The Function
Generator software
provides a simple but powerful user interface for
SpinCore
Technologies, Inc. RadioProcessor™ and
PulseBlasterDDS-I. It allows the user to change
various parameters of a waveform which are
visualized on screen and
realized through the output of the hardware. This
software removes
the need to write custom code for functions which
are commonly used
in industry.
-
Provides common
waveforms such
as a sinusoidal, square waves, triangle waves,
and ramps.
-
Allows easy
changes of
amplitude, frequency, offset, duty cycle, and
symmetry.
-
Small changes to
parameters
are realized immediately on-screen and via
hardware after they are made.
-
Compatible with
most hardware
devices which use SpinAPI, although this
software has only been tested
with RadioProcessor™
Download and
Installation
Please verify
that you have
SpinAPI installed on your computer prior to
installing the Function
Generator. SpinAPI can be found
here.
Once you
have downloaded the setup file, you must run it and
the Function
Generator will automatically install on your
computer.
Version
1.0.0.8 -
(02-16-2011)
Link
Program Flow
The
function generator begins the
process by acquiring the parameters input by the
user. Using these
parameters, the specified waveform is generated
and presented
visually onto the user's screen. In addition to
this, the waveform is
also uploaded into the hardware and the signal is
output.
User Interface
The
main
window
is
the
only
window which is used in the Function
Generator. It contains a variety of crucial
objects which allow the
user to change parameters and perform specific
functions. The are
categorized into the following groups:
Menu Bar
The menu bar allows the user to run various
functions and change
specific settings. It has the following menu
items:
- Board
- Provides
various
functions specific to the board and not
particularly with the function
generator.
- Side Panel
- Allows the ability to show or hide the side
panel, in
addition to allowing the user to position the
panel to either the left
or right side of the window. This gives the
user flexibility to
position the side panel wherever they prefer.
- About
- Contains information about the SpinCore
Function
Generator.
Waveform
Buttons
The waveform buttons are what allow the
user to output a
particular
waveform. There are currently four options:
- No waveform
(Off)
- Sinusoidal
Wave
- Square Wave
- Ramp or
Triangle Wave
When
these buttons are pressed, the corresponding
parameters will appear
in the side panel and the wave will appear in the
waveform
display
and the hardware output.
Side Panel
The side panel is the area where the parameters
for each of the
waveforms are available. It is important to note
that values can be
typed into the text boxes and will not be realized
until the user
presses the return key. When using the track bars,
the text box will
get updated but the waveform will not be output to
the hardware until
the track bar is released.
Waveform
Display
The waveform display are is where one period of
the waveform which
was created is displayed. The display uses
hardware accelerated
graphics in order to give a crisp and realistic
visual of what will
be output through the hardware.
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