Scribd
Upload
931 views

Time Base Circuits

Time base circuits generate sawtooth waves or signals that vary linearly with time. They are used in oscilloscopes to sweep the electron beam horizontally across the screen, allowing the display of signal variations over time. There are two main types - voltage time base circuits that output a voltage waveform, and current time base circuits that output a current waveform. Common applications include oscilloscopes, televisions, radar displays, and precise time measurement systems.

Uploaded by

Rakib Rashid
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
931 views

Time Base Circuits

Time base circuits generate sawtooth waves or signals that vary linearly with time. They are used in oscilloscopes to sweep the electron beam horizontally across the screen, allowing the display of signal variations over time. There are two main types - voltage time base circuits that output a voltage waveform, and current time base circuits that output a current waveform. Common applications include oscilloscopes, televisions, radar displays, and precise time measurement systems.

Uploaded by

Rakib Rashid
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

Time Base Circuits

Time Base Circuits

An Electronic generator that generates the high frequency saw tooth


waves can be termed as a Time Base Generator.
It can also be understood as an electronic circuit which generates an
output voltage or current waveform, a portion of which varies linearly
with time.

To display the variations of a signal with respect to time on an


oscilloscope, a voltage that varies linearly with time, has to be applied
to the deflection plates.

This makes the signal to sweep the beam horizontally across the
screen. Hence the voltage is called as Sweep Voltage. The Time Base
Generators are called as Sweep Circuits.
Features of a Time Base Signal

Generally, a time base generator is used where the beam deflects


over the screen linearly and returns to its starting point. This occurs
during the process of Scanning.
A cathode ray tube and also a picture tube works on the same
principle.
The beam deflects over the screen from one side to the other
(generally from left to right) and gets back to the same point.

This phenomenon is termed as Trace and Retrace. The deflection of


beam over the screen from left to right is called as Trace, while the
return of the beam from right to left is called as Retrace or Fly back.
Usually this retrace is not visible.
Features of a Time Base Signal

In the signal,
• the time during which the output
increases linearly is called
as Sweep Time (TS)
• the time taken for the signal to get
back to its initial value is called
as Restoration Time or Fly back
Time or Retrace Time (Tr).
• Both of these time periods
together form the Time period of
one cycle of the Time base signal.
Types of Time base Generators

There are two types of Time base Generators. They are −

Voltage Time Base Generators − A time base generator that


provides an output voltage waveform that varies linearly with time
is called as a Voltage Time base Generator.

Current Time Base Generator − A time base generator that


provides an output current waveform that varies linearly with time
is called as a Current Time base Generator.
Applications

Time Base Generators are used in

 CROs,
 Televisions,
 RADAR displays,
 Precise time measurement systems,
 Time modulation.
Voltage Time Base Circuits

A basic simple RC time base generator or a Ramp generator or a


sweep circuit consists of a capacitor C which charges through VCC via a
series connected resistor R2.

It contains a BJT whose base is connected through the resistor R1. The
capacitor charges through the resistor and discharges through the
transistor.
Voltage Time Base Circuits

By the application of a positive going voltage pulse, the transistor Q


turns ON to saturation and the capacitor rapidly discharges through Q
and R1 to VCE (sat).

When the input pulse ends, Q switches OFF and the capacitor C starts
charging and continues to charge until the next input pulse. This
process repeats as shown in the waveform below.
Voltage Time Base Circuits

When the transistor turns ON it provides a low resistance path for the
capacitor to discharge quickly. When the transistor is in OFF condition,
the capacitor will charge exponentially to the supply voltage VCC,
according to the equation

V0=VCC[1−exp(−t/RC)]
Where
VO = instantaneous voltage across the capacitor at time t
VCC = supply voltage
t = time taken
R = value of series resistor
C = value of the capacitor
Current Time Base Circuits

A basic simple RC time base generator or a Ramp generator or a sweep


circuit consists of a common-base configuration transistor and two
resistors, having one in emitter and another in collector. The VCC is given
to the collector of the transistor.
A transistor connected in common-
base configuration has its collector
current vary linearly with its emitter
current.
When the emitter current is held
constant, the collector current also will
be near constant value, except for very
smaller values of collector base
voltages.
Current Time Base Circuits

As the input voltage Vi is applied at the base of the transistor, it appears


at the emitter which produces the emitter current iE and this increases
linearly as Vi increase from zero to its peak value. The collector current
increases as the emitter current increases, because iC is closely equal to
iE.

The instantaneous value of load


current is
iL ≈ iC≈ (vi−VBE)/RE
Current Time Base Circuits

The input and output waveforms are as shown below.

You might also like