Scribd
Upload
111 views4 pages

Signal Generators

The document discusses different types of signal generators used in testing electronic circuits. It describes the requirements that are common to all signal generator types, including stable output frequency and amplitude, low distortion, and low spurious output. Audio frequency (AF) signal generators produce sinusoidal waveforms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz using oscillators like the Wien bridge oscillator. Standard signal generators are used to test radio receivers and transmitters and can produce amplitude or frequency modulated signals. Square wave and pulse generators differ in their duty cycle and are used with oscilloscopes. Laboratory type square wave and pulse generators use a ramp capacitor, schmitt trigger, and current sources to generate adjustable frequency output waves.

Uploaded by

Priyanka Arora
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
111 views4 pages

Signal Generators

The document discusses different types of signal generators used in testing electronic circuits. It describes the requirements that are common to all signal generator types, including stable output frequency and amplitude, low distortion, and low spurious output. Audio frequency (AF) signal generators produce sinusoidal waveforms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz using oscillators like the Wien bridge oscillator. Standard signal generators are used to test radio receivers and transmitters and can produce amplitude or frequency modulated signals. Square wave and pulse generators differ in their duty cycle and are used with oscilloscopes. Laboratory type square wave and pulse generators use a ramp capacitor, schmitt trigger, and current sources to generate adjustable frequency output waves.

Uploaded by

Priyanka Arora
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

SIGNAL GENERATORS

Introduction:
Signal generator provides variety of different signals for testing various electronic circuits at
low powers. The signal generator is an instrument which provides several different output
waveforms including sine wave, square wave, triangular wave, pulse train and an amplitude
modulated waveform.
Requirements of Laboratory Type Signal Generator:
There are different types of signal generator. But the requirements are common to all the types.
i) The output frequency of signal generator should be very stable.
ii) The amplitude of output signal of signal generator should be controllable from low
values to relatively large values.
iii) The amplitude of output signal must be stable, the harmonic contents in the output
should be as low as possible. The output signal should be distortion free.
v) The signal generator should provide very low spurious output; that means effect of
hum, noise, jitter and modulation should be negligible.
A F oscillator:
The signal generators which provide sinusoidal waveforms in the frequency range of 20 Hz to
20 kHz are called audio frequency(A.F.) signal generator. Depending upon the load, in modern
AF signal generators a provision is made to select output impedance either 50 n or 600 n. To
generate audio frequency signals, in practice RC feedback oscillators are used. The most
commonly used RC feedback oscillators are Wien Bridge oscillator and RC phase shift
oscillator. Let us discuss both the types of oscillators indetail.
Standard signal generator:
It is extensively used in the testing of radio receivers and transmitters. This is basically a radio
frequency (RF) signal generator. The standard signal generator producesknown and
controllablevoltages.
Principle of working:
The output of the generator is amplitude modulated or frequency modulated. The frequency
modulation is possible using a carrier signal from RF oscillator. The amplitude modulation
can be done using internal sine wave oscillator. The modulation may be done by a sine wave,
square wave, triangular wave or a pulse also. The setting on the front pane1 indicates the
carrier frequency to be used for modulation.
AF sine and square wave generator:
The block diagram of an AF sine-square wave generator is as shown in the Fig

As per our previous discussion, Wien bridge oscillator is the heart of an AF sine-
square wave generator. Depending upon the position of switch, we get output as square wave
output or sine wave output. The Wien bridge oscillator generates a sine
wave. Depending upon the position of switch, it is switched to either circuit. In the square
wave generation section, the output of the Wi en bridge oscillator is fed to square wave
shaper circuit which uses schmitt trigger circuit. The attenuators in both the sections are
used to control output signal level. Before attenuation, the signal level is made very high
using sine wave amplifier and square wave amplifier.
Square wave and pulse generator:
The square wave generator and pulse generator are generally used as measuring
devices in combination with the oscilloscope. The basic difference between square wave
generator and pulse generator is in the duty cycle. The duty cycle is defined as the ratio of
average value of a pulse over one cycle to the peak value. It is also defined as ratio of the
pulse width to the period of one cycle.
The average value is half of peak value. Both the average value and peak value are
inversely proportional to time duration. The average value of a pulse is given as, 1

Average value = 1/2 Peak value Duty cycle of square wave = 0.5
Thus square wave generator produces an output voltage with equal ON and OFF
periods as duty cycle is 0.5 or 50% as the frequency of oscillation is varied. Then we can state
that irrespective of the frequency of operation, the positive and negative half cycles extend
over half of the totalperiod

Laboratory type square wave and pulse generator:


The circuit consists of two current sources,a ramp capacitor, and schmitt trigger circuit as
well as curr~wit~ht!!g 9,rcuit. The two current sources provide a constant current to ramp
capacitor for charging and discharging. The ratio of these charging and discharging current is'
determined by setting of symmetry control. The symmetry control determines duty cycle of
output waveform. In the current source, an appropriate control voltage is applied to current
control transistors which controls the frequency i.e. sum of two currents.
The multiplier switch provides decade switching control output frequency. While
frequency dial provides continuous control of output frequency.
The block diagram of laboratory type square wave and pulse generator is as shown in fig:

You might also like