Oscilloscope Glossary

Defines the number of acquisitions (i.e. measurements) per second. Specified normally in MS/s (megasamples per second = 1,000,000 measurements per second).

Frequency at which analog signals are converted by the analog-to-digital converter of the input channel into digital data. The sample rate should be at least twice the highest freequency in the signal to be acquired (Nyquist).

The smallest quantity that can be measured and displayed.

SENT (Single Edge Nibble Transmission) - a serial transport protocol used for communication between sensors and a controller in automotive applications.

Time required for an analog output to reach its final value.

Spurious free dynamic Range - Ration of the rms value of the signal to the rms value of the worst spurious signal. This specification represents the smallest value of a signal that can be distinguished form a large interfering signal.

Signal to Noise and Distortion Ration - Ratio of the rms signal amplitude to the mean value of the root-sum-square of all other spectral components.

A single shot acquisition is need if the signal to be measured did occur only once or very rarely.

Maximum rate of change of output voltage per time (expressed as volt per second).

Ration of the rms value of the signal to the rms value of the worst spurious signal. This specification represents the smallest value of a signal that can be distinguished form a large interfering signal.

Time coordination of multiple instruments or functions with in a system.