Mechanical Engineering - 22.

302 ME Lab I

ME 22.302
Mechanical Lab I

Characteristics of Signals
1 Volt Sine

Series1

1.5

97

93

Normalized Squared Function

101

89

85

81

77

73

69

65

61

57

53

49

45

41

37

33

29

25

21

17

13

0
1

SIN(X)

0.5

0.07

-0.5

0.06
-1

0.05
-1.5
2*PI

0.04
0.03
0.02
0.01

University of Massachusetts Lowell

96

91

86

81

76

71

66

61

56

51

46

41

36

31

26

21

16

Dr. Peter Avitabile

11

Signal Types - 122601 - 1

Copyright 2001

Mechanical Engineering - 22.302 ME Lab I

There are various types of signals that need to be measured.

These can be broken down into
Direct Current or Non-Alternating Signals
and
Alternating Signals
Low Frequency Signals
High Frequency Signals

Dr. Peter Avitabile

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Signal Types - 122601 - 2

Copyright 2001

Mechanical Engineering - 22.302 ME Lab I

A Direct Current or DC signal is a non-alternating signal.

An Alternating Current or AC signal such as a sine wave is
described by two characteristics
- period or frequency
- amplitude and phase

Amplitude

T = Period

Dr. Peter Avitabile

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Signal Types - 122601 - 3

Copyright 2001

Mechanical Engineering - 22.302 ME Lab I

An AC signal MUST ALWAYS be described in terms of its

frequency and amplitude in a correct fashion
CORRECT ->

2.828 Volt peak-to-peak sine wave at 25 Hz

CORRECT ->

1 Volt RMS sine wave at 25 Hz

INCORRECT -> 1.414 Volt sine wave at 5 Hz

Peak to Peak

Peak

T = Period

Dr. Peter Avitabile

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Signal Types - 122601 - 4

Copyright 2001

A signal may have both a DC

component and an alternating
component that must be measured

AC

Mechanical Engineering - 22.302 ME Lab I

AC Coupling

DC

If only the alternating portion of

the signal is of interest then the
measurement can be made with
what is referred to as

If we are also interested in the

DC portion of the signal as well
then the measurement can be
made with what is referred to as
DC Coupling
AC and DC Coupling is used extensively in all labs
Dr. Peter Avitabile

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Signal Types - 122601 - 5

Copyright 2001

Mechanical Engineering - 22.302 ME Lab I

An oscilloscope is used to
measure DC signals as well as
very high frequencies
Oscilloscope
A multimeter is used to measure
DC signals as well as some
relatively high frequencies
depending on the model available

A function generator can be used

to generate a variety of
different signals from sinusoids
to rectangular pulses.
Dr. Peter Avitabile

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Multimeter

Function Generator
Signal Types - 122601 - 6

Copyright 2001

Mechanical Engineering - 22.302 ME Lab I

Oscilloscope - used to observe signals

Intensity
Focus
&
Power

Screen

Dr. Peter Avitabile

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Horizontal Control
(Time)

Vertical Control
(Amplitude)

AC/DC
Coupling
Signal Types - 122601 - 7

Triggering

Copyright 2001

Mechanical Engineering - 22.302 ME Lab I

Multimeter - used to measure voltage or current

Range Settings

AC/DC
Coupling

Dr. Peter Avitabile

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Signal Types - 122601 - 8

Copyright 2001

Mechanical Engineering - 22.302 ME Lab I

Function generator - used to create a signal

Signal Type

Range Settings

Output

Variable Control

Dr. Peter Avitabile

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Signal Types - 122601 - 9

Copyright 2001

Mechanical Engineering - 22.302 ME Lab I

All measuring instruments have a useful frequency range where the

measurement made is not distorted by the measuring instrument.
However, when measurements are made beyond this useful
frequency range then generally there is an attenuation of the
signal obtained from the measuring instrument. This useful
frequency range is often defined in terms of the 3 dB down point
of the measured signal and called the cut-off frequency.
FILTER ROLLOFF

G dB

Vout
= 20 log10 G = 20 log10
Vin

fc

The cut-off frequency is usually specified at the 3 dB down point

(which is where the filter attenuates 3 dB of signal).
Dr. Peter Avitabile

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Signal Types - 122601 - 10

Copyright 2001