A_Design_and_Implementation_for_Multi-function_sig
A_Design_and_Implementation_for_Multi-function_sig
Abstract. According to the problem that a signal generator usually uses a lot of discrete devices
which cost a large space and often designed to realize one function, such as sine wave for specified
frequency. In this paper, the using of FPGA make the generator flexible and convenient. It uses
PLL and DDS to make the output more precise and stable. Experiments show that the generator is
flexible and convenient for users and has rich features such as generating sine waves, triangle waves,
square waves and AM, FSK modulation.
Introduction
In modern industrial detection and communication, a signal generator has gained increasing
applications [1]. It is important to produce and readily control accurate waveforms of various
frequencies and profiles. With the rapid development of integrated circuit , a FPGA become a cheap
but powerful solution for a signal generator. In comparison to the other ways such as discrete
devices and specified designed IC chips a FPGA is much more flexible and convenient. Discrete
devices have the disadvantages of generating signals in high frequency and lack of precision. The
using of DDS and PLL based on FPGA help the generator to get more precise and stable signals.
Due to the IC chips are only designed for one type of signal, the using of MATLAB and ROM
enables the generator to provide different types of signals and decrease the budget [2-4].
In this paper, a multi-function signal generator based on ALTERA’s FPGA EP4CE6F17C8
which is from the cyclone IV family is introduced. This generator is not only flexible, cheap,
convenient but also has high precision.
Overall design
The multi-function signal generator can be divided into three modules which are PLL module,
DDS module and the modulation module. The PLL module uses a PLL to generate a clock signal
for the others. Then the DDS module, it uses direct digital synthesizer to create different signals
such as sine wave, triangle wave and square wave. The ROM in it is very important. The
modulation module can offer AM and FSK for analog signals and digital signals, it uses the DDS to
generate carrier wave so users can set the frequency and phase of the carrier wave. The schematic
diagram list as Fig. 1.
Modulation AM/FSK
/M
choose
fout
Frequency Phase Control
Control Register ∑ Register
ROM DAC LPF
fclk
fin
=1
Yes No
DDS DDS
M1 M2
fout1 fout2
x(nTs)
Multiplier Adder Multiplier s(nTs)
M
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which is the transform from unsigned to signed. Usually we get the signal we want to send form AD
and the data is unsigned but the AM modulation need two signed data to multiply so we need to do
some transformation. Also, when we finally get the modulated signal s(nTs),we also need to
transform it to a unsigned data because the DA must deal with the unsigned data.
Test results
The sine signal the generator created can be seen in Figure 6 and the AM signal the generator
created can be seen in Fig.7.
Conclusion
Nowadays the signal generators are widely used in a lot of fields. Many large companies devote
a lot to this field. This paper focus on a flexible signal generator with high cost performance. The
use of PLL and DDS technologies enable it to have functions not only generate single sine wave but
also can modulate other signals. Besides a FPGA also helps it to achieve the goal of flexible and
convenient multi-function signal generator design.
Acknowledgement
This research was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
(Grant No.61271334), Natural Science Foundation of the Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions of
China (Grant No. 15KJD510001), and Natural Science Foundation of Nanjing
University of Posts and Telecommunications(Grant No. NY214049).
References
[1] Zhiqiang Zhang; Feng Dong. A harmonic signal generator based on DDS and SOPC. Control
and Decision Conference (CCDC) , 2010. 1542 - 1547
[2] Banerjee, Dean (2006), PLL Performance, Simulation and Design Handbook (4th ed.), National
Semiconductor
[3] Xiaochu Wang, Qiujun Mei. High-Precision Design of DDS Based on FPGA. Intelligent
Systems (GCIS), 2012 Third Global Congress , 2012. 386-389
[4] Kennedy, G.; Davis, B. (1992). Electronic Communication Systems (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill
International. ISBN 0-07-112672-4, p 509
[5] Lisha YAN, Wei.WEI Implementation of Digital Amplitude Modulation Based on FPGA[J].
Instrument Technique and Sensor, 2011, (05)
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