signal generator advice - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: vlelectroniclab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2024, 08:17:29 pm
content: hello everyone,i am in the automotive control unit repairs and i would like to buy a new signal generator.mainly now i use an old hung chang. i use it to generate the signals of the rpm sensors and pwm signals for caterpillar accelerators and for other types of signals.what do you recommend?budget 200/400euro (i am in Italy)thanks a lotregards Vito

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2024, 08:33:35 pm
content: Hi Vito,I would recommend this 2-channel generator across the board, as I owned it myself and couldn't find anything bad about it.Unless you could explain your requirements for a generator in more detail.https://www.batterfly.com/shop/it/testandmeasurement/generatori-di-funzioni/siglent-sdg1032x

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2024, 09:13:26 pm
content: Most cheap signal generators can create these crude signals.so its more if there is other factors that matters for you..Like mobility, which can be handy when working with automotive repairs, or prefer big touchscreen, or it to be a small, compact battery-operated rugged unit etc.A tad more info on what matters for you. would help.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 21, 2024, 11:28:45 pm
content: programmable waveforms generators .... ? meaning you can design the waveform you need, but pwm is another case

author: NE666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 08:34:26 am
content: I'm currently window shopping for something similar and whilst I therefore caveat my statement with saying I've not owned one (at least, not yet), for simple pulse and PWM trains I would also go for the SDG1032X. Unless, of course, you absolutely require a battery operated unit.There are many other options in this price range, most if not all of which would be adequate for the use case you've described so far. However, I've come to the conclusion that of those, only Siglent really offer any kind of customer support and aftercare, and with it 'finished' products. The SDG1000x series is many years old now and has received firmware updates at least once per year from Siglent for fixes and enhancements. From what I've seen and read on this forum, that's sadly an exception rather than the rule in this budget end of the market, and for me worth a few extra tens of euros.You may even be fortunate enough to find a good second hand unit on the auction sites, from someone who is upgrading. I recently missed such an opportunity for ~150 euros.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 08:50:06 am
content: SDG1032X on Ebay150 starting price or price offer.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 10:38:12 am
content: Quote from: DaneLaw on October 21, 2024, 09:13:26 pmI agree.I think any $50 signal generator can create these signals with sufficient quality.So the question is rather what else is important to you.Durability and stability, support, size, independence from mains voltage etc...

author: vlelectroniclab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 11:29:05 am
content: Hi,thanks to everyone for the answers.at this point if I were independent from the electrical network it would be great for field checks.for more complex things it would be to try a common rail injection system, this would help me to synchronize the two rpm sensors.one sensor must simulate for example 80 teeth minus 2, while the other must simulate when the range with variable timing passes with respect to the first signal.sorry if I get some words wrong but I use a translatorwhat do you think?

author: vlelectroniclab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 11:36:38 am
content: How does this sound to you?https://www.rigolitalia.it/products/generatore-di-funzione-rigol-dg822-pro-25-mhz-dual-channel?srsltid=AfmBOorquXzFttfhMAFU5U6iX8VR543sL5_IPJ5H9Wr5SdVAI9QAnzamIs powered 15vdc?

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 11:43:42 am
content: Quote from: vlelectroniclab on October 22, 2024, 11:36:38 amIt is not.None of the "real" AWG will have low voltage power.You are doing it wrong though.Your biggest problem is creation of signals. How do you plan to make signals?Do you want to capture (record) an existing signal from the car and then "play it again"?Or do you plan to create signal in some software and then "put it in" an AWG and then play it from there?

author: vlelectroniclab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 11:49:59 am
content: I would like to create in a software and then generate it

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 01:06:40 pm
content: Quote from: vlelectroniclab on October 22, 2024, 11:49:59 amIn this case I'd look at software to create the waveforms first and a generator second. Creating waveforms can be a tedious job though and IMHO it is wrong to assume that using some graphic editor is going make this job easy unless the editor has a function which can create the exact waveform you need as some kind of standard template.Otherwise, I'd suggest to use a script (or small program) to create a CSV file, read the CSV into a spreadsheet, modify to add anomalies and then upload it into a generator. Having the least points possible will help a lot in this case. The generator will reconstruct a smooth signal from the points provided.

author: Grandchuck
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 01:50:42 pm
content: EasyWaveX might work. I have no idea but it is a free download and can be used with Siglent AWGs.

author: csuhi17
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 02:16:24 pm
content: Quote from: vlelectroniclab on October 22, 2024, 11:36:38 amYes that None "real" AWG powered by 15Vdc.Power SupplyPower Interface USB Type-C InterfaceInput Voltage USB PD 15 V, 3 AConsumption 45 W (max.)However, there is still no option to add your own wave, it is not possible to know when Rigol will make that function available.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 02:46:32 pm
content: Quote from: csuhi17 on October 22, 2024, 02:16:24 pmSo like I said: "None of the "real" AWG will have low voltage power."This siggen you show has no full set of capabilities needed at this moment.If Rigol ever adds those functions, than I change that statement.But being user of Rigol equipment for many years, I would not hold my breath.There are devices that have been sold for years now that never got problems solved.When I see it and it works, then I trust them.On top of that, there is a question of software for creation of waveforms. Rigol Ultra Station was painful experience.I would wish it on an enemy.OP needs this for real work and today. Not maybe someday..

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 03:00:20 pm
content: There is also the UNI-T UTG932E which is super cheap and powered from 5V. But I wouldn't buy it before looking at a review showing the custom waveform generation process and decide it is useful.

author: fredo_
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 04:14:40 pm
content: I have used a Python script to create a digital waveform loaded in my Owon XDG 2035, if it's of any help :https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/owon-xdg2000-arbitrary-waveform-generator/msg5422235/#msg5422235The thing costs 289€ VAT excl. :https://www.owontechnology.eu/product/1398979/owon-xdg2035-35mhz-2-ch-arbitrary-waveform-generator

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 06:31:41 pm
content: Quote from: vlelectroniclab on October 22, 2024, 11:36:38 amyes, you can run those on powerbanks... it just need to support PD15V (power delivery) and a powerbank with high wattage support (fx +45W variant)They consume quite a bit (35w) and they take over a minute to start up and their fan is quite annoying.The benefits are the big touch screen, quite newly released model fast risetimes (3ns), with a UI that Rigol also seems to implement on their highter tier sig-gens like DG5000PRO.DG-800PRO & DG-900PRO have a portfolio of waveforms that seems to be relevant in automotive, though others do have more, I'm not familiar with automotive electronic repair, and which could be handy for your work, but you can see the inbuilt ones below.

author: wasedadoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2024, 07:23:41 pm
content: The Uni-T 932/962 can have only one user generated waveform uploaded into volatile memory at a time. Switch off and it is gone until you connect to computer and upload again.

author: NE666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 10:30:54 am
content: Quote from: DaneLaw on October 22, 2024, 06:31:41 pmYes, very nice and features that still make me want to consider it for my own purchase, over anything from Siglent in this price range. But haven't you yourself written in other threads here that the stability of that UI isn't great? And that you see "odd" behaviour sometimes? (My apologies, if I have confused you with another contributor).Besides which, the inexplicable absence of the ability to create a single-shot, manually triggered pulse which can exploit that (variable) rise-time makes it pointless for my own requirements.To my original point on this thread, and the OP's question of recommendation, if I had any confidence remaining in Rigol to eventually/ever fix any of these issues then I would have purchased in last month when Rigol had a sale on them.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 11:46:33 am
content: I'm not saying Rigol is better quality wise but IMHO Siglent has been sticking to the tiny screens on their low end generators for way too long (over 10 years already) which makes operation cumbersome compared to the competition.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 11:54:50 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on October 23, 2024, 11:46:33 amThat is why on that series Rigol put in a large screen and forgot to put in loading of customer arbitrary waveforms into arbitrary waveform generator.Excellent choice of priorities.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 12:15:52 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on October 23, 2024, 11:54:50 amYep. Classic

author: NE666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 04:38:40 pm
content: Yes, the ability to prioritise effectively is an essential part of good product management. However, I'm going to agree with nctnico on this. To see Siglent use the same, tired, years-old small touchscreen and mediocre UI on their 'new' SDG1000X Plus series is disappointing. I at least, think they could do more and still not risk quality and the reputation they've earnt.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 05:36:19 pm
content: Quote from: NE666 on October 23, 2024, 04:38:40 pmBig screen seems like a good thing.But despite "tired old mediocre UI" that Siglent is fully featured AWG, and that fancy looking Rigol AWG is not really an AWG if it cannot load arbitrary waveforms by user.Form over function.

author: Aldo22
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 06:00:14 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on October 23, 2024, 05:36:19 pmHow can that be?I thought I had the cheapest crap, but both the FY3200 and the AWG built into the Hantek DSO2000 have no problem with this.Several self-made waveforms can be saved permanently or loaded from a USB stick.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 07:31:05 pm
content: Quote from: Aldo22 on October 23, 2024, 06:00:14 pmI have no idea. Here is manual from Rigol EU.Maybe they released unfinished product (like they did with the last generation of scopes) and maybe one day they might add it. Or not, who knows with them anymore.

author: Martin72
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 07:38:25 pm
content: QuoteI don't know if I would prefer a much larger display for a generator.For example, I think the size of the display on my SSG3032X is optimal and it is not much larger (5").

author: KungFuJosh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2024, 08:49:25 pm
content: To each their own. I've never looked at ANY of the AWGs I've owned (with or without screens) and cared about the size. The information on the screen isn't that exciting.

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2024, 03:13:37 am
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on October 23, 2024, 05:36:19 pmYou can create your own crude waveforms and load them into these Rigol signals gens.same run of the mill.. draw them on PC and push them over... standard CSV files.They will show as "arb" in seq.

author: DaneLaw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2024, 04:14:33 am
content: Its cumbersome and more annoying than it has to be, when you even have an Android OS, where one would expect it would be straightforward.Dave's infamous dicks&balls waveform, to highlight it ain't one of the built-in (DG821PRO)

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2024, 05:24:23 am
content: Quote from: DaneLaw on October 24, 2024, 03:13:37 amAha, thanks for info.If that is so then they did great job with user manual.Quote from: DaneLaw on October 24, 2024, 04:14:33 amIt almost seems to me that it IS built in into their products lately...

author: vlelectroniclab
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2024, 12:47:27 pm
content: So I can upload custom waveforms.is this rigol or siglent better?

author: GigaJoe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2024, 07:03:13 pm
content: even $50 DDS have option to upload waveform, you need software related to generator and PC to make waveform and upload.some models can store a few, some many.your requirement to generate signals quite low, and any DDS generator can do this, starting from lowest 30-50 dollarsyou may very satisfied with 15 Mhz version ; portable option DDS.https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006869830606.htmlget some expedience and figure out better requirement for a future; or maybe you will satisfy and get more gens like this to simulate 4 or 6 channels ...gettin $500 are nice , but just overkill for you need ,