A trigger is defined as “anything, as an act or event, which serves as a stimulus and initiates or precipitates a reaction or series of reactions.” The same definition applies to an oscilloscope trigger. An oscilloscope trigger involves waiting for an event to occur, triggering upon occurrence of the event, and then the oscilloscope capturing and displaying the electrical signaling (data) that follows the trigger event. For more complex events, it’s important that an oscilloscope incorporate advanced triggering capabilities. Overall, oscilloscope triggers have become important to the point where they’re often the deciding factor when purchasing an oscilloscope.
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