Low power Standalone Arbitrary Waveform Generator
- Ashish Kumar Jha
- Subha Sarkar
- Tushar Kumar
Dr. Yogendra Kumar Prajapati
Assistant Professor
MNNIT Allahabad
Contact : yogendrapra.mnnit.ac.in
1st Prototype – July 2016 – March 2017
2nd Prototype – July 2017 – December 2017
This is our effort to create an affordable arbitrary waveform generator to provide engineering students and hobbyists access to top-quality portable waveform generators. The initial version was a technical exploration of major test and measurement equipment. During this exploration, we attempted to replicate a waveform generator to grasp the theory and challenges involved. Subsequently, we realized the demand for such instruments among individuals unable to afford industry-grade, expensive waveform generators. As a result, we streamlined and retained numerous features in Wavengine Simplistic.
Our journey began with the Texas Instruments India Innovation Challenge 2016. During this competition, we triumphantly crafted and assembled our inaugural prototype. It featured top-tier components typically found in standard laboratories, including the FPGA, THS3062 (high-speed op-amps), DAC904 (14-bit digital-to-analog converter), 64K x 16 SRAM, TPS65131 split rail power supply and more. To facilitate testing, we fabricated single-layered PCBs for these ICs.
In 2017, we aimed to develop a commercially viable product with respectable specifications within a semester. To achieve this, we boldly replaced expensive, easy-to-use components with general-purpose ICs to reduce costs, power consumption, and space requirements.
We actively welcome and encourage improvements. In any test and measurement application, having a reliable signal source is crucial for comprehending circuit behavior within a network. This design empowers any electronics engineer or student to easily obtain an arbitrary waveform generator and deploy it whenever needed.
Output waveform using Keysight DSO1052B
Utilizing the ARM Cortex M3/M4 core, this implementation consolidates both the user application program and waveform generation program onto a single chip, resulting in significant cost reduction. Leveraging 32-bit general-purpose registers as phase accumulators, frequency, and phase registers ensures high sampling rates and consistent frequency resolution. Internal SRAM serves to store sampling data efficiently.
The algorithm is realized in assembly using the THUMB instruction set, optimizing for performance. The final product is manufactured using a low-cost MCU based on this design. It provides 8-bits of resolution. Emphasizing the ARM architecture, this design ensures independence from specific silicon manufacturers regarding algorithm implementation.
The waveform generation utilizes DDS, a widely used method for creating digitally controlled, agile, and temperature-insensitive waveforms. All necessary components and modules are seamlessly integrated into a single PCB. An on-board Rail-to-Rail power supply circuit is incorporated to power the operational amplifiers efficiently. The output is equipped with the capability to drive a 50-ohm load impedance for transmission line impedance matching. The USB 2.0 peripheral of the same MCU is also utilized for firmware updates, downloading arbitrary waveforms, and USB control from other USB-compliant host devices.
Video Demonstration of First Prototype
Bill of Materials
Sr. No | Description | Manufacturer | Manufacturer Part Number |
---|---|---|---|
1. | No. of Amplifiers:2; Bandwidth:100MHz; Slew Rate:3000V/µs; Supply Voltage Range:5.5V to 36V; | TEXAS INSTRUMENTS | LM6172IM/NOPB |
2. | BJT NPN, 40V, ft:300MHz; Power Dissipation Pd:350mW; DC Collector Current:200mA | ON SEMICONDUCTOR | MMBT3904 |
3. | OP AMP 1.1MHZ, 0.6V/µS, SOIC-8; No. of Amplifiers:2; Bandwidth:1.1MHz; Slew:0.6V/µs; 3V to 30V | STMICROELECTRONICS | LM358DT |
4. | DC/DC CONTROLLER, SOIC-8; Topology:Buck, Boost, Inverting; Output Current:1.5A; | TEXAS INSTRUMENTS | MC34063ADE4 |
5. | MICRO USB, 2.0 | MOLEX | 105017-0001 |
6. | THICK FILM, 220R, 1%, 0.125W, 0805; Resistance:220ohm; | YAGEO (PHYCOMP) | RC0805FR-07220RL |
7. | Ceramic Capacitor Case:0805 [2012 Metric]; Capacitance:270pF; Voltage Rating:50V; Capacitance Tolerance:± 5% | MULTICOMP | MC0805N271J500CT |
8. | Ceramic Capacitor Case:0805 [2012 Metric]; Capacitance:22pF; Voltage Rating:50V; Capacitance Tolerance:± 5% | KEMET | C0805C220J5GACTU |
9. | Ceramic Capacitor Case:0805 [2012 Metric]; Capacitance:0.1µF; Voltage Rating:50V; Capacitance Tolerance:± 10% | KEMET | C0805C104K5RACTU |
10. | Ceramic Capacitor Case:0805 [2012 Metric]; Capacitance:180pF; Voltage Rating:50V; Capacitance Tolerance:± 5% | MULTICOMP | MC0805N181J500CT |
11. | Power Inductor semi-shielded, Inductance:10µH; RMS Current (Irms):2.1A; Saturation Current (Isat):2.3A | BOURNS | SRN5040-100M |
12. | Rotary Potentiometer ; Track Resistance: 100 kohm ± 20%; 50mW | BOURNS | PTV09A-4020U-B104. |
13. | Resistance Thick Film, 1K, 1%, 0.125W, 0805 | MULTICOMP | MCWR08X1001FTL |
14. | Resistance Thick Film, 2K, 1%, 0.125W, 0805 | MULTICOMP | MCWR08X2001FTL |
15. | Resistance Thick Film, 2.7K, 1%, 0.125W, 0805 | MULTICOMP | MCWR08X2701FTL |
16. | Resistance Thick Film, 1.5K, 1%, 0.125W, 0805 | MULTICOMP | MCWR08X1501FTL |
17. | Resistance Thick Film, 120R, 1%, 0.125W, 0805 | MULTICOMP | MCWR08X1200FTL |
18. | Resistance Thick Film, 604R, 1%, 0.125W, 0805 | PANASONIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS | ERJ-6ENF6040V |
19. | SMD Electrolytic Aluminium capacitor, Capacitance:100µF 20%; Voltage Rating:16V | NICHICON | UWX1C101MCL1GB |
20. | SMD Electrolytic Aluminium capacitor, Capacitance:10µF 20%; Voltage Rating:16V | NICHICON | UWX1C100MCL2GB |
21. | SMD Electrolytic Aluminium capacitor, Capacitance:330µF 20%; Voltage Rating:16V | NICHICON | UWT1C331MNL1GS |
22. | Wirewound Inductor, Inductance:10 H; DC Current Rating:155mA | TAIYO YUDEN | LB2016T100M |
23. | Ceramic Capacitor Case:0805 [2012 Metric]; Capacitance:100nF; Voltage Rating:50V; Capacitance Tolerance:± 5% | YAGEO (PHYCOMP) | CC0805ZRY5V9BB104 |
24. | Ceramic Capacitor Case:0805 [2012 Metric]; Capacitance:1nF; Voltage Rating:50V; Capacitance Tolerance:± 5% | YAGEO (PHYCOMP) | CC0805KRX7R9BB102 |
25. | Power Inductor semi-shielded, Inductance:47µH; RMS Current (Irms):1.4A; Saturation Current (Isat):1.5A | BOURNS | SRN8040-470M |
26. | Schottky Diode, Vrrm Max:40V; Forward Current If(AV): 3A; | DIODES INC. | B340A-13-F |
27. | Tantalum Capacitor Capacitance:10µF; Voltage Rating:25V; Capacitance Tolerance:± 10% | KEMET | T491A106M016AT |
28. | Tantalum Capacitor Capacitance:4.7µF; Voltage Rating:25V; Capacitance Tolerance:± 10% | KEMET | T491A475K025AT |
29. | Signal Relay DPDT 5V. | TE CONNECTIVITY / AXICOM | V23105A5001A201 |
30. | Resistance Thick Film, 49R9, 1%, 0.66W, 1206 | PANASONIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS | ERJP08F49R9V |
31. | Resistance Thick Film, 180R, 1%, 0.125W, 0805 | MULTICOMP | MC0805S8F1800T5E |
32. | Resistance Thick Film, 1R, 1%, 0.125W, 0805 | MULTICOMP | MCWR08W1R00FTL |
33. | Resistance Thick Film, 4K7, 1%, 0.125W, 0805 | MULTICOMP | MCWR08X4701FTL |
34. | XTAL, 8.000MHZ, 18PF, SMD, HC-49S; Frequency Stability + / -:10ppm; Load Capacitance:18pF; | TXC | 9C-8.000MEEJ-T |
35. | Resistance Thick Film, 12K, 1%, 0.66W, 1206 | MULTICOMP | MCWR08X1202FTL |
36. | Linear Regulator SOT 223-3 Fixed Output Voltage : 3.3V; Output Current : 800mA | TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR | TS1117BCW-3.3 |
37. | STM32 ARM Cortex M3 , 72MHz, Flash - 64KB , RAM - 20KB | STMICROELECTRONICS | STM32F103C8T6 |