Experiment No.

AIM : a) To measure phase difference between two waveforms

using CRO.
b) To measure an unknown frequency from Lissajous figures
using CRO.

APPARATUS: CRO, Function generator, probes, breadboard, resistance (1K),

capacitor (0.1uF), connecting wires, power supply.

Theory:

(a) Measurement of Phase :

Since sine waves are based on circular motion they illustrate phase difference very well.
One complete cycle of a sine wave relates to one complete circle and therefore to 360°.
This means that the phase angle of a sine wave can be represented using degrees. Figure
shows how a complete sine wave cycle relates directly to 360°.

Figure- A Complete Sine wave

Phase shift describes the timing difference between two otherwise similar signals. The
example in figure below shows two similar sine waves of the same frequency. ‘T’
denotes the period of one complete cycle (10 cm on screen), and ‘t’ signifies the time
between the zero transition point of both signals (3 cm on screen).
 Figure- Phase Shift Example
The phase difference in degrees is calculated from:

(b) Measurement of Frequency:

Using a CRO :
A simple method of determining the frequency of a signal is to estimate its periodic time
from the trace on the screen of a CRT. However this method has limited accuracy, and
should only be used where other methods are not available. To calculate the frequency of
the observed signal, one has to measure the period, i.e. the time taken for 1 complete
cycle, using the calibrated sweep scale. The period could be calculated by

T = ( no. of squares in cm) x ( selected Time/cm scale )

Once the period T is known, the frequency is given by

f (Hz)= 1/T(sec)

Using Lissajous Patterns:

If a well calibrated CRO time base is not available, a signal generator can be used to
measure the frequency of an unknown sinusoidal signal. It is connected to the vertical
channel ( or horizontal ) and the calibrated signal source is fed to the horizontal channel
( or vertical ).The frequency of the signal generator is adjusted so that a steady Lissajous
pattern is obtained. The Lissajous pattern can be very involved to analyze. However, for
the frequency measurement, all that is needed is the number of tangencies ( points at the
edge of arcs ) along the vertical and horizontal lines.
The frequency relationship between the horizontal and vertical inputs is given by;
 fh No. of tangencies (vertical)
=
fv No. of tangencies (horizontal)

from which fv , the unknown frequency can be calculated.

Circuit Diagram:

Procedure:
1. Switch on the CRO. Rotate the intensity control clockwise. After some time you
will see either a bright spot or a line on screen. If you see none, adjust X-POS and
Y-POS controls to get the display in the centre of he screen.
2. Operate the INTEN and FOCUS controls and observe the effect on the spot (or
line). Adjust them suitably.

3. To measure the voltage of the signal generator, adjust the vertical amplifier
sensitivity suitably, so as to get a sufficiently large display. Read on the calibrated
graticule, the vertical length of the display. This corresponds to the peak-to-peak
value of the signal. Multiply this length by the sensitivity (in V/cm). Dividing this
result by 2√2 gives the rms value of the signal voltage. Repeat the measurement
procedure for two or three other values of the output signal voltages.

4. For measuring the frequency of the signal, feed the unknown signal (taken from
the signal generator) to the Y-INPUT terminals. Take a standard signal generator,
and connect its output to the X-INPUT terminals of the CRO. Put the TIME-
BASE or HORIZONTAL-AMPLIFIER knob at EXT position. Change the
frequency of the standard signal generator till you get a stable Lissajous pattern.
For the various frequency ratios, fv/fH, the Lissajous patterns are shown in Fig.
The unknown frequency can thus be determined using the relationship :

fh No. of tangencies (vertical)

=
fv No. of tangencies (horizontal)
where fv is the unknown frequency.

5. To measure phase shift introduced by an RC phase-shift network, make

connections as shown in Fig. Put the TIME-BASE control at EXT position.
Adjust the vertical and horizontal amplifier gains (sensitivities) so as to get an
ellipse of suitable size, as shown in Fig. Measure the lengths YI and Y2 (or X1 and
X2). Calculate the phase difference between the two waves using the relation.
 Sin Ө = Y1/Y2 = X1/X2

Observations:
Measurement of frequency:

Measurement of phase angle:

Precautions:
1. Connections should be tight.
2. There should be no short circuiting in the circuit.

Results:
1. Measured frequency is __________.
2. Measured phase angle is _________.

Questions:
1. What is determined by the Lissajous patterns obtained on CRO?
2. When are lissajous patterns produced?