Quick Generator Operation
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This section provides a summary of the generator operations for users already familiar with function generators. All features are described in more detail in the Function Generator Features and Arbitrary Waveform Generation sections.
To output a simple waveform to a ‘scope proceed as follows:
Open the Sig-gen window or, if already open, go back to the default settings (10kHz sine, 2V pk-pk) by selecting Default from the Options menu on the Tool-bar.
Connect the MAIN OUT of the generator to a ‘scope set to 1V/div, 50µs/div; if the GS2020 Scope section is used these are its default settings.
Switch on by clicking on OUTPUT; a 2 division pk-pk sinewave should be displayed.
SIG-GEN Function Summary
| WAVEFORM FREQUENCY: | Waveform frequency is set by selecting the appropriate decade range with the range button and setting the slider to give the frequency required. The current setting is shown in the display window; setting resolution is 0·1% of range. The slider gives 10% overlap at range maximum. |
| WAVEFORM: | Select Sine, Square, Triangle or DC level with the appropriate button; note that there will be no AUXiliary OUTput when DC is selected. |
| OUTPUT: | Switches the MAIN OUTput on and off; there is no AUXiliary OUTput when MAIN OUT is off. |
| DC OFFSET: | Enables the DC Offset which is controlled by the DC slider over the range ±10V. The current offset is shown in the DC window; setting resolution is 1% of range. |
| LEVEL: | The LEVEL slider sets the
output level from 2V to 20V pk-pk. The current level is
shown in the LEVEL window; setting resolution is 0·5% of
range. The slider gives 5% overlap at range minimum and maximum. |
| ATTENUATOR: | Attenuates the set LEVEL by 20dB or 40dB giving actual output level ranges of 200mV to 2V and 20mV to 200mV pk-pk respectively. DC Offset is also attenuated. The displayed Output and Offset levels change accordingly. |
| ARB CLOCK FREQUENCY: | The clock frequency for the arbitrary generator is set by selecting the appropriate decade range with the range button and setting the slider to give the frequency required. The current setting is shown in the display window; setting resolution is 0·1% of range. The slider gives 10% overlap at range maximum. |
| ARBITRARY: | Selects the currently loaded ARBITRARY waveform and de-selects Sine, Square, Triangle or DC. On selecting ARBITRARY the ARB CLOCK FREQUENCY becomes active and WAVEFORM FREQUENCY is de-selected. |
| LOAD FILE: | Opens a menu from which the user can select the arbitrary waveform to be loaded. This could be a waveform previously captured by the Scope section (file extension .ARB), a waveform created by an arbitrary waveform program (file extension .ASC), or a waveform file created in one of these formats from any other source. |
| SINGLE: | For both standard and arbitrary waveforms, selecting SINGLE SHOT sets the output off and arms the FIRE button. Each time the FIRE button is then pressed the contents of the waveform RAM are output once. |
| AUX OUT: | Provides a fixed TTL/CMOS pulse output at the same frequency and phase as the 50W MAIN OUT. |
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Last modified: June 11, 1999