CATHODE-RAY OSCILLOSCOPE (CRO)
The cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO) is a multipurpose display instrument used for the
observation, measurement, and analysis of waveforms by plotting amplitude along y-axis and
time along x-axis.
CRO is generally an x-y plotter; on a single screen it can display different signals applied to
different channels. It can measure amplitude, frequencies and phase shift of various signals.
A moving luminous spot over the screen displays the signal. The central unit of the
oscilloscope is the cathode- ray tube (CRT), and the remaining part of the CRO consists of
the circuitry required to operate the cathode-ray tube.
Block diagram of a cathode-ray oscilloscope:
The CRO consists of the following:
1. CRT
2. Vertical amplifier
3. Delay line
4. Horizontal amplifier
5. Time-base generator
6. Triggering circuit
7. Power supply
Power supply:
It provides the voltages required by the cathode ray tube to generate and accelerate the
electron beam.
Cathode ray tube (CRT) requires high voltage for pre-accelerating and accelerating anode,
low voltage required for heater, control grid, focusing anode and the other circuits of CRO.
By: Mohd.Ashraf
Trigger circuit is used to synchronize horizontal deflection with vertical deflection.
Electron gun:In the electron gun of the CRT, electrons are emitted, converted into a sharp
beam and focused upon the fluorescent screen.
The electron beam consists of an indirectly heated cathode, a control grid, an accelerating
electrode and a focusing anode.
The electrodes are connected to the base pins. The cathode emitting the electrons is
surrounded by a control grid with a fine hole at its centre. The accelerated electron beam
passes through the fine hole.
The negative voltage at the control grid controls the flow of electrons in the electron beam,
and consequently, the brightness of the spot on the CRO screen is controlled.
Electrostatic deflection: of an electron beam is used in a general purpose oscilloscope. The
deflecting system consists of a pair of horizontal and vertical deflecting plates.
T Y P E S O F T H E C A T H O D E - R A Y OSCILLOSCOPE:
The categorization of CROs is done on the basis of whether they are digital or analog. Digital
CROs can be further classified as storage oscilloscopes.
1. Analog CRO: In an analog CRO, the amplitude, phase and frequency are measured
from the displayed waveform, through direct manual reading.
2. Digital CRO: A digital CRO offers digital read-out of signal information, i.e., the
time, voltage or frequency along with signal display. It consists of an electronic
counter along with the main body of the CRO.
3. Storage CRO:
Storage CRO retains the display up to a substantial amount of time after the first trace
has appeared on the screen. The storage CRO is also useful for the display of
waveforms of low-frequency signals.
4. Dual-Beam CRO:
In the dual-beam CRO two electron beams fall on a single CRT. The dual-gun CRT
generates two different beams.
By: Mohd.Ashraf
