Set up and control the Signal Generator

Use the Signal Generator tool to control a signal generator on the 550 Universal Interface (UI-5001), the 850 Universal Interface (UI-5000), and the Wireless AC/DC Module (EM-3533).

Display the output waveform

Use the Signal Generator tool and Scope display to an output waveform from a signal generator.

Click Signal Generator in the Tools palette.

Note

The Signal Generator tool is visible only when a signal generator device is connected to Capstone.
Select a Waveform.
Set the Frequency and Amplitude of the waveform.
Select Auto in the power control so that the signal generator automatically turns on while recording data.
If using a 550 or 850 Universal interface, enable the Output Voltage Sensor:
1. Click Hardware Setup .
2. On the diagram of the interface, click the yellow circle over the signal generator, then select Output Voltage Sensor from the menu.
3. Click Signal Generator to return to the Signal Generator pane.
On the Entry Screen, click the Sensor Data down arrow, then select Fast Monitor (Scope). This creates a Scope display showing Output Voltage versus Time.

Note

If Output Voltage is not displayed, click the measurement on the vertical axis, then select Output Voltage from the list.

Tip

Select in the Signal Generator pane so that it does not cover the Scope display.
Click Monitor to display the waveform on the Scope display. Use the Scope display tools to adjust the display.

Overview

Waveform

Select the type of waveform the signal generator outputs:
- Sine
  
  Outputs a sinusoidal oscillation with positive and negative peaks equal to the Amplitude. You can create a cosine wave by setting the Phase Shift to 90°.
- Square
  
  Outputs an oscillation that remains at a constant positive and negative voltage equal to the Amplitude. The voltage is positive for 50% of the oscillation and negative for the remainder of the oscillation. You can control percentage of time the oscillation is positive by changing the Duty Cycle (550 and 850 Universal Interfaces only).
- Triangle
  
  Outputs a linear oscillation with positive and negative peaks equal to the Amplitude.
- DC
  
  Outputs a constant voltage equal to the DC Voltage.
The following waveforms are only available for the 550 and 850 Universal Interfaces:
- Positive Ramp
  
  Outputs an oscillation that increases linearly from the negative peak voltage to the positive peak. This is also known as a sawtooth waveform.
- Negative Ramp
  
  Outputs an oscillation that decreases linearly from the positive peak voltage to the negative peak.
- Positive Square Wave
  
  Outputs an oscillation similar to the Square waveform, except the remainder of the oscillation is at zero volts instead of the negative peak voltage.
- Positive Up Ramp Wave
  
  Outputs an oscillation similar to the Positive Ramp waveform except the oscillation increases linearly from zero volts to the positive peak voltage.
- Positive Down Ramp Wave
  
  Creates an oscillation similar to the Negative Ramp waveform except the oscillation decreases linearly until it reaches zero volts.
Sweep Type (550 and 850 Universal Interfaces only)

Use this tool to sweep through a series of frequencies. You can set the following parameters:
- Type
  
  Select single to sweep from the initial to the final frequency, repeat to sweep continuously, or bidirectional sweep continuously back and forth between the initial and final frequencies.
- Initial Frequency
  
  Set the lower value of the frequency range.
- Final Frequency
  
  Set the upper value of the frequency range.
- Duration
  
  Set how long it takes to sweep through the frequencies.
- Frequency Step
  
  Set the interval at which the frequency changes.
Waveform Parameters

Set the waveform parameters manually by entering a number in the box or clicking the up and down arrows. You can also use sensors to control the parameters by creating a Calculation or a program using the Code tool. The following parameters are available:
- Frequency
  
  Sets how often the waveform oscillates each second.
- Amplitude
  
  Sets the positive and negative peak voltages.
- Phase Shift (550 and 850 Universal Interfaces only)
  
  Sets the amount the waveform shifts along the time axis.
- Duty Cycle (550 and 850 Universal Interfaces only)
  
  Sets the percentage of time the oscillation is positive for a Square or Positive Square waveform.
Offset and Limits
- Voltage Limit
  
  Protect devices from overvoltage by setting a voltage limit. The voltage limit prevents the Signal Generator from outputting a voltage above the entered value. It also prevents you from setting the Amplitude above the entered value.
- Voltage Offset (550 and 850 Universal Interfaces only)
  
  Use this to shift the output voltage values. Set the voltage offset equal to the Amplitude to make all output values positive.
- Current Limit (850 Universal Interface only)
  
  Protect devices from overcurrent by selecting one of the three choices from the menu. The current limit prevents the signal generator from outputting a current above the selected value.
Power Control

Control the signal generator power manually, automatically with data collection, or by creating a condition using the Calculator or with a program in the Code tool:
- Click the On and Off buttons to control the power manually.
- Select the Auto checkbox to have the power automatically turn on when you click Record and automatically turn off when you click Stop .
- When using the Calculator, you need to create a logic statement. The power turns on when the calculation is equal to 1. For example, the following calculation causes the power to turn on when a temperature sensor measures a temperature greater than 25 °C:
```
SwitchOut1=([Temperature (°C)]>25)
```
  Note
  
  Logic expressions must be enclosed in parentheses.
Additional Signal Generators

You can control multiple signal generators if you have more than one signal generator connected to Capstone. The controls for additional signal generators may be collapsed by default to save space. Click the name of the signal generator to expand the controls.