Configuration Options (Data Generator)
- Updated2023-02-17
- 4 minute(s) read
Configuration Options (Data Generator)
Use configuration options on the Data Generator (Data Gen) Soft Front Panel (SFP) to control how to generate analog signals. For example, you can generate two or more phase-shifted waveforms.
Toolbar Controls
Use toolbar controls to perform common tasks for the Data Gen. The toolbar is located at the top of the SFP.
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
Drag and drop
|
Drags and drops the SFP to the desired position within the browser window. Large SFPs such as the Oscilloscope are always located to the left of small SFPs such as the Variable Power Supplies (VPS). Your window size decides whether the SFPs are arranged vertically or horizontally. |
Dropdown
|
Click |
| Run/Stop | Click Run to start data acquisition or generation. Click Stop to stop data acquisition or generation. |
Collaboration
|
Indicates whether you are controlling or viewing the instrument, and whether others are using the instrument simultaneously. Click the button to request or release your control over the instrument. For more information, refer to Collaborating with Your Team Members. |
to
open the current SFP in a separate browser window. To restore it
to the original window, close the SFP by clicking 
and
launch it again. Static Mode
The following settings are available when you select the Static mode:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Waveform |
Type of waveform you want to generate. |
| Frequency |
Frequency of the waveform. This option is available only if you select Sine, Square, or Triangle as the waveform type. |
| Amplitude |
Peak-to-peak voltage of the waveform. This option is available only if you select Sine, Square, or Triangle as the waveform type. |
| DC offset |
Mean amplitude displacement from zero. This option is available only if you select Sine, Square, or Triangle as the waveform type. |
| Phase |
Initial phase, in degrees, of the waveform. This option is available only if you select Sine, Square, or Triangle as the waveform type. Note If you want to generate phase-shifted
waveforms, you can open multiple channels and set different
phases for the waveforms. If you want a stable phase shift,
ensure that the waveforms are synchronized. To achieve that, the
waveforms must have the same frequency and you are not
recommended to change their frequencies when the SFP is
running.
|
| Duty cycle |
Percentage of the pulse width in the total period of the waveform. This option is available only if you select Square as the waveform type. |
| Symmetry |
Projection of the line segment between the start and the peak divided by the width of a waveform cycle. The default is 50%. This option is available only if you select Triangle as the waveform type. |
| Voltage |
Amplitude displacement from zero. This option is available only if you select DC as the waveform type. |
Data Generator Maximum Amplitude vs Frequency
For sine and triangle waveforms, the maximum amplitude is 10 V (20 V peak-to-peak) when the frequency is within the valid range of 100 mHz to 50 kHz. But for a square waveform, the maximum amplitude is less than 10 V when the frequency is close to its upper limit. The following figure illustrates the relationship between maximum amplitude and frequency for a square waveform.
The output range for the Data Gen is ±10 V. The output waveform will be distorted when Amplitude plus DC offset exceeds the total output range. Refer to the following tables to learn more about the output range.
| AC Amplitude Range | DC Offset Range | Frequency | Total Output Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| ±10 V | ±10 V | [100 mHz, 50 kHz] | ±10 V |