Measuring jitter in a sine wave

[jgalak]

I have a project that puts out a sinewave under uC control.  The algorithm I use to generate it makes me concerned about possible jitter.  But I'm not sure how to measure it, or what acceptable/unacceptable amounts of jitter are.

The signals are 1200Hz and 2200Hz audio tones (for APRS). 

The only real tool I have available to me is a Rigol DS1054Z scope, but I don't know how the measurement would be made.   A quick Google search found some info on using special scope modes for this, but I can't seem to find any evidence the Rigol has such a mode.

[ogden]

I have a project that puts out a sinewave under uC control.  The algorithm I use to generate it makes me concerned about possible jitter.  But I'm not sure how to measure it, or what acceptable/unacceptable amounts of jitter are.

The signals are 1200Hz and 2200Hz audio tones (for APRS). 

The only real tool I have available to me is a Rigol DS1054Z scope, but I don't know how the measurement would be made.   A quick Google search found some info on using special scope modes for this, but I can't seem to find any evidence the Rigol has such a mode.

Proper jitter measurements are not that easy. You can see hint of jitter on more or less any scope but measure - only if scope have jitter measurement capability. BTW you can try to measure quality of your audio tones using computer soundcard + audio analysis software.

Why you are concerned about jitter? Pick decent MCU with DAC and DMA support or I2S peripheral with DMA + external audio DAC/codec, clock it from external crystal oscillator without using PLL and you will have crystal clear audio tones after filter.

[edit] How to see jitter using Rigol scopes:

[danadak]

Another technique is to set scope on infinite persistence.

Some ref material -


http://materias.fi.uba.ar/6644/info/osciloscopios/avanzado/Jitter%20measurement%20with%20scopes/55W-13769-1%20JITTER.pdf

http://www.electronicdesign.com/energy/get-more-out-your-digital-oscilloscope

http://anlage.umd.edu/Microwave%20Measurements%20for%20Personal%20Web%20Site/http___www.tek.com_Measurement_scopes_jitter_55W_16146_1.pdf_wt=520&rgn=ww&from=302032X312761&link=_Measurement_scopes_jitter_55W_16146_1.pdf



Regards, Dana.