Measurements on Bald Engineer

Hands-on with PicoScope 7

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 15:16:47 +0000

I dive into Pico Technology’s latest PicoScope oscilloscope software, PicoScope 7. Using a PicoScope 2000A (from the element14 Community), James walks through key measurements and demonstrations using the built-in arbitrary waveform generator. He explores new functionalities in PicoScope 7, such as the improved UI, a unique feature called DeepMeasure, and decoding I3C traffic. I have been using the Pico Technology PicoScope 2000A for years. (Here is my older review!) It is an entry-level oscilloscope with 10 MHz bandwidth, 100 megasamples per second sample rate, and 8 kilosample of acquisition memory. Since it is USB-based, it has companion software running on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

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B&K Precision DAS60 Hands-On

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:42:26 +0000

The B&K Precision DAS60 is a data recorder. It features 6 wide-range voltage inputs, 16 digital channels, and RTD thermal sensor inputs and comes in a small compact form factor. In this video, I show what it can do. The DAS60 is designed for lab and fieldwork. Its built-in battery means you can deploy it in a facility and let it log data. It has built-in ethernet and support for generic Wi-Fi dongles. The computer runs Windows CE and has RealVNC pre-installed. This combination lets you connect remotely to configure the instrument, check its status, or review recorded data.

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From MLCC to Polymer: Unlocking Capacitor Impedance Plot Secrets

Tue, 02 Apr 2024 16:41:10 +0000

April 17, 2024, at 1:00 pm CDT Register Now Capacitors are deceptively complex devices. It is why I love talking about them so much! Hioki USA loaned me an LCR Meter that works as an Impedance Analyzer to try out some measurements. As a result, I noted a few things that might catch someone off guard if they have never attempted to characterize capacitors. For example, many of us know about the MLCC DC Voltage Coefficient. However, do you know how to evaluate whether your parts lose 20 or 80% of their capacitance? Or, what considerations do you need to make when measuring a polymer electrolytic versus a film capacitor?

Measuring Apple II CPU's Glitchy Clock

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 17:58:51 +0000

The Apple II’s CPU clock has jitter or a glitch. This issue is not new—it has been present since its original design in 1977! Bald Engineer uses an oscilloscope to show how often the glitch occurs and how to correlate that jitter to its source—which is useful when you are not testing 40-year-old devices. The device under test (DUT) in this video is the Mega IIe project. It’s a fully compatible Apple IIe built around the Mega II chip.

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How to Measure Ripple Voltage on a Switch-Mode Power Supply | Workbench Wednesdays #51

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:23:00 +0000

Measuring a switch-mode power supply (SMPS) with a DMM might show a stable voltage. But the same DC rail on an oscilloscope can show a completely different story! In this video, learn how to correctly set up an oscilloscope to characterize the noise an SMPS creates in a circuit.

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DIY Solder-In Oscilloscope Probes | Workbench Wednesdays #50

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 00:19:00 +0000

When you cannot get an oscilloscope probe into a tight spot, can you just use a piece of wire? Sometimes. When signal integrity matters, you CAN use a low-cost DIY solder-in probe. These probes attenuate the signal and use an oscilloscope’s high-bandwidth 50-ohm input. James shows how to build some solder-in probes when they work and when they do not work in this video. Special thanks to Shabaz on the element14 community for the guide used here.

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Instrument Basics: Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) with PicoVNA | Workbench Wednesdays #49

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 00:15:00 +0000

Vector network analyzers (VNAs) measure how a “network” of components changes the amplitude and phase of signals. By measuring across a wide frequency range, VNAs can create S-Parameters that fully describe the behavior of a circuit. This video uses a PicoVNA 106 to show the basics of what a VNA measures, how they work, and a brief overview of how to use one. I made a mistake on the explainer graphic for S-parameters. The annoying thing is that I think it was a really good explanation!

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What does Bandwidth mean for Oscilloscopes? | Workbench Wednesdays #47:

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 00:08:00 +0000

Using the Rohde and Schwarz RTH1004 ScopeRider, James talks about oscilloscope bandwidth. In this video, learn what oscilloscope bandwidth is, and what it is not, and see two measurements that help you tell if you are being band-limited by an oscilloscope. The episode was sponsored by Rohde & Schwarz.

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Compare Ideal vs. Real Filter with an LCR Meter | Workbench Wednesdays #42

Thu, 05 Aug 2021 22:51:00 +0000

Compare the ideal and measured cut-off frequency for a filter with a handheld LCR meter. Unlike a DMM, these meters apply an AC signal (from 100 Hz to 100 kHz) to determine the reactive component of an inductor, capacitor, or resistor. A simple example here is a low-pass filter. See how the ideal and measured cut-off frequency varies. And THEN, see how it compares between a PCB and a Breadboard.

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Measurements with an SMU | Workbench Wednesdays #40

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 22:43:00 +0000

Source Measurement Units, or SMUs, combine an accurate power supply, high-power electronic load, and precise digital voltmeter into a signal unit. They are a four-quadrant source. That means they can provide power to a circuit or consume it. With an SMU you can characterize semiconductor devices (like Diodes), monitor the power consumption of a circuit, or simulate a battery. In this video, see the difference between an SMU and a Power Supply.

Op Amps Without Op Amps | Workbench Wednesdays #39

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 22:35:00 +0000

Okay, technically, this circuit *does* use Op-Amps. However, the ones shown here are integrated into an ATmega128DB microcontroller from Microchip. The DIP package breaks out two operational amplifiers that are controllable entirely by software. Even better, you can program them like they are an Arduino!

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Triggering And Decoding Serial Protocols On An Oscilloscope | Workbench Wednesdays #34

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 23:03:00 +0000

Everything with a microcontroller has serial buses in it. Busses like UART, I2C, and SPI are very popular choices. When you have a problem with a sensor that uses one or the bus itself, you can use an oscilloscope or logic analyzer to “decode” the traffic. These decoders convert the 1s and 0s into readable HEX or ASCII characters. I am not sure how I thought of the “multiple” James idea for the thumbnail. The concept had something to do with “serial,” but I am not sure what.

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Measuring A 555 On An Oscilloscope | Workbench Wednesdays #33

Fri, 01 Jan 2021 23:00:00 +0000

The 555 is a very popular chip, and for good reason. It is such a versatile timer. Learn about 555 measurements like how to measure the voltage divider inside the chip and what is going on with the signals in an astable multivibrator (clock) circuit. The key to a 555 circuit is connecting the threshold and trigger pins together. But, until you see the schematic and waveforms it may not be obvious why.

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Review of NI's VirtualBench, All-In-One Instrument

Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:13:40 +0000

The first time I saw the VirtualBench from NI, I was amazed by its shear size—or lack of size. At the time, the unit I had access to an uncalibrated pre-release unit at the Austin TechShop. So I didn’t think it was fair to do a full review. Fast forward to today. Now that I’ve spent a week working with the VirtualBench I have some comments and thoughts. What follows is a review of this “All-In-One Instrument” that runs $1999 USD.

Hands On: National Instrument's VirtualBench

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 14:00:27 +0000

Modern smartphones have eliminated the need for a number of devices. Often I use my smartphone as a scanner (CamScanner), car GPS, voice recorder, security token, pedometer, light controller, and oh yeah, a phone. My electronics bench is currently home to a Bench Power Supply, an Oscilloscope, and a Function Generator. While good instruments, they should worried because they’re going to get replaced with one device: National Instrument’s VirtualBench. You might also be interested in my Full Video Review of the VirtualBench! This relatively small box (10in x 7.5in x 3xin) gives you a rack of equipment in a compact package. Plus, the performance of the instruments is seemingly good for the approx $2000 (USD) price point.

Learn how to use a Mixed Signal Oscilloscope

Tue, 24 Sep 2013 02:15:33 +0000

When I teach the Electronics Measurements class at the TechShop in Austin, I take a lot of pride in showing off the Mixed-Signal Oscilloscope. We have a Rigol DS1102D as well as a standard DSO. To help illustrate the power of the combined digital and analog channels, I created a Mixed Signal Oscilloscope Demo Board, based on a counter, that has an issue that could be turned on or off. This board is also my first time making use of OSH Park’s PCB service.

MSO Demo Board

Mon, 26 Aug 2013 00:10:15 +0000

Last Update: 09/24/2013 Status: Done Github: https://github.com/baldengineer/Mixed-Signal-Oscilloscope-Demo-Board Abstract As a member of the TechShop in Austin, TX I teach a class on Electronics Measurements. The class includes a variety of test equipment like power supplies, DMMs, and Rigol oscilloscopes. One of the oscilloscopes is a Rigol DS1052D which is a “Mixed Signal Oscilloscope.” In addition to the two 100MHz analog channels, the scope also include 16 digital channel channels. It is a logic analyzer and oscilloscope in one!

Measuring Battery Capacity

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:19:01 +0000

Why is choosing a simple AA battery such a daunting selection process? Manufacturers are keen on giving their products different names and brag about the chemical technology that makes them up. However, it is nearly impossible to make package-to-package comparisons of the battery’s capacitor. Denis Hennessay has a GREAT write up on Measuring Battery Capacity with an Arduino. In addition to full details on how his project works, Denis even shares the results of several AA batteries. Nice!