Application Notes
"A Laplace Transform Cookbook"
Peter Hiscocks
The Laplace transform is a very useful tool in electronic circuit analysis. With an emphasis on practical applications, the Laplace Cookbook shows how to use the Laplace transform to determine the sine-wave frequency response
and transient pulse response of an electrical network. The paper includes
measurement results that confirm the mathematics, using the Syscomp
WGM-101 waveform generator, DSO-101 oscilloscope and Bode Plot software.
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"How to Buy an Oscilloscope"
Peter Hiscocks
For anyone doing electronics - as a job, studies or a hobby - the oscilloscope is an indispensable tool. You'll spend a lot of time with your scope, so it's important to get something that does what you need. In this paper, we discuss oscilloscope features and specifications, things that are useful to know before buying an oscilloscope.
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Mitch Gallant, who teaches in the Department of Engineering at St. Francis
Xavier University in Nova Scotia. has posted several papers which show the
the DSO-101 oscilloscope in action. Here are the links:
Basic Pulsed Circuits for Infrared LEDs and Visible Semiconductor Diode Lasers
http://www.jensign.com/opto/ledlaserdrivers/
1 MHz Wien-Bridge Oscillator
http://www.jensign.com/wien/
A very simple relatively high frequency Wien bridge oscillator circuit,together with a nice analysis of the frequency error.
Speed of Light with Nanosecond Pulsed 650 nm Diode Laser
http://people.stfx.ca/mgallant/Phys201/SpeedOfLight
A physics exercise which includes information on a transistor avalanche
pulse circuit. Avalanche circuits are capable of pulse-widths and rise times
in the order of a few nanoseconds.
"Pulse Oximeter Project Exercise"
Peter Hiscocks, James Gaston
This paper outlines a senior level Electrical Engineering project where the student can measure blood oxygen level and heart rate using some simple circuitry and Syscomp USB lab instruments. In this paper we identify key design decisions and intermediate steps towards a final design.
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"Creating a Waveform for the WGM-101 Waveform Generator "
Peter Hiscocks, James Gaston
This application note describes how to use various software tools to create arbitrary waveforms such as an ElectroCardioGram (ECG).
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"Oscilloscope Probes: Theory and Practice"
Peter Hiscocks, James Gaston
This article covers oscilloscope probe construction, loading effects, and compensation. It also discusses proper measurement techniques for high voltages and grounding techniques.
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"Low-Cost Curve Tracer Uses PC-Based Scope "
Peter Hiscocks, James Gaston
Curve tracers are available from various manufacturers as an integrated instrument which includes the power supplies, switches, and XY display. This paper describes how to create a curve tracer using the XY plotting facility of the DSO-101 USB oscilloscope and some simple external circuitry.
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"High Speed Time Domain Measurements - Practical Tips for Improvement"
John Ardizzoni
Analog Dialog, Vol. 41, March 2007, pp. 1-6
This paper is a very thorough explanation of oscilloscope probe theory and operation, including calibration techniques. It also demonstrates how to use scope probes in high speed measurements.
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"High Speed Amplifier Techniques"
Jim Williams
Linear Technology Application Note 47, August 1991, pp 1-132
This paper is a must-read for anyone interested in high-speed analog circuit design. It is divided into two sections. The first section gives an overview of the practical aspects of high-speed circuit design. The second section is a tutorial on measurement technique - using oscilloscope probes - in high-speed circuitry.
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"Using the High Resolution Mode of the DSO-101 Oscilloscope to Display Video Waveforms"
Peter Hiscocks and James Gaston
This application note describes how to use the High Resolution Capture feature of the DSO-101 to capture and display NTSC video waveforms.
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"Downloading and Executing Packaged Programs and Source Code"
Peter Hiscocks and James Gaston
This paper describes how to download and run both compiled executables and source code for the Open Instrumentation Project. Instructions for compiling or "wrapping" the source code are also included.
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"Connecting to the Oscilloscope and Waveform Generator: BNC Adaptors and Cables"
Peter Hiscocks and James Gaston
This paper examines the different types of BNC connectors and adapters available for testing electronics with the DSO-101 digital storage oscilloscope and the WGM-101 waveform generator.
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"Single-Shot Capture Using the DSO-101 Oscilloscope: Measurements on a Relay"
Peter Hiscocks and James Gaston
This paper highlights the usefulness of the single-shot trigger function of the DSO-101 oscilloscope. Step-by-step instructions are included explaining how to set up the scope to capture the unique characteristics of relays switching.
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"Meta-Instruments and the Open Instrumentation Project"
Peter Hiscocks and James Gaston
ICUE Conference, Waterloo, Ontario, July 2006
This paper includes a description of the USB interface used in the WGM-101 and DSO-101 instruments, with an overview of the 'meta-instrument' concept. The network analyzer program illustrates the concept of meta-instrumentation.
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"Project-Based-Learning: Outcomes, Descriptors and Design"
Peter Hiscocks
This paper contains three sections on project based-learning. First, we provide a rationale and a high-level view of projects and their organization. Second, we present some examples from Ryerson University and show how these project descriptors apply. Finally, we describe the Open Instrumentation Project, a new system of electronic instrumentation that supports independent and project-based learning.
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"Hello Button: An Introduction to Tcl/Tk"
Peter Hiscocks and James Gaston
This paper provides a very brief introduction to the Tcl/Tk programming language, with a focus on using Tcl/Tk
to create a ’virtual instrument’ graphical user interface control panel on a PC platform, under Linux or Windows. We show some simple examples of Tcl/Tk programming and provide pointers to further information.
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"A Software-Based Network Analyzer"
Peter Hiscocks and James Gaston, June 2006
The purpose of a network analyzer is to demonstrate the amplitude and phase response or transfer function of an electrical network. For example, a network analyzer is useful in measuring the amplitude response of an audio tone control. It is possible to make this type of measurement by hand, using the WGM101 waveform generator and the DSO101 oscilloscope. The software described in this paper does the job automatically, and plots the amplitude and phase response against frequency.
This paper describes the theory behind the network analyzer. A similar version of the paper appears in the September 2006 issue of Circuit Cellar Magazine.
The network analyzer software is licensed under the GPL, that is, you are free to download and modify the code, which is located in the Open Instrumentation Project on Sourceforge.
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"Introduction to Digital Spectrum Analysis"
Peter Hiscocks, December 2005
The Syscomp DSO101 software can be programmed to perform spectrum analysis on a signal. This tutorial paper on digital methods of spectrum analysis explains the theory behind that analysis.
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"Audio Measurements with a Network Analyser"
Peter Hiscocks and James Gaston, September 2006
A look at the practical applications of the Syscomp Network Analyser software in the realm of audio electronics.
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