GPakeric mm me me ~ aE A Simple Square-Wave Function Generator with an Project Details Arduino sre By Maker Statt Mary makers rarely use the analog outputs on thelr Arduina, even though ev and vst Roars they can be useful ina wide variety of applications -such as dimming an Potentiometers LED. Most paople nave done that atleast once, and cauntiess tutorials Use an analog /0 pin to drive an LED. This projact shows how to connect License multiple simple 1/0 components to an Arduino to create an uncomplicated funetion generator. om Get Involved 1x Soldertess breadboard 1X Arduino Due (or any other Arduino with a builtin DAC) ke 2x 20K Patentometer Pavone ‘4x 10K Resistor Becker 1 (only needed if your Arduino doesnt have 2 butters BAC) ‘choosing the Right Arduino Most Arduino boards can easily convert an analog vortage level to a aighal Yalue withthe help of a builtin analog-to-cigtal converter (ADC). This t= the value tat displays wnen performing an analogltead operation on one: ‘of the decicated enaiog /0 pins on an Arduino However, whet many people dortt knows is that this doess't necesseri eon that you can algo output an anslog value in the same way. Inetead, the software wil automatically transform an analagWets cal to a pulse- ‘wieth modulated digital signal instead of an appropriate voltage value 2 Bian: “The mentioned technique is fine for many applleations, ike dimming an LED or controling the speed of a motor For this example, however that simple technique le not good enough because the Arduino needs to produce voltage values someuinete etwecn LOW and HIGH ‘Therefore, we will use an Arduine witha builtin DAC, ike the Arduino Due ‘or the MK Vidor 4000 board, Note thet Its siso possible fo use an external Dacitnecessary. “The Basies of the Circuit ‘As mentioned above, a few simple physical input and output components ‘control the signal thatthe Arduino generates. For thet purpose, this prolect Uuiized two 20K Ohm potentiometers and two TOK resistors te buld'a Voltage divider that will reduce the voltage from five volts to 3.3 V. Note at his may not be necessery onal Ardurnon, a8 most of them should be‘The Basles of the Clreutt ‘As mentioned above, a few simple physical input and output components Control ine signal that the Arduino generates. For that purpose, this project Utlized two 20K Ohm potentiometers and two 10K resistors to build a Voltage divider that will reduce the voltage from five volts to 3.3 V. Note that this may not be necessary on all Arduinos, as most of nem should be 5V lolerant. The middle pins ofthe potentiometers were then connected to {wo separate analog input ports on the Arduino. Finally, two pushbutton switches were added: one for resetting the circuit, and one that allows the User to change the generated waveform and cycle through @ few settings. ford + prrers (image source: Created by author) ‘The buttons above are used in combination with appropriate pulldown resistors, along with an LED that indicates that the crcut is on. ‘A mote detailed schematic of the entire project can be seen below: Lpschematic 4 Leain more by looking at the schematic for the project on Schemest ‘The Importance of the Software Like many other Arduino-based projects, the software isa vital aspect of this Dulld In this case, the code reads the user input and detects when the slate of one of the two potentiometers changes, or when a button gets pressed. As stated above, the generated wavetorm can be changed with he of the two push-duttons. The software then generates the Output, Sepending on the state thatthe circuit I ‘copy code 1 Change these according te your Arcusna! 1 EONPin and ACPI must. be. interrupt. pans 1) please eter to tne documentation. netps! //ivm-arduan.cc/recopy Code TES Seti ies ai 14 The maximum value that the analog inputs will read int 1 = 100; // Low tine of the output waveform 71 the state describes what the output waveform Unsigned Lon debouncede1ay = 50: void setup x Serial begin(9600); 14 Set yp ald the pins Pitches. Paks obTPT: DiniodecruwPIN, INPUT) pinledecAcc PIN: INPUT): Binledeceraue, inrury pinicdeceriMe, tmrur)” 11 Attach interrupts to the pins that the buttons are connect Steachinterrupt(sugitelPinfoinverrupt(ACe PIN), aceepthange Steachinterrupe(aigitalpinteinterrupe(runlPin}, chargerunclis 71 Turn the LED on (It"s just a simple poner-on indicator) Gigieainetee(Le0.PIK, HIGH) acceptenangeOs > 5 changes the waveform of the output if the appropriate, button 3 to pass before you can call 4t agsin. Af Cqmillis() - lastchange) > debounceDelay) ‘ 17 Switch to the next state Aftstate = 2) lastchange = ailliseo aceepechaneec‘dteachinterruptcdigitalpintointerrupt(ace FN), aceeptchange, SteachtnterrupeCdigitalpinteinterrupe(rin_Pin}, chareruneeis 11 Turn the LED on (4t*s Just a simpte power-on indicator) GigitalwritetLeo PIN, HIGH) ‘eceptchanged: 5 gpanees the mavetorn of, he outpus if, hw appropriate button 1ie"jaen olfre'you'tan GOTH sgn, vola changerunction¢> ¥ $F ((ei11i50) — destchengs) > doboucetelay) « iecotate 2 Aastchange = a1it1s() atcepeensngec)? » > void acceptchangac) v bh = clawpcanalomtead«iriwey, 1, Liurr): 11> Gistptanalogtendciriwe), 3! LIM); cho. angie"= 0: > ant clompCint value, int min, int max) « Afevalue < min) scvatue > max return value: old dosauarewavac a pee eee ee eer 17 Instead, "st ralies on counter variables that it increases 11 tate, “uel ch (eho counter variable for the high time) 14 the: specitied hagh tise (which can be changed With the pot 1 IF that's the case. the function pulls the output pin LOM,analoghritenesoluti nes) int Itenp = elamptanalogseadcLTiMe), 1 LIMIT) ifdtem 1 LT heen hy 17 output 2 waver depending on the current state break real , > Note that this code trgete Arduino with 2 builtin DAC with a minimum Fesolution of 10 bis. If youte using a ferent DAC, make Sure to adjust the values accordingly! Using an Arduino without a Built-in DAC ‘Connecting al components to 6 compatible Arduino as described above ‘means that everything should be ready to go once everything is plugged in Users without a builtin DAC for their Arduino, however will have to add an {extemal DAG of some sort. There are many different methods that You can Ulize to receive a tue analog output, bul one easy recommendation Is Using a simple external 2c digato-analog converter module Leatm more by ooking atthe schematic fr the project on Scheme ote that vol alsa have to undate the code accordingly Eor thLearn more by looking atthe schematic forthe project on Scheme: Note that youl also have to update the code accordingly. For this patticular DAC module, tne most obvious crioice Isto ‘dovnload and use he official Adal iirary that comes with. Then, instead of doing the [nalogWrte operations, send the digital value ta the DAC 1y Replace this aralogersteCQUT_PIN, val) Gacrsetvoltagecval, false): Furthermore, add the following line tothe setup method copy Code For addtional suppor, take a look at the oficial documentation, ‘Some Final Thoughts for your Project Wen attempting to build this project, Keep in mind thatthe resuiting Tunetion generator wll not be very accurate due to how the signal gets ‘generated. In this project, the maximum frequency of the irished product ‘will neaviy depend on the Arduino you use and ite internal clock speed Even with a his in mind, the prjest can teach alot apout algal mpuns ‘and analog /0 in general, a2 well 92 loaps and states ma program ‘This project demonstrates how you can attach multiple physical inputs to {an Arduino to alow a user to tweak how te finished product operates. For {that purpose, the Arduino acts as a very base function generator that can continuously output one of three wavefotms: Make sure you use an Arduino with a built-in DAG. you dor't have one, you.can add an external DAC of some zort, which will tnen generate a tue ‘analog output Furthermore, you should Keep in mind that this is a base funtion generator. The output cant go above +8'V, and i also cant go Below zero Volis.Adaitionally the frequency and accuracy are limited and depend on the Arduino and its clock speedKey Parts and Components ‘ARDUINO DUE ATSAMAXBE EVAL BRO. ‘x000062 40.30 [Adatritindonies Ue EVAL BOARO MCPA725, err bac 935 S495, BREADBRD TERM STRIP. 320x200" FrT0096 $290 2 co OT 20k OHM 1/5W PLASTIC LINEAR. PGoKN-00C13820K 5086KNOB KNURLED 0.236" METAL OE sA5037 $761 ‘SWITCH TACTILE SPSTNO 005812 MurP1230 $0.10 eet re LED RED CLEAR SMM ROUND T/H (5038-RAN-CZOCOAAI sos e _stockpte eens ne RES 10K OHM 5% 1/4 AXIAL criastioKa 50.10e ‘Stackpole Electrons ne RES 10k OHM 5% 1/4W AXIAL CFi4JT10K9 $0.10 NM ‘Stackpole Electrons ne RES 220 OHM 5% 1/4 AXIAL crMi4sT220R $010 ¢ _Sparkrun electronics JUMPER WIRE M/M 6° 20PCs. PRT-12795 $1.95 Adal obey Pars to cant 1050-1049.ND 1528-1010ND 1738-1326ND 987-1302ND 226-3128ND (679-2428ND (C5038-RAN-CZOCOAAT-ND GFIAJTIOKOCTND, 'S2200C7-ND 1588-1512.ND