2/18/25, 5:33 PM FUNCTION GENERATOR | E-manuals

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FUNCTION GENERATOR

Innovation Project: SRCA-203

Development of e-resource on standard procedure of operation and applications of

Project Mentor: Prof. Mridula Gupta,

Project Investigators: Dr Sneha Kabra, Dr Amita Kapoor, Ms Himani Dua,

INTRODUCTION

A function generator is a very versatile instrument that is used in electronics, mechanics, bioengineering, physics and many other fields. A wide
variety of synthesized electrical signals and waveforms can be created for testing, repairing and diagnostic applications. It produces different types
of waveforms such as sine, square, triangle and sawtooth over a wide range of frequencies.

It can be implemented with basic expensive components. The sawtooth wave and triangular-wave outputs of function generators are commonly
used for those applications which need a signal that increases (or reduces) at a specific linear rate. They are also used in driving sweep oscillators
in the X-axis of X-Y recorders oscilloscopes. By providing a square wave for linearity measurements in an audio-system, a simultaneous sawtooth
output maybe used to drive the horizontal deflection amplifiers of an oscilloscope, providing visual display of the measurement result. A triangular
wave and a sine wave of equal frequencies can be produced simultaneously. If the zero crossing of both the waves are made to occur at the same
time, a linearly varying waveform is available which can be started at the point of zero phase of a sine wave. The various outputs of generator can
be made available at the same time e. g. the generation can provide a square wave to test the linearity of an amplifier and simultaneously provide a
sawtooth to drive the horizontal deflection amplifier of the CRO to provide display. The capability of phase locking is a specialty of function
generator.

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HISTORY

Analog function generator was the first type to be developed. First models invented in the early 1950s when digital technology was not widely
used.

Principle of operation

This is a specialized signal generator in which the frequency is controlled by varying the magnitude of current which drives the integrator where
in other common instruments, frequency is controlled by varying the capacitor in the LC or RC circuit.

Block diagram of function generator

The frequency controlled voltage regulates two current sources shown in block diagram. The upper current source supplies constant current to the
integrator whose output voltage increases linearly with time. According to the equation of the output signal voltage:

An increase or decrease in the current increases or decreases the slope of the output voltage and hence controls the frequency. As the output of

integrator reaches at a pre-determined maximum level on the positive slope of the output waveform the voltage comparator changes state. This

change of state cuts of the upper current supply and switches on the lower current supply. When output reaches a pre-determined minimum level

on the negative slope of the output waveform the voltage comparator again changes states it switches on the upper current source and cuts off the

lower current source. The lower current source supplies a reverse current to the integrator, so that its output decreases linearly with time. Hence,

triangular waveform is obtained at output. The comparator delivers a square wave voltage of the same frequency. The resistance diode network

alters the slope of the triangular wave as its amplitude changes and produces a sine wave with less than 1% distortion. The output circuit of the

function generator consists of two output amplifiers that provide two simultaneous, individually selected outputs of any of the waveform function.

Hence, waveforms- triangular, square and sine is obtained.

CAPABILITY OF PHASE LOCKING

Function Generator has a special capability of phase locking. By adjustment of the phase and the amplitude of the harmonics, almost any
waveform may be produced by the summation of the fundamental frequency that is generated by one function generator and the harmonic
generated by the other function generator. One function generator may be used to phase lock a second function generator, and the two output
signals can be displaced in phase by an adjustable amount. The fundamental frequency of one generator can be phase locked to a harmonic of
other generator, by adjusting the amplitude and phase of the harmonic, almost any waveform can be generator by addition. This would enable the
function generator to provide a much more accurate, or synchronized output.

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Types of function generator

There are various types of generators who generates frequency, but specially function generator is of two types:

1. Analog
2. Digital

Analog function generator:

The analog function generators do not have the high frequency limitations on non-sinusoidal waveforms such as triangles and ramps as do the
digital function generators. Analog function generators are simple and easy to use.

Digital function generator:

[Link]

It utilizes digital technology to generate the waveforms. There are a number of techniques to do this, but the most
versatile and most widely used technique for digital function generators is to use direct digital synthesis, DDS.

DDS: Direct Digital Synthesis

Using direct digital synthesis (DDS), function generators are able to achieve 0.355 µHz(too much low values) of frequency precision. DDS works
by first storing a large repetitive waveform in on board memory. Single cycle of a waveform (sine, triangle, square, arbitrary) can be represented
by exactly 16,384 points and stored into memory. Once the waveform is stored into memory, it can be generated at very precise frequencies. DDS

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uses a phase accumulator, a look-up table containing a digital representation of the waveform, and a DAC (Digital to analog convertor). The phase
accumulator moves another position each time it receives a clock pulse. The next position in the look-up table is then accessed giving the digital
value for the waveform at that point. This digital value is then converted into an analog value using a digital to analog converter, DAC. At the
output a low pass filter is connected, to get low frequencies.

Advantages of digital function generators

Digital function generators provides high level of accuracy and stability. A DDS based digital function generator generate much wider frequency

range than an analog function generator. The disadvantage of the digital function generators is that they require a high performance Digital to

Analogue Converter and other digital circuitry to operate. So they are more complicated and costly.

Application

Where there is a requirement of signals, function generator is used. They provide a variety of waveforms for testing electronic circuits at low
powers. It is used to study the frequency response of any circuit.

Experiments using function generators

There are many experiments that are done with the help of function generator e. g. To study the frequency response of low pass and high pass
filter. Experiments to test an amplifier circuit.

Let us do an experiment to understand how to operate function generator

Pre-lab

Learn all the controls of front panel of function generator as well as CRO (cathode ray oscilloscope) given on the page ()

Inlab

Objective: To study the frequency response of a low pass filter

Apparatus: Bread board, resistor, capacitor, function generator, CRO, connecting wires etc.

Formula used: To calculate the cutoff frequency of low pass filter we use:

where,

f = Cut-off frequency

R = Resistance of the register used

C = capacitance of the capacitor used

For this experiment cut-off frequency is given 6.369 kHz.

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Let us assume value of resistance = 5k Ohm

Calculating the value of capacitor by the given formula:

so, C = 5 nF

Note: Cut-off frequency is the point where filtering effect starts that means for low pass filter as given frequency is closed to cut-off frequency,

the amplitude of the output wave shown on the screen of CRO is decreased.

Procedure: Design the circuit on the bread board as directed:

1. First connect CRO with Function Generator then capacitor in series with resistor

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1. First check out that for very less value of given frequency, the amplitudes of input and output waves are same
and there should be no phase difference in between them.
2. After connecting the circuit just plug in CRO and function generator.

(Here picture is shown only for example, frequency shown on generator’s screen is for another cut-off frequency.)

3. Difference in the output waveform you will see after or at the cut-of frequency.

Observation:

Table

[Link]. Frequency Input voltage Output Voltage Voltage gain=

We will plot the graph between voltage gain and frequency(input)

Result:

Frequency response of low pass filter has been studied, we see that after cut-off frequency the voltage gain decreases drastically.

Front Panel of Function Generator:

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You can see clearly the front panel of function generator, Now we will deal with different controls of it.
1. Display Screen: Here the frequency input is shown.
2. Coarse and Fine knobs: These knobs are to put different input frequency. Coarse is used to vary the frequency with large difference. Fine
knob is used to vary frequency in decimals.
3. Frequency Range Buttons: These are to change the range of frequency after it’s control we change frequency with the help of Coarse and
Fine Knobs.
4. Duty Cycle knob: It changes the duty cycle of wave.
5. INV button: It invert the signal.
6. Function buttons: To change the type of waveform.
7. ATTN buttons: This control is used to set the voltage level.
8. Sync terminal: This connector sends TTL trigger signals.
Assignment

Ques 1. What is low pass filter? Also explain cut-off frequency.

Ques 2. What do you understand by duty cycle?

Ques 3. Find the values of capacitor and resistor to be used to make a low pass filter if cut-off frequency is 3 kHz.

Hint: Assume the value either of capacitor or of resistor then calculate the rest one

Ques 4: What is the use of comparator in function generator?

Ques 5: Which function generator you will prefer to use in laboratory?

Ques 6: Likewise low pass filter think about high pass filter, what is the need of high pass filter?

Ques 6: Write down the applications of function generator?

Ques 7: Can you think of any alternative to function generator?

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