How to Connect a Agilent 33220A Function Generator and a Tektronix
TDS3012B Oscilloscope to Measure a Waveform of Desired
Specifications: For Current EE210 Students
Introduction
As introductory electrical engineering students, there are many pieces of testing equipment that will be
introduced within the first electrical engineering class, EE210 Basic Circuit Design. The two most
important pieces of equipment are the oscilloscope and the function generator. The function generator
is a piece of electronic equipment that allows students to output time varying electromagnetic wave
into a circuit or directly into the oscilloscope. The oscilloscope is another piece of electronic equipment
that allows students to view time varying electromagnetic waves on a display and make measurements.
Throughout the remainder of the EE210 course students will be using these two pieces of equipment,
along with the individually design circuits, to test the various concepts learned in class. These
instructions include steps to setup the function generator, connect the function generator to the
oscilloscope, and measure quantities on the oscilloscope. This instruction set should be completed in the
lab located in 310 EE West and should take no longer than 15 minutes.
Caution
High voltages can be produced by the function generator. Do not touch any metal pieces to the
outputs of the function generator, inputs of the oscilloscope or ends of the BNC cable to avoid shock
Source: http://blog.blockavenue.com/new-york/caution-annoying-neighbor-ahead/
List of Materials
1. Tektronix TDS 3012B Oscilloscope
2. Agilent 33220A Function Generator
3. 1 BNC to BNC cable
Note: The Tektronix TDS 3012B Oscilloscope and Agilent 33220A Function Generator are located at
the lab work stations in 301 EE West. To obtain a BNC to BNC cable, go to the stock room (EE West
307) and ask the attendant for one. Have a student ID ready as it will be required to check out
equipment from the stockroom.
Step 1: Setting Up the Function Generator
1. To set up the function generator first, push the power button on the left underneath the graph
button to turn on the power. (Figure 1)
2. Once the function generator is on, notice the display screen has a series of options for the type
of wave that has been selected. The default wave select is a sine wave which is lit up in green to
indicate it has been selected. There are 5 other options located in the row next to the sine
button. If the sine wave is not selected, push the sine button to select it. (Figure 1)
3. Frequency (Seen as “Freq” on the screen) is the default specification selected for changing. Use
the two buttons underneath the large dial to select a digit place and then turn the dial to adjust
that digit or type the desired value in on the number pad and selecting the correct units using
the blue buttons underneath the display to adjust a certain specification. All specifications are
changed this way.(Figure 1)
4. To change the selected specification, push the blue button underneath where the quantity is
located. For example For “Ampl” or wave amplitude hit the second blue button from the left.
(Figure 1)
5. To change to the quantity under the top one, push the blue button again to switch. For example
hitting the blue button underneath “Freq”, while it is selected, switches to the quantity titled
“Period.” (Figure 1)
Once the specifications for the sine wave have been adjusted to desired specifications, the function
generator is ready to be connected to the oscilloscope.
Figure 1: Front panel of Function Generator
Source: Robert Vandebrake
Step 2: Connecting the Oscilloscope and Function Generator with a BNC to BNC
Cable
1. To connect the two pieces of equipment together take one end of the BNC to BNC cable and
attach it to the connector labeled “Output” on the function generator. (Figure 2)
Note: Be aware to line up the little numbs on the connector with the slots on the BNC cable head
then twist the head to the right to lock the cable into place. (Figure 3)
2. Connect the free end of the BNC to BNC cable to the connector input on the oscilloscope labeled
“CH1” using the same method discussed previously. (Figure 2)
Once both ends of the BNC to BNC cable are securely connected to both machines the oscilloscope is
ready to receive the signal from the function generator.
Figure 2: Connection of function generator to oscilloscope with BNC to BNC Cable
Source: http://zebedeefilms.com/2011/11/30/epic-x-accessories-2/bnc-cable/
Source: Robert Vandebrake
Figure 3: BNC connector head
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BNC_connector_(male).jpg
Step 3: Setting Up the Oscilloscope
1. First push in the power button located in the lower left corner underneath the LCD display
screen to turn on the Oscilloscope. (Figure 4)
2. Once the oscilloscope has booted and a graph screen with a grid is displayed, make sure that
there is a flat yellow line located on the graph. If there is not hit the yellow “CH 1” button next
to the LCD screen. This activates the input for CH 1 of the oscilloscope. (Figure 4)
Note: If there is a blue line on the screen this is CH 2. push the blue “CH 2” button and the “Off”
button to remove it from the screen. (Figure 4)
3. Once the yellow line is on the screen push the button labeled “Output” on the function
generator (not the oscilloscope). This starts the function generator output. (Figure 5)
4. At this point the yellow line should change to a yellow sine wave to the designated
specifications, on the screen. If it is not on the screen push the button labeled “AUTOSET” to
reveal the wave. (Figure 4)
5. To make measurements of the input wave push the “MEASURE” button. This changes the right
side of the LCD screen to measurement options. (Figure 4)
6. To select a measurement, push the gray button next to the measurement. To select more
measurement options push the gray button next to “-more-.” (Figure 4)
7. Once the measurements are selected (the display can have up to 4), click the menu off button to
display the measurements on the right side of the LCD screen. (Figure 4)
After completion of the last step, the measurements selected are clearly displayed on the right side of
the LCD screen. These measurements are the ones needed to finish all the labs in the EE 210 course
Figure 4: Oscilloscope front panel
Source: Robert Vandebrake
Figure 5: Function generator output button
Source: Robert Vandebrake
Troubleshoot Tips
If a student is having issues with the process or is not able to see the waveform properly, ask the lab
assistant for help in completing these steps. They will be able to answer any and all questions a student
may have about the equipment and their function.