Five steps to correctly operate an R&S oscilloscope

Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes have first-class signal fidelity, high waveform capture rate, innovative trigger system and user interface. Together with Tektronix oscilloscopes, Keysight oscilloscopes and LeCroy oscilloscopes, they are known as the "four giants" in the oscilloscope industry. R&S oscilloscopes are also widely used. So, do you operate the R&S oscilloscope correctly when using it? Today, Antai Test will share with you five steps to operate the R&S oscilloscope correctly:

Proper grounding is an important step when setting up a measurement or working on a circuit. Proper grounding of a German R&S oscilloscope can prevent the user from receiving an electric shock, and the user can prevent the circuit from being damaged if it is properly grounded.

1. Proper grounding

Grounding the oscilloscope means connecting the oscilloscope to a neutral reference point of an electrical appliance, such as grounding. Connect the oscilloscope's three-pronged power cord to a socket connected to a grounding device to achieve grounding of the oscilloscope.

Oscilloscope grounding is necessary for personal safety. If high voltage contacts an ungrounded oscilloscope chassis, any part of the chassis, including the knobs, may be insulated, and an electric shock may be delivered. When the oscilloscope is properly grounded, the current is transferred to the ground device through the ground path instead of through the user's body to the ground device. Grounding is also necessary for accurate measurements using an oscilloscope. The oscilloscope needs to share the same ground as any circuit being tested.

2. Set control function

With the oscilloscope plugged in, take a look at the front panel. The front panel is generally divided into three main areas, labeled Vertical, Horizontal, and Trigger. Your oscilloscope may have additional areas, depending on the model and type.

Note the input connector on the oscilloscope. This is where you connect the probe. Most oscilloscopes only have two input channels, each of which can display a waveform on the screen. Multiple channels are useful for comparing waveforms.

3. Calibrate the instrument

In addition to properly setting up the oscilloscope, it is recommended that you perform a periodic self-calibration to ensure accurate measurements. Calibration is required if the ambient temperature has changed by more than 5 (9) degrees since the last self-calibration, or once a week. This can sometimes be enabled as "Signal Path Compensation" in the oscilloscope menu. Please refer to the oscilloscope manual for a more detailed description.

4. Connect the probe

Now you are ready to connect the probe to the oscilloscope. If the oscilloscope is properly matched, the probe can deliver the full processing power and performance of the oscilloscope, ensuring the integrity of the measured signal.

Measuring a signal requires two connections: the probe connection and the ground connection. The probe usually has a clip connection that is used to ground the probe to the circuit under test. In practice, the ground clip can be connected to a known ground in the circuit, such as the metal chassis of the product being repaired, so that the probe touches the test point in the circuit.

5. Compensation probe

Passive-attenuating voltage probes must be compensated for the oscilloscope. Before using a passive probe, you must compensate the probe so that its electrical characteristics are balanced for the specific oscilloscope.

You should make it a habit to compensate the probe every time you set up the oscilloscope. Probe adjustments can degrade measurement accuracy. Most oscilloscopes provide a square wave reference signal on a terminal on the front panel that is used to compensate the probe. The procedure for compensating the probe is usually as follows:

1. Connect the probe to a vertical channel

2. Connect the probe to the probe compensation signal, that is, the square wave reference signal

3. Connect the probe ground clip to the ground.

4. Observe the square wave reference signal

5. Correctly adjust the probe so that the corners of the square wave are square.