waveform generator question

[Ken Williams]

Does an "Arbitrary" Waveform Generator let me generate any type of
waveform I want? For example my arbitary generator doesn't do triangle
waves, but I can just define it in the arbitiray part right?

Any decent AWG should allow me to send single pulses/waves on demand
correct? Like just one period of a wave.

 

[Bob Myers]

Does an "Arbitrary" Waveform Generator let me generate any type of
waveform I want? For example my arbitary generator doesn't do triangle
waves, but I can just define it in the arbitiray part right?

Any decent AWG should allow me to send single pulses/waves on demand
correct? Like just one period of a wave.

What makes an "arbitrary waveform generator" is not cast in
concrete like the laws of physics; terms like those are always,
to some degree, made up by the guys in marketing. You need
to look at the capabilities and limitations of a particular product
to know just what it can do for you.

Bob M.

 

[Ken Williams]

yes, its interesting you pointed out the 33220A. I'm looking to cheap
out and get some Chinese garbage instead (Rigol
http://www.rigolna.com/products_dg10X2.aspx). It looks almost identical
in features and specs but 65% cheaper.

Incidentally, what does a USB-GPIB adapter do for me exactly?

 

[Jamie]

Does an "Arbitrary" Waveform Generator let me generate any type of
waveform I want? For example my arbitary generator doesn't do triangle
waves, but I can just define it in the arbitiray part right?

Any decent AWG should allow me to send single pulses/waves on demand
correct? Like just one period of a wave.

Yes, that's what it means. You have points that you program in there
that can form a wave of your choice..(Arbitary)..

Non (Arbitrary) function generates normally employ the basic functions
of Square, sine, Triangle, pulse with duty cycle time settings etc..



http://webpages.charter.net/jamie_5"

 

[Bob Myers]

yes, its interesting you pointed out the 33220A. I'm looking to cheap
out and get some Chinese garbage instead (Rigol
http://www.rigolna.com/products_dg10X2.aspx). It looks almost
identical in features and specs but 65% cheaper.

Incidentally, what does a USB-GPIB adapter do for me exactly?

"GPIB," also known as "HPIB" and/or "IEEE-488", is an
instrument control bus originally developed by Hewlett-Packard
in the late 1960s to permit the control of and data collection
from instruments equipped with it by the computers of the day.
It is still seen in many instruments in use today (in part because
high-end electronic instruments tend to have such long service
lives). So a USB-GPIB/HPIB adapter lets you control those
instruments with more modern USB-equipped computers
running the proper software.

Bob M.

 

[Ken Williams]

So all the fancy switches and stuff on the device itself I wouldn't need
because I can control everything with special software on my PC now.
Correct?