Using the Analog Discovery 2 to Measure Harmonics in a Signal
Every periodic signal can be described as a sum of sine waves with different frequencies, amplitudes and phase shifts. This raises the possibility of synthesizing signals with sine waves and analyzing all kind of signals to determine the sine waves that makes up those signals. Decomposition of the signal shape (data in time domain) to the sine waves that make up the signal (data in frequency domain) is done by using an FFT (Fast Fourier Transform). This algorithm is implemented in Digilent WaveForms. Frequencies of the sine waves are strictly described. Every periodic signal has its own frequency called a base frequency. It is equal to the frequency of the first sine wave. The further sine waves each are the base frequency multiplied by a specific index. For example the second sine wave's frequency is equal to 2 multiplied by the base frequency. The index of a sine wave is called the harmonic. This guide shows how to measure harmonics in a specific signal with the Analog Discovery 2 using an FFT in Digilent WaveForms.
Inventory
- A computer with a USB port to run the software
Decomposition of the square wave
Set Up
Hardware
Connect the Analog Discovery 2 to your computer.
Connect 1+ (oscilloscope positive input, orange wire) to W1 (waveform generator output, yellow wire) and 1- (oscilloscope negative input, orange and white wire) to GND (ground, black wire).
Software
Next, open WaveForms. The WaveGen instrument will be used to generate signals, and the Scope instrument will be used to observe the shapes of the signal and measure its harmonics (FFT).
- To launch the waveform generator, click on the WaveGen button
- Switch to the custom mode
- Click on New, and paste the code below into the text box
waveform generator code var amp = [1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]; //amplitude values from 0 to 1 (0-100%) var ph = [0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0]; //phase values from 0 to 1 (0-360 degrees) Y = amp[0] * sin((1 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[0]) + amp[1] * sin((2 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[1]) + amp[2] * sin((3 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[2]) + amp[3] * sin((4 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[3]) + amp[4] * sin((5 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[4]) + amp[5] * sin((6 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[5]) + amp[6] * sin((7 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[6]) + amp[7] * sin((8 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[7]) + amp[8] * sin((9 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[8]) + amp[9] * sin((10 * 2*PI*X) + 2*PI*ph[9]);
Different shapes of signals can be generated by modifying the amp and phase values. Click the generate button to generate shapes.
- To launch the oscilloscope, click on the Scope button.
- Trigger options : source - Channel 1, condition - rising, level - 0V
- Time options : position : 0s, base : 1ms/div
- Disable Channel 2 by unchecking its box
- Channel options : offset : 0V, range : 500mV/div, Click on the gear button and uncheck the Noise checkbox.
- Click on View→FFT to show FFT window
- FFT options : Start : 0Hz, Stop : 50kHz, Top : 0dBV, Bottom : -80dBV
Measurements
Custom test vector, amplitude values from 0 to 1 (0-100%):
FFT of signal generated in the Analog Discovery 2 Wave Generator:
Results of the FFT broken down into frequency, harmonic, decibel level, voltage and percentage compared to base frequency:
| Frequency | Harmonic | Level[dBV] | Voltage[V] | Compared to Base frequency[%] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | -2.4 | 0.76 | 100.00% |
| 3 | 3 | -12.0 | 0.25 | 33.11% |
| 5 | 5 | -16.5 | 0.15 | 19.72% |
| 7 | 7 | -19.5 | 0.11 | 13.96% |
| 9 | 9 | -21.6 | 0.08 | 10.96% |
Examples of Other Waveforms
WaveGen settings are as follows: Simple, Sine, Frequency: 500 Hz, Amplitude: 1 V, Offset: 0 V, Symmetry: 50 %, Phase: 0 degrees
Oscilloscope settings are as follows: Repeated, normal, channel 1, rising edge, 0V
Time settings are position: 0 V and Base: 500 us/div
Channel 1 setting are Offset: 0 V offset and Range: 500 mV/div
FFT settings are Start: 0 Hz, Stop: 50 Khz, Top: 0 dB, Bottom: -80 dB
WaveGen settings are as follows: Simple, Triangle, Frequency: 1 KHz, Amplitude: 1 V, Offset: 0 V, Symmetry: 20 %, Phase: 0 degrees
Oscilloscope settings are as follows: Repeated, normal, channel 1, rising edge, 0V
Time settings are position: 0 V and Base: 1ms/div
Channel 1 settings are Offset: 0 V offset and Range: 500 mV/div
FFT settings are Start: 0 Hz, Stop: 50 Khz, Top: 0 dB, Bottom: -80 dB
WaveGen settings are as follows: Custom waveform
Oscilloscope settings are as follows: Repeated, normal, channel 1, rising edge, 0V
Time settings are position: 0 V and Base: 1ms/div
Channel 1 settings are Offset: 0 V offset and Range: 500 mV/div
FFT settings are Start: 0 Hz, Stop: 50 Khz, Top: 0 dB, Bottom: -80 dB
WaveGen settings are as follows: Custom waveform
Oscilloscope settings are as follows: Repeated, normal, channel 1, rising edge, 0V
Time settings are position: 0 V and Base: 1ms/div
Channel 1 settings are Offset: 0 V offset and Range: 500 mV/div
FFT settings are Start: 0 Hz, Stop: 50 Khz, Top: 0 dB, Bottom: -80 dB
Next Steps
For more guides on how to use the Analog Discovery 2, return to the device's Resource Center.
For more information on WaveForms visit the WaveForms Reference Manual.
For more information of FFT's visit Bores Signal Processing
For technical support, please visit the Test and Measurement section of the Digilent Forums.