An oscilloscope is a device that measures and analyses signals in circuits. It's an indispensable equipment for everyone who works with electronic circuits since it enables them to see the activity of a wave in real - time basis. The DSO138 is one of the most popular oscilloscopes on the market today. We'll give a general description of the DSO138 and describe how to utilise it in this post.
What is the DSO138?
The DSO138 is a portable oscilloscope which is cheap and well-liked among electronics amateurs. Since it is a digital oscilloscope, the output is shown on the screen using digital signal processing techniques. The DSO138 is very simple to use, with an easy interface. The easy interface makes it ideal for novices.
The 2.4-inch TFT colour display on the DSO138 features a 320 x 240 pixel resolution. It can show signals with a highest sampling rate of 1Msps and a bandwidth of up to 200kHz. With a 1M input impedance, the DSO138 is adequate for the majority of applications. A 9V battery or a DC power source can power it.
How to Use the DSO138
Using the DSO138 is relatively straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
Step 1: Connect the Probe
Connect the probe to the input connector on the DSO138. The probe has a ground clip and a probe tip. The ground clip should be connected to the ground of the circuit you want to measure, and the probe tip should be connected to the signal you want to measure.
Step 2: Power On the DSO138
Power on the DSO138 by connecting it to a 9V battery or a DC power supply.
Step 3: Adjust the Horizontal and Vertical Controls
Adjust the horizontal and vertical controls to set the time and voltage scales. The horizontal control adjusts the time scale, and the vertical control adjusts the voltage scale.
Step 4: Trigger the Signal
Press the trigger button to start capturing the signal. You can set the trigger level and slope using the trigger controls.
Step 5: Analyze the Signal
Examine the on-screen signal. The cursors may be used to calculate the voltage and time at various signal locations. The auto-measurement feature may be used to determine the signal's frequency, period, peak-to-peak voltage, and other characteristics.
Control Buttons of DSO138 Oscilloscope
The DSO138 oscilloscope has several button controls that are used to adjust and configure various settings on the device. Here's a brief explanation of each button control:
- Power Button
The power button is used to turn the oscilloscope on and off. When the oscilloscope is turned on, the power LED on the board will light up.
- Auto Button
The Auto button is used to activate the auto-setup function, which automatically configures the vertical and horizontal scales to display the signal on the screen. This is useful when you want to quickly set up the oscilloscope to view a signal without manually adjusting the scales.
- Cursor Button
The Cursor button is used to activate the cursor function, which allows you to measure the time and voltage of different points on the signal. The cursor function is activated by pressing the button, and the two cursors on the screen can be moved using the horizontal and vertical controls.
- Trigger Button
The Trigger button is used to activate the trigger function, which is used to stabilize the waveform on the screen. The trigger function is activated by pressing the button, and the trigger level and slope can be adjusted using the trigger controls.
- Time/Div Button
The Time/Div button is used to adjust the horizontal scale of the signal. Pressing the button allows you to cycle through different time/div settings, which change the amount of time displayed on the screen per division.
- Volts/Div Button
The Volts/Div button is used to adjust the vertical scale of the signal. Pressing the button allows you to cycle through different volts/div settings, which change the amount of voltage displayed on the screen per division.
- Menu Button
The Menu button is used to access the menu system, which allows you to adjust various settings on the oscilloscope. Pressing the button once displays the main menu, and pressing it again cycles through the different menu options.
- Reset Button
The Reset button is used to reset the oscilloscope to its default settings. This can be useful if you've made a lot of changes to the settings and want to start fresh.
The DSO138 oscilloscope button controls are easy to use and provide a range of different functions that allow you to adjust and configure the device to your needs. By understanding how each button control works, you can quickly and easily adjust the settings to view and analyze the signal on the screen.
Advantages of the DSO138 Oscilloscope
The DSO138 oscilloscope has several advantages that make it a popular choice among hobbyists and electronics enthusiasts. Here are some of the main advantages of the DSO138:
- Low Cost
The most clear advantages of the DSO138 oscilloscope is its inexpensive price. It is a low-cost choice for people who are interested to buy an oscilloscope but do not want to spend a lot of money. This feature makes the DSO138 a great option for novices and amateurs just starting out in electronics.
- Portable and Compact
The oscilloscope DSO138 is small and portable. It may be utilised on a workbench, in a classroom, or outdoors and is compact enough to be transported around in a toolkit or handbag. It is a fantastic option for individuals who want an oscilloscope which could be readily transferred due to its portability.
- Easy to Use
The DSO138 has an easy to use interface which becomes extremely suitable for novices. It is not necessary to be an expert in the field of electronics to use this gadget because of its simple controls. Therefore, it becomes a great option for users who are new to electronics or who want an oscilloscope they can use immediately without much effort.
- High-Quality Display
The DSO138 features a high-quality display which allows the user to visualize and analyze signals easily. Its 2.4-inch TFT color display comes with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. This much resolution is more than sufficient for most applications. The display looks bright and clear, which makes it easy to read even in low-light conditions.
- Versatile
The DSO138 is a multipurpose oscilloscope which can be used for a variety of signal measurements. It comes with a bandwidth of up to 200kHz and a peak sampling rate of 1Msps. This makes it suitable for a wide range of signal sources. The DSO138 additionally features a 1M input impedance, which is ideal for the majority of applications.
Conclusion
The DSO138 oscilloscope is a reasonably priced, transportable, and user-friendly gadget. For aficionados of electronics and amateurs, this oscilloscope is the best option. It is extremely adaptable, inexpensive, and small in size. It also has a high-quality display. Because of all these characteristics, it's a fantastic option for anybody looking for an oscilloscope that is both practical and easy to use.
The DSO138 is unquestionably an oscilloscope worth taking into consideration if you're searching for one that is inexpensive, portable, and easy to use.
Mahmoud Shahmoradi says
باسلام وعرض ارادت شما از معایب ونقطه
ضعف های این دستگاه چیزی نگفتید نمیشود که دستگاه هیچ نقطه ضعفی نداشته باشد
ممنون از زحماتتون
Godfrey Godfrey says
Good day Sir,
Please Sir, can you recommend a trusted seller of this oscilloscope from AliExpress?
I want to place an order.
Swagatam says
Hi Godfrey, I myself bought this oscilloscope from amazon, not from aliexpress.
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
Good afternoon,
Thanks for your motivation. Tried with same settings and input on another DSO138. The waveform appeared at 3V on the screen.
Thanking you for your time,
yours faithfully,
Swagatam says
Thant’s great Vishwa, Glad the problem is solved now.
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
Once again thanks a lot for your motivation. It made my day.
yours faithfully,
Swagatam says
No problem Vishwa!
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
Good morning,
To measure voltage of two dry cells
with DSO138, the red alligator clip was
connected to the +ve terminal and the black
alligator clip was connected to the -ve
terminal. Following selections were made:
1. Coupling DC
2. Sen 1 1 V
3. Sen 2 X1
4. Duty cycle 100%
5. Mode Auto
6. PWM 1 kHz
Readings:
Vmax 1.41V
Vmin 1.38V
Vavg 1.39V
Vrms 1.38V
The wave is flat. But its position is at 1.3 on
the screen. There are two cells. The
Voltage is 3V. The flat line should be at 3.0
on the screen. Please tell me, what am I
doing incorrectly.
Thanking you for your time,
yours faithfully,
blackbox320
Swagatam says
Hello Vishwa,
I am very sorry, I am unable to solve this easy question for you, because I have not used my DSO138 since last 2 years and I have completely forgotten its controls. Its presently lying in my junk box and I am not even sure whether it still works or not.
I will suggest you to keep trying the various adjustments, until the 3V is correctly displayed on the screen.
Please do update once you fix the issue.
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
Good morning,
Thanks a lot for your prompt reply. I
will try out some more options.
Thanking you for your time,
yours faithfully,
Swagatam says
Good Morning Vishwa,
No problem, all the best to you!
Grandpa Thug says
While the DSO138 is easy to find for purchase and having met the developer of this instrument I think it should be mentioned that a buyer should make sure that he/she is purchasing the real thing and not a bootlegged copy. A bit of research will produce this information. I might also add that there are two other O-scopes in this series, the DSO150 and the DSO Wave2, the Wave2 being a 2 channel version. All have similar specs and generally operate the same. If that’s not enough info then know that there is some work being done on another DSO from jyetech, also a 2 channel item and with a bandwidth increase from 200Khz to near 2Mhz. It’s unknown when this will be available and it doesn’t really have an official name yet but I do have an original design prototype unit that works, albeit a big buggy. In fact, the proto I have is programmed to be a 4 channel version, however, I’m told that channels 3&4 will be removed in favor of a higher sample rate for the remaining 2 channels.
Solartech says
I want to know if the output of an inverter is a sine wave, can I used this equipment to measure it ?
Swagatam says
Yes, the DSO can be used for checking sine waveform.
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
Good morning,
Thanks a lot for your prompt help.
yours faithfully,
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj
Swagatam says
You are welcome Vishwa!
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
Good evening,
The DSO138 has two alligator clips. The red clip is connected to +ve terminal. Should we leave the black clip unconnected.
Please tell me how to connect the clips for correct measurements.
Thanking you for your time,
yours faithfully,
Swagatam says
Hi Vishwa,
You must connect the black clip with the ground supply line of the circuit and use the red clip to test the desired points of the circuit. Preferably use a 1K resistor in series with the red clip while testing the various points in the circuit.
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
May I ask you about “Making a Single Channel Oscilloscope using Arduino”. Can I please use MM74HC04MX instead of 7404 IC.
Thanking you for your time,
Regards,
Swagatam says
Hi Vishwa, yes MM74HC04MX can be used in place of 7404, both are HEX inverter ICs.
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
Good evening,
Thanks a lot for your prompt help.
Regards,
Swagatam says
You are welcome Vishwa!
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
Good afternoon,
Very nice description. It would be helpful if the labels on the diagram are displayed with the matching numbers in the description. Sir, will it be possible for you to please assemble and send it.
Thanking you for your time,
yours faithfully,
Swagatam says
Thank You Vishwa! Glad you liked the post. I think this oscilloscope is already available pre-assembled. You only have to purchase the acrylic cover separately and fit it over the oscilloscope using screws and nuts. You can search for “assembled DSO138 Oscilloscope” you may find many good options.
Vishwa Mukh Bharadwaj says
Sir,
Thanks a lot for the prompt response.
Regards,