A tone generator produces audio impulses for testing equipment or telephone systems. It can replicate electronic audio signals and generate white or pink noise. The sound impulses can be seen on an oscilloscope as sine waves, sawtooth waves, triangle waves, or square waves. The device is commonly used to test frequency response and evaluate acoustic properties.
A tone generator, also known as a tone generator, can be described in at least two contexts: electronic acoustic audio and testing and configuration of equipment, or information signals, commonly associated with a telephone system. In each case, electrically generated audio impulses are sent to specific components. In the case of audio equipment tests, the frequency response and sound evaluation are noted and the acoustic properties of a studio or hall can be determined. With a telephone system, the dial tone, busy tone, and ring tone are the result of this pulse tone generation.
When testing audio equipment, a tone generator delivers a sound pulse or test tone, solid or oscillating, at specified octaves and frequencies. This can be measured using an oscilloscope, when testing equipment, or with a sound level meter when determining the acoustic properties of a room or certain audio receivers.
These devices not only generate a tone, but can also be used to replicate certain audio signals produced or recorded electronically. Signal results are described variously as white noise or pink noise, depending on the energy level of the sound pulse.
Sound impulses can be seen on an oscilloscope as sine waves, a pattern of sound waves generated from 20 hertz (Hz) to 20 kilohertz (kHz), the basic audio frequency range. Variations in the treble and bass of the sine wave, as well as the distance between them, determine how well audio equipment is able to both receive and produce certain sounds along predetermined points within the audio frequency range.
Other representations of tonal pulsations and frequency generation include a sawtooth wave, triangle wave, square wave, and various others. These particular representations indicate decreasing or increasing volume, harmonics and/or energy levels of the audio impulses. These pulses, of a specific tonal quality and energy, can be interpreted visually on the oscilloscope through the representation of a particular pattern. One pattern combining harmonics and pulse energy will look like a series of triangles, another will give a sawtooth pattern, another square, and so on.
As such, in its most commonly used context, a tone generator tests the various frequency response qualities of sound reproduction devices. It is also used to evaluate the acoustics of the room where signals are heard so that listeners can get the most pleasure. In its other less common context, a person can simply pick up the phone to experience the result.
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