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Signal/Waveform Generator

Signal/Waveform Generator Solutions from Texas Instruments

Block Diagram


ADC AM Input Amplifier Amplifier: Comparator Amplifier: Comparator Amplifier: Comparator Amplifier: Comparator Amplifier: Output Amplifier: Output Backlight Clock Clock Distribution Core & I/O Power DAC DAC Isolated AC/DC Supply (Green Mode) Low Noise Power Memory Power Signal Synthesis and Waveform Generator Processor: EmbeddedSystem REF REF System Power Temp Sensor Temp Sensor and Fan Control Touch Screen Wired

Design Considerations

The Signal/Waveform Generator creates sine, square, triangle, and noise signals in a repeated or triggered fashion to help design, test, or troubleshoot an electrical device. The system block diagram presented above includes on board signal synthesis and control via a DSP and microcontroller, respectively. A General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) and RS-232 port are typical communication options for signal generators but higher speed interface options are available through Local-Area Network (LAN), Universal Serial Bus (USB), and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI). The management of interface signals and other simple control functions is typically driven by a microcontroller or simple embedded processor while the intensive signal synthesis and waveform generation is driven by a digital signal processor (DSP) (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) or custom Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) are other options).

Signal Chain: While a DSP can synthesize high speed digital signals, the Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) must match the bandwidth of the digital signal while reducing noise during signal conversion. Although precision DACs yield high Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Effective Number of Bits (ENOB), and fast settling times, high speed DACs provide faster update rates, wider bandwidth, and higher output current. A high performance, low jitter (or low phase noise) clock feeds the DACs to allow accurate sampling (i.e. TI's CDCM7005). The output amplifiers must support the bandwidth of the signal provided by the DAC, show low distortion, and provide fast settling time to maintain signal integrity as in TI’s OPA8xx and THS3xx families.

Power: System power options range from switching power supplies with wide input range to low drop out regulators with high Power Supply Rejection Ratio (PSRR), fast transient response, low noise, and fast start up time. Further noise mitigation can be accomplished via local regulation layout techniques. On the processor power side, fast transient responses, a programmable soft start and power enable are important power options to consider and are available in TI's TPS74xxx family.

Texas Instruments has launched a support tool enabling designers to rapidly evaluate system signal chain performance. The development kit (evaluation module TSW3070) simplifies the interface between high-speed DACs and amplifiers (wide band versus high swing with enhanced AC performance) and includes clocking and power management to further ease design. In addition, the tool provides customers with the flexibility to implement alternative design configurations via an easy-to-use graphical user interface (GUI).

Application Notes

  • CDCE72010 as a Clocking Solution for High-Speed Analog-to-Digital Converters (scaa092.htm, 9 KB)
    08 Jun 2008 Abstract
  • Phase Noise/Phase Jitter Performance of CDCM7005 (scaa077.htm, 8 KB)
    26 Jul 2005 Abstract
  • Shelf-Life Evaluation of Lead-Free Component Finishes (szza046.htm, 8 KB)
    24 May 2004 Abstract
  • MSP430 Internet Connectivity (Rev. A) (slaa137a.htm, 9 KB)
    02 Feb 2004 Abstract
  • Thermal and Electrical Properties of Selected Packaging Materials (sbfa010.htm, 8 KB)
    04 Oct 2000 Abstract
  • High Speed Data Conversion (sbaa045.htm, 8 KB)
    02 Oct 2000 Abstract
  • What Designers Should Know About Data Converter Drift (sbaa046.htm, 8 KB)
    02 Oct 2000 Abstract
  • Superposition: The Hidden DAC Linearity Error (sbaa047.htm, 8 KB)
    02 Oct 2000 Abstract
    

Selection and Solution Guides

Selection Guides

  • Featured Signal Chain and Power Management Product Guide (slyb137.pdf, 4.91 MB)
    03 Jul 2008 Download
  • Amplifier and Data Converter Selection Guide (Rev. B) (slyb115b.pdf, 3.87 MB)
    01 Jun 2007 Download

Solution Guides

  • Industrial Process Measurement and Control Trifold (slyb136.pdf, 827 KB)
    31 Mar 2008 Download
  • Industrial Solutions Guide (Rev. C) (slab039c.pdf, 2.35 MB)
    15 Jan 2006 Download

Tools and Software

Name Part # Company Software/Tool Type
MSP430 100-Pin Package Board and USB Programmer MSP-FET430U100 Texas Instruments Development Boards/EVMs
MSP430FG4618/F2013 Experimenter Board MSP-EXP430FG4618 Texas Instruments Development Boards/EVMs

News Releases & Authored Articles

News Releases

Date Headline
08 Sep 2008 TI simplifies complex signal generation with wide bandwidth digital-to-analog converter and amplifier development tool
10 Jun 2008 TI introduces industry's highest linearity amplifier for differential signals

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