Heaven’s Light is Our Guide

RAJSHAHI UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING &

TECHNOLOGY
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Lab Report
Experiment No: 01
Name of the Experiment: Study of Basic Analog Instrumentation:
Breadboard, Oscilloscope, and Signal Generator.
Course Code ECE 1206

Course Title Analog Electronic Circuits - I Sessional

Date of experiment 19-05-2025

Date of Submission 26-05-2025

Submitted By: Submitted To:

Name: Ali Ahsan Muhammad Twaha Iqbal. Md. Abu Hanif Pramanik
Roll: 2310017. Assistant Professor,
Registration: 1070. Department of Electrical & Computer
Session: 2023-2024. Engineering, RUET.
Department of ECE, RUET.
Experiment No: 01
Name of the Experiment: Study of Basic Analog Instrumentation: Breadboard,
Oscilloscope, and Signal Generator.
Objective:
Learn fast circuit assembly on a breadboard, generate and observe analog waveforms using a
function generator and oscilloscope, and evaluate instrument effects while testing a basic
analog circuit.
Theory:
The breadboard, oscilloscope, and function generator are key tools in analog electronics. The
breadboard allows easy, solder-free circuit setup. The oscilloscope displays voltage over time
to measure key parameters. The function generator creates waveforms to test circuits.
Combined, they support quick prototyping and analysis.
Required Apparatus:
1. Solderless Breadboard,
2. Oscilloscope,
3. Signal Generator.

1. Solderless Breadboard:

Figure 1: Solderless Breadboard

Purpose:
A solderless breadboard is a reusable prototyping tool for building and testing electronic
circuits without soldering. It allows rapid insertion and removal of components and
jumpers, making it ideal for experimentation, educational labs, and preliminary design
work.
Main Features & Parts:
• Power Rails (top and bottom rows): Usually marked red (+) and blue/black (–), used
to distribute supply voltages across the board.
• Terminal Strips (central grid): Groups of five interconnected tie-points per row,
labeled A–E and F–J, for component leads and jumpers.
• Center Notch: Divides the two halves of the terminal strip, allowing dual-in-line ICs
to straddle without shorting pins.
• Tie Points: Spring-clip contacts beneath each hole rated typically for 1 A at 5 V and
0.333 A at 15 V.
Notes & Limitations:
• Parasitic: High parasitic capacitance (~2 pF between adjacent columns) and
resistance limit reliable operation to ≤ 10 MHz.
• Mechanical Reliability: Frequent plugging/unplugging can loosen contacts; large or
complex circuits become unwieldy.

1. Oscilloscope (Analog):

Figure 2: Analog Oscilloscope

Purpose:
An analog oscilloscope (CRO) graphically displays time-varying voltages via a cathode-ray
tube, plotting voltage on the vertical axis vs. time on the horizontal axis. It is used for signal
visualization, debugging, and measurement of waveform properties (amplitude, frequency,
rise/fall times, distortion).
Main Features & Parts:
• CRT Display: Vacuum-tube screen with graticule (grid) for measuring divisions;
controls for focus, intensity, and beam finder.
• Vertical Section:
o Volts/Div selector knob
o AC/DC/Ground coupling switch
o Vertical position knob
o Input BNC connector for probe.
• Horizontal Section:
o Sec/Div selector knob (time base)
o Horizontal position knob
o X-Y input option for Lissajous figures.
• Trigger Controls:
o Source & coupling selector
o Level adjustment
o External trigger input.
• Probe: Typically, a 10× attenuator with a 9 MΩ resistor and compensation network
to match cable capacitance, minimizing circuit loading.
Additional Notes:
• Bandwidth: Defined at –3 dB point; crucial for accurate amplitude measurement.
Probes have their own bandwidth limits.
• Math Functions: Some scopes offer waveform addition/subtraction (analog) or
digital math (on digital scopes).

2. Function (Signal) Generator:

 Figure 3: Function (Signal) Generator

Purpose:
A function generator produces standardized electrical waveforms (sine, square, triangle,
sawtooth, pulse) over a selectable frequency range (typically up to 20 MHz for analog
units). It serves as a variable stimulus source for testing amplifiers, filters, control loops,
and other analog circuits.
Main Features & Parts:
• Waveform Selector: Switch or buttons to choose output shape: sine, square,
triangle, ramp, pulse.
• Frequency Control: Coarse and fine knobs or digital input to set output frequency,
often covering decades (e.g., 0.1 Hz–11 MHz).
• Amplitude Control: Attenuator or knob to adjust peak-to-peak output voltage;
many include a DC-offset knob (e.g., ±5 V range).
• Modulation/Sync Outputs: Some units offer sweep (frequency ramp), AM/FM/PM,
and external trigger/sync ports.
• Output Connector: BNC or banana jack with known output impedance (typically 50
Ω) for accurate level setting.
Internal Operation (Analog Generators):
• Triangle Core: Capacitor charged/discharged by constant-current source, reversed
by comparator at threshold voltages.
• Sine Shaping: Non-linear diode network or RC shaping circuit rounds triangle
corners to approximate a sine wave (≈1 % distortion).

Discussion:
In this experiment, we built a basic analog circuit, used a function generator to produce sine
and square waves, and measured key waveform features with an oscilloscope. The results
matched the generator settings, confirming proper calibration. Minor distortion at high
frequencies showed probe loading and breadboard capacitance effects, highlighting the need
for short leads and good grounding.

Precautions:
 Check Connections: Ensure all components are secure; loose wires can cause signal
issues.
 Watch Voltage Limits: Stay within breadboard (≤15 V) and probe ratings to prevent
damage.
 Short Leads: Use short jumpers and place ground leads near probe tips to reduce
noise.
 Ground Properly: Connect all grounds to a common point to avoid ground loops.
References:
 Horowitz & Hill (2015), The Art of Electronics
 Alexander & Sadiku (2017), Fundamentals of Electric Circuits
 Tektronix (2016), Oscilloscope Measurements
 Keysight (2019), Function Generators
 Elenco (2020), Breadboarding 101