page_title: Signal generator
section_title: Special purpose signal generators
hierarchical_section_title: Signal generator / Special purpose signal generators
caption_attribution_description: English: An acoustic signal tone generator (to the right) and a wire tracer (or probe, to the left). Used in locating a pair of wires amongst many.
context_page_description: A signal generator is one of a class of electronic devices that generates electronic signals with set properties of amplitude, frequency, and wave shape. These generated signals are used as a stimulus for electronic measurements, typically used in designing, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic or electroacoustic devices, though it often has artistic uses as well.
  There are many different types of signal generators with different purposes and applications and at varying levels of expense. These types include function generators, RF and microwave signal generators, pitch generators, arbitrary waveform generators, digital pattern generators, and frequency generators. In general, no device is suitable for all possible applications.
  A signal generator may be as simple as an oscillator with calibrated frequency and amplitude. More general-purpose signal generators allow control of all the characteristics of a signal. Modern general-purpose signal generators will have a microprocessor control and may also permit control from a personal computer.
context_section_description: In addition to the above general-purpose devices, there are several classes of signal generators designed for specific applications.
caption: A pitch generator and a probe for locating a specific pair of wires amongst many, for example in a punch block.
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