INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (EE)

PRINCIPLES OF EE1 LAB

Lab 2

Function Generator &

Oscilloscope

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SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (EE)

I. Objectives
The main objective of this laboratory experiment is to get acquainted with Function Generators and
Oscilloscopes.
II. Prelab
Explain about output resistance of function generator. If Vgen in Figure 4 is constant, what will
happen to Vload when RL varies?
What is the difference between AC and DC signal? Draw two arbitrary AC and DC signals. Draw a
signal composed of both AC and DC components.
Read part 5.2 carefully. Then look at the waveform on Figure 7, what can you tell about voltage,
period and frequency of the waveform if:
a. VOLT/DIV = 10 mv/div and MAIN TIME/DIV = 1 ms/div.
b. VOLT/DIV = 1 volt/div and MAIN TIME/DIV = 0.2 ms/div.
c. VOLT/DIV = 2 volt/div and MAIN TIME/DIV = 50 µs/div.
III. Introduction to waveforms
A function generator is a very versatile instrument that is extensively used in electronics,
mechanics, bioengineering, physics and many other fields. It allows you to create a wide variety of
synthesized electrical signals and waveforms for testing and diagnostic applications. Figure 1 shows
the most common functions such as the sine, square, triangle and ramp functions.

Figure 1: Waveforms generated by a function generator

Each of the waveforms can be adjusted through the front panel controls or remotely for frequency,
amplitude and DC offset voltage. As an example, lets look at a sine function described by the
following equation,
v(t)=VAsin(2πft) + VOFF

in which f is the frequency, VA the amplitude, and VOFF the offset voltage as shown in Figure 2.
Instead of amplitude one often used the RMS (Root Mean Square) value to express the signal
voltage level. For a sine wave the RMS value is the amplitude divided by the square root of 2 or
VRMS = VA/1.41. The RMS is the most useful way to specify AC signal amplitudes.

Figure 2: Sine wave with amplitude VA, frequency f, and offset VOFF

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IV. Basics of the Function Generator

The function generator is based on digital signal processing (DSP) methods. A DSP is basically a
beefed-up microprocessor which is specially designed for number crunching. DSPs are used in
many everyday instruments ranging from a compact disc player, an electronic synthesized piano, or
a voice-synthesized telephone answering message system. The DSP is able to generate complex and
arbitrary functions. The principle if fairly simple and is called Direct Digital Synthesis. A simplified
block diagram is shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3: Block diagram of a typical function generator.

The heart of the instrument is a random-access-memory (RAM) which stores the function (e.g. sine)
in digital form. This memory is addressed sequentially through an increment register. The frequency
of the voltage waveform is proportional to the speed with which the RAM is addressed. The output
data from the memory is a digital bit stream which is converted in the actual (analog) waveshape
through a Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) (see Lab 8) as illustrated in Figure 3.A low pass filter
at the output ensures a smooth waveform. The amplitude and offset are controlled by changing the
signal gain of the amplifier at the output of the DAC.

As you know, any circuit can be represented by the Thevenin's equivalent circuit. This is shown in
Figure 4a. Vgen represents the waveform (sine, pulse, etc.) and R T is the Thevenin resistance (=
output resistance).

Figure 4: (a) Thevenin's equivalent circuit; (b) voltage divider between the output and load resistors.

Important is that this output resistance of the function generator has a value of 50 Ohm. This
implies that the actual output voltage one measures over the load will vary with the load resistance
because of the voltage divider, as shown in Figure 4b. The output amplitude is calibrated for a 50
Ohm load resistance, which means that the voltage shown on the function generator's display panel
corresponds to the actual voltage VLOAD over the load only when the load is equal to 50 Ohm. In

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SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING (EE)

other words, the value of Vgen is double of the value displayed (or selected) by the function
generator. If the function generator's output is measured with no load connected (=open circuit or
infinite resistance), the output voltage will be twice the displayed amplitude. Thus, be careful when
applying the output voltage of the function generator to a circuit whose input resistance is different
from 50 Ohm. In general, it is a good practice to measure the amplitude of the waveform using a
Digital Multimeter (DMM) or an oscilloscope instead of relying on the function generator display
reading.

V. Basics of the Oscilloscope

Figure 5: BK Precision 2190B Dual Trace Oscilloscope.

The above diagram describes the oscilloscope that you will use for at least the remainder of
this semester and possibly for several more ECE Laboratories. It is critical that you
understand the basics of the oscilloscope that will be demonstrated in this lab. An
oscilloscope is mainly used in order to display AC (alternating current) signals. Note that
alternating voltages and currents are often simply called "signals". AC signals differ from
the DC currents. In the latter the charge flows continuously in one direction whereas in AC
signals the flow of charge carriers reverses direction periodically. As mentioned before, the
function generator can produce AC signals of three different (periodical) types, namely sine
waves, triangular waves, and square waves.
The oscilloscope that you will use in this laboratory is called the digital oscilloscope. The
digital oscilloscope differs from its analog oscilloscope counterpart in that it “digitizes” or
converts the analog input waveform into a digital signal that is stored in a semiconductor
memory and then converted back into analog form for display on a conventional CRT.
Digital and analog oscilloscope each has distinct advantages, but digital oscilloscope is fast
replacing analog scopes because they are more versatile.

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Figure 6: The functions of Oscilloscope.

5.1 Preliminary:
Locate the following button and knobs that would normally be used in an experiment:
a. Power button, Intensity and Focus control.
b. Locate a group of knobs and buttons grouped under Vertical. Notice that there are two
identical sets of knobs. This is provided because the oscilloscope can display two input
signals simultaneously.
c. Also locate another group of knobs and buttons grouped under Horizontal.
d. Locate group of knobs and buttons grouped under Trigger.
e. Locate CAL Terminal, providing 2 V p-p (Voltage peak to peak), 1 kHz (nominal) square
wave signal.
f. Locate the remaining control knobs and buttons.
5.2 Oscilloscope Display:

Figure 7. The screen of this oscilloscope has 8 squares or divisions on the vertical axis, and
10 squares or divisions on the horizontal axis.
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The display of the oscilloscope will exhibit changing voltage vs. time. The x-axis is the
time axis and the y-axis is the voltage axis where the level of the input voltage is displayed.
The scale of the x-axis (which can range from 20ns/div to 0.5s/div) can be changed by
manipulating the big round knob called MAIN TIME/DIV in the group labeled
Horizontal. For example, if we set MAIN TIME/DIV to 1 ms/div, scale of the x-axis will
be 1 ms/div. In other word, time length of each horizontal division is 1ms.
Likewise the scale of the y-axis (which varies from 5mV/div to 5V/div) can be changed by
manipulating the knobs called VOLT/DIV in the group labeled Vertical. For example, if we
set VOLT/DIV to 1 volt/div, scale of the y-axis will be 1 volt/div. In other word, voltage of
each vertical division is 1 volt. As you noticed there are two knobs to change the y-axis each
referring to the y-axis of the 1st or the 2nd channel. The scales of the 1st and 2nd channel can
be set independently of one another.
5.3 Initial Starting Procedure
Until you familiarize yourself with the use of all controls, the settings given here can be
used as a reference point to obtain a trace on the CRT in preparation for waveform
observation.
a. Set these controls as follows:
- VERTical MODE (numbered 9 on Fig. 5) to CH1.
- CH1 AC/GND/DC (numbered 10 on Fig. 5) to GND.
- Select AUTO triggering by pushing in HOLD OFF knob (numbered 26 on Fig. 5)
- Trigger COUPLING (numbered 28 on Fig. 5) to AC.
- Trigger SOURCE (numbered 27 on Fig. 5) to CH1.
- All POSition controls (numbered 14, 15 and 24 on Fig. 5) INTENSITY control
(numbered 3 on Fig. 5) and FOCUS control (numbered 5 on Fig. 5) centered
(pointers facing up).
- Main Time Base control (numbered 20 on Fig. 5) to 1 mS/div.
- Sweep Mode switch (numbered 25 on Fig. 5) to MAIN.
b. Press the red POWER pushbutton.
c. A trace should appear on the CRT. Adjust the trace brightness with the INTENSITY
control, and the trace sharpness with the FOCUS control.
Show your instructor when you finish this step.
5.4 CAL Terminal Display
Either channel 1 or channel 2 may be used for single-trace operation. To observe a
waveform on channel 1:
a. Perform the steps of the “Initial Starting Procedure”.
b. Connect the probe to the CH 1 (X) input jack (numbered 11 on Fig. 5).
c. Connect the probe tip to the CAL Terminal (numbered 8 on Figure 5).
d. Move the CH1 AC/GND/DC switch out of the GND position to either DC or AC.
e. If no waveforms appear, adjust the sensitivity by turning the CH 1 VOLTS/DIV control
and adjust sweep rate by turning the Main Time Base control
f. Position the waveform vertically as desired using the CH1 POSition control.
g. The display on the CRT may be unsynchronized. In that case, look at knobs and buttons
grouped under Trigger and make sure that COUPLING is at AC position, SOURCE is at
CH1 position, HOLD OFF is pushed in, Sweep Mode switch is at MAIN position. Then try

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to adjust TRIG LEVEL knob (numbered 29 on Fig. 5) until the display is synchronized,
which should look like Figure 8.
Show your instructor when you finish this step.

Figure 8. Square wave signal displayed on oscilloscope screen.

5.5 Frequency and Period Measurement Using The Scope:
The oscilloscope can also be used to read the period, the frequency and the voltage level
of a signal.
a. Set up the Function Generator so that it generates a 2 kHz, 1 Vp-p sinusoidal signal.
a. Connect the input of Channel 1 of the oscilloscope with the output of the function
generator (oscilloscope probe ground connects to ground of function generator, oscilloscope
probe tip connects to output of Function Generator).
b. Use the knobs in the Horizontal and Vertical group to accurately view the waveform.
c. Look at the waveform on the CRT and Record the frequency and voltage of the
waveform. Does the recorded values equal to the values we set on Function Generator?
d. Change waveform, amplitude, frequency and offset of the signal generated by Function
Generator and look at the CRT to check whether the waveform on the CRT changes
accordingly.
Show your instructor when you finish this step.
5.6 Dual trace display
Ok, now try to display two signals simultaneously, one from CAL terminal and one
generated by Function Generator.
Show your instructor when you finish this step.
5.7 Build a simple circuit
Build a simple circuit as shown below, using R1 = 10k, R2 = 22k, R3 = 10k, C1=1µF.
R1 C1
V1 V2

FUNCTION R2 R3
GENERATOR

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Set up the Function Generator so that it generates a 2 kHz, 1 Vp-p sinusoidal signal.
Use the oscilloscope to monitor the signal at V1 and V2.
Change the frequency to 4kHz, 8kHz.
Draw the signals here
Frequency V1 V2
2kHz

4kHz

8kHz

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