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"Signal Generators": Group III Palentinos, Jo Ven L. Berlon, Jennelyn L. Cantos, Shiela May D

Signal generators output repeating or non-repeating signals and allow manipulation of frequency, amplitude, or shape. They use memory and digital-to-analog converters to generate analog waveforms from digital files. There are two main types: function generators for periodic waves and arbitrary waveform generators for complex signals. Modern signal generators precisely control frequency with techniques like direct digital synthesis and reference clocking.

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41 views

"Signal Generators": Group III Palentinos, Jo Ven L. Berlon, Jennelyn L. Cantos, Shiela May D

Signal generators output repeating or non-repeating signals and allow manipulation of frequency, amplitude, or shape. They use memory and digital-to-analog converters to generate analog waveforms from digital files. There are two main types: function generators for periodic waves and arbitrary waveform generators for complex signals. Modern signal generators precisely control frequency with techniques like direct digital synthesis and reference clocking.

Uploaded by

rushfire
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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“SIGNAL GENERATORS”

Group III
Palentinos, Jo ven L.
Berlon, Jennelyn L.
Cantos, Shiela May D.
Signal Generator
- are instruments that output repeating or
non-repeating pulsed signals.

Signal generators usually allow the


manipulation of the output signals frequency,
amplitude or shape.
Signal Generator Architecture
National Instruments (NI) signal generators use the
synchronization and memory core (SMC) architecture
to provide a common interface between a device's
onboard memory, external hardware, and digital-to-
analog converter (DAC).

Figure 1. Signal Generator Block Diagram


Types of Signal Generators
Signal generators can be divided into
two types depending on their memory
options and clocking characteristics.
These two categories are:
1.function generators
2. arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs). 
Function Generators
- are designed to generate periodic waveforms
at precise frequencies. In fact, they typically
use a clocking mechanism known as direct
digital synthesis (DDS) to generate precise
frequencies of better than 1 µHz of precision.

- Such devices are used in feedback control


systems and in analog computers.
Arbitrary Waveform Generators
AWGs, on the other hand, are designed to
generate large and often complex
waveforms. As a result, they use deep
onboard memory and sophisticated
clocking mechanisms.
The resulting waveforms can be injected
into a device under test and analyzed as they
progress through the device, confirming the
proper operation of the device or
pinpointing a fault in the device.
Deep Onboard Memory
Modern signal generators (especially AWGs)
implement deep onboard memory to store large
waveforms. Signal generators use onboard
memory to store both waveforms and sequence
instructions. The instructions for a complicated
sequence can occupy a significant block in
memory.

Figure 2. Signal Generator Memory Allocation


Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC)
Modern signal generators use an advanced DAC to
convert digital waveforms in memory into analog
signals.
It is a device that converts a digital (usually binary)
code to an analog signal (current, voltage, or electric
charge).
Digital Gain
Used to maximize the amplitude accuracy and the
flexibility of the signal generator.
Filtering
DACs are able to approximate only truly ideal signals.
In fact, because the stepped output of a DAC results in
high-frequency images, modern signal generators
implement both analog and digital filters to provide
the best approximation of an ideal analog signal.

Time Domain of 20 MHz Sine Wave


Clocking
Just as the resolution of a DAC has a profound
effect on the amplitude accuracy of the signal
generated, the clock supplied to the DAC
affects the frequency accuracy of the signal
generated. As a result, the effects of an accurate
clocking mechanism are measurable in the
frequency domain of a signal. Modern signal
generators offer a variety of ways to clock DAC
output at precise frequencies with minimal
clock jitter.
Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS)
DDS works by first storing a large repetitive waveform
into a finite memory space. Once the waveform is
stored into memory, it can be generated at very precise
frequencies.

Generating a 21 MHz Signal with Direct Digital Synthesis


Reference Clocking
A reference clock is important for synchronizing
multiple instruments. When using a reference clock,
a signal generator is able to phase-lock its sample
clock with an external clock through a phase-locked
loop (PLL). A PLL is a feedback circuit that is able to
align the phase of a sample clock with a reference
clock

As a result, by sharing the same reference clock


between multiple devices, you can synchronize the
sample clocks and align the signals generated.
Basic Phase-Locked Loop Circuit

A PLL is a feedback control system that controls the phase


of a VCXO. The frequency reference signal is applied to a
phase detector. The phase detector outputs a voltage that is
proportional to the phase difference between the two input
signals. Finally, the loop filter adjusts the phase of the
oscillator clock to match the phase of the reference signal.
As a result, the reference frequency and the sample clock
can perfectly match in phase.
Linking and Looping (Waveform Generation Engine)
NI signal generators use advanced SMC features to link
and loop waveform segments. Linking and looping can
be divided into two generation modes, sequence mode
and script mode.
1. Sequence mode - you can configure a signal generator
to output a predetermined series of waveforms with
sequence instructions stored in the onboard memory.
2. Script mode - more powerful because with it you can
create a dynamic waveform sequence in which the signal
generator output is dependent on the state of a hardware
or software trigger.
Sequence Mode
- you can generate a series of waveforms through a
preconfigured sequence. In addition, you can
implement various triggering modes to advance to the
next waveform in the sequence.

Sequencing with Stepped Trigger Mode


Script Mode
 It enables a signal generator to dynamically output a
sequence of waveforms based on hardware or software
events in the system.
 It is the most advanced waveform control feature
because of its flexibility.

. Example Script Using the "Repeat until" Command


Figure 14. Signal Generator Output with the "Repeat until" Script
Trigger and Events
For synchronization with other instruments,
the SMC architecture offers features such as
the marker event and data marker event.
Using these events, you can configure your
signal generator to generate output triggers
to control the behavior of other
instruments.
Conclusion
Modern signal generators use the SMC
architecture to enable the generation of
complex and accurate analog signals.
As a result, signal generators are able to
generate a large variety of signals and
service a wide array of applications.

Reference: http://zone.ni.com/devzone/cda/tut/p/id/5535

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