What Is Aliasing? - Tektronix

Contact us

Request Services Quote Parts Ordering Request Sales Contact Request Technical Support Need help on product selection? Chat with Sales Available 9 AM - 5 PM CET

Call

Call us at

Available 9 AM - 5 PM CET Business Days

Contact US

Contact us with comments, questions, or feedback

Download

DOWNLOAD TYPE Show All Products Datasheet Manual Software Marketing Document Faq Video MODEL or KEYWORD

Feedback

Have feedback? We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Whether positive or negative, your feedback helps us continually improve the Tek.com experience. Let us know if you're having trouble or if we're doing an outstanding job.

Tell us what you think

1. Tektronix
2. Faqs
3. What is aliasing?

What is aliasing?

Question :

What is aliasing?

Answer :

Aliasing occurs when an oscilloscope does not sample the signal fast enough to construct an accurate waveform record. The signal frequency is misidentified, and the waveforms displayed on an oscilloscope become indistinguishable.

Aliasing is basically a form of undersampling. The undersampled waveform is constructed to look like a slower frequency waveform or a flat line when the sample rate is the same as the frequency of your signal.

You can detect aliasing by running a horizontal test on your oscilloscope. If the shape of the waveform changes drastically, you may have aliasing. You can also perform a peak detect test and if the waveform still changes drastically, aliasing may be an issue.

To fix aliasing, scale in horizontally, increase the record length or use a combination of the two. The quick fix for aliasing is to select auto-set, which automatically sets the vertical, horizontal and trigger controls for a usable and stable waveform display.

This video video gives you a better understanding what aliasing looks like, and how to fix it.

Understanding the concepts of aliasing and how to detect and fix it using a Tektronix oscilloscope

This FAQ Applies to:

Product Series: DPO7000 MDO3000 Mixed Domain Oscilloscope MDO4000C Mixed Domain Oscilloscope MSO/DPO70000DX Mixed Signal/Digital Phosphor Oscilloscopes MSO3000 / DPO3000 MSO/DPO4000 Mixed Signal Oscilloscope (Discontinued) MSO/DPO5000B Mixed Signal Oscilloscope (Discontinued)

Product:

FAQ ID 64691

View all FAQs »