Electronic Fundamentals I – Unit 1

Unit 1 – Question File

1.1 An oscilloscope visually displays a change of

a. current over time
b. power over time
c. voltage over time
d. none of the above

1.2 A spectrum analyser visually displays

a. frequency against amplitude
b. frequency against power in Watts
c. frequency against power in dBm
d. all of the above

1.3 What is the approximate peak voltage of a 6 Vrms sine wave?

a. 3 Vp
b. 3.8 Vp
c. 4.2 Vp
d. 8.5 Vp

1.4 Sketch a standard graticule where a sine wave is visible. The sine wave must
cover 5 divisions from the start to the end of a cycle (cycle time) and cover 8
divisions from the peak to the trough (Vp-p).

1.5.1 Sketch the block diagram of the DIGITAL oscilloscope.

1.5.2 Insert a RED circle around the section which amplifies the voltage of the
applied signal

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 Electronic Fundamentals I – Unit 1

1.5.3 Insert a BLUE circle around the section which controls the time of the applied
signal
1.5.4 Insert a BLACK circle around the section which controls the digital processing
of the applied signal

1.6 Identify 2 ways in which one can measure current with an oscilloscope

1.7 Discuss the importance of calibration for measuring equipment. (3)

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 Electronic Fundamentals I – Unit 1

1.8 Analyse the following sketches and determine the most likely fault or error and
a possible solution.

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 Electronic Fundamentals I – Unit 1

1.9 Illustrate, by means of sketches, the difference between a sine wave,

square wave and saw tooth wave.

1.10 Complete the following table (see the study guide for answers).

Requirement Answer
State how many units will be covered in this module
State how many self-assessments will be done online using eThuto
State how many practical experiments will be done in this module
State how many credits are attached to this module
State how many hours should you spend working in this module
State how many graduate attributes are covered in this module
State what should ALWAYS be included in an email
State the minimum practical mark (%) required to gain entry into the
Main Assessment (Main Exam)
State the minimum course mark (%) required to gain entry into the
main exam at the end of the semester

1.11 Express the following values according to the required unit symbol

Value and symbol Value Required unit symbol

3000 Hz kHz
500 uV mV
400 mV V
0.8 kHz Hz
0.2 MHz kHz
6000 us ms

REMEMBER: small to large units (Hz to kHz) you divide, large to small (V to mV) you multiply

2.1 Consider Figure 1 and then determine the required parameters that follow.

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 Electronic Fundamentals I – Unit 1

Signal 1

10

5
Signal 2

0
V

-5

-10

0 2 4 6 8

Time/uSecs 2uSecs/div

Figure 1: Oscilloscope display of two sine waves.

Parameter Value
Peak-to-peak voltage of Signal 2.
RMS voltage of Signal 2.
Peak-to-peak voltage of Signal 1.
Average voltage of Signal 1.
Frequency of Signal 1.
The peak input voltage of Signal 1 if a 10X probe was
used.
Determine how many incomplete cycles are shown.

2.2 Consider Figure 2 and then determine the required parameters that
follow.
6

2
Signal 1 / V

-2

-4

-6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Time/uSecs 5uSecs/div

Figure 2: Oscilloscope display of a square wave obtained via channel 1.

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 Electronic Fundamentals I – Unit 1

Parameter Value
Rise time (bottom to the top)
Fall time (top to bottom)
Pulse width (start to end in the middle of the
pulse)
Amplitude (vertical from peak to peak)
Frequency (1 divided by cycle time)
Number of complete cycles

2.3 Consider Figure 3 and then determine the required parameters that
follow.
6
4 Signal 2
2 Signal 1
0
V

-2
-4
-6
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180

Time/uSecs 20uSecs/div
Figure 3: Oscilloscope display
Question Signal 1 Signal 2
Peak voltage in kV

Frequency in kHz

True average voltage when using a x10 probe

AC or DC coupled

Type of waveform

Chopped or alternate mode.

Calculate the power dissipated in a 50  load

What setting must be changed to move Signal 1

up and away from Signal 2?

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 Electronic Fundamentals I – Unit 1

What setting must be changed to increase the

number of cycles?
What control of the oscilloscope would make the
signal appear clearer?
What setting must be changed to reduce the
viewed amplitude of the signals?
What control on the oscilloscope would be
responsible for signal stability?

2.4 Refer to Figure 4 and answer the questions that follow.

Figure 4: Oscilloscope display of two signals

Parameter CH1 CH 2
Peak voltage (Vp)
Peak-to-peak voltage (Vp-p)
RMS voltage (mV)
Average voltage (V)
Time period (ms)
Frequency
AC coupled (True / False)
Trigger source (True / False)
Type of signal

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2.5 Refer to Figure 5 and answer the questions that follow.

Figure 5: Oscilloscope display of one signal

Parameter CH1

Peak-to-Peak Voltage (Vp-p)

Peak Voltage (mV)

RMS voltage (V)

AVE voltage (V)

Time period (ms)

Frequency (kHz)

Coupling
Trigger source
Type of signal
Calibration frequency (Hz)
Is it a standard size graticule (Y / N)

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2.6 Analyze the following image (Figure 6) and answer the questions that
follow.

Figure 6: Oscilloscope display of a signal

Parameter CH1
Calibration voltage (mV)
Calibration signal waveform
Type of signal shown
Knob to change the brightness
Peak-to-peak voltage (V)
Peak voltage (mV)
RMS voltage (mV)
Average voltage (V)
Cycle time period (ms)
Frequency (kHz)

2.7 Analyze the following image (Figure 7) and answer the questions that follow.

Figure 7: Oscilloscope display of a signal

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 Electronic Fundamentals I – Unit 1

Number Parameter CH2

A Time period (s)
B Frequency (Hz)
C Type of waveform
D Peak to peak voltage (V)
E Peak voltage (mV)
F RMS factor
G Average factor
H Purpose of label 3
I Purpose of label 9
J Knob to move the waveform UP (number needed)
K Minimum calibration voltage (mV)
L Knob to remove a possible DC offset (number
M needed)
Number of complete cycles

2.8 Describe the purpose of the following numbers in Figure 8.

Figure 8: Oscilloscope controls

Numbe Purpose
r
2

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10

16

13

2.9 Complete the word puzzle below by encircling the given words shown below
it. The words may be horizontal, vertical, skew or even backwards. They may
share letters from other words and even be in reverse. Identify the letters that
have not been used. Create three words from these letters that represent
three of the graduate attributes of CUT as shown in the study guide.

O P E N E R E G G I R T

N S U C O F T G F O U R

Y R C E C H A N N E L I

T P R I E T N E U R G A

I M S D L H N I P R N

S C U O I L O E A M M G

N U V R N V O T R I C L

E C N A T S I S E R A E

T Y T W I C O S C N U

N C O T U E E A I O M C

I L W L O R K P O P

E E E R A U Q S I N E

CURRENT INTENSITY SPECTRUM TRIGGER

CYCLE OSCILLOSCOPE SQUARE OPEN
FOCUS RESISTANCE TRIANGLE FOUR
GRATICULE SINE VOLTAGE DIVISION

CHANNEL
TWO

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