Document Type: Tutorial

NI Supported: Yes
Publish Date: Dec 29, 2008

Digitizer/Oscilloscope Fundamentals
Overview

This tutorial recommends tips and techniques for using National Instruments high-speed digitizers to build the most effective data sampling system possible. In this tutorial, learn fundamental
information about the underlying theory of sampling with a high-speed digitizer and various methods to optimize the performance of your data sampling.

Table of Contents

1. Digitizer Fundamentals
2. User Applications Using Digitizers
3. Example Programs
4. Resources
5. References

Digitizer Fundamentals

Bandwidth, Sample Rate, and Nyquist Theorem

The two major components in a high-speed digitizer's analog front end are the analog input path and the analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signals that you can capture with
a digitizer are primarily determined by the bandwidth of the analog input path and the sample rate at which the ADC samples the conditioned (amplified, filtered, coupled, and so
on) waveform and converts the signal to digital values.

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Resolution
The resolution of a n-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is a function of how many parts the maximum votage signal can be divided into. With a higher resolution digitizer, you
can capture smaller voltages. For example, with an 8-bit digitizer, you can capture differences of only 39 mV with a 10 V input range. By contrast, a 14-bit digitizer can resolve
voltage differences as small as 610 µV using the same input range.

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Record Length, Vertical Range and Offset, Input Coupling, and Probing
This tutorial discusses how onboard memory, input range, signal coupling, and probing affect the measurements you take.

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Frequency Domain Measurement Fundamentals

This tutorial discusses how characteristics of a digitizer including flatness, spurious free dynamic range (SFDR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), total harmonic distortion (THD), and
SINAD will affect your measurements.

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FFT Analysis
Understand how a time-domain signal can be represented in the frequency domain, which can provide more information about a signal and make certain characteristics easier to
visualize. The Fourier transform converts a time domain representation of a signal into a frequency domain representation.

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Video Signal Measurement and Generation Fundamentals

This tutorial describes the basics of video signal measurement and generation by explaining the theory and giving practical examples. Topics discussed, include parts of the
video signal, different video formats, and color coding.

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Triggering with Digitizers

A trigger is an external stimulus that initiates one or more instrument functions. Trigger stimuli include digital edges, software functions, and analog levels. This tutorial describes
different trigger types that can be used with NI digitizers.

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User Applications Using Digitizers

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Click here to view more customer applications using digitizers >>

Example Programs

Getting Started with NI-SCOPE

Synchronizing Digitizers to Create High-Channel-Count Systems
Creating a Mixed-Signal Oscilloscope for Synchronized Analog and Digital Acquisition

Search for more examples on digitizers >>

Resources

Top 10 Things to Consider When Selecting a Digitizer/Oscilloscope

Drivers and Example Code
Data Streaming (Data Record and Playback)

References

All Features Supported by High-Speed Digitizers

Brief High-Speed Digitizers Product Overview and Selection Guide

Downloads

pxitecharticle.pdf

Legal
This tutorial (this "tutorial") was developed by National Instruments ("NI"). Although technical support of this tutorial may be made available by National Instruments, the content in this tutorial may
not be completely tested and verified, and NI does not guarantee its quality in any way or that NI will continue to support this content with each new revision of related products and drivers. THIS
TUTORIAL IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND AND SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS AS MORE SPECIFICALLY SET FORTH IN NI.COM'S TERMS OF USE (
http://ni.com/legal/termsofuse/unitedstates/us/).

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