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Function  Generator

Some Suggested Uses

8

Other

Current

Several displays show the root mean square (‘rms’) output current (0.00A rms). The 
Function Generator calculates the true root mean square of the output current, not just 
the peak current divided by the square root of two. The output current depends on the 
output voltage and the resistance of the device or circuit to which the generator is con-
nected. For example, if you set the generator to output 5.00 V DC and connect the 
output to a 10 ohm resistor, the output current display will show approximately 0.50A 
rms. If you change to a Sine Wave, the current will read 0.707 x 0.5A = 0.35A rms.

Trigger Output

On the rear panel is a BNC connector labeled TRIGGER OUT (TTL). If you want to 
trigger an oscilloscope synchronously with the generator output, just connect the 
TRIGGER OUT (TTL) connector to the external trigger of the oscilloscope (cable not 
included). 

USB Port for Firmware Update

Next to the TRIGGER OUT (TTL) connector on the rear panel is a USB port. The 
USB port allows a USB cable (not included) to be connected from a computer to the 
Function Generator so that its firmware can be updated. Go to 
www.pasco.com/downloads for instructions.

Some Suggested Uses

In addition to the usual uses of a function generator such as providing sine wave sig-
nals for electronics laboratories, the PI-8127 Function Generator is particular suited 
for experiment in waves and acoustics. 

Drive a speaker - or several speakers - with the Function Generator. Accurately set the 
frequency to any level in the acoustic range or beyond. This makes it particularly con-
venient for experiments such as measuring the speed of sound, observing the interfer-
ence and diffraction of sound waves, and investigating acoustic resonance in a cavity.

Use the Function Generator with the PASCO Resonance Tube (see www.pasco.com) 
to investigate resonant modes and the speed of sound in a closed or open tube. 

Use the Function Generator with the PASCO Sonometer and Driver/Detector Coils to 
measure resonant frequencies and harmonics and the location of nodes and antinodes 
on a wire. 

The built-in amplifier makes it an ideal device for driving mechanical 
wave experiments. Use the generator with a PASCO Mechanical Wave 
Driver to examine the resonance modes in a vibrating wave cord. Experi-
ment with the motion of waves in two dimensions by using sand on the 
thin metal plates of the PASCO Chladni Plate Kit.

Use the generator with the PASCO Coupled Harmonic Oscillators to study 
coupled harmonic motion of two or more gliders on an air track. 

Connect the Function Generator to a resistor-capacitor (RC) circuit such 
as the PASCO RLC Circuit Board and measure the voltage across the 
resistor as the generator drives the circuit with a square wave. 

The name “root mean square” 
comes from the fact that it is the 
square root of the mean of the 
squares of the values.

USB Port

Voltage across the resistor in a resistor-capacitor 

circuit driven by a square wave.

Summary of Contents for PI-8127

Page 1: ...ment See the PASCO Catalog for details Mechanical Wave Driver SF 9324 Open Speaker WA 9900 AC DC Electronics Laboratory EM 8656 RLC Circuit Board CI 6512 Output jacks 4 mm Resolution Selection buttons Output Standby button Power button Liquid Crystal Display LCD Frequency Adjust knob and Range Selection button Waveform Selection button Menu button Voltage Adjust knob and Menu Selection button ...

Page 2: ...Voltage Maximum The maximum current or maximum voltage can be set using a menu This is useful when the voltage applied to a circuit needs to be limited The LCD displays the output voltage and current Offset Voltage Any waveform can be offset up or down with a DC voltage ranging from 10 V to 10 V provided the peak voltage does not exceed 10 V Frequency Sweep Sweep between two frequencies at a selec...

Page 3: ...sible to have zero frequency To lower the frequency press the right hand Resolution Selection button to move the underline to the right 1 000 kHz and then turn the Frequency Adjust knob counterclockwise one click to decrease the frequency to 0 900 kHz Resolution Selection Use the Resolution Selection buttons beneath the Frequency Adjust knob to change the active underlined digit in the display Pus...

Page 4: ...part of the LCD turn the Frequency Adjust knob one click to the left or right Waveforms Press the WAVEFORM button to open the first waveform menu The menu shows five choices Sine Square Triangle Positive Ramp and Negative Ramp with the pointer at Sine Turn the Voltage Adjust knob one click to the left counterclock wise to move the pointer from Sine to Square Press the Voltage Adjust knob as if it ...

Page 5: ...n a modulated Mod waveform is selected the signal produced by the Function Generator will be multiplied by the signal from the external input Change the frequency of the Function Generator s signal with the Frequency Adjust knob Adjust the percent modulation with the Voltage Adjust knob The formula for the percent modulation is based on the amplitudes of the peak P and the trough T of the modulate...

Page 6: ... menu choice Press the Voltage Adjust knob as if it were a button to toggle switch to the other choice Low The Low setting is useful when the Function Generator is in a darkened environment Sweep Turn the Voltage Adjust knob so the pointer is next to Sweep and then press the knob as if it were a button to select the choice The default setting is Off The Sweep menu options offer several ways to tai...

Page 7: ...is 1 second and the maximum is 9999 seconds 2 h 46 min 39 s Press the Voltage Adjust knob as if it were a button to return to the menu of Sweep options Step The default step frequency is None This means that the default frequency sweep will be continuous from the initial to the final frequency As with the initial fre quency use the Voltage Adjust knob to select Step and press the knob as if it wer...

Page 8: ...ted for experiment in waves and acoustics Drive a speaker or several speakers with the Function Generator Accurately set the frequency to any level in the acoustic range or beyond This makes it particularly con venient for experiments such as measuring the speed of sound observing the interfer ence and diffraction of sound waves and investigating acoustic resonance in a cavity Use the Function Gen...

Page 9: ...ons that vary by country and region It is your responsibility to recycle your electronic equipment per your local environmental laws and regulations to ensure that it will be recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment To find out where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling please contact your local waste recycle disposal service or the place where you purchas...

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