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Lecture

Signal Generators: Basics

In course

EE-202: Electronics I

Les concepts de base permettant de comprendre, d'analyser et de concevoir les circuits à base d'AmpliOp, dédiés à l'acquisition et conditionnement des signaux analogiques sont traités en théorie et pratique. Cela englobe l'amplification, le filtrage, la co ...

Description

This lecture covers the fundamentals of signal generators, including the operation of autonomous circuits used to generate periodic signals. It explains how the amplitude and frequency of the signal are determined by internal circuit elements. The astable flip-flop, a strong positive feedback system with two output states, is discussed in detail, along with its example implementations. The lecture also delves into the concept of phase shift oscillators and the generation of square and triangle waveforms.

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Instructors (2)

Cédric Meinen

Adil Koukab

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Arbitrary waveform generator

An arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) is a piece of electronic test equipment used to generate electrical waveforms. These waveforms can be either repetitive or single-shot (once only) in which case some kind of triggering source is required (internal or external). The resulting waveforms can be injected into a device under test and analyzed as they progress through it, confirming the proper operation of the device or pinpointing a fault in it. Unlike function generators, AWGs can generate any arbitrarily defined waveshape as their output.

Signal generator

A signal generator is one of a class of electronic devices that generates electrical signals with set properties of amplitude, frequency, and wave shape. These generated signals are used as a stimulus for electronic measurements, typically used in designing, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic or electroacoustic devices, though it often has artistic uses as well. There are many different types of signal generators with different purposes and applications and at varying levels of expense.

Function generator

In electrical engineering, a function generator is usually a piece of electronic test equipment or software used to generate different types of electrical waveforms over a wide range of frequencies. Some of the most common waveforms produced by the function generator are the sine wave, square wave, triangular wave and sawtooth shapes. These waveforms can be either repetitive or single-shot (which requires an internal or external trigger source). Another feature included on many function generators is the ability to add a DC offset.

Voltage-controlled oscillator

A voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is an electronic oscillator whose oscillation frequency is controlled by a voltage input. The applied input voltage determines the instantaneous oscillation frequency. Consequently, a VCO can be used for frequency modulation (FM) or phase modulation (PM) by applying a modulating signal to the control input. A VCO is also an integral part of a phase-locked loop. VCOs are used in synthesizers to generate a waveform whose pitch can be adjusted by a voltage determined by a musical keyboard or other input.

Waveform

In electronics, acoustics, and related fields, the waveform of a signal is the shape of its graph as a function of time, independent of its time and magnitude scales and of any displacement in time. Periodic waveforms are those that vary periodically – they repeat regularly at consistent intervals. In electronics, the term is usually applied to periodically varying voltages, currents, or electromagnetic fields. In acoustics, it is usually applied to steady periodic sounds — variations of pressure in air or other media.

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