Signal generators produce electrical impulses for testing and repairing electronic devices. They are divided into function generators and arbitrary waveform generators, with the latter being more versatile but expensive. Before signal generators, a similar device was used as a standard for testing, but it was unreliable.
A signal generator, also called a test signal generator, is an electronic device designed to produce electrical impulses. These devices are often used for troubleshooting, testing, and repair of other electronic or hearing aids. They are also sometimes used for artistic applications.
There are many types of signal generators, suitable for a variety of uses. Because they have so many possible applications, no signal generator is suitable for all purposes. Signal generators generally fall into one of two categories: function generators and arbitrary waveform generators.
Function generators are the simpler of the two types. They produce simple repetitive signals in wave form. This signal is produced by a circuit that creates the repetitive wave, usually a sine wave. A function generator would often be used in the process of designing or repairing simple electronic components.
In these applications they are used to send a signal through the particular circuit being tested. Typically, another device such as an oscilloscope will be connected to the other end of the circuit to measure its output. Because of the many different ways in which electronic devices operate, there are many types of function generators available, varying in frequency range, accuracy, and other parameters.
Arbitrary waveform (AWG) generators are so called because, unlike function generators, the waves they produce can be in many forms, rather than just sine waves. This type of signal generator can produce waves with a sawtooth, square, pulse or triangular shape, among others. Because of this greater versatility, AWGs are the more expensive of the two varieties and are therefore limited to high-end design and test applications.
Before the advent of signal generators, as in the early days of radio, the only method of testing new equipment and formats was to use another similar device to generate the signal. Such was the case with new equipment and modulation formats in radio. A radio’s performance metrics were measured and then used as a standard or “gold radio,” as it was called.
This test technique had many advantages, mainly low cost. However, one drawback was that gold radio performance could vary over time, making it unreliable as a test equipment. A modern signal generator, while more expensive, is much better suited to the more specific and precise tasks of testing and designing electronics.
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