Instrumentations: Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

GE T5 - Digital, Analog Circuits and Instrumentation
Instrumentations
Introduction to CRO: Block Diagram of CRO, Applications of CRO: (1) Study of Waveform, (2)
Measurement of Voltage, Current, Frequency and Phase Difference.
Power Supply: Half-wave Rectifiers, Centre-tapped and Bridge Full-wave Rectifiers, Calculation of
Ripple Factor and Rectification Efficiency, Basic idea about Capacitor Filter, Zener Diode and
Voltage Regulation.
Timer IC: IC 555 Pin Diagram and its application as Astable and Monostable Multivibrator.
Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

A CRO is a versatile instrument that can be used to measure voltage, time intervals,
and the phase angle between two sinusoidal voltages of the same frequency. It
works on the following principles: (i) thermionic emission (ii) deflection of the electron
beam by the electric and magnetic field (iii) fluorescence produced by the electron
beam on a fluorescent screen.
Essential parts of a CRO

i) Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) or Electron Gun
ii) Vertical and Horizontal amplifier (Deflecting Plates)
iii) Time-base generator
iv) Trigger unit
v) Delay line
vi) Power supply
vii) Photo-sensitive screen.
S u m a n P a u l, Ph. D.
Applications of a CRO
In Electronics, it is used as a frequency and phase measuring devices for any types
of signals and in Medical fields; it is used to visualize the movement of heart of a
patient.
Block Diagram of CRO
Block Diagram of Cathode Ray Tube
Working principle of a CRT

The cathode ray tube (CRT) is a vacuum tube containing an electron guns and a
phosphorescent screen used to view images. It has a means to accelerate and
deflect the electron beam(s) onto the screen to create the images. The images may
represent electrical waveforms (CRO), pictures (television, computer monitor),
RADAR (targets or others). The vacuum level inside the tube is of the order of 0.01
Pa to 133 nPa. In CRO, electrostatic deflection is used. The beam of electrons are
produced by thermionic emission and is deflected horizontally by applying an electric
field between a pair of plates to its left and right, and vertically by applying an electric
field to plates above and below. Various phosphors are available depending upon
the needs of the measurement or display application. Copper-activated zinc sulfide
and the silver-activated zinc sulfide are commonly used in CRTs.
Time base circuit

A time base is a special type of function generator that produces very high frequency
saw-tooth waves specifically designed to deflect the beam in cathode ray tube (CRT)
smoothly across the face of the tube and then return it to its starting position. To
display a signal on a CRO, it is desirable to have the electron beam sweep across
the screen so that the electron beam cycles at the same frequency as the signal, or
some multiple of that signal frequency. Normally the time base generator is attached
to the X-axis deflection plates, while the amplified output of the signal is sent to the
other axis, normally Y.
Determination of unknown frequency

The calibration of the horizontal scale, i.e., the time base helps to determine the
frequency of a time-varying signal displayed on the CRT screen. If N complete
cycles of the A.C. signal are found to appear in a time interval t , the time period of
t 1 N
the signal is T  . The frequency of the signal is f   .
N T t
Voltage Measurements
DC Voltage
The trace (horizontal) is adjusted to lie along the X-axis passing through the origin
(0,0) of the screen. The d.c. input to be measured is fed to the Y-input of the CRO in
the d.c. mode. The vertical shift of the trace is a measure of the magnitude of the d.c.
voltage. The measurement can be repeated for various values of both +ve or –ve
input voltages at different vertical gain.
Care should be taken to keep the vertical gain switch at a suitable position
depending on the magnitude of the input voltage such that the trace lies within the
screen.
AC Voltage
The a.c. signal froma signal generator is fed to the Y-input of the CRO in the a.c.
mode and the peak to peak voltage of the signal is measured by noting the height of
the signal on the screen and the vertical gain position of the Y-input. This can be
repeated on signals of different frequencies and magnitude.
Peak to peak voltage = 2√2
Tracing of signals on CRO Screen
To trace a curve in a CRO, deflection voltages in both the plates are applied
simultaneously. A sweep voltage is applied to the horizontal plates and a sine wave
signal (to be traced) is applied to the vertical plates. Thus, electron beam (CRO spot)
moves along horizontal line at a linear rate and simultaneously CRO spot moves up
and down in accordance with the magnitude and polarity of the input signal. The
resultant motion of the electron beam produces a CRT display of vertical input as a
function of time.
Deflection Sensitivity
The d.c. or peak-to-peak a.c. voltage applied to the deflecting plates to displace the
spot by 1 mm on the screen is termed as the deflection factor, the reciprocal of which
is called the deflection sensitivity. Its unit is mmV-1.
GE T5 - Digital, Analog Circuits and Ins
Instrumentation
To Study Lissajous Figures by CRO (detail in Laboratory)
When
en a particle is acted upon simultaneously by two simple harmonic motions
(SHM) at right angles to each other, the resultant path traced out by the particle is
called Lissajous Figure.
Let two SHMs at right angles (X-

(X and Y-axes)
axes) to each other having same frequencies
be = and = ( + ), where, a and b are respective amplitudes.
Case 1: If = 0, then = … Eq. of straight line.
Case 2: If = , then + =1 … Eq. of ellipse.
Case 3: If = and a = b,, then + = … Eq. of circle.
Case 4: If = , then =− … Eq. of straight line.
Case 5: If = , then + =1 … Eq. of ellipse.
Similarly, for different frequencies, and different

di values of , a and b
b, other Lissajous
patterns could be obtained. These patterns could be viewed in Cathode Ray
Oscilloscope (CRO) screen. Few patterns are shown.
A sample Experimental Data Table for different Lissajous Patterns is shown below.
Frequency in Amplitudes Phase

Hz of the wave difference
Ratio in V Ratio between Pattern on the
X- Y- a b the waves screen
input input
1:1 1:1 0
or
π
1:1 1:1
1:1 1:1
1:2 1:1
2:3 1:1
3:4 1:1
Measurement of Phase
Since sine waves are based on circular motion, they illustrate phase difference very
well. One complete cycle of a sine wave relates to one complete circle and therefore
to 360°. This means that the phase angle of a sine wave can be represented using
degrees. Figure shows how a complete sine wave cycle relates directly to 360°.
A complete sine wave
Phase shift describes the timing difference between two otherwise different signals,
e.g., two similar sine waves of the same frequency (Figure). T denotes the period of
one complete cycle (10 smallest division) and t signifies the time between the zero
transition point of both signals (3 smallest division).
Thus, phase difference in degrees is calculated from

∘
3
= . 360∘ = . 360∘ = 108∘
10
Worked-out Problems
Problem: A cathode ray tube has an electron beam that has been accelerated
through a potential difference of 1 kV. Calculate the velocity of the electrons.
[CU 2008]
Solution: Velocity of an electron is given by
2qV 2  1.6  10 19  1  10 3 -1
v   31
 1.87  10 7 ms .
m 9.11  10
Problem: A cathode ray tube has an electron beam that has been accelerated
through a potential difference of 2 kV. Calculate the velocity of the electrons.
[CU 2007]
Solution: Velocity of an electron is given by
2qV 2  1.6  1019  2  103 -1
v  31
 2.64  107 ms .
m 9.11  10
Problem: When a potential difference of 200 V is applied to the deflecting

plates of a CRO, the displacement of the light spot on the screen is found to be
2.0 cm. For what voltage will the displacement be 3.0 cm? [UGB 2016]
Solution: Displacement of the light spot on the screen in a CRO is given by d  lLVd .
2 sVa
Where, l, length of each deflection plate

L, distance of the screen from the centre of the deflecting plates
s, separation between the deflecting plates
Va, final accelerating anode voltage and
Vd, voltage applied between the deflecting plates
d 1 Vd 1 3. 0
 d  Vd , i.e.,   Vd 2  200   300 V.
d 2 Vd 2 2 .0
Questions from different University Examinations

① Mention the essential parts of a CRO. Write down the practical applications of the
instrument in electronic and medical fields.
② Write down two practical uses of CRO.
③ Draw the Block diagram of a CRO. or, Draw a neat block diagram of a CRO and
label its different parts.
④ Explain the principle underlying the time-base circuit in a CRO. or, Why time
base circuit is used in a CRO?
⑤ What is the principle of CRO?
⑥ How can be unknown frequency determined with the help of a CRO?
⑦ Draw a neat diagram of a cathode ray tube and explain its working principle.
⑧ How is curve tracing performed in a C.R.O.?
⑨ What is the deflection sensitivity?

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GE T5 - Digital, Analog Circuits and Instrumentation

Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

Essential parts of a CRO

Block Diagram of CRO

Block Diagram of Cathode Ray Tube

Working principle of a CRT

Time base circuit

Determination of unknown frequency

Peak to peak voltage = 2√2

Tracing of signals on CRO Screen

To Study Lissajous Figures by CRO (detail in Laboratory)

Let two SHMs at right angles (X-

Case 1: If = 0, then = … Eq. of straight line.

Case 2: If = , then + =1 … Eq. of ellipse.

Case 3: If = and a = b,, then + = … Eq. of circle.

Case 4: If = , then =− … Eq. of straight line.

Case 5: If = , then + =1 … Eq. of ellipse.

Similarly, for different frequencies, and different

Frequency in Amplitudes Phase

A complete sine wave

Thus, phase difference in degrees is calculated from

Problem: When a potential difference of 200 V is applied to the deflecting

Where, l, length of each deflection plate

Questions from different University Examinations

⑧ How is curve tracing performed in a C.R.O.?

⑨ What is the deflection sensitivity?

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