Based on an oscilloscope signal, who is correct if Technician A claims it's an audio signal and is clipping, while Technician B states it’s a data-bus signal in a dominant state?

In evaluating the claims of both technicians, it's essential to understand the characteristics associated with audio signals and data-bus signals.

Technician A claims the signal is an audio signal that is clipping. Audio signals typically represent sound waveforms and have specific characteristics like smooth, continuous waveforms that can represent various frequencies. Clipping in an audio context occurs when the signal exceeds the maximum limit of the amplifier, resulting in a distorted waveform that has flat tops. This distortion is specific to audio applications, and identifying a signal as an audio signal requires recognizing such characteristics.

On the other hand, Technician B states that the signal is a data-bus signal in a dominant state. Data-bus signals are used for digital communications and typically resemble square waves or pulses. A data-bus signal in a dominant state will exhibit distinct high or low voltage levels that correspond to binary states (0 or 1), and this signal does not have the smooth waveform of an audio signal.

In this scenario, if the signal does not show the typical characteristics of either an audio signal (such as clipping) or a data-bus signal (such as clearly defined digital levels), then it follows that neither technician is correct in their assessment. Thus, the choice that asserts neither technician is correct