Device selection as USB signal generator

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El Berto
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Joined: Tue Jul 20, 2021 3:23 pm

Device selection as USB signal generator

Post by El Berto »

Hi to all users.
I'm here asking for advice about instrument selection.
I have an old PC with a an old sound card (dual power supply +/- 5V) used as signal generator driving an actuator driver (0 to 500Hz signal output) converting my test signal to WAV file.
I removed capacitors to get DC output.
Now my problem is following: I need to use more recent PC so I would like move to USB interface.
All USB DAC I can find have not DC output so my Idea is this: can I buy Pico oscilloscope to use it as a signal generator with DC output and 0V as reference?
Thanks.

Gerry
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Re: Device selection as USB signal generator

Post by Gerry »

Hi El Berto,

Our Signal Generators tend to have low current outputs, typically at 600Ω (they are meant for driving Scope inputs) whether or not a PicoScope Sig Gen would work will depend upon your Actuator drivers current requirement (as it's a driver, it should do). To get 0V DC, you will need to use the Zero all input ranges function in the Software, and you may need to pay attention to how everything is grounded.

Regards,

Gerry
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bennog
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Re: Device selection as USB signal generator

Post by bennog »

What is the amplitude you want to use the sig gen for.
Because picoscope output is max +2V and min -2V into an high impedance load.
As Gerry mentioned there is a 600Ω output impedance. This means if you load the output with a load of 600Ω the maximum signal you get over the 600Ω is +1V and -1V.

If you want higher output voltages you can look on e-bay or aliexpress for example JDS6600 this one is +20 to -20V in high impedance load and +10V to -10V in a 600Ω load.

Benno

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