Waveform Generator Tricks: Pulse-Width Modulation

Figure 1: Teledyne LeCroy's WaveStation
waveform generator

Imagine that you're designing a digital control circuit but you really want it to behave like an analog circuit. Say, something like light dimmers, or a motor controller. A tried-and-true approach is to use pulse-width modulation (PWM) to have your digital control logic emulate the behavior of analog control. And your handy-dandy waveform generator, if so equipped, is a great way to generate a PWM signal to test out your design.

The best place to start in generating a PWM signal is with a square wave. Most PWM signals start with one anyway. Many waveform generators, including Teledyne LeCroy's WaveStation family (Figure 1), will default to a 50% duty cycle. That is the equivalent of a steady-state control signal at half-power. Most waveform generators will permit varying the duty cycle from 20% to 80%, giving you latitude to do some troubleshooting. As described in an earlier post, you could use burst mode to obtain lower duty cycles if needed.

Figure 2: Built-in PWM capabilities simplify the task
of creating PWM waveforms

You could use your waveform generator's arbitrary waveform capabilities (if so equipped) as well. The only glitch in this approach is that the duty cycle of each pulse would be fixed. Changing parameters like duty cycle or the number of pulses would call for either editing the existing waveform or creating new ones from scratch.

If you've got a waveform generator that has built-in PWM capabilities, then this exercise is a no-brainer (Figure 2). The WaveStation generators fit this description, providing easy access to a number of parameters including PWM frequency, width deviation, and shape. Either internal or external waveforms can serve as the modulation source.

With their built-in PWM capabilities, the WaveStation generators can emulate digital control devices for system evaluation. This serves applications such as the forementioned lighting and motor control as well as engine control and anywhere else you need digital logic to emulate an analog feel.