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The XR2206 Function Generator DIY Kit & Other Goodies

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54 views8 pages

The XR2206 Function Generator DIY Kit & Other Goodies

Uploaded by

lord_enki
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Home » Various » The XR2206 Function Generator DIY Kit & other goodies

The XR2206 Function Generator DIY Kit


& other goodies
T.K. HAREENDRAN

electronics Func on Generator

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A function generator is an indispensable of electronics lab equipment, but


unfortunately such a costly device is not within the easy reach of an average
electronics hobbyist. We know that there are a lot of do-it-yourself designs out
there, but the most popular (and inexpensive) Chinese kit in the market is the
one based on the nifty function generator chip XR2206. Based on my
experience, the easy to build 1Hz-IMHz XR2206 function generator kit allows a
variety of routine measurements and experiments, and offers fairer quality sine,
square, and triangle output waveforms with moderate stability and accuracy.
Currently, it is more than adequate for a small home electronics hobby lab!

The XR2206 DIY Kit


When you buy the do-it-yourself kit, it requires a little solder work, and you will
get everything needed to complete the project. The packet also includes a
pretty good transparent acrylic enclosure, mounting hardware, and an
instruction leaflet which I’m sure most makers will be able to follow. Fortunately,
the kit comes with though-hole components, and there’re legends on the
double-sided PCB that tells you clearly where to mount and solder each
component. Additionally, there’s also a good-quality socket for the XR2206
chip, fancy caps for the jumpers, and knobs for the potentiometers.

Kit Construction Clues


The construction will be a piece of cake if you know what you’re doing! As
usual, solder all low-profile components one by one at first, and finally solder the
IC socket. Remember to pay good attention to the polarity of electrolytic
capacitors, and the orientation of the XR2206 IC. Trim the legs of all components
as short as possible to avoid accidental short circuits, as well. Following is a
couple of random snaps from my workbench taken while I was building the
function generator, a $10 do it yourself kit I bought from a Chinese vendor.
Quick Test Hints
When construction is completed and you are ready to put the function
generator into operation, make sure that the polarity of power supply. Then
feed 9-12V DC (9V typical) through the DC input jack. Here’s a pointer to
generate 1MHz sine wave (and square wave) in a simple way.

Short bo om two pins (Tri/Sin) of the waveform selector jumper


Short top two pins (65K-1M) of the frequency selec on jumper
Turn the knob of the fine tune poten ometer to fine tune the signal frequency
Turn the knob of the coarse tune poten ometer to coarse tune the signal
frequency
Turn the knob of the amplitude poten ometer to adjust the output signal
amplitude
You can use a 6F22 9V battery for power, because the entire current
consumption is very low at 9V. However, if you’re using a 9V-12V (never exceed
12V) power supply, ensure that it’s a stable type with very low output noise and
ripple. After successful construction and the first test, finally you can enclose the
build. You need to peel off the outer protective layer of the enclosure panels.
The task is not very hard – just wet it with fresh water and peel off!

In addition, note that the square wave output does not go through the
amplitude control. Only amplitude of the sine/triangle waves can be regulated
by the knob (and it’s also influenced by the input supply voltage). Do refer the
specification chart shown below to get a clear perception of the performance
of your XR2206 function generator.

The First Impression


The XR2206 function generator DIY kit is really a cheap and easy to build one
that can be handy for most beginners and electronics enthusiasts. In my lab, it
performed quite well making near-perfect square, sine, and triangular
waveforms. Here’s the random oscillograms:
To sum up, if you’re looking for a simple function generator kit that’s cheap and
only takes less than an hour to construct, this kit is for you. You’ll also end up with
a proud addition to your existing electronics lab tools. Keep in mind that it
doesn’t replace a professional function generator, nonetheless, looks pretty
useful for electronics hobbyists/makers to repair/debug certain projects, and for
learning intentions.

Fiddler’s Thinkings
In principle, the XR-2206 chip itself is a monolithic function generator integrated
circuit capable of producing high quality sine, square, triangle, ramp, and pulse
waveforms of high-stability and accuracy. The output waveforms can be both
amplitude and frequency modulated by an external voltage. Frequency of
operation can be selected externally over a range of 0.01Hz to more than 1MHz
(https://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Kits/XR2206_104_020808.pdf). So, for many,
there’re numerous ways ahead to exploit its hidden potentials!

For example, you can easily add built-in frequency counter display, optional
AM/FM modulation inputs, synchronizing signal outputs, amplitude/offset
controllers, etc. just by incorporating a small microcontroller based circuitry with
the core design. Furthermore, you can use the same design to test/scan
common piezo-transducers if there’s an option to raise the output amplitude
close to or above 70Vp-p. This official application note describes the design and
construction of the core of such a complete function generator system suitable
for laboratory usage or hobbyist applications
https://www.changpuak.ch/electronics/FG2206/tan005.pdf
(core circuit diagram for the complete function generator system)

The Nostalgic L8038!


Even though not recommended for new designs, the precision waveform
generator/voltage controlled oscillator, Intersil’s L8038 IC (
http://eeshop.unl.edu/pdf/ICL8038.pdf) capable of producing high accuracy sine,
square, triangular, sawtooth and pulse waveforms with a minimum of external
components is still available for cheap. Do it yourself waveform generator kits
based on L8038 are also available from many online sellers under $5. So with a
few bucks in your hand,
make a simple try and be enlightened.

Here, it’s worth noting that L8038 datasheet implies that all waveforms can
operate up to 1MHz, sadly, only the square wave signal output is useful at that
higher frequency. As you might have experienced with the XR2206 chip,
distortion on the sine wave and linearity of the triangle wave fall off rapidly
above 100KHz (and has large glitches). Although there are several factors which
make it poor than ideal, the waveform generator is not a piece of junk – trust
me!

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