PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
2 - 1
2 PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
2.1
INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the principle of operation and should be read in
combination with the block diagram in figure 2.1.
The block diagram shows the user in which sections of the oscilloscope circuitry
the controls and keys are operating, and how signals are routed. For a detailed
description of each function, refer to chapter 5 ’Function Reference’ in the
Operating Guide.
Lines between controls/keys and the block they are operating are interrupted. The
text ’
µ
C’ at the interruption indicates that the control operates the block via the
microComputer.
2.2
CONTROL SECTION
The heart of the control section is formed by a MICROCOMPUTER with an
incorporated RS-232 interface. The MICROCOMPUTER reads all the keys
(except POWER ON/OFF) and rotary controls. It sends control signals to the
oscilloscope circuits to put them in the desired mode. Control of the oscilloscope
functions can also be done by an external computer connected to the RS-232
CONNECTOR.
2.3
VERTICAL DEFLECTION
This section consists of the blocks VERTICAL CHANNELS and FINAL
VERTICAL AMPLIFIER. There are four vertical channels. In PM3370B/80B/90B
there are two vertical channels, CH1 and CH2, and an External Trigger (Trigger
View) channel. Small differences between the channels depend on instrument
versions. The inputs CH1 ... CH4 are applied to the block VERTICAL
CHANNELS. In this block the following functions are made:
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Input coupling can be switched between AC, DC and GND. As an extra 50
Ω
input impedance can be selected in the 200 MHz models via the VERT MENU
key.
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The AMPL/VAR key pair determines the input sensitivity of each channel. The
most suitable input sensitivity is selected automativally if AUTO RANGE is
active. Some channels may have a switch to toggle between the two most
commonly used input sensitivities.