Description

of a Function Generator Instrument

A function generator is usually a piece of electronic test equipment that is used to
generate different types of electrical waveforms over a wide range of frequencies
and amplitudes. Commonly, it is used to produce Sine, square and triangular
waveforms. Different Function generators have different properties and
functionalities. However, they mostly have main characteristics that every function
generator must have.

Function generators are widely used by electrical engineers. It is an essential
instrument that every lab has to have. Function generators are used to test and
troubleshoot electrical circuits for research or even test a product before releasing it
to the market. It is very easy to setup, use and transport one of these instruments,
which make it a very useful tool for electrical engineers.

Definitions
Frequency: Is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time
Amplitude: Is the maximum absolute value of the signal
Duty Cycle: Is the percentage of one period in which the signal is active (Non-
zero value)
DC Offset: Is the mean value of a waveform
BNC Connecter: Is a special type of connectors mainly used in radio-
frequency electronic equipment
Integrated Circuit (IC): Is a set of electronics on a single semiconductor chip

Appearance

Basic function generators have a
simple interface. As shown in Figure 1,
it has a display to show a sample
waveform, knobs to control frequency,
amplitude, offset and duty cycle. In
addition, it has an On/Off button
switch, waveform selector buttons
and frequency range selection button
switches. These knobs and buttons are
mostly made of plastic, but sometimes Figure 1 - Basic interface of a function generator
the buttons are made of rubber. Also,
the basic interface includes BNC-connector output that is used to output the signal
to be used in the test circuit. Most of the function generators nowadays have two
different output BNC-connectors that can be used to output two different
waveforms simultaneously.



Components

Different function generators have different techniques in producing waveforms,
hence, different circuit components. Nowadays, these components are
manufactured on ICs instead of soldering every component on a huge board. This
technique allows manufacturing many devices in a small space, which yields to
higher technology and functionality. Figure 2 shows a block diagram of the basic
components of a function generator with two outputs. Each block can be built in
many different ways. It depends on the specification of the design (the range of
frequencies and amplitudes that can be produced).

Figure 2 - Block Diagram of a basic network

For the generator in Figure 2, it contains the following components:

1. A Frequency Control Network to adjust the current supplies and the
frequency of the output
2. Two different Constant Current Supply Sources
3. An integrator, or basically an operational amplifier with a capacitor on the
feedback loop
4. A Voltage Comparator that is used to form a square waveform
5. Resistance Diode Shaping Circuit that is used to form a sin waveform
6. Output Amplifiers to adjust the amplitude of the waveform

The Frequency Control Network

First step in using a function generator is to adjust its frequency. Figure 3 shows a
basic frequency control network. The input to this network is a DC current source.
When C1 and C2 are charging, the output of this network is going to be zero. Then,
when they are both fully charged, the resistors tend to dissipate the charge and
conduct a current at the output. How frequent this process happens depends on the
value of the resistor R3, which is an adjustable resistor. Furthermore, this process is
responsible for adjusting the frequency of the output and the Constant Current
Supply Sources of the function generator

Figure 3 - Basic Frequency Control Network

The Integrator

After adjusting the frequency of the current supplies, the integrator comes into play.
Its main function is to produce a triangular waveform that is going to be directly
used, or converted to a sin or a square wave. It basically performs a mathematical
integration to its input signal, which is a constant DC current. Hence, produces an
output voltage that rises linearly with time. In other words, the output is going to be
a triangular waveform. The slope of the waveform depends linearly on the
magnitude of the Constant Current Supply Sources. If the current supplied is positive,
the output is going to be a rising line. In contrast, if it was negative, the output is
going to be a falling line. The Frequency Control Network controls the polarity of the
current sources.

The Voltage Comparator

The voltage comparator is used to produce a square waveform. The comparator is a
circuit that compares an input voltage to a fixed reference voltage as shown in
Figure 4. The comparator is supplied with two voltage constant voltage sources, V+
and V- that have the same magnitude but different signs. If the input voltage (The
output of the integrator) is larger than the reference voltage (Usually 0), it outputs
the value of the V+ source. However, if the input voltage is smaller than the
reference voltage, it outputs the value of the V- source. Since the V+ and V- have
constant values, the output will switch between the value of V+ and V-, which will
produce a square waveform.

Figure 5 - Voltage Comparator Circuit

Figure 4 - Voltage Comparator Circuit

Resistance Shaping Diode Circuit

The resistance diode network changes the slope of the triangular wave as its
amplitude changes and produces a sinusoidal wave with less than 1% distortion. It
has a very complicated operation that is hard to explain in few paragraphs.

Conclusion:

The function generators are widely used instruments that makes electrical
engineers job simpler. A function generator can be built in many different ways,
depending on the specification of the design. A basic generator has a Frequency
Control Network, Two different Constant Current Supply Sources, an Integrator, a
Voltage Comparator and a Resistance Shaping Diode Circuit. The Frequency Control
Network is used to adjust the frequency of the output. The current sources are used
to supply current to the integrator to form a triangular waveform. The Voltage
Comparator and the Resistance Shaping Diode Circuit are used to transform the
triangular waveform into a square or sinusoidal waveforms.
References:

1. http://www.ee.usyd.edu.au/tutorials_online/topics/labintro/wrange.html
2. http://www.mycircuits9.com/2012/11/function-generator-working-with-
block.html
3. https://www.circuitlab.com/circuit/x66cq6/basic-frequency-control-
circuit/
4. http://forums.mikeholt.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1636&d=12099
36190
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Function_generator/