Q1 .

The generator which generates a waveform which is responsible for the movement of spot
on screen horizontally is called time base generator or sweep generator. The sweep circuit along
with the display gating functions is called time bases.
The linear sweep moves the spot from left to right while the movement of spot from right to left
is not visible. This portion of waveform generated by time base is called flyback or retrace.
During this time, the cathode ray tube is blanked.
The time base generator also controls the rate at which the spot moves, across the screen. This
rate is to be adjusted from front panel control.

Why sweep generator is called time base generator?

All the time dependent waveforms need x-axis to be calibrated as time axis. The sweep generator
produces the movement of spot on screen such that it acts as a time axis or time base for the
waveforms to be displayed. Hence the sweep generator is also called time base generator.
The two front panel controls which are used to control rate and duration of time base waveform
are time/division and time variable control.
Basic principle of time base generator
The basic sweep generator uses the charging characteristics of a capacitor to generate linear
risetime voltages. Linearly increasing ramp which becomes zero with very short duration of time
ensures that the spot is visible from left to right and invisible from right to left.
The image below shows a capacitor charged from a constant current source.

When switch S1 is closed, S2 is open and capacitor charges to produce linear ramp at the output.
The sweep rate can be controlled by changing the value of capacitor or charging current.
Reaching to the maximum value of ramp voltage, the switch S2 is closed and S1 is open. Thus
capacitor gets discharged through the resistance R. this is called flyback or retrace. The time t1 is
called sweep time. The circuit is a sort of relaxation oscillator which generates saw tooth
waveform.
During the sweep time, the spot moves from left to right. During retrace, the screen is blanked
and spot comes back to its starting level but its movement from right to left is invisible.
Practically a trigger circuit is associated with the time base generator. This circuit generates a
trigger pulse which activates the time base generator to produce a ramp.
Q3. An oscilloscope (also known as a scope, CRO, DSO or, an O-scope) is a type of electronic
test instrument that allows observation of constantly varying signal voltages, usually as a two-
dimensional graph of one or more electrical potential differences using the vertical or 'Y' axis,
plotted as a function of time, (horizontal or 'x' axis). Although an oscilloscope displays voltage
on its vertical axis, any other quantity that can be converted to a voltage can be displayed as well.
In most instances, oscilloscopes show events that repeat with either no change, or change
slowly.Oscilloscopes are commonly used to observe the exact wave shape of an electrical signal.
In addition to the amplitude of the signal, an oscilloscope can show distortion, the time between
two events (such as pulse width, period, or rise time) and relative timing of two related signals.
Dual-trace operation allows you to view two independent signal sources as a dual display on a
single CRT. This operation allows an accurate means of making amplitude, phase, time
displacement, or frequency comparisons and measurements between two signals.

Alternate and Chop Display

On analog scopes, multiple channels are displayed using either an alternate or chop
mode. (Digital oscilloscopes do not normally use chop or alternate mode.)
Alternate mode draws each channel alternately - the oscilloscope completes one
sweep on channel 1, then one sweep on channel 2, a second sweep on channel 1,
and so on. Use this mode with medium- to high-speed signals, when the sec/div
scale is set to 0.5 ms or faster.
Chop mode causes the oscilloscope to draw small parts of each signal by switching
back and forth between them. The switching rate is too fast for you to notice, so the
waveform looks whole. You typically use this mode with slow signals requiring
sweep speeds of 1 ms per division or less. Figure 3 shows the difference between
the two modes. It is often useful to view the signal both ways, to make sure you
have the best view.
Q 4. A X-Y recorder is an instrument which gives a graphic record of the
relationship between two variables.In X-Y recorders, an emf is plotted as a function
of another emf. This is done by having one self-balancing potentiometer control the
position of the rolls. while another self-balancing potentiometer controls the position
of the recording pen.In some X-Y recorders, one self-balancing potentiometer circuit
moves a recording pen in the X direction while another self-balancing potentiometer
circuit moves the recording pen in the Y direction at right angles to the X direction,
while the paper remains stationary.Thus with the help of X-Y recorders and
appropriate transducers, a physical quantity may be plotted against another
physical quantity.Hence an X-Y recorder consists of a pair of servo-systems, driving
a recording pen in two axes through a proper sliding pen and moving arm
arrangement, with reference to a stationary paper chart. Attenuators are used to
bring the input signals to the levels acceptable by the recorder.

This figure shows a block diagram of a typical X-Y recorder. A signal enters each of the two
channels. The signals are attenuated to the inherent full scale range of the recorder, the signal
then passes to a balance circuit where it is compared with an internal reference voltage. The error
signal the difference between the input signal voltage and the reference voltage is fed to a
chopper which converts d.c signal to an a.c signal. The signal is then amplified in order to
actuate a servometer which is used to balance the system and hold it in balance as the value of
the quantity being recorder changes. The action described above takes place in both axed
simultaneously. thus we get a record of one variable with respect to another.

Q 8 . Two probes are plugged into two of the ports on the front of the unit. COM
stands for common and is almost always connected to Ground or - of a circuit. The
COM probe is conventionally black but there is no difference between the red probe
and black probe other than color. 10A is the special port used when measuring
large currents (greater than 200mA). mAV is the port that the red probe is
conventionally plugged in to. This port allows the measurement of current (up to
200mA), voltage (V), and resistance (). The probes have a banana type connector
on the end that plugs into the multimeter. Any probe with a banana plug will work
with this meter. This allows for different types of probes to be used.

Probe Types
There are many different types of probes available for multimeters. Here are a few of our
favorites:

Banana to Alligator Clips : These are great cables for connecting to large wires or pins on
a breadboard. Good for performing longer term tests where you dont have to have to
hold the probes in place while you manipulate a circuit.

Banana to IC Hook : IC hooks work well on smaller ICs and legs of ICs.
 Banana to Tweezers : Tweezers are handy if you are needing to test SMD components.

Banana to Test Probes : If you ever break a probe, they are cheap to replace!