G0CWA ANALOG AF/MF SIGNAL GENERATOR

APRIL 2013

INTRODUCTION
Hi here is my design for a simple easily customizable signal generator generating variable
levels of sin, triangular and square wave signals for setting up of filters etc with the added
bonus of a 5v TTL compatible clock signal all from 3Hz up to around 200KHz. The whole unit
is powered by either two PP3 9 volt batteries or, preferably, because of the relatively high
current consumption a cheap (12V 200mA or higher) unregulated power supply. The cheap
12V wall wart types give around 15V+ peak.

Any supply greater than 14V to up to around 20V will do as the onboard regulators will take
care of it.

I apologise for using an out of date chip for the design the ICL8038 although now out of
production is still easily available on e-Bay or via a lot of component suppliers as it was a
very popular chip. Take care though as you should expect to pay no more than £4.00
probably a lot less I got some from Hong Kong for £1.00 each, some people are asking for up
to £50.00, yes £50.00. At present there is no SMT equivalent available. I chose this route
rather than a DDS approach because it is far easier to reproduce as a “one off” home brew
project.

Although for best performance ideally a split rail power supply should be used, a cheap split
rail supply was not easily available so I designed the circuit by several simple “fiddles” to run
on a single rail with an onboard synthetic Ground.

BROAD SPECIFICATION

Power supply either 2x 9volt batteries internal or an external DC of 14-20V

Frequency coverage 2Hz to around 200KHz in 6 switched ranges

Range no. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Frequency 2- 26 -
Hz 50 470 260 - 5K 2.3K - 43K 5.2K - 100K 12K - 210K
slight xover slight slight slight
Sin ok ok distortion compression compression compression
slight slight slight
Triangle ok ok ok "rounding" "rounding" "rounding"
slight rising rising
Square ok ok ok "rounding" distortion distortion
slight rising rising
TTl ok ok ok "rounding" distortion distortion

Sin, Triangular and Square wave outputs of up to around 3V PTP

5V TTL compatible clock signal

Optional Un-calibrated output level meter (guide to levels only)

Optional Digital frequency read out

Output monitor socket

MODULES
The generator is built in a modular format as are most of my projects, the minimum
required is the PSU and main board calibrated dials will serve the same purpose and reduce
cost.

The frequency meter module was bought off e-Bay from “jpl995” and was listed as

FREQUENCY COUNTER 1HZ-80MHZ WITH 1HZ RESOLUTION

I found Jim was very reliable and helpfull. Others supply similar modules but I have not dealt
with them.

PSU
There is nothing special here just a regulator chain made up of a 7812, 7809 and 7805 the
whole unit being bolted to a die-cast box which provides sufficient heat-sinking and
shielding. No insulating washers were needed as the “mounts” are connected internally to
the OV rail
PSU COMPONENT PLACEMENT

PSU REAL WORLD

PSU SILK SCREEN

PSU TRACK (X-RAY VIEW)

PSU CIRCUIT
MAIN BOARD
Firstly an apology this board although basically the same as my prototype does have slight
differences the major ones being on the right hand side of the board. My prototype had two
extra op-amp buffers, one for the square wave signal and one for the output, I found neither
were needed and removed them from the final layout, just taking the inputs to the
simulated ground (5V rail).

The operation of the ICL8038 chip is covered on the data sheet and is not discussed here.

I have included a minimum of pre-sets to set up the board all are needed, it is not me being
too lazy with the calculator to work out single resistor values.

Their uses are

VR1 to balance the mark space ratio of the outputs

VR2 and 3 to vary the gain of the sin and triangle waveform buffers to prevent clipping of
the wave forms

VR13 is to optimise the sine wave shape, use a scope or the best spectrum analyser you
have available, one supplied by nature, your ears, for the cleanest signal.

The final two VR4 and VR8 control the frequency span control voltage and will be roughly
2/3 of the pos supply i.e. 8V to near full rail.

Please note if the control high voltage is too high all sorts of distortions creep in, my
prototype covered around 8-11.6 volts but this is an SOT value and depends on the
individual chip, I tried 3 different ones all needed the pots set differently for best
performance.

MAIN BOARD COMPONENT PLACEMENT

 MAIN BOARD REAL WORLD

MAIN BOARD SILK SCREEN

MAIN BOARD TRACK (X-RAY VIEW)

 MAIN BOARD CIRCUIT

OUTPUT METER

The output meter is included for giving a visual display of the output amplitude of the
signals and although it works on all modes is accurate on sin waves only, even then it is not
particularly accurate and is intended as an indicator only. Accurate levels would have to be
measured on a scope, but, it is still a useful addition enabling quick return to values.

The meter is basically a copy of my RF mV meter but “tuned” to operate at lower

frequencies, below around 25 Hz although not giving a constant level can still be used the
peak values being shown by the peak deflections of the meter. Any meter movement can be
used the gain and range pre-sets VR3 and VR2 should give sufficient adjustment. It is also
possible to correct for any slight DC offsets using VR4. R5 is an optional component and is
included for meter matching to the circuit if the meter is too sensitive, it is an SOT value.

The final pot VR1 is used to adjust the biasing of the diode D1 to just conduct with no input
signal adjust it till a very low dc voltage can be measured at the junction of D1, C6 and VR2,
the lower the better.
OUTPUT METER COMPONENT PLACEMENT

OUTPUT METER REAL WORLD

OUTPUT METER SILK SCREEN

 OUTPUT METER TRACK (X-RAY VIEW)

OUTPUT METER CIRCUIT

Parts sources
The frequency meter off e-Bay from “jpl995” and was listed as “FREQUENCY COUNTER 1HZ-
80MHZ WITH 1HZ RESOLUTION”

The ICL8038 although now out of production is still easily available on e-Bay or via a lot of
component suppliers, but watch the price, don’t pay more than around £4.00 maximum.

All the rest of the parts are standard ones and should be easily available

This again was built to replace my original unit liberated by my friend who at the moment is
building up his test equipment.

Hope you find this of use and happy oscillating 73 for now de Nick G0CWA.

Any comments will be gratefully received and as usual I can be contacted by e-mail at
[email protected] or via the Radio Board and QRZ forums as G0CWA.

I cannot guarantee to see your questions if posted elsewhere

REMEMBER TO CHECK THE PCB TRACK LAYOUTS AND MIRROR THEM IF NEEDED. I HAVE
PRESENTED THEM AS “X-RAY” VIEWS OF THE FINAL BOARD !!!!

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or

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I can not guarantee you will have the latest version, Please inform Dave if it was
downloaded from another site. Dave’s site is the ONLY ONE I HAVE AUTHORISED to
distribute/display my projects and documents. However links to the projects are permitted
with Daves permission.

I do not supply kits, parts, PCB's or build boards for my projects but am more than willing
to help talk you through a build or fault finding via my normal contact methods, or even
SKYPE if required for direct contact.