Figure 1 for a suggested experimental
setup.
This report covers how to acquire various characteristics of an unknown signal using the Hewlett Packard Interactive Test Generator II (HP-ITG2) software. HP-ITG2 is a Windows software package that has a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and can be used to generate a standalone DOS program.. This reduces the time required for manual programming.
The waveform characteristics that are examined in this report (not available here) are: maximum peak amplitude, minimum peak amplitude, mean, root-mean-square, and probability density function. The probability density function is displayed as a histogram that is produced by HP-ITG2 software.
A step by step procedure on how to produce a "stand alone" program is discussed in this report (not available here). This allows an user to run the program without using the HP-ITG2 software. The program allows the operator to set the volts/division and the time/division of the oscilloscope. The program also displays a graph of the unknown signal.
Listed below is a list of the equipment used in the experiment.
See Figure 1 for a suggested experimental
setup.
(1) 486/50N HP Vectra Computer with monitor.
(2) HP 54601A Oscilloscope
(3) HP 8904a Multifunction Synthesizer
This has been omitted along with Figure 2
The following example output can be expected when running the program (see appendix for listing of program). Note that the values listed have been truncated to three significant figures. Figure 3 and Figure 4 do not represent the waveform for the numerical results shown below but are supplied in this report to show the user what to expect.
Number of points sampled= 500
Standard deviation= 1.99 +-V
Mean of the sampled= .207 V
Maximum value of sampled waveform = 2.34 V
Minimum value of sampled waveform =-1.875 V
RMS value of sampled waveform = 7.007 V
HPITG2 is a very powerful tool aiding the user in writing customized DOS executable code, for controlling and acquiring data from instruments. Using the program, provides a quick and easy way to acquire statistical information about waveforms. One can become faster at setting up programs after completing the learning curve. The HPITG2 software package is an excellent way of learning while doing rather than reading a textbook The program is comfortable to use because of its visual orientation, and the debugging process eliminates the possibilities of syntax errors.
It is recommended the user have prior experience using Windows. However, if the user is not familiar with Windows a few days should be allowed for the user to become comfortable with just Windows.
