Introduction; Digitizing Methods - Agilent Technologies 3458A User Manual

Chapter 5

Introduction

Digitizing Methods

Digitizing is the process of converting a continuous analog signal into a series
of discrete samples (readings). Figure 22 shows the result of digitizing a sine
wave. This chapter discusses the various ways to digitize signals. The
importance of the sampling rate, and how to use level triggering.
Note
As a supplement to the information in this chapter, Product Note 3458A-2
in Appendix D discusses the trigger and timebase errors that affect digitized
measurements.
The multimeter can digitize signals by making DC voltage measurements,
by direct-sampling, or by sub-sampling. Table 26 summarizes the
characteristics of each digitizing method. Figure 23 shows a simplified block
diagram of the multimeter's signal path for each digitizing method. Figure
24 and shows the front terminal connections for all methods of digitizing.
Figure 22. Digitized sine wave
Chapter 5 Digitizing
Digitizing
129