What is function generator used for ?

[bbarney]

function generator

what does one use a function generator for?and secondly what kind of specs should one have for just hobby work

 

[brmadhukar]

Re: function generator

Hi,
you need a function generaor to test the amplifiers/ provide inputs to monostables and as modulating signal for modulators. A good quality (stable in frequency and amplitude ) may be used for LOs too.
You may build it easily using Intersil8038 or other generators.

It gives the spec for you.
B R M

 

[djalli]

Re: function generator

what does one use a function generator for?and secondly what kind of specs should one have for just hobby work

Function generator is generating signals mostly a sin, a tri, a square .

If you search in this board there are schematics of several function generator projects mostly if not all of them using ICs.

 

[maharshi_qis]

Re: function generator

Function generator is one which generates various signals at various nodes using integrator ,opamp ckts...we can get square,triangular,sine waves fro it..

 

[John Kent]

Re: function generator

Generating a sine wave is a function, so is generating a square wave. Simple function generators generate at least sine, triangular and square waves,both of the last two with a 50% duty cycle ... which means that in the square wave case the 'mark' is the same length as the space. More complex function generators allow us the change the duty cycle for square waves between 0 - 100%. We mainly need this for digital circuits. They also allow the 'ramp ration to be chnges on triangular wave forms. The conventional triangular wave has a 50% duty cycle. More advanced function generators allow this to be changed between 0 -100 %. So we are in effect altering the slop of the wave. At the extreme ends the waveform looks like a saw tooth.

With function generators we get what we pay for in terms of performance, accuracy, distortion etc. For beginners a very simple generator is required. It will probably have a frequency range of between 10 Hz - 100 kHz. Even a 1 Hz to 1 mHz generator is still fairly simple. A more professional version may operate from 0.001 Hz up to about 20 mHz, but a beginner would not need one of those. It helps if the function generator has a calibrated output control or attenuator. Most people tend to monitor the signals generated on an oscilloscope. Function generators are not difficult to make and would be a good project.

 

[jinal patel]

function generator

suppose if you would likt to test your device for various sighanls then how can you test? means you requaired a source which generate various kind of signals. Function generator generates various signals like square,triangular,sine waves etc. moreever it occupies the space depending on type.It will probably have a frequency range of between 10 Hz - 100 kHz.