Lissajous Patterns of CRO or Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

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Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) is very important electronic device. CRO is very useful to
analyze the voltage wave form of different signals. The main part of CRO is CRT (Cathode
Ray Tube). A simple CRT is shown in figure below-X

When both pairs of the deflection plates (horizontal deflection plates and vertical deflection
plates) of CRO (Cathode Ray Oscilloscope) are connected to two sinusoidal voltages, the
patterns appear at CRO screen are called the Lissajous pattern.X

Shape of these Lissajous pattern changes with changes of phase difference between signal and
ration of frequencies applied to the deflection plates (traces) of CRO. Which makes these
Lissajous patterns very useful to analysis the signals applied to deflection plated of CRO. These
lissajous patterns have two Applications to analysis the signals. To calculate the phase difference
between two sinusoidal signals having same frequency. To determine the ratio frequencies of
sinusoidal signals applied to the vertical and horizontal deflecting plates. X

Calculation of the phase difference between two Sinusoidal Signals having same frequency X

When two sinusoidal signals of same frequency and magnitude are applied two both pairs of
deflecting plates of CRO, the Lissajous pattern changes with change of phase difference
between signals applied to the CRO.X

For different value of phase differences, the shape of Lissajous patterns is shown in figure below, X

SL No. Phase angle difference Lissajous Pattern appeared at CRO Screen X

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 o o
0 & 360 X

o o
30 or 330

3X

o o
45 or 315
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 o o
60 or 300

o o
90 or 270

o o
120 or 240
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 o o
150 or 210

o
180

There are two cases to determine the phase difference between two signals applied to the
horizontal & vertical plates,
o o o
Case - I: When, 0 < < 90 or 270 < < 360 : -

o o
As we studied above it clear that when the angle is in the range of 0 < < 90 or 270 < <
o
360 , the Lissajous pattern is of the shape of Ellipse having major axis passing through
origin from first quadrant to third quadrant:
o o o
Lets consider an example for 0 < < 90 or 270 < < 360 , as shown in figure below,
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In this condition the phase difference will be,

Another possibility of phase difference,

From Above given Lissajous pattern

Another Possibility of Phase Difference,

o o o o
Case - II:When 90 < < 180 or 180 < < 270

o o o
As we studied above it Clear that when the angle is in the range of 0 < < 90 or 270 <
o
< 360 , the Lissajous Pattern is of the shape of Ellipse having major axis passing through
origin from second quadrant to fourth quadrant:

o o o o
Lets consider an example for When, 90 < < 180 or 180 < < 270 , as shown in figure
below, In this condition the phase difference will be,
Another possibility of phase difference,

From Above given Lissajous pattern

Another Possibility of Phase Difference,

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To determine the ratio of frequencies of signal applied to the vertical and horizontal
deflecting plates:

To determine the ratio of frequencies of signal by using the Lissajous pattern, simply draw
arbitrary horizontal and vertical line on lissajous pattern intersecting the Lissajous pattern.
Now count the number of horizontal and vertical tangencies by Lissajous pattern with these
horizontal and vertical line.

Then the ratio of frequencies of signals applied to deflection plates,

Or,

Let consider some example to clear the concept in details:

Examples Lissajous Pattern

Sl No. Lissajous Pattern Ratio of Frequencies fy/fx

fy/fx = 4/2 = 2

fy/fx = 3/1 = 3

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3

fy/fx = 6/4 = 3/2

fy/fx = 6/8 = 3/4

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fy/fx = 4/3
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