diff --git a/README.md b/README.md index 4b9fdb4c61618742ccb3001252d870ecdceeaf81..0412433ecad075727ca5646fda83eae7b420c755 100644 --- a/README.md +++ b/README.md @@ -62,6 +62,8 @@ From left to right, then top to bottom: a USB logic analyzer; two small clamps; The multimeter includes a 9 volt battery that you'll need to install by removing a single screw on the back of the case. The pocket oscilloscope is documented [here](https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/DSO_Nano_v3/), and includes a tiny stand, two probes, a padded carrying case, and a hex key for disassembly (in case you're curious about how it works). Keep the caliper in its case with the spare battery to avoid damage. +There is a good deal more information related to test equipment [here](testequipment.md). + ### documentation Project documentation is incredibly important! For good photos, we included a ~1 m^2 sheet of bright white backdrop material (used in most of these pictures), along with a roll of tape to attach it to your wall/chair/desk. The tripod and phone adapter can be used for making videos or taking photos. The USB microscope will help diagnose problems with electronic circuits. diff --git a/img/scope.jpg b/img/scope.jpg new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..a47df8acd12abe7f0932a1a82cc8d6a30ea23cea Binary files /dev/null and b/img/scope.jpg differ diff --git a/img/scope_clearscreen.mp4 b/img/scope_clearscreen.mp4 new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..191d4b4f2614c38e45194259eb84fda1b3dffb51 Binary files /dev/null and b/img/scope_clearscreen.mp4 differ diff --git a/testequipment.md b/testequipment.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..a04e38cd606805b9a8841eec6823eca2c5530336 --- /dev/null +++ b/testequipment.md @@ -0,0 +1,40 @@ +## Test Equipment +Believe it or not, the jumble of tiny electronic instruments in your black case would have cost a few thousand dollars a decade ago. The popularity of home electronics and the ubiquity of fast embedded processors have created a market for simple, portable, low-cost test instruments that give you a great deal of power to understand how your circuit works. Or, as the case may be, _doesn't_ work. + +### Multimeter + +### [Oscilloscope](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscilloscope) +The Seeed Studio DSO Nano v3 is officially documented [here](https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/DSO_Nano_v3/). It's worth reading through the manufacturer's documentation, but some of the screen images aren't current and the guide generally assumes familiarity with oscilloscopes: triggering, probes, voltage scaling, time bases, etc. + +Oscilloscopes allow you to visualize changing voltages in the time domain. Some signals repeat consistently, so the 'scope simply shows the same waveform over and over; the _trigger_ function ensures that it redraws the screen in the same spot each time. Other signals are sporadic or short-lived, so a _digital storage oscilloscope_ (like your DSO Nano) allows you to freeze the waveform, look back through a short history, or trigger once and stop in single-shot mode. You can use oscilloscopes for a variety of tasks: seeing if a GPIO line is toggling at the right frequency, checking the shape of an analog waveform, characterizing the noise on an input line, or seeing how much a [switch bounces](https://www.pololu.com/docs/0J16/4) when pressed and released. + +Your DSO Nano comes with a few accessories: a padded case, for storage; a bent sheet metal bracket, to hold the screen at a nice viewing angle on the desk; a mini-USB cable for charging and data transfer (packaged separately, in the Clank box or in the black case); and two probes, one with black and white mini-grabbers and the other with header connections. + +#### using your 'scope +Turn the DSO Nano on using the slide switch on the lower right side. After the instrument powers up and initializes, you'll be presented with a somewhat overwhelming array of colored lines and text: + + + +The top row, from left to right, tells you triggering mode; Y-axis volts per divsion; probe multiplier (x1 or x10); X-axis seconds per division; stored data display mode; trigger mode (rising or falling); trigger sensitivity; and battery status. When one of these values is highlighted by a flashing cursor, you can use the left and right buttons to change it. + +The right row holds menus that let you adjust categories of parameters. From top to bottom: Y-axis (voltage) settings; X-axis (time) settings; trigger settings; measurement mode; data display settings; data _storage_ settings; waveform generator settings; and calibration settings. You can use the up and down buttons to select these menus, then the OK button to view and adjust its parameters. + +The bottom row shows you various other less-used parameters, like the waveform generator frequency, a waveform search bar for stored data, and the measurement mode output. + +The center window, the bit with the black background, shows the actual waveform you're observing in blue; the stored waveform in pink; the trigger level in green; the T=0 point in orange; and X/Y cursors, used for measurements, in white. + +When you first turn on your 'scope, it's not a bad idea to go through and turn off a bunch of the lines that clog up the display, leaving only the blue signal line for now: + + + +Measuring a signal is simple! Connect the probe to your circuit and adjust settings to trigger correctly and display the part of the waveform you want to observe. A quick demo video: + + + +### Logic Analyzer + +### Serial Adapter + +### USB Microscope + +### Digital Calipers