Triggering
CSA7000 Series, TDS7000 Series, & TDS6000 Series Instruments User Manual 3-73
The trigger event establishes the time-zero point in the waveform record. All
points in the record are located in time with respect to that point. The instrument
continuously acquires and retains enough sample points to fill the pretrigger
portion of the waveform record (that part of the waveform that is displayed
before,or to the left of, the triggering event on screen). When a trigger event
occurs, the instrument starts acquiring samples to build the posttrigger portion of
the waveform record (displayed after,or to the right of, the trigger event). Once a
trigger is recognized, the instrument will not accept another trigger until the
acquisition is complete and the holdoff time has expired.
The trigger source provides the signal that triggers acquisition. Use a trigger
source that is synchronized with the signal you are acquiring and displaying. You
can derive your trigger from the following sources:
HInput channels are the most commonly used trigger sources. You can select
any one of the four input channels. The channel that you select as a trigger
source will function whether it is displayed or not.
HAC Line Voltage is a convenient trigger source when you are looking at
signals related to the power line frequency. Examples include devices such as
lighting equipment and power supplies. Because the instrument generates the
trigger from the power line, you do not have to use a channel input.
HAuxiliary Trigger (AUX IN) provides a fifth source that you can use as a
trigger input when you need to use the four input channels for other signals.
For example, you might want to trigger on a clock while displaying four
other logic signals. To use the auxiliary trigger, connect the signal to the
Auxiliary Trigger input connector. The Auxiliary Trigger input is not
compatible with most probes, nor can you display the auxiliary trigger
signal.
The instrument provides the following categories of trigger types:
HEdgeis the simplest and most commonly used trigger type. You can use it
with analog or digital signals. An edge trigger event occurs when the trigger
source (the signal the trigger circuit is monitoring) passes through a specified
voltage level in the specified direction (the trigger slope).

The Trigger Event

Trigger Sources

Trigger Types