Improve Repeatability of Test and Arbitrary Waveforms
Application Notes
Test can be simplified and made more reliable by replacing a real-world signal generated by a sensor or DUT with a signal created by a function generator. Not only is capturing, modifying and replaying waveforms easier than ever, but this approach also allows you to improve the consistency of your test. For example, if you were developing a blood pressure cuff, you could capture several measurement cycles and then play them back anytime during the development cycle. Using a real blood pressure cuff as your DUT for each test would not only result in a very sore arm, but would also introduce inconsistencies in your test and development process.
Using a more realistic example, a dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) signal, we will walk you through two ways to create signals with a function generator. One approach uses mathematical equations to build simulated waveforms. The other uses real data taken from an oscilloscope or multimeter to build real-world waveforms. In both cases, USB thumb drives can be used to save waveforms and transfer them to a PC for editing or to other instruments for replaying. Instruments with LAN or USB interfaces and the ability to use standard file types such as .csv or text have simplified the task of capturing and replaying waveforms.