Hi
I want to buy a signal generator for my lab.Could you please guide me what model,brand,spec,... you use and where I can get it?
Thanks
signal generator
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You want to buy it in Hawaii or have it shipped in? Have any specs, or is any old signal generator ok? (hint: one that covers 0 to 2000 MHz is more expensive than one that does 0- 2 MHz). It would be really cool if some clever programmer could write a 'search' program that would make a giant index of the words on a bunch of web pages. Then it would be as simple as typing "signal generator" into this "search engine" and gets answers.
Audio or RF signal generator?
New or Used?
Calibrated to National Standards, or "Close enough"?
HP makes lots of good test gear.
JC
http://www.saelig.com/
Check on Saelig, they have good instruments on good prices..
The other questions from Jc and Bob will guide you...
bobgardner wrote:
You want to buy it in Hawaii or have it shipped in? Have any specs, or is any old signal generator ok? (hint: one that covers 0 to 2000 MHz is more expensive than one that does 0- 2 MHz). It would be really cool if some clever programmer could write a 'search' program that would make a giant index of the words on a bunch of web pages. Then it would be as simple as typing "signal generator" into this "search engine" and gets answers.
2MHZ shipped in. I prefer new. Analog is cheaper so Analog is preferred.
What about this?
http://www.saelig.com/FGAG/FGAG0...
Is there a probe with the device or I should buy it ?
A probe? Like a scope probe? A probe is used to provide a hi impedance and lo input capacitance to a scope. A signal generator has a 50 ohm output impedance. I just use a banana plug and gator clips.
Is there a function generator by which i can produce an arbitrary waveform such as PWM? Much better if I could connect it to my PC and get the pulse width real time from PC.
If you had specified "arbitrary waveform generator" you would have been told to search for "arbitrary waveform generator". You need to tell us of you want to spend $30, $300, or $3000 on an arb. If you just want to play a waveform, you can use an arduino. $30. Folks were playing rich fat waveforms at tempered scale frequencies using 1MHz micros in the 70s. A 16MHz AVR can play several arbitrary waveforms simultaneously. Time for you to say more or less exactly what you want to do.
Last Edited: Tue. Dec 31, 2013 - 03:36 AM
Something like an arduino can be programmed to generate pwm. Pwm is not what you'd call arbitrary - using a awg for just pwm would be overkill. Can it be controlled by a pc? Sure. In real time? Define 'real time' - nano seconds? Or seconds?
American Wire Gauge?
Arbitrary Waveform Generator
I've always seen them called ARBs in expensive magazine adverts. Sorry for the confusion.
bobgardner wrote:
If you had specified "arbitrary waveform generator" you would have been told to search for "arbitrary waveform generator". You need to tell us of you want to spend $30, $300, or $3000 on an arb. If you just want to play a waveform, you can use an arduino. $30. Folks were playing rich fat waveforms at tempered scale frequencies using 1MHz micros in the 70s. A 16MHz AVR can play several arbitrary waveforms simultaneously. Time for you to say more or less exactly what you want to do.
I am trying to build a single phase inverter so I need to make sure that mosfet gate pulses are coorect so I need a signal generator to program the pulse width according to DDS sine wave generation algorithm.
About the cost, I do not need a high frequency one. A 2 or 3 Mhz would make it and I can pay maximum 2000$.
The maximum frequency of the PWM is 1/(8e-3/128) which is about 16kHz. Assuming the pulse width of 1% of period, real time comes to 625ns.
Arduino can make sine wave but I want sth handy and easy to use.
ereihani wrote:
Is there a function generator by which i can produce an arbitrary waveform such as PWM? Much better if I could connect it to my PC and get the pulse width real time from PC.
Look at something like this ?
http://www.digilentinc.com/Produ...
or maybe this ?
http://www.parallax.com/product/...
or, if you do not mind rolling your own, look at some of the higher end controllers, with DAC and RAM.
eg Cortex M4's like Atmel SAM4S, or ST or Infineon...
- find the lowest cost Eval Board, with M4+DAC
ereihani wrote:
I am trying to build a single phase inverter so I need to make sure that mosfet gate pulses are coorect so I need a signal generator to program the pulse width according to DDS sine wave generation algorithm.
? Usually you would work the other way around.
Rather than build a signal generator, you instead code PWMs in your favourite uC, and then carefully check the PWM (and current trips) before you connect the big power. ie use a scope and Logic analyser.
(also in the Analog Discovery link above)
ereihani wrote:
About the cost, I do not need a high frequency one. A 2 or 3 Mhz would make it and I can pay maximum 2000$.
2000$ ? or did you mean 200$ ?
See the Analog Discovery Scope+Generator I linked above, if you can be a USA student, it is $99.
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An XScope can do AWG but not quite to what's required; it's 1Msps with a 44.1kHz or 53kHz LPF.
http://www.gabotronics.com/
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Who-me wrote:
An alternative is Red Pitaya though it's about an order of magnitude more capable and expensive.See the Analog Discovery Scope+Generator I linked above, ...
Would have to wait to buy one (low rate production).
50 MHz bandwidth, scope and AWG, 449USD.
Red Pitaya: Open instruments for everyone (Kickstarter)
Yes, Red Pitaya is cool, and I like their choice of 14b ADC to remove range changes, and that also makes a decent voltmeter.
However, it also uses costly parts, and the price seems to be edging up every time I see it.
Contrast that with eBay offerings on DSO203, ~$175 for a LCD display included Oscilloscope.
(I see there are also slower DSO201 and DSO Nano V3)
Also on eBay, a search for Oscilloscope 800x480, finds many Full Scope 7" screen offerings, from just over $300.
Search on ebay siglent sdg10xx (eg. sdg1005).
Not bad for the price...Same as LeCroy, you can use the same firmware...