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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.
25.6K
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Voltmeter Instrument

Measuring DC Voltages

Utilize the Analog Discovery's Voltmeter instrument to measure voltage in a circuit.
15.5K
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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.
14.3K
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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.
15.0K
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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.
10.1K
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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.
13.8K
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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.
10.4K
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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.
8.89K
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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.
20.3K
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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.
11.2K
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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.
12.8K
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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.
13.5K
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XY Plots

Project 5: Oscilloscope

Use the Analog Discovery to plot the voltage-current characteristics of a light emitting diode.
15.9K
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Exporting data

Project 6: Oscilloscope

Export the voltage-current data of a light emitting diode.
12.1K
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Single Sequence Acquisition

Project 7: Oscilloscope

Acquiring vibration data from the piezoelectric sensor from the analog parts kit.
8.64K
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Basic Periodic Signals

Project 1: Waveform Generator

Basic Periodic Signals

Project 1: Waveform Generator

Introduction

Related Material:
Periodic Signals

This experiment introduces the Analog Discovery's™ arbitrary waveform generator instrument. Arbitrary waveform generators, often called AWGs or simply waveform generators, produce a variety of time-varying signals. Most, including the Analog Discovery's AWG, will also produce a constant voltage. This constant voltage level is typically variable, unlike the fixed voltage produced by the Voltage instrument.

Most voltages produced by waveform generators are periodic. This means that they repeat themselves at a set rate. This rate is called the frequency of the signal, which is the number of times that the signal repeats itself each second. Units of frequency are cycles per second, or Hertz (abbreviated Hz). For more info on periodic signals, follow the link provided in the related materials section.

In this experiment, we will use the AWG to apply a time-varying signal to an LED to make it flash on and off. This will allow us to explore some of the features of the waveform generator and get a physical feeling for some of the parameters associated with periodic signals.

Before you begin, you should:
  • Be able to use the Voltage Instrument on the Analog Discovery to apply ±5V relative to the Analog Discovery's ground.
  • Be able to identify ground, W1, and W2 terminals on Analog Discovery.
  • Define a periodic signal.
  • Determine the frequency of a periodic signal from a plot of the signal as a function of time.
After you're done, you should:
  • Be able to use the Analog Discovery waveform generator to apply constant voltages.
  • Be able to use the Analog Discovery waveform generator to apply standard periodic voltage signals.

Inventory:

Qty Description Typical Image Schematic Symbol Breadboard Image
1 LED
1 100Ω resistor

Procedures

Shortcut!

If you have completed the Voltage Instrument project and your circuit is still intact, just replace the V+ connection (the red wire) with the W1 connection (the yellow wire) as shown in Step 1 of this project. Then open the WaveGen instrument and apply power to the circuit, per Step 2 of this exercise.

Step 1: Understanding the Circuit

A. Circuit Schematic

  1. Use W1 to apply voltage across the LED to make it “flicker”.

  2. The resistor limits the current.

B. Create Circuit

  1. Connect W1 (the yellow wire) to the resistor.

  2. Connect the resistor to the LED anode.

  3. Connect ground (, the black wire) to the LED cathode.

Step 2: Set up Instruments

A. Open WaveGen Instrument

  1. Open WaveForms™ to view the main window.

  2. Click on the WaveGen icon to open the waveform generator.

Step 3: Experiment

A. Set Up WaveGen to Create 1Hz Square Wave

 

 

B. Apply Power to Your Circuit

The images above are screenshots of Digilent WaveForms running on Microsoft Windows 7.
  • The LED should blink on and off.
  • Our input frequency is 1Hz (one cycle/second), so it should turn on once per second.
  • The default square wave provides high voltage for half the overall cycle and low voltage for the other half, so the LED should be on for a half second and off for a half second.

Test Your Knowledge!

  1. Vary the frequency between about 100mHz and 100Hz and find out at what frequency the diode seems to be on all the time.

  2. Decrease the amplitude and determine the voltage at which the LED no longer turns “ON”.

  3. Try sinusoidal ( icon), triangular ( icon), and constant ( icon) voltages.
    • What effect does this have on the LED's flicker?
  4. Return to a 1Hz square wave with a 5V amplitude.
    • Click on the Symmetry check box. This option allows you to change the relative “ON” and “OFF” times for the LED.
    • Change the symmetry to 10%. Does this have the effect you would expect?
  5. If you have a set of headphones, plug them into the headphone jack in the back of the Analog Discovery.
    • Use the waveform generator to create a sinusoidal signal with a frequency of about 100Hz and a 2V amplitude. Listen to the resulting tone with your headphones.
    • Vary the frequency and amplitude of the sinusoid. Over what range of frequencies can you hear the tone? Does changing the amplitude have the effect you expect?
  • Other product and company names mentioned herein are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. © 2014 Digilent Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Circuit and breadboard images were created using Fritzing.
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