An oscilloscope is a device that graphically displays electrical vibrations. Its name comes from the Latin and Greek words - "oscio" and "grapho", which translates as "swing" and "write", which accurately reflects the principle of its work.
History and classification
The very first oscilloscope was invented in France in 1893 by the physicist André Blondel and was more primitive and less accurate than its modern variations.
Today's oscilloscopes provide the ability to examine signals at gigahertz frequencies. To study higher-frequency signals, as a rule, more complex electro-optical cameras are used.
Oscilloscopes are divided into two types according to their purpose and method of displaying information. The former have a periodic sweep for direct observation of the waveform on the screen. The latter, having the same continuous scanning, register the fluctuations of the curve on the photographic tape.
Oscilloscopes with a periodic sweep are divided into universal, high-speed, stroboscopic, storage and special. Digital ones make it possible to combine the use of different functions.
It is also customary to distinguish between oscilloscopes by the way they process the input signal into analog and digital.
There are also classifications by the number of beams: single-beam, double-beam, etc. The number of beams can reach 16 or more.
In addition to the above variations, there are oscilloscopes combined with other measuring instruments. They are called scopometers.
Application area
As mentioned above, an oscilloscope is a device for studying the amplitude and time parameters of an electrical signal. That is why oscilloscopes have found wide application in electronics and radio engineering, where they are used for clearer diagnostics and understanding of oscillatory processes in electronic circuits.
With the help of this device, it is possible to evaluate not only and not so much the frequency of oscillations, but the form and pattern of oscillatory processes. Also, using an oscilloscope, you can find interference or distortions in the passage of an electrical pulse in various nodes of the circuit.
Today it is one of the most important devices in radio electronics. It is used for applied, laboratory and research purposes, for monitoring and studying electrical signals.
The oscilloscope was also used in television broadcasting. In this area, it is used for periodic and operational monitoring of the quality indicators of the television path and its individual links.
The oscilloscope also left its mark on the gaming industry. It was his screen that served as a display for one of the first Tennis For Two video games. It was a virtual version of tennis.
