Patent ID: 8094053

Claim:
A signal generating apparatus comprising: a DA converter that outputs an output signal corresponding to input data supplied thereto; a comparing section that compares (i) a level of a signal output from an analog circuit that propagates the output signal to output a signal corresponding to the input data to (ii) a level of the signal output by the DA converter; and a measuring section that measures a waveform of the signal output by the analog circuit based on a comparison result of the comparing section, wherein the DA converter outputs a voltage corresponding to data supplied thereto, the signal generating apparatus further comprises a sample/hold section that samples a voltage output by the DA converter and holds the sampled voltage, and the measuring section (i) provides the DA converter with setting data to cause the DA converter to output a setting voltage corresponding to the setting data, (ii) causes the sample/hold section to sample the setting voltage, (iii) provides the analog circuit with the setting voltage held by the sample/hold section, and (iv) measures a settling waveform of the voltage of the signal output from the analog circuit, from when the setting voltage is provided to when the voltage stabilizes.