Instrument for Generation and

Analysis of Waveforms

Dr. Aijaz Mehdi Zaidi, Assistant Professor, ECE, NIT Jalandhar

Signal Generator
• A signal generator is an electronic device that generates repeating
or non repeating electronic signals in either the analog or the
digital domain.
• It is generally used in designing, testing of electronic devices.
• It must be capable of producing stable signals over a wide range
of frequencies from a few Hz to even GHz ranges.
• Amplitude must be variable and attenuators are usually provided
to change the amplitude.
• The following factors must be considered in selecting or comparing
signal generators.
1. Frequency Range
2. Output Voltage
3. Resolution
4. Accuracy
5. Distortion
Basic Signal Generator (Sine Wave)

• The sine wave generator represents the largest category of signal

generator.
• It covers a frequency range from few Hz To GHz.
• Simple sine wave generator consists of two blocks i.e., an oscillator
and an attenuator, Fig.
• The accuracy of the frequency, stability and freedom from
distortion depend on the design of oscillator, while the amplitude
depends on the design of attenuator.
Audio Frequency (AF) Sine Wave and Square Wave Generator

• The block diagram of an Audio Frequency (20 Hz to 20 KHz) sine

and square wave generator is shown below.
• A Wien bridge oscillator is the best for the audio frequency range
• The frequency of oscillations can be changed by varying the
capacitance or resistor in the oscillator.
Audio Frequency Sine Wave and Square Wave Generator
• The output of the Wien bridge oscillator goes to the function switch.
• The function switch directs the oscillator output either to the sine
wave amplifier or to the square wave shaper.
• At the output, we get either a square or sine wave.
• The output is varied by means of an attenuator.
• The instrument generates a frequency ranging from 10 Hz to
1 MHz.
• The output sine wave amplitude can be varied from 5 mV to 5 V
(rms). And the square wave amplitudes can be varied from 0 - 20 V
(peak).
Function Generator
• Function generator is a signal generator, which generates three or
more periodic waves.
• Consider the following block diagram of a function generator,
which will produce periodic waves like triangular wave, square
wave and sine wave.
• There are two current sources, namely upper current source and
lower current source in the block diagram. These two current
sources are regulated by the frequency-controlled voltage.
Function Generator
Triangular Wave:
• Integrator present in the block diagram, gets constant current
alternately from upper and lower current sources for equal amount
of time repeatedly. So, the integrator will produce two types of
output repeatedly.
• The output voltage of an integrator increases linearly with respect
to time for the period during which integrator gets current from
upper current source.
• The output voltage of an integrator decreases linearly with respect
to time for the period during which integrator gets current from
lower current source.
• In this way, the integrator present in above block diagram will
produce a triangular wave.
Function Generator
Square Wave and Sine Wave:
The output of integrator, i.e. the triangular wave is applied as an input
to two other blocks as shown in below block diagram in order to get
the square wave and sine wave respectively.
Function Generator
Square Wave:
• The triangular wave has positive slope and negative slope alternately
for equal amount of time repeatedly. So, the voltage comparator
multi vibrator present in the block diagram will produce the following
two types of output for equal amount of time repeatedly.
• One type of constant (higher) voltage at the output of voltage
comparator multi vibrator for the period during which the voltage
comparator multi vibrator gets the positive slope of the triangular wave.
• Another type of constant (lower) voltage at the output of voltage
comparator multi vibrator for the period during which the voltage
comparator multi vibrator gets the negative slope of the triangular
wave.
• The voltage comparator multi vibrator present in the block diagram
will produce a square wave. If the amplitude of the square wave that is
produced at the output of voltage comparator multi vibrator is not
sufficient, then it can be amplified to the required value by using a
square wave amplifier.
Function Generator
Sine Wave:
• The sine wave shaping circuit will produce a sine wave output
from the triangular input wave. Basically, this circuit consists of a
diode resistance network.
• If the amplitude of the sine wave produced at the output of sine
wave shaping circuit is insufficient, then it can be amplified to the
required value by using sine wave amplifier.
Thank You