Latest Waveform Generators Technical Articles

Categories

Improving ADC SFDR Using Dithering for Communication System Applications

Learn more about dithering, namely improving the spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) that exhibits differential nonlinearity (DNL) errors.

May 21, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Receiving and Sampling Signals in Digital Pulse Amplitude Modulation

The receiver in a digital PAM system must sample and measure the amplitude of a signal that is affected by the frequency response of the transmission channel.

March 05, 2023 by Robert Keim

Reducing Quantization Distortion Via Subtractive and Non-subtractive Dithering

Learn how dithering can suppress both harmonic and non-harmonic spurs and two different types of dithering systems: subtractive and non-subtractive topologies.

February 24, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

RF Design Basics: VSWR, Return Loss, and Mismatch Loss

Learn about voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), return loss, and mismatch loss, which helps characterize the wave reflections in a radio frequency (RF) design.

February 05, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

Investigating Lossless Transmission Line Phase Constant and Infinite Bandwidth

Learn how to derive the wave equations for a lossless transmission line and look at its infinite bandwidth and phase constant.

January 27, 2023 by Dr. Steve Arar

A Primer on Digital Pulse Amplitude Modulation

An encoding technique used for digital communication, pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) converts a discrete-time signal into a variable-amplitude continuous-time signal that is suitable for high-speed wired communication systems.

January 22, 2023 by Robert Keim

Digital Square Wave Generator Design Via a Ring Oscillator, 555 Timer, and Arduino

Learn about digital square wave generators using a ring oscillator, a 555 timer-based oscillator, and an Arduino-generated square wave oscillator.

December 11, 2022 by Nicholas St. John

Op Amp and Transistor-based Analog Square Wave Generator Design

Analog oscillator circuits are commonly used to create square wave clock signals for the timing of synchronous circuits. This article covers the theory, design, and key features of analog square wave generators.

November 13, 2022 by Nicholas St. John

Fourier Series Circuit Analysis—An Intro to Fourier Series Representation

Learn about the importance of the Fourier series in circuit analysis and the Fourier series equations, while gaining insight into how this analysis tool works.

October 16, 2022 by Dr. Steve Arar

Understanding Digital Oscilloscope Sample Rate and Analog Bandwidth Specs

In this article, we’ll examine two important specifications of a digital oscilloscope: analog bandwidth and sampling rate.

March 24, 2020 by Dr. Steve Arar

How to Calibrate MCU Internal Oscillators

This article describes the internal RC oscillator calibration mechanism available in low-end microcontroller units. A basic calibration procedure and considerations on automated calibration are presented.

December 12, 2019 by Eduardo Corpeño

Using LTSpice for Amplifier Noise Measurement

Learn how to measure noise using LTspice for op-amp circuits with handy examples.

June 30, 2019 by Stephen Colley

When Can Electrical Engineers Use Python? Applications for the Python Programming Language

Where can EEs use Python in their day to day? Here's a look at the applications where Python excels.

May 05, 2019 by Christopher Wang

How to Use Your Computer as an Arbitrary Waveform Generator

In this article, we’ll use Scilab to generate numerical signals that can be converted into analog waveforms by a computer’s audio hardware.

October 08, 2018 by Robert Keim

Digital Signal Processing in Scilab: How to Decode an FSK Signal

Learn about a DSP technique that extracts the original digital data from a demodulated frequency-shift-keying baseband signal.

September 25, 2018 by Robert Keim

How to Use Scilab to Analyze Amplitude-Modulated RF Signals

Scilab’s FFT functionality can help you understand the frequency-domain effects of RF modulation techniques.

September 06, 2018 by Robert Keim

How to Perform Frequency-Domain Analysis with Scilab

In this article we’ll work with sinusoidal signals in the frequency domain using Scilab’s fast Fourier transform (FFT) functionality.

September 04, 2018 by Robert Keim

Wireless RF Energy Harvesting: RF-to-DC Conversion and a Look at Powercast Hardware

This article looks at the technology and the sample kits that Powercast provides users who want to learn more about the technology.

August 03, 2018 by Mark Hughes

Hardware Assessment: OPB9000 Reflective Light Sensor from TTElectronics

The OPB9000 is a reflective light sensor from TTElectronics with programmable output and sensitivity levels.

July 27, 2018 by Mark Hughes

A Simple, Compact Power Supply for Analog and Mixed-Signal Systems

This project demonstrates and discusses the performance and functionality of an inductorless ±5 V power-supply circuit.

June 18, 2018 by Robert Keim