Oscilloscopes are a type of essential equipment used in electronics labs for troubleshooting PCB problems. Learn more about what an oscilloscope is used for and the different types of oscilloscopes.
What types of oscilloscopes are there?
There are several types of oscilloscopes available, both analog and digital, at various prices. Because digital oscilloscopes can miss some transient signals, analog oscilloscopes are still valued for transient troubleshooting applications. However, high-end digital phosphor oscilloscopes can offer similar capabilities.
An analog oscilloscope displays the signal picked up by a probe and traces it on the screen. Storage capabilities allow the waveform to be displayed over a long period of time rather than decaying immediately.
Analog oscilloscopes are best suited to dealing with analog signals and transient effects. In analog oscilloscopes, phosphors on a CRT monitor glow for a while before going dark, allowing high-speed signals to build up a more intense glow. This process also makes transients stand out.
