Fast Fourier Transforms with an Oscilloscope (FFT) - Scopes University - (S1E8)

Analyze frequency with an oscilloscope! Click to subscribe: http://bit.ly/Scopes_Sub Learn more about segmented memory ► http://bit.ly/ScopesUniversity ◄

What is Fast Fourier Transform and why do I care about it?

If there is unwanted frequency content in your design, it could interfere with other components, cause excess noise, or even voltage spikes that can cause your device to malfunction. If you don’t analyze the frequency components of your signal, you will never know that unwanted content is there. You can easily do this on an oscilloscope using Fast Fourier Transform, or “FFT”.

Typically, people don’t associate an oscilloscope with frequency analysis, but it is the perfect tool for analyzing the frequency content of your digital signals.

An FFT is just a math operation on the oscilloscope. This math operation basically splits apart the signal that you see in the time domain, then translates that into the frequency domain. This is shown on a graph in amplitude vs. frequency.

Often times, there are problems that you can’t even see in the time domain, so having the ability to view the frequency domain can reveal errors and glitches in your device you didn’t even know were there. Having this capability on an oscilloscope just makes this analysis even more convenient.

You will learn how to set up an FFT on an oscilloscope in order to verify your design and understand what it is that is causing any errors.

Tune in for future Scopes University episodes covering more oscilloscope capabilities to see how you can test more efficiently!

You can ask me questions on Instagram: @keysightoscilloscopes https://www.instagram.com/keysightoscilloscopes

Learn more about using oscilloscopes: http://oscilloscopelearningcenter.com

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The digital storage oscilloscope we used:

http://www.keysight.com/en/pcx-x205209/infiniivision-4000-x-series-oscilloscopes?cc=US&lc=eng

(The Keysight InfiniiVision 4000 X-Series Oscilloscope)

The 4000 X-Series oscilloscopes offers a large 12.1 inch capacitive touch screen, a user interface designed for touch, and the exclusive Zone touch trigger, all combined with an industry-leading uncompromised update rate of 1 million wfm/s to help you see all of your signal detail. Plus, advanced analysis capabilities help you solve your hardest challenges quickly.

If you are looking for a lower cost oscilloscope that still has the segmented memory capability:

http://www.keysight.com/ ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u--OsHMGMYc