DDS Function Generator  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: The_Penguin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2012, 12:27:36 am
content: Now that 2 line LCD displays are really cheap, and microcontroller choices are plentiful, maybe Dave to do a re-vamp of that Australian guy's DDS Function generator that was popular a while ago but had an odd U.I. and a 1 digit display.

author: FreeThinker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2012, 08:51:31 am
content: Umm! First a power supply then a Function Generator....Methinks he is creating 'DaveLab' to take over the world, Lol

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 17, 2012, 11:09:26 am
content: There are a fair number of similar products on eBay, however. Dave would need some sort of unique selling point to offset the much higher price.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2012, 11:42:32 am
content: Two designs I always wanted to examine and build:http://seti.harvard.edu/synth/index.htmlhttp://elm-chan.org/works/asg/report_e.htmlAlexander.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2012, 01:49:44 pm
content: The SETI/Harvard/ArtofE design is a good performer; $500 for parts alone [in 1999] for a variable phase sine wave generator to 35MHz with harmonics down -50dBc, no arb or other functions unless you mod it for same is a bit steep today.Don't know the specs, but you can get a Chinese built engine for the same using the AD9850 for about $10-25, and build around it, save a lot of time and energy; add better filters if the harmonics aren't to your liking.http://www.ebay.com/itm/AD9850-AD9851-DDS-Module-40MHz-70MHz-Direct-Digital-Synthesizer-/140604962578?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20bcb57712The above has the most documentation, the cheapest ones are in the $9/module range.

author: The_Penguin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2012, 03:07:31 pm
content: Quote from: wilfred on January 17, 2012, 08:33:56 amWhoosh.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2012, 09:33:18 pm
content: Quote from: FreeThinker on January 17, 2012, 08:51:31 amWhy U no buy it. I can haz one DaveLab too?I would REALLY like to have open hardware equipment. Someone should make a website with a collection of links to them, perhaps even offer them as kits with online instructions too!

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2012, 09:40:10 pm
content: Quote from: ivan747 on January 24, 2012, 09:33:18 pmI'm making a repository of various lab tools on my web site here :http://kripton2035.free.fr/I've focused on tools I am fan of, but I'm open to suggestion(s) and links

author: electrode
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2012, 10:50:43 pm
content: I think a DDS function generator would be an awesome project. Has anyone seen the one onOCAUthat people were working on? Looks like they just stopped posting 4.5 years ago. :SWhat if Dave's secret 2nd PCB in the DaveSupply is a DaveDDS? :O

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2012, 07:43:11 pm
content: Quote from: electrode on February 06, 2012, 10:50:43 pmLike mechatrommer's function generator with the power of a power supply idea? That would be awesome. But the supply would need a very high bandwidth for a power supply.

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2012, 08:05:29 pm
content: The first "D" in DDS is for Dave! Okay maybe not, but still I think it would be a good idea to get some more theory floating out on this site for how to build a waveform generator, digital or not. I strongly believe that when it comes to tools, it is always better to go out and purchase a professional unit than to build your own... that being said, it would make a fun project!

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2012, 09:22:59 pm
content: You can get a good 60 MHz DDS kit from these guys:http://midnightdesignsolutions.com/dds60/index.htmlThrow some circuity around it with a Micro, LCD, Encoder, and you would have a decent solution. I have one of these built up, but I haven't had the time to link it to a micro.

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2012, 08:18:57 am
content: Quote from: sacherjj on February 14, 2012, 09:22:59 pmLike design yourself not SOLDER yourself

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2012, 05:10:42 pm
content: Quote from: Dave.S on March 01, 2012, 08:18:57 amKnock yourself out. I've got more projects than time to complete them, so I'm happy to take a finished module and build on it.

author: olsenn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2012, 05:41:28 pm
content: If you're interesting in educational qualities of building your own function generator then I'd say it is a great idea! However, if you are just looking to own a function generator then give up this idea of building one for cheap right now; buy a <$200 Instek DDS generator and you're set. You couldn't make one as good (no offense) and if you could, it would cost you a lot more.