How Signal Generators Work
The three primary components of a signal generator that comprise its operating principle are the oscillator, modulator, and frequency control circuit. A sine, square, or triangle wave can be produced by the oscillator as a raw wave. Then, based on the kind of signal generator, the modulator applies particular characteristics to the waveform, such as amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), or phase modulation (PM). The signal’s frequency can be precisely adjusted thanks to the frequency control circuit. When combined, these parts allow signal generators to generate controlled electrical signals with specific waveforms, amplitudes, and frequencies.
Oscillators for Signal Generators
The oscillator used in a signal generator must be tunable over the necessary frequency band. The output of oscillator is preferably as nearly constant as possible over any one tuning range, and from one band to the next, in some cases, automatic amplitude control is used to obtain this result. The oscillator should have good inherent frequency stability.
Modulation of Signal Generator Oscillators
Signal generator oscillators are usually provided with some form of amplitude or frequency modulation. The exact type of modulation and its details depend upon the application for which the signal generator is to be used. Signal generators are generally arranged so that modulation can be achieved either from an internally generated modulating voltage, or by a modulating voltage supplied from a source external to the signal generator. Normally, the internal arrangement provides modulation corresponding to standard test condition. Hence, in case of signal generators intended for testing broadcast receivers, the internal modulation a 400-cycle sine wave adjustable amplitude to give a percentage modulation ranging upto atleast 80 percent. Likewise, in the case of signal generators designed for the testing of pulse systems, one would use interval modulation which would give pulse modulation corresponding to several typical values of pulse length and repetition frequency. Then, the more flexible or more elaborate forms of modulation can be achieved by using an external modulating voltage in place of the modulating voltage available internally in the signal generator.
Controlled signal generation is critical to many applications, from optimizing electronic circuits during development and testing to evaluating communication system performance. The way that signal generators operate highlights their adaptability and usefulness in a variety of electrical and electronics engineering applications.
Signal Generator
Signal Generators are used to replicate and control the source of electrical signals for many different applications, signal generators are crucial devices for electrical and electronics engineers. From electronic circuit testing to the diagnosis, and repair can all be done with signal generators.
In this article we will go through signal generators in brief, first, we will start our article with the introduction of Signal Generators, and then we will go through the types of signal generators, after that we will go through their key features and working with its block diagram, at last, we will conclude our article with some application, advantages, disadvantages and some faqs.
Table of Content
- Signal Generator
- Types
- Key Features
- Working
- Block Diagram
- Circuit Diagram
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Applications