Home >> Science & Nature >> Science

How to Isolate a DC-to-DC Pulse

There are two main types of electrical signal: those that carry alternating currents (AC) and direct currents (DC). AC signals are sinusoidal in nature, and the voltage has an oscillatory dependence. DC signals operate at fixed voltage and have no time variation. Electrical (square wave) pulses occur when the voltage abruptly changes from one DC value to another. If the pulse duration is long enough, then these signals effectively look DC over a given length of time (DC-to-DC pulse). These signals can be measured and isolated using an oscilloscope.

Things You'll Need

Oscilloscope
Coaxial cable

Instructions

- 1
  Plug the electrical signal into one of the oscilloscope inputs. There are usually two inputs on an oscilloscope, labeled "A" and "B." Turn the relevant input on by pressing the "A" or "B" button.
- 2
  Modify the time/division setting. This changes the horizontal scale on the oscilloscope screen and the amount of time that each division represents. Change the setting until the pulse becomes visible on the screen.
- 3
  Modify the volts/division setting. This changes the vertical scale on the oscilloscope screen and the number of volts that each division represents. The DC-to-DC pulse should now be isolated on the oscilloscope screen. The pulse duration can be calculated by counting the number of horizontal divisions over which the pulse is at a given value and multiplying this number by the time/division. The amplitude of the pulse can be calculated by counting the number of vertical divisions between the pulse "on" and "off" states, and multiplying this by the volts/division.

Science