A Guide to The Signal Generator

What is a signal generator?

Signal generators, also known as signal sources or oscillators, have a wide range of applications in production practice and technology. Various waveform curves can be represented by trigonometric equations. A circuit capable of generating a variety of waveforms such as a triangular wave, a sawtooth wave, a rectangular wave (including a square wave), and a sine wave is called a function signal generator.

How Does a Signal Generator Work?

A signal generator usually works with other measuring instruments to test an electronic device. The signal generator is used to produce an electric signal, known as the input signal, that will elicit a response, known as the output signal, from the device under test. The output signal will be received by a measurement device like a protocol analyzer or logic analyzer, enabling the developer to see whether the expected output was, in fact, received. If the device responds as expected, the test was passed. Otherwise, the developer will have to further investigate the anomalous or unexpected behavior of the device.

Today's signal generators are designed with an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to adjust target variables based on project requirements. A series of knobs and switches on the face of the signal generator allows users to adjust the type of waveform, voltage level, frequency, signal inversion, and other characteristics. 

How do I choose the right signal generator?

1. Features and Functions

When choosing a signal generator, you should evaluate the standard waveform, modulation features to ensure the instrument meets your needs. The standard waveforms in our signal generators include sine, square, ramp, pulse, etc. The modulation function is also diverse, including AM, FM, PM, PWM, FSK, 4FSK, NFSK, PSK, ASK, OSK, etc. The TFG2900A series of signal generators have a more comprehensive modulation function, so you can choose an instrument with different modulation functions according to your needs.

2. Memory Depth (Record Length)

Memory depth or record length plays an important role in signal fidelity, as it determines how many data points can be stored to define a waveform. The deeper the memory, the more waveform detail is stored and the higher the number of cycles required to store the required waveform.

The TFG2900A series signal generators can store up to 32M points in length.

3. Frequency and amplitude

The frequency coverage of the signal generator and the signal output amplitude should meet the needs of the application.

4. Application

From the application point of view, if it is mainly used for basic circuit experiments and general electrical appliance repair, then a general function generator is more suitable; if it is mainly used for adjusting the sensitivity of intercoms, then a high-frequency signal generator is needed. The highest frequency of our products can reach 20GHz.

5. Sampling rate

The sampling rate indicates the maximum clock rate or sampling rate. The sampling rate affects the frequency of the main output signal. In general, you should choose an instrument with a sampling rate that is twice the highest spectral frequency component of the generated signal to ensure accurate signal reproduction.

The highest sampling rate in our product is the TFG2900A series of signal generators, with a maximum of 1.2GSa/s.

Suin can supply several series of function and arbitrary waveform generators to meet users' different requirements. If you have demand about our products, welcome to contact us.

TFG6900 series signal generator function introduction

Signal generator is the most basic and popular electronic measurement instrument, which is widely used in the field of wireless communication, but also in production, scientific research, national defense and scientific experiments. Signal generator is also called signal source, and its output signal type can be sine wave signal, function signal, pulse signal, arbitrary waveform signal or digital modulated signal, etc. Next, we introduce the specific functions of TFG6900 series signal.

As a signal generator, the most important function is to generate signals. The following pictures show the different waveforms generated by TFG6900 series signal generators.

First is the standard waveform.

Sine waveform: the peak-to-peak value is 20 V, the frequency is 1.5 KHz, and the offset is 0.

 

Square waveform: the peak-to-peak value is 15 V, the frequency is 2.5 KHz, and the offset is 0.

 

Ramp waveform: peak-to-peak value is 16.5V, frequency is 2.0KHz, offset is 0.

 

Pulse wave: peak-to-peak value of 15V, frequency of 1.5KHz, offset of 0.

 

 

In addition to the commonly used standards, the device can also generate arbitrary waveforms. The device supports 50 types of arbitrary waveforms, including exponential function, logarithmic function, tangent function, Gaussian function, pseudo-random code, ECG waveform, and vibration waveform.

In order to meet the needs of some customers for special waveforms, we can also output user-defined waveforms,that is, 5 arbitrary waveforms can be edited and stored.

Another highlight of this product is its rich modulation methods, FM, AM, PM, PWM, etc.

 

 

All of the above are standard on this model, but customers can also install options such as a power amplifier.

How to choose a signal generator

A function/arbitrary waveform generator is an instrument that generates standard function signals and can produce arbitrary waveforms. There are several important parameters to consider when selecting a function/arbitrary waveform generator, including the maximum signal output frequency, sampling rate, amplitude range, accuracy, signal quality, arbitrary waveform length and so on. Each of these parameters is relevant to the actual test requirements and application. The next step is to introduce some of the parameters that need to be considered in choosing the right signal generator.

1、Sampling rate
The sampling rate indicates the maximum clock rate or sampling rate. The sampling rate affects the frequency of the main output signal. In general, you should choose an instrument with a sampling rate that is twice the highest spectral frequency component of the generated signal to ensure accurate signal reproduction.
The highest sampling rate in our product is the TFG2900A series of signal generators, with a maximum of 1.2GSa/s.

2. Memory Depth (Record Length)
Memory depth or record length plays an important role in signal fidelity, as it determines how many data points can be stored to define a waveform. The deeper the memory, the more waveform detail is stored and the higher the number of cycles required to store the required waveform.
The TFG3900A series signal generators can store up to 16384 points in length.

3. Features and Functions
When choosing a signal generator, you should evaluate the standard waveform, modulation features to ensure the instrument meets your needs.
The standard waveforms in our signal generators include: sine, rectangle, ramp, pulse, etc. The modulation function is also diverse, including: AM, FM, PM, PWM, FSK, ASK, QPSK, etc. The TFG2900A series of signal generators have a more comprehensive modulation function, so you can choose an instrument with different modulation functions according to your needs.

4、Signal type
From the application point of view, if it is mainly used for basic circuit experiments and general electrical appliance repair, then a general function generator is more suitable; if it is mainly used for adjusting the sensitivity of intercoms, then a high frequency signal generator is needed. The highest frequency of our products can reach 3GHz.

5、Frequency and amplitude
The frequency coverage of the signal generator and the signal output amplitude should meet the needs of the application.

Specific Uses of The Power Quality Analyzer

(1) Power supply routine maintenance

 regular testing of the UPS AC uninterrupted power supply output voltage, frequency, output power, load power factor, waveform distortion, phase deviation, three-phase voltage unbalance.

Maintenance and detection period: at least one full test per quarter.

(2) All types of generator sets routine maintenance

 regular testing of the output voltage, frequency,output power, frequency deviation of the generator set.

Maintenance and detection period: at least once every six months load test, test a comprehensive test of the power quality.

(3) The rectifier routine maintenance and efficiency testing.

(4)Communication power equipment fault diagnosis, troubleshooting.

(5)Routine maintenance of the AC voltage regulator and testing of the quality of power supply.

(6) Acceptance, installation and commissioning of newly installed UPS AC uninterrupted power supply.

(7)During the expansion and renovation, the maximum demand of electricity for the mobile base station related communication equipment is tested and calculated.

(8)Detect the power quality of the mobile base station in the field and track the cause of equipment failure.and automatically generate a written test report.

Suin major product includes Signal Generator, DMM, Spectrum Analyzer, Frequency Counter, Power Quality Analyzer, Dual Mixer Time Difference System, Programmable DC Power Supply, etc., which are sold well both in domestic and oversea market.