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Suggestions for software to generate arbitrary (arb) waveforms?

baldengineer

To avoid the XY Problem, here's what I'm trying to do: I want to generate a repetitive waveform with an occasional glitch. I intend to use it as a demonstration of how oscilloscope acquisition modes, interpolation, and triggers work. So the exact characteristics are yet to be determined. A minimum example would be 10 cycles (with some pre-determined period) with 1 cycle having a glitch (not sure how "big" yet.) A maximum example would be 20 cycles with the glitch where the glitch varies in the waveform. (All depending on available sample memory.)

Off-hand, I'm not aware of any good tools that help automate generating an arbitrary waveform such as that. Ideally, I'd like a CSV export. I'd like the time/voltage as CSV to make it more compatible with various instruments. (Also seems like it'd be useful in simulations?)

Any suggestions? Or what do other people use?

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  • Hi James,

    I find Excel useless at it too : ) It can't handle large datasets.

    If you want a graphical tool, then a free download of Tektronix ArbExpress will do it : )
    You can tell it to generate a sine or square wave or whatever of the desired number of samples, rate, amplitude, etc, and then edit with a pen toolbar icon on-screen, e.g. insert a glitch, even a single sample width.

    (Example screenshot, the green boxes show the things to click on):

    image


    It saves in .CSV format (the first few lines contain Tek info but that can be deleted in any text editor).
    Although it could be edited in Excel, I find Excel will hang for a long time if the CSV file is very large.

    However, like Gough, I'd probably pick Matlab, since it is designed for such tasks, i.e. matrix or sequence array manipulations.

    There is free GNU Octave, which is very similar. Or Python as mentioned, since that too is designed for (or at least is perfect for) dataset work.

  • in reply to shabaz

    Perfect Shabaz. I should have thought to check Tek's tool. I assumed it would just do their binary format.

    Turns out, the R&S RTM3000 can import the CSV file directly from the tool (he he.) And it looks like for this case, it'll do what I want with minimal fuss.

    Thank you!

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