Scope variables report operating parameters and capture statistics

Scope variables are shown below the main display:

Cursor Data Display Example

The set of variables shown depend on the display type and whether features such as cursors are enabled. In the screenshot above, the variables associated with time and voltages cursors are shown because both cursors were selected when it was taken.

Variables are identified by a two character name and are typically colour coded on the display:

ID NAME DESCRIPTION
TB Timebase Time per division (Graticule Enabled) or time per display (Graticule Disabled).
BW Bandwidth Spectrum display bandwidth or Nyquist frequency (aka the highest displayed frequency).
FS Sample Rate Display or capture sample rate. Which it reports depends on the data mode (ie, it reports the effective sample rate of the waveform).
TD Time Delay Pre/Post-trigger time delay (non-zero if pre-trigger, delay or time offset has been set).
VA Voltage Scale Volts per division (Graticule Enabled) or Volts per display (Graticule Disabled) for Channel A. Other channels (VB, VC and VD) similar.
VM Voltage (Mark) Voltage at the Mark Cursor (Blue) on the selected channel. Reported in the colour of the selected channel (eg, Yellow for CH A).
VP Voltage (Point) Voltage at the Point Cursor (Red) relative to the Mark. Reported in the colour of the selected channel (eg, Yellow for CH A).
TM Time Period (Mark) The time offset from the trigger point to the time mark cursor.
TP Time Period (Point) The time difference between the two time cursors.
FM Frequency (Mark) The value of the Mark frequency cursor. Appears in spectrum displays only.
FP Frequency (Point) The difference (aka bandwidth) between the Point frequency cursor and the Mark frequency cursor. Appears in spectrum displays only.
MM Magnitude (Mark) The value of the Mark level cursor (in dB). Appears in spectrum displays only.
MP Magnitude (Point) The difference between the Magnitude Point and Mark cursors. Appears in spectrum displays only.

An important distinction between these variables and DSO parameters that control them is that variables on the display always associate with the waveform, spectrum or logic data currently displayed.

This is in contrast to some DSO parameters (eg, timebase) which may be changed to new values which do not correspond to the displayed waveforms until a new capture is performed.