Oscilloscope
demystified

Oscilloscopes are incredible: They can capture, display, and analyse an electrical input signal.

They can automatically produce all kinds of measurements, like the period, rise time, width, duty cycle, max and min voltages, and lots more, and even decode communications protocols like RS232, and I2C.

Over the last few years, their prices have dropped by a lot, and it is now very common for students and hobbyists to be able to afford one.

Today, budget scopes offer a full array of capabilities.

Unlike the multimeter (which can show the value of a measurement at a single moment in time), the oscilloscope works in two dimensions.

On its screen, the oscilloscope will plot the voltage of your test circuit over time. You can see how voltage changes over time, and get the measurements that describe various aspects of its operation. You can use this information to dive deep into the inner workings of your circuit.

This is the course I wish I had when I was studying engineering. 

Oscilloscopes For Busy People is a project course

The bulk of the course consists of experiments organized as small projects.

Learning a tool, just like learning any technology, is best done when you, the student, are immersed in the technology. 

The best way to do this is through a series of projects designed to give you the opportunity to practice the necessary skills.

This course, as with all our courses, is build with practice-based-learning in its core.

Course hardware requirements

To complete this course, you will need an oscilloscope and a few simple test signal generator circuits. 

To generate the test signals, we use an Arduino Uno and an ESP32, plus a few simple components like buttons, resistors, capacitors and a potentiometer. If you have completed Arduino Step by Step Getting Started and ESP32 For Busy People, you already have everything you need.

If you already have an oscilloscope, you can use it to practice the course experiments. If you don't, you can purchase an inexpensive PC/USB oscilloscope for less than $100.

Are there any prerequisites?

Yes.

To complete this course, you will need to be familiar with basic electronics. 

Because we will use the Arduino Uno and the ESP32 as low-cost test signal generators, you should also be familiar with these platforms. We provide all circuit schematics and sketches in the course.

This course is suitable for Makers that:

The oscilloscope is an amazing instrument that can help you gain a deeper understanding of electronics and how devices work.

Being able to see a capacitor charging, or how a PWM signal’s duty cycle changes, can be a powerful tool in your learning journey.

Beyond learning, an oscilloscope is a very useful tool when you work to verify, maintain and troubleshoot electronic devices.

It addition to the multimeter, it gives you the ability to literally probe a circuit and see it working (or not working). Over time, as you become more proficient in using it, the oscilloscope will allow you to know exactly what is going on in a circuit instead of only guessing.