High Frequency Function Generator With the Maxim

MAX038
By pcbheaven in WorkshopTools

Introduction: High Frequency Function Generator With the Maxim

MAX038
 By pcbheavenpcbheavenFollow
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We needed a function generator in PCBheaven and instead of buying one we

decided to build one from scratch. The whole idea is based in maxim's
MAX038 chip. This chip is rather expensive, yet has many capabilities. It can
provide 3 different types of waveforms, triangular, rectangular and sine wave,
as well as it provides a TTL output with 50% duty cycle for synchronization
reasons. The frequency can be adjusted from 0.1 Hz up to 20 MHz.

The frequency range can be selected by placing a different capacitor to the

COSC input. A 12 positions rotary switch with 12 different capacitors is perfect
for this reason. The output frequency can be selected from within the
frequency range by a potentiometer and another pots is responsible for the
fine tuning
The DADJ input of the chip is the control for the duty cycle of the waveform. It
has a switch to either disable it (50% fixed duty cycle), or enable the duty cycle
adjustment. If enabled, the duty cycle can be adjusted by a potentiometer.

The output waveform type can be selected from a "FUNCTION" switch. This is
a 3-position rotary switch. The common of the switch is driven HIGH, while the
two inputs of the chip, A0 and A1 are pulled LOW with 10K resistors. When
both inputs are '0', the output is square wave. When A0 is '1', the output is
triangular waveform, and when A1 is '1' and A0 is '0', the output is sine wave.

The output is buffered with an OP37Z OP-AMP. The peak to peak amplitude is
also controlled a potentiometer. By default, the output waveform is
symmetrical to the ground. A DC offset can be added to the output if the switch
"OFFSET ENABLED" is closed. The DC offset is also controlled by a
potensiometer.

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Step 1: Materials

Here is a rough list of materials used for this project. Since completion some
changes have been made but you can read them in the worklog.

R1  10K          R13 75 Ohm     C1  0,1uF     C16 22uF       D1    1N4001
R2  10K          R14 330 Ohm   C2  0,1uF     C17 100uF    D2    1N4001
R3  47 Ohm   R15 6.8k            C3  0,1uF     C18                 IC1    MAX038
R4  10K          R16 820 Ohm   C4  0,1uF     C19 0,1uF      IC3    OP372
R5  1K pots   R17 100K           C5  0,1uF     C20 10nF       IC4 A    TL072P
R6  1K pots   R18 100K           C6  22pF      C21 0,1uF      IC4 B    TL072P
R7  1K pots   R19 100K           C7  82pF      C22 0,1uF      IC5    LM741P
R8  5K pots   R20 100K           C8  330pF   C23 0,1uF       IC6    7805T
R9  10K          R21 10K             C9  1nF        C24 0,1uF       IC7    7805T
R10 1K           R22 10K pots    C10 4,7nF   C25 1000uF    S2    12 pos. rotary
switch
R11 1K           R23 500 Ohm   C11 32nF    C26 0,1uF       
R12 10K         R24 500 Ohm   C12 68nF    C27 1000uF       
                                                      C13 330nF C28 0,1uF       
                                                      C14 1uF      C29 1000uF       
                                                      C15 4,7uF   C30 1000uF       

Apart from the electronics, 2 acrylic glass plates 16x10cm used as face plate
for the controls along with some colored buttons to give a more pro look.
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Step 2: PCB
PCB and finished result.
Keen eye can observe some slight modifications form original schematic.
Since this is going to be used in our labs near the main power supply, the
7805 and 7905 chips have been removed. Instead,  the +- 5 volts come
directly from power supply. Also the PCB was created with the IC2 (TL72P) to
control the frequency select and fine tuning. But during the tests, didn't behave
as expected  and therefore was replaced with two 10K resistors. Updated
schematic can be found here.
The etching came out perfect with our home made etching bath but that is
another instructable to come.
The soldering of the parts had to be done very carefully, as the grounding
layer had just .1'' insulation.
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Step 3: Range Selector
The range selector is a 12-position single pole rotary switch. Each switch
position corresponds to a different capacitor. So, either you solder the
capacitors to the PCB and draw 12 (+1 for common) wires to the selector, or
do this:

First, make a ring with a thick single core wire (2.5 mm2). The diameter should
be about 10mm larger than the diameter of the rotary switch. Cut and solder
the two edges of this wire to make a closed ring. Then,  solder one terminal of
a capacitor to one position of the rotary switch. The other terminal of the
capacitor is free, outside the switch's diameter. On this terminal, solder the
ring. Then, on the symmetrical pin of the switch, solder likewise another
capacitor. Do that for all 12 capacitors. When finished, all 12 capacitors
connected directly on the selector switch, and only 2 wires would now be
required from the PCB, the 0V wire which is connected on the ring, and the
COSC input for the chip.
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Step 4: Artwork and Face Plate
 2 More Images

The need of a casing is not in the plans since the whole project will be put in a
big closet that houses the mains supply and other staff.  The only thing needed
is a plate to mount the pots and switches and a nice face plate so you know
what that knob is doing, the design is kept to the bare essentials.
As mounting plate we took a 10x16 cm 10mm thick white acrylic. When
artwork was done we made a cut-out mask for the holes and the wood that will
hold all. After finishing the holes and wood cuts the whole thing was in place
and another 10x16 transparent acrylic plate was put in front of all to give that
nice proffesional look.

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Step 5: Finished and Mounted
All done and mounted.
Complete worklog and details can be found here.

Generador de funciones sencillo con 8038

Posted on diciembre 19, 2010 by josemaco

Este circuito tiene por base el generador de funciones 8038, que produce señales rectangulares, triangulares
y senoidales hasta 100kHz. Las señales son generadas en 4 bandas determinadas por los capacitores de 1 nF
a 1 uF en la escala más baja de 100Hz. La alimentación es de 12V y tenemos dos ajustes: simetría y ciclo
activo. Este generador logra una distorsión aceptable en la banda de audio.
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