To start with it is important to understand what the function generators market is. This electronic device or software is utilized to generate various electrical waveforms. It basically covers a broad spectrum of frequencies.
The function generators market generally produces various waveforms. That includes sawtooth and sine waves. These waveforms can be produced as single shot which requires an internal or external trigger source. They can also be repetitive. Function generators are capable of producing not just sine waves but also various repetitive waveforms. That includes pulses and sawtooth forms. Many of these devices also offer the option to add a DC offset,
While function generators can handle both audio frequencies and RF, they are generally not suitable for applications that require high stability or low distortion in frequency signals. Various signal generators are better suited for those characteristics.
The function generators market size is growing as it is essential for the development and repair of electronic equipment. As an example, they can inject an error signal to a control loop. They can also serve as a signal source for testing amplifiers.
A basic function generator generally produces a triangular waveform with a frequency that can smoothly experience adjustment. The triangular wave serves as the foundation for generating all outputs. The generation process involves continuously discharging or charging a capacitor from a steady current source. It further creates a linear voltage ramp that rises and falls.
The comparator is responsible for reversing the discharging or charging process if the output voltage reaches its upper or lower limits. It therefore generates the linear triangular wave. By modifying the capacitor size along with current, different frequencies can therefore be produced.
Since there are several generators useful for electrical testing, this can be a bit perplexing. We therefore need to understand the differences between a signal and the function generators market for clarity.
A signal generator provides sinusoidal waveforms as its outputs. This further allows users to set both amplitude and frequency. In cases where there are two channels, the outputs can also experience adjustment to have different phases. It is possible to add modulation to the signal with a second and lower frequency. That can be either periodic including an audio tone or non-periodic like the variations of human speech.
Additionally, the signal can include a burst. It is similar to the color burst we find in television transmission. It can also transition between two designated frequencies. Swept signals are significantly excellent for studying circuits that change properties based on frequency. That includes tuned filters and circuits.
Having learned about signal generators, it is time to look at how function generators vary. It surpasses signal generators by facilitating the creation of various periodic standard waveforms. That includes noise and DC. There are also triangular and sine waveforms. When discussing arbitrary type or generally popular as AFGs, we mean function generators capable of generating periodic waveforms that users can define themselves.
It is important to differentiate between arbitrary waveform or AWGs and AFGs. AWGs are basically more sophisticated. That is because it provides extra functionalities. An AFG is only to custom periodic signals. While an AWG can create any user-defined waveform regardless of its size.