Oscilloscopes for beginners

With this course, you will learn how to use the oscilloscope through a series of experiments

Created by: Dr. Peter Dalmaris
Educator and Author of "Maker Education Revolution".

What Will I Learn?

• Understand the purpose of the oscilloscope.
• Understand the basic controls of the oscilloscope.
• Learn how to calibrate and use the probes so that a signal is transmitted to the oscilloscope with minimal distortion.
• Learn how to use the automatic and manual trigger function to capture a variety of signal types.
• Understand the differences and similarities between bench-top, portable and PC/USB oscilloscopes.
• Understand what you can and cannot do with an oscilloscope.
• Become familiar with the various kinds of waveforms that are typical in electronic circuits.
• Understand how to keep your oscilloscope and yourself safe.
• Learn how to use the oscilloscope automatic measurement and statistics functions.
• Learn how to take manual measurements using the cursors.
• Learn how to use cursors in manual, tracking and automatic mode.
• Build-up your skill and confidence through a series of experimentations.

Requirements

• Basic electronics, i.e. able to use simple passive components like resistors and capacitors in a breadboard circuit, and understand the meaning of units like Volt, Amperes, and Hz.
• A working understanding of 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.
• You will need an oscilloscope. If you already have one, 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.
• 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.

Target audience

• People who are ready to ready to move beyond their multimeter.
• People who are ready to dig deeper and understand what is going on in their circuits over time.
• People who want to understand what is an oscilloscope and how it works before they purchase one.
• People who already have an oscilloscope but are not sure how to use it.