Digital oscilloscopes enable engineers to measure and visualize the amplitude of an electrical signal over time. This is also the reason they are generally considered time-domain measurement instruments. However, there are mixed-domain oscilloscopes that provide both time-domain (amplitude vs. time) and frequency-domain (power vs. frequency) measurements.
The precise characterization of waveforms is a critical diagnostic tool in every stage of an electronic product lifecycle, including cutting-edge research, prototyping, design, quality assurance, compliance, maintenance, and calibration.