GW Instek GFG-8219A Operation instructions

University of Portland - p. 1 of 3 - Function Generator - GFG-8219A.docx
Function Generator Tutorial
Gw Instek GFG-8219A and GFG-8216A
The function generator is used to generate signals for testing circuits. This tutorial describes how
to set up the function generator for basic signals such as sine, triangle, or square waves.
Getting Started
Turn the Power button on. Make sure that the Duty, CMOS, Offset knob and AMPL knobs are
all pushed in. On the GFG-8219A, also make sure that the Frequency knob is pushed in.
Connect a coax cable to the BNC connector labeled Output.

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Select the Wave Shape
The function generator can generate square, triangle, and sine waves. Press the button that
corresponds to the desired wave shape (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Wave Shape Buttons
Set the Frequency
Press the range button that is closest to the desired frequency (see Figure 2). For a given range,
the function generator can produce signals near the value on the button. For example, for the 1K
range, the frequency can vary from around 30 to 3000 Hz. Turn the Frequency knob to set the
frequency (see Figure 2). The display shows the frequency of the output along with the units
(unlike the DMM, the number on the function generator display does NOT need to be multiplied
by the range).
Figure 2: Frequency Knob and Frequency Range Buttons

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Set the Amplitude
Turning the AMPL knob controls the amplitude of the signal (Figure 3). When the knob is
pushed in, the function generator can generate fairly large amplitude signals (the usual case).
When the knob is pulled out, the function generator is limited to smaller amplitudes.
Figure 3: Amplitude Knob
Set the D.C. Offset
The Offset knob controls the D.C. offset of the signal, but only if it is pulled out (Figure 4). If
the knob is pushed in, the offset is zero regardless of how the knob is turned.
Figure 4: Offset Knob