Waveform Generator

The Arbitrary Waveform Generator (or Wavegen) generates electronic waveforms. The waveforms can be either repetitive or single-shot. Different triggering sources can be used: internal (from other devices) or external.

The resulting waveforms can be input into a device being tested and analyzed with the Oscilloscope as they progress through the device. This is useful for confirming the proper operation of the device or pinpointing a fault in the device.

The main window has three areas: the toolbar at the top, the configuration form(s) on the left side, and the signal preview plot(s) on the right side.

 

See Menu in Common Interfaces.

 

1. Toolbar

Run All / Stop All button: starts or stops the selected signal generators.

Channels: selects the channel(s) to be controlled. For every channel you select, a configuration form and a signal preview plot are displayed.

* Available on Electronics Explorer board.

Synchronization Mode:

Edit: copies or swaps the channels configurations.

 

2. Preview

For every channel you select, a signal preview plot is displayed.

A horizontal left-button mouse drag on the plot changes the start position and a right-button mouse drag changes the horizontal domain of the preview.

A vertical left-button mouse drag on the left/right side changes the modulator/voltage position and a right-button mouse drag changes the vertical range of the preview.

The actual output might differ from the preview depending on external load, especially at high frequencies.


3. Channel

Run/Stop button: starts/stops the signal generation for the selected channel. The waveform generator channel can be started individually.

Enable button: enables or disables the output.

The channel options allows you to select:

* Available on Electronics Explorer board

 

4. Configuration Modes

For every channel you select, a configuration mode will be displayed.

 

4.1. Simple

The Simple configuration mode for a simple standard signal configuration.

Type represents the standard signal types: DC, Sine, Square, Triangle, Ramp-Up, Ramp-Down, Noise, Trapezium, and Sine-Power.

For the Noise signal, the Frequency represents the DAC update rate, and the Symmetry and Phase parameters are disabled.

The Sine-Power signal is a sine signal where the power attribute is 0. For higher power attributes, the waveform tends to have square shape. The function for the power attribute is the following:
if (power > 0) = Sine(x) ( 100 / (100-power) )
if (power < 0) = Sine(x) ( (100+power) / 100 )

Frequency, Amplitude, Offset, Symmetry, and Phase allow you to modify signal parameters.

Trigger, Wait, Run, and Repeat settings let you generate burst signals. See States for more information.

 

4.2. Basic

The Basic configuration mode for standard signal configuration.

Signal icons represent the standard signal type.

Frequency, Amplitude, Offset, Symmetry, and Phase sliders let you easily modify signal values between the maximum and minimum limits. These limits can be adjusted using the combo boxes at the top and bottom of the sliders.

Trigger, Wait, Run, and Repeat settings let you generate burst signals. See States for more information.

 

4.3. Custom

New button lets you create and edit a new custom waveform. See Editor for more information.

Import button lets you load a waveform from file. See Import file for more information.

Edit button lets you edit the currently selected signal.

Remove button lets you remove the selected or all signals.

Frequency, Sample Rate, Amplitude, Offset, and Phase let you modify the signal parameters.

Trigger, Wait, Run, and Repeat settings let you generate burst signals. See States for more information.

 

4.4. Sweep

Select Sweep configuration mode for easy setup of sweep and damp signals.

The Sweep and Damp checkboxes enable or disable these modes.

In sweep mode, the signal frequency changes linearly from the first value to the second in the specified time.

In damp mode, the signal amplitude changes linearly from the first level to the second in the specified time.

Type can be a standard, or custom. Using the options menu after the signal type, custom signals can be generated or imported from file. These are added to the type list.

Frequency, Amplitude, Offset, Symmetry, and Phase let you modify signal parameters.

Trigger, Wait, Run, and Repeat settings let you generate burst signals. See States for more information.

 

4.5. Advanced

Select the Advanced configuration mode for setting complex configurations.

Trigger, Wait, Run, and Repeat settings let you generate burst signals. See States for more information.

Carrier, FM, and AM signals are configured in separate columns.

Type can be a standard, or custom. Using the options menu after the signal type, custom signals can be generated or imported from file. These are added to the type list.

Configurations consist of:


5. States

See Generator States and Idle output for more information.

Using the (Trigger), Wait, Run, and Repeat settings, burst signals can be generated.

The following screenshot shows a burst signal.

 

6. Editor

The Editor lets you easily create arbitrary signal shapes as well as custom carrier signals and modulators.

To launch the Custom editor from the Custom, Sweep, or Advanced configuration form, select the New signal option or select Edit for an existing custom signal.

This lets you generate signals from mathematic functions.

Stretch vertically will normalize the values between -1 and +1.

Undo / Redo lets you undo/redo the last changes.

Samples can be edited in the data tab on the right side.


7. Import

To import a data file into the Custom, Sweep, or Advanced configuration form, select Import and then select File.

Browse button opens a dialog box where you can select a different file to load.

In case the import does not detect the file coding properly, adjust the options in Format group to specify the:

The import group contains the following parameters:

Plot area shows the selected data range.