Software based graphic signal generator

Abstract

A signal generator is a very important piece of equipment in the field of Engineering. It produces a variety of waveforms and frequencies that assist engineers with their work, for example, the designing and troubleshooting of circuits. The application of signal generators also extends beyond the Engineering scope – certain subsets of signal generators are also employed by musicians to modulate their musical compositions and even create Electronic Dance Music (EDM). Typically, signal generators are accompanied by an oscilloscope, which are used to verify and evaluate the waveforms produced by the signal generator. However, oscilloscopes tend to be rather expensive – owing to the rigorous quality assurance testing they must be put through, and yet they are integral to most individuals working in the laboratory. Moreover, they need to be regularly maintained and repaired should they malfunction, which only escalates the costs of the overall signal generation process. With the help of the Graphic User Interface (GUI) generated by MATLAB, a computing and programming platform, an avenue is provided for users to generate a variety of signals, and then subsequently evaluate them with the built-in oscilloscope function embedded in the PC. Not only is this approach cost-effective, but it is also user-friendly for novice engineers and aspiring students to utilize.