Measure 2+ Signals at Once w/ Tektronix DPO4104

  • Thread starter Thread starter Tsuriel Avraham
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around measuring multiple signals simultaneously using the Tektronix DPO4104 oscilloscope. Participants explore the challenges associated with capturing signals from different circuits and the implications of triggering settings on the quality of the measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses difficulty in measuring two unrelated signals simultaneously, noting that one signal appears clean while the other looks distorted.
  • Another participant suggests that the oscilloscope can only trigger on one channel at a time, which complicates measuring independent signals without a fixed relationship.
  • A different participant identifies the issue as a triggering problem, explaining that the oscilloscope's trigger settings can affect how signals are displayed, especially when they are at random frequencies.
  • One suggestion is to use the "Single-Shot" trigger feature to capture both waveforms at once, allowing for separate measurements afterward.
  • Participants discuss the importance of understanding triggering options and how they can impact the measurement of multiple signals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that triggering settings play a critical role in measuring multiple signals, but there is no consensus on the best approach to take when dealing with unrelated signals from different circuits.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the oscilloscope's triggering capabilities and the potential for signal distortion when measuring unrelated frequencies simultaneously.

Tsuriel Avraham
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how do i measure two (or more...) signals at once?

i mean, when i try to measure two signals (with difrrent frequecies) with two difrrent probes, i get one good signal (almost clean...) and the other one, is look very dirty...

thank you!
 
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I am not sure what you mean. The oscilloscope can only trigger on one channel at a time. meaning you can't measure two channels independently. Hence. if the two signals you are trying to measure have no relation to each other it is difficult to measure both (you might still be able to use the scope as a digitizer).

That said, this is very rarely a problem if you are measuring on a single circuit, unless of course you really have two signals with no fixed relationship?
 
i understand...

the two probes are not related (two difrent circuits...).

thank you :)
 
This seems to be a triggering problem (or feature).

The scope trigger determines when the machine starts to draw the line. There are a number of options depending on your scope. Most scopes have one trigger for all the channels (with several methods of selecting when it activates). Most people want to know what is happening on the various channels at the same time. This means two channels at random frequencies don't play well together. Yet it allows us to see if one frequency is synchronized with the other (perhaps at an harmonic).

Read up on triggering and triggering options. Your scope may or may not support a solution to this dual trigger problem. What make and model is your scope?

You can always plot (or take a picture) with the trigger on one channel, then switch the trigger to the other and do it again.
 
tektronix dpo 4104bl
 
Just use the "Single-Shot" trigger to capture both waveforms at once on the screen. You can then do all of your measurements on each waveform separately using the cursor measurement options. :smile:
 
thank you! :) :) :)
 

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