Lab Report - Lab 6: System Linearity TIMS

Introduction

The goal of this lab was to show the properties of linearity by using the TIMS unit to make a variety of signal input and outputs. We used a variety of modules to accomplish the transformation of the signals.

Procedures


A.1 Comparator
Steps A.1 1-4 were to test the lienarity of the comparator module by using an input wave and looking at it's output as the amplifier was increased. Below are the results of the test in a graph form.
Comparator Graph This system is not linear because as the input Voltage increased the output of the comparator stayed aroudn the same value.

A.2 Rectifier
The steps for A.2 1-2 were to once again test the linearity of a module. This time we were to test the rectifier module by using an input wave and seeing the change of the output as the input increased. Below are the results of the test in a graph form.The rectifier is shown as the blue line and the red line is the previous test comparator.
Rectifier Graph The result for the rectifier module would lead me to believe that the system is a linear one as when the input increased the output increased the same amount.

A.3 Multiplier
The steps for A.3 1-2 were to test the linearity of the multiplier by testing the property of additivity. Below arr the results of the test in a table and those table values in a graph.
Multiplier table Multiplier Graph These results show that the system is not linear as the output starts increasing out of step with the input increase. The results do show the half angle formula described because as soon as the input gets to 3 the outputs are skewed and are then shown to be non-linear.

B.1 DC Control
Steps B.1 1-6 were to set up the picoscope to display a DC output that was controlled by an input sinusoidal wave. Additonally we were to test the linearity of the system as we increased the output voltage from -2V to 2V. Below is a table showing the results of the test and a graph to visually represent the table
DC Control Table DC Control Graph This system is linear as when the DC controlled voltage was increased the frequency was inversely decreased which is still a linear relationship.

B.2 Frequency Control
An obvious application of a system that has a modulating frequency output would be a radio since controlling the input modifies the frequency of the output wave. This could work chanigng stations at varying frequencies.

C.1 The Integrator
Steps C.1 1-6 show how the integrator module works. The integrator displays the in picoscope as an input wave that is a saw tooth wave. The output of the system shows the integral of this function as a square wave which is the expected result.Below is the result from picoscope
Integrator Graph
C.2 Feeback System
Step C.2 of the lab was to demonstrate how a feedback wave works when looked at up close. The feeback wave takes time to get to the actual output that is desired when it is triggered. This time can be measured by mutliplying the peak of the pulse when it triggers by e^-1 and calculating the time it takes to reach that value. The time it took for my simulation was around 66 microseconds.

Conclusion


What did you enjoy about this lab?
I enjoyed using more complex modules to integrate and multiply waves together.
What didn’t go well in this lab?
It took me a while to figure out what the goal of step C.2 was and how to measure that time.
How would you improve the lab experiment for future classes?
I would improve the instructions. It would be helpful to mention the order that the picoscope and arb software shoudl be opened in as this caused me some issues.