vertical position knob to adjust the trigger level. This defines the voltage at which the oscilloscope will capture the waveform.
• Finding the Right Level:
  • Start with the level set to the midpoint of the expected signal voltage.
  • Adjust until you achieve a stable display of the waveform.

Step 5: Select Trigger Mode

• Trigger Modes: There are several modes to choose from, including:
  • Edge Trigger: Triggers on a specific rising or falling edge of the signal.
  • Pulse Width Trigger: Triggers on pulses shorter or longer than a specified width.
• Setting the Mode: Navigate to the trigger settings and select the desired mode based on the characteristics of the signal you are analyzing.

Step 6: Fine-Tune the Trigger Settings

• Adjusting Slope: Set whether you want to trigger on a rising edge (positive slope) or falling edge (negative slope).
• Holdoff Time: Modify the holdoff time to prevent the oscilloscope from triggering too frequently, allowing for clearer signal analysis.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we covered the fundamental techniques for setting up and using triggering on an oscilloscope. You learned about the basics of triggering, how to set up your device, select trigger sources, adjust levels, and choose modes. Mastering these basic triggering techniques will enhance your ability to analyze electronic signals effectively. For further learning, consider exploring advanced triggering types in the next parts of the series.