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ML 101B2 - Signal Generator

The document provides an introduction to signal generators, focusing on digital signal generators used for electronic design, testing, and troubleshooting. It details the components of a signal generator, how to set it up, and how to use it to select and adjust various waveform parameters. The document also explains the process of connecting the generator to circuits and managing output channels.

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Sulochana Bandara
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9 views8 pages

ML 101B2 - Signal Generator

The document provides an introduction to signal generators, focusing on digital signal generators used for electronic design, testing, and troubleshooting. It details the components of a signal generator, how to set it up, and how to use it to select and adjust various waveform parameters. The document also explains the process of connecting the generator to circuits and managing output channels.

Uploaded by

Sulochana Bandara
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ML 101B2 - Introduction to Signal Generators

1.​ Introduction
The signal generator produces an electrical signal which can be used to characterize or analyze in
an electrical or electronic circuit. They are widely used in electronic design, testing, and
troubleshooting applications. They are also described as function, tone, or waveform generators.
Signal generators can be either analog or digital devices. Digital signal generators allow you to
program and synthesize various waveforms that are not generally available on the analog signal
generator. They also provide more convenient control features. Both digital and analog signal
generators are used in labs. Here we focus on digital signal generators.

​ ​ ​ ​
Figure 1 - Tektronix AFG 1022 signal generator

2.​ Parts of a Signal Generator

Figure 2 - Parts of the Tektronix AFG 1022 Signal generator


3.​ Parts of the Screen interface

Figure 3 - Part of the display screen


1.​ Bezel menu: When you push a front panel button, the instrument displays the corresponding
menu on the right side of the screen. The menu shows the options that are available when you
press the unlabeled bezel buttons directly to the right of the screen. (Some documentation
may also refer to the bezel buttons as option buttons, side-menu buttons, or soft keypad.)
2.​ Graph/waveform display area: This part of the main display area shows the signal as a
graph or waveform.
3.​ Parameter display area: This part of the main display area shows active parameters.

Indicates Frequency Lock is on

Indicates Amplitude Lock is on

4.​ Message display area: This part displays the load value
5.​ Message display area: This part displays the current channel.
6.​ Parameter display area: This part displays the period.
7.​ Message display area: This part displays the type of the current signal or the current mode.
4.​ Setting up the signal generator
To connect the signal generator to other circuits you can use a variety of cables. Normally BNC
coaxial cables are used for this purpose. Usually, signal generators use BNC cables in the
following two formats.
1.​ BNC connectors at both ends
2.​ BNC connector at one end and crocodile (alligator) clips at the other end.

Figure 4 - Coaxial cable in the BNC connector

Coaxial cable has an inner core insulated from an outer shield. The shield is connected to the
black clip which is the external ring of the BNC cable. This connects to the ground or zero
voltage point in the circuit. The central core is connected to the center pin of the BNC connector.
It is associated with the red clip. In a test circuit, this is the connection made in the point of
interest. Usually, signal generators are calibrated to use test leads which have an impedance of 50
Ω. Before making connections, check if the leads are correct. Normally the impedance value is
marked on the cable.

5.​ Using the signal generator


Various parameters of the signal generator can be used to make changes in the output signal. An
image of the output signal seen in the display of this signal generator.
5.1 Selecting a waveform
This signal generator can output five standard waveforms,
1.​ Sine
2.​ Square
3.​ Ramp
4.​ Pulse
5.​ Noise
Also, it can generate user-defined arbitrary waveforms. In this instrument, you can create, edit, and save
your custom waveforms. To select the waveform type, the function buttons below the display screen can
be used.

Figure 5 - Use these buttons to select the waveform type. The selected waveform type is sine.

5.2 Adjusting waveform parameters


Let's identify the basic parameters of a signal before adjusting them in the signal generator.

Figure 6 - Basic waveform parameters


When you turn on the device the default output waveform is 1 kHz sine waveform with an
amplitude of 1 V peak to peak voltage (1 Vp-p). The frequency and the amplitude of the original
output signal can be changed as follows.
1.​ To change the frequency value of the original signal, press the Freq/Period button (upmost
in the bezel buttons section). Press the same button again to select Period. The parameter
which is chosen will be lighted in a white background. Also, you can use the general purpose
knob to set frequency value directly. To move the cursor, you can use arrow buttons.

Figure 7 - Step 1: Selecting the frequency/period changing menu


2.​ After selecting the frequency, a button in the numeric panel can be pushed. It will pop up an
input box to set the frequency value. Then push the correct bezel button to select the proper
unit for the frequency. Use the left arrow button which also acts as the backspace to delete
characters.

Figure 8 - Step 2: Entering frequency value using the numeric panel


3.​ Press the NextPage button to go to the next page for other unit options.
4.​ Press the Cancel button to cancel the operation
Figure 9 - Step 3,4: NextPage and Cancel buttons
5.​ To change the amplitude value of the original signal, press the Ampl/High button. Then you
can use the general purpose knob or the numeric panel to set an amplitude value.

Figure 10 - Step 5: Selecting the amplitude changing menu

6.​ After setting the amplitude value correct unit should be selected. There are few options as
mVpp (peak to peak voltage value in mV), Vpp (peak to peak voltage value in V), mVrms
(root mean square voltage value in mV), or Vrms (root mean square voltage value in V).
Figure 11 - Step 6: Selecting the amplitude unit
Likewise, Offset, High and low values can be changed in the same way. Usually, the offset value
is set to zero.

5.3 Selecting the channel


1.​ To select the channel front panel Ch1/2 can be used. By pushing this button, you can toggle
between the two channels.

Figure 12 - Selecting the channel


5.4 Channel output ON/OFF
1.​ To enable channel 1 as the output signal, push the yellow On/Off button in the front panel.
2.​ To enable channel 2 as the output signal, push the blue On/Off button in the front panel.
When the channel is on the button will light.

​ Figure 13 - Selecting channel output


5.5 Displaying both channels
1.​ Push the Both button in the front panel to display channel 1 and channel 2 at the same time.
2.​ Push the Ch1/2 button to select and each channel to edit
3.​ Use function buttons to select the waveform type in each channel.
4.​ Use bezel buttons to change values of each waveform

Figure 14 - Displaying both channel 1 and channel 2

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