Sweep (Mode)

When the oscilloscope is running, the trigger Sweep (Mode) tells the oscilloscope what to do when triggers are not occurring.

In the Auto trigger sweep mode (the default setting), if the specified trigger conditions are not found, triggers are forced and acquisitions are made so that signal activity is displayed on the oscilloscope.

In the Trig'd trigger sweep mode, triggers and acquisitions occur only when the specified trigger conditions are found.

The selected Sweep (Mode) is shown in the Front Panel Trigger Controls and in the Trigger badge. The Trigger badge also shows the Status of the selected Sweep (Mode).

When to Use the Auto Sweep (Mode)

The Auto sweep (mode) is appropriate when:

  • Checking DC signals or signals with unknown levels or activity.
  • When trigger conditions occur often enough that forced triggers are unnecessary.

When to Use the Trig'd Sweep (Mode)

The Trig'd sweep (mode) is appropriate when:

  • You want to acquire only specific events defined by the trigger settings.
  • Triggering on an infrequent signal from a serial bus (for example, I2C, SPI, CAN, LIN, etc.) or another signal that arrives in bursts. The Trig'd trigger sweep mode lets you stabilize the display by preventing the oscilloscope from auto-triggering.

  • Making single-shot acquisitions with the [Single] key.

    Often with single-shot acquisitions, you must initiate some action in the device under test, and you do not want the oscilloscope to auto-trigger before that happens. Before initiating the action in the circuit, wait for the trigger condition indicator Trig'd? to display (this tells you the pre-trigger buffer is filled).