Oscilloscope trigger modes

Oscilloscopes have two primary modes of triggering: AUTO and NORMAL. However, NORMAL is not the normally used mode of triggering. AUTO is. The default trigger mode in all of today's oscilloscopes is AUTO.

1. What are trigger modes?
2. How many trigger modes does the typical scope have?
3. How should oscilloscope be triggered?
4. What trigger mode is used for capturing a single pulse in an oscilloscope?

What are trigger modes?

Trigger modes control how your scope will start to sweep your signal. A typical scope will have Auto and Normal modes available (with other options available at higher price/quality points). Normal mode is where the scope will sweep if the signal reaches a certain trigger point.

How many trigger modes does the typical scope have?

There are typically two different trigger modes: Auto and Normal. Auto mode means that the scope will trigger even when it is not in a trigger setting (the scope still triggers even if the trigger point is set well above or below the amplitude of the waveform).

How should oscilloscope be triggered?

Oscilloscope trigger concept

When the voltage of the waveform reaches a required level, then a comparator switches and send a start signal to the timebase. This enables the timebase to exactly synchronise with the displayed waveform so that it remains stable on the screen.

What trigger mode is used for capturing a single pulse in an oscilloscope?

You can use the trigger (the singleshot is a specific type of trigger) function on an oscilloscope to capture a single event signal.