CROs were later largely superseded by digital storage oscilloscopes (DSOs) with thin panel displays, fast analog-to-digital converters and digital signal processors. Storage oscilloscopes used special storage CRTs to maintain a steady display of a single brief signal. Special-purpose oscilloscopes may be used to analyze an automotive ignition system or to display the waveform of the heartbeat as an electrocardiogram, for instance.Įarly oscilloscopes used cathode ray tubes (CRTs) as their display element (hence they were commonly referred to as CROs) and linear amplifiers for signal processing. General-purpose instruments are used for maintenance of electronic equipment and laboratory work.
Oscilloscopes are used in the sciences, medicine, engineering, automotive and the telecommunications industry.
