Mixed-signal oscilloscopes (MSO) are a powerful type of digital storage oscilloscope (devices that display and analyse the waveform of electronic signals) that can add up to 16 digital channels to an oscilloscope. These types of oscilloscopes are able to extend the types of analysis that can be performed by a standard oscilloscope. The biggest advantage of a mixed signal oscilloscope is that it can allow multiple time-aligned digital and analogue waveforms to be displayed on a single display. Equipment like this enables being able to undertake detailed investigations of embedded systems more easily and efficiently to save time and effort, as well as being able to use them in a variety of environments and applications.
How do mixed signal oscilloscopes work?
MSO are used to test and display voltage signals as waveforms, showing how a quantity of something, for example, beats in a heart rate, changes over time. The signals are plotted on a graph to show the measurement and results of the electronic signal. The quantity is plotted vertically (on what is known as the y-axis) and the time period plotted horizontally (on what is known as the x-axis) and these results can then be used to be analysed.
What are mixed signal oscilloscopes used for?
Mixed-signal oscilloscopes most are commonly used in industries where medical equipment is used. They're also a useful piece of equipment for investigating serial data, power, wideband RF and embedded system mixed-signal designs.
You can use an MSO to watch how signals change in circuits over time and they also allow you to find faults in broken televisions, radios and other similar equipment.
