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Beginner Analog Discovery, Module 1

Voltage Instrument

DC Power Supplies

Applying voltage using the Analog Discovery's Voltage instrument to a diode to produce light.
26.4K
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Voltmeter Instrument

Measuring DC Voltages

Utilize the Analog Discovery's Voltmeter instrument to measure voltage in a circuit.
15.9K
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Basic Periodic Signals

Project 1: Waveform Generator

Using the Analog Discovery's arbitrary waveform generator to apply a time-varying signal to an LED to make it flash on and off. This project builds off of the previous Analog Discovery material.
14.9K
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Sinusoids and Swept Signals

Project 2: Waveform Generator

Use the arbitrary waveform generator on the Analog Discovery to apply sinusoidal and swept sinusoidal voltages to a speaker.
15.6K
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Modulated Signals

Project 3: Waveform Generator

Use the arbitrary waveform generator on the Analog Discovery to create frequency modulated signals and apply them to a speaker. This project builds off of the previous Analog Discovery material.
10.5K
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Audio and .wav Files

Project 4: Waveform Generator

Use the Analog Discovery to play back .wav files through the speaker included in the analog parts kit. This project builds off of material presented in previous Analog Discovery projects.
14.5K
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Importing Files and Playing “Scales”

Project 5: Waveform Generator

Use the Analog Discovery's ability to import "custom" waveforms from a file.
11.2K
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Creating Signals from Math and “Beating”

Project 6: Waveform Generator

Use the Analog Discovery's ability to create "custom" waveforms according to a mathematical function.
9.40K
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Basic Waveform Measurement and Display

Project 1: Oscilloscope

Introduces the Analog Discovery's Oscilloscope instrument. Explains the basics of the ways in which voltages are acquired and displayed by the oscilloscope.
21.0K
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Triggered Acquisition

Project 2: Oscilloscope

The Arbitrary waveform generator instrument will be used to apply relatively rapidly varying wave forms to the oscilloscope, and then triggering of the waveform will be used to make the waveform easier to view and analyze.
11.9K
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Measurements and Cursors

Project 3: Oscilloscope

How to use some of the most basic and common oscilloscope tools to simplify the measurement process.
13.4K
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Math Channels

Project 4: Oscilloscope

Introduces the use of the math channel function on the Analog Discovery. This function allows the user to perform a wide variety of mathematical operations, all of which can be applied to the voltages being measured.
14.2K
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XY Plots

Project 5: Oscilloscope

Use the Analog Discovery to plot the voltage-current characteristics of a light emitting diode.
16.6K
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Exporting data

Project 6: Oscilloscope

Export the voltage-current data of a light emitting diode.
13.0K
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Single Sequence Acquisition

Project 7: Oscilloscope

Acquiring vibration data from the piezoelectric sensor from the analog parts kit.
9.10K
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Math Channels

Project 4: Oscilloscope

Math Channels

Project 4: Oscilloscope

Introduction

Oscilloscope will only measure voltages as a function of time. However, we are often interested in something other than simply voltages in a circuit; we would often like to have a representation of current. Most oscilloscopes provide one or more math channels which provide the ability to calculate and plot simple mathematical functions of the measured voltages. Adding or subtracting voltages measured on two channels, for example, are common math functions which are available on most oscilloscopes.

In this project, we will introduce the use of the math channel function on the Analog Discovery™. The Analog Discovery's math channels provide the ability to perform a wide variety of mathematical operations, all of which can be applied to the voltages being measured. We will use a math channel and Ohm's law to determine the current in a resistor.

Before you begin, you should:
After you're done, you should:
  • Use the Analog Discovery oscilloscope math channel.

Procedures

Shortcut!

  • To continue where the Measurements and Cursors project left off, simply close the Measurements window and remove the cursors from the screen by dragging them back to their starting positions at the lower-left and upper-right of the scope's main time window.

Step 1: Set up a Math Channel

A. Determine Desired Mathematical Relation

  1. We want to find the current I through the 100Ω resistor in the schematic shown to the right.

  2. The channel 2 terminals (2+, 2-) are used to measure the voltage difference across the resistor terminals.

  3. By Ohm's law, the current through the resistor is the resistor voltage difference divided by the resistance:

    4. \[I = \frac{{{\rm{C}}2}}{{100}}\]

B. Create a Math Channel to Implement the Equation from Step A

  1. A Custom Math Function window will open. This window provides buttons with a number of math functions, and a text box where a mathematical function can be typed.

C. Create the Math Function

  1. The Custom Math Function window will close, and a red line will appear on the main oscilloscope window.

D. Set the Units and Scaling on the Math Channel

  1. The default scaling on the math channel will very likely be poor and the displayed units will be incorrect. First, change the units of the math channel, as shown below:

  1. Now, change the scaling on the math channel:
The images above are screenshots of Digilent WaveForms running on Microsoft Windows 7.

Test Your Knowledge!

  1. Change the scale on the math channel to 10 mA/div. The math channel should now almost exactly overlap the Channel 2 signal. Does this result agree with your expectations, based on the math function of step A?

  2. Create another math channel which is the sum of channels 1 and 2 of the scope. (Tip: adding channels is considered by the Analog Discovery to be “simple” math. You don't need to create a “custom” math channel, though that is certainly an option.)
    • The sum of the two channels should simply be equal to the total voltage applied by the waveform generator. Do your results agree with this statement? (Another tip: keep in mind that the current out of the waveform generator is limited. If you attempt to draw more current from the device than it can provide, you may not get the expected voltage from the waveform generator!)
  • Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. © 2014 Digilent Inc. All rights reserved.
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