MAX038 Function/Sweep Generator with Markers ATtiny2313, AT90S1200A -  Maxim's MAX038 function generator chip is capable of producing nearly constant amplitude sine, square, and triangle waves with a low output impedance, from a very low frequency to more than 20 MHz.  Basically, a function generator on a chip.  Here is a function/sweep generator that uses the MAX038 chip.  The design described on these pages are not so much instructions for duplicating the design as they are a collection of ideas to stimulate your own thoughts __ Designed by Dick Cappels

Microcontroller Detects Pulses -  24-Jul-08 EDN Design Ideas:  A microcontroller detects output pulses in a device under test Design by Abel Raynus, Armatron International, Malden, MA

Minimum Mass Waveform Capture & Display -  The result was a project that includes a waveform capture circuit, a graphic LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a control panel with LED indicators.  The details of the Graphic LCD display unit, composed of the LCD module, a serial interface, and bias supply were published earlier on this site,  __ Designed by Dick Cappels

Peak Detector Operates From Single Supply -  05/12/94 EDN Design Ideas:  The circuit in Fig 1  can detect the peak of either positive or negative inputs, yet it operates from a single supply.  The circuit uses two unity-gain amplifiers to monitor the input signal, one an inverting amplifier and the other a noninverting amplifier.  A typical application is driving a VU meter Design by Chester Simpson, National Semiconductor, Santa Clara, CA

Peak Detectors Gain in Speed & Performance -  DN61 Design Notes__ Linear Technology/Analog Devices

Peak Level Indicator -  Dot-mode three-LED display.9V battery powered portable unit __ Contact Flavio Dellepiane, fladello @ tin.it

Peak Level Monitor -  Measurement of peak level is useful while testing an amplifier or a similar device.  it is handy while testing a logic circuit, as it can pick up a high transient pulse...__ Electronics Projects for You

Peak Reading Audio Level Meter -  indicates peak audio response on an analogue meter, similar to a tape recorder recording level meter __ Designed by Andy Collison

Peak-reading meters -  This article first appeared in the April 1981 issue of Recording-engineer/producer magazine.   Peak reading meters, popular in Europe for years, are just now coming into greater favor in America, and for good reason.  The main purpose for having a VU meter is obviously to monitor signal levels going to a tape recorder, reverb unit, or some other level-sensitive device, to help optimize the signal to noise ratio of the audio sent to the device.  Too much level will produce distortion, and too little results in the inherent noise of the medium becoming a problem.  Unfortunately, a conventional VU meter responds to the average level of the program material and not to the peaks; yet it is these momentary bursts of higher level that become distorted first.   __ Designed by Ethan Winer

Peak-To-Peak Monitor Uses No Op Amp -  11/23/94 EDN Design Ideas:  The peak-to-peak monitor in Fig 1 uses three identical transistors and three identical resistors rather than a handful of op amps and their associated components.  The circuit measures voltages up to ±2V p-p Design by Phil Harvey, Technology Integration Inc, Bedford, MA

Precision AC Peak Detector -  This unique circuit uses a very inexpensive voltage comparator to form a peak detector.  The DC voltage produced tracks the positive peak of the input signal.  it works from about ten millivolts to about 10 volts peak to peak.  The maximum frequency is about. . . Circuit by David A. Johnson P.E.-February, 2002

Precision peak Detector uses no precision components -  10-Jun-04 EDN Design Ideas:  When you need a precision peak detector, you would usually implement it with one or several op amps and a few other associated components.  This technique usually works well unless your design requires operation higher than a few kilohertz.  in designs requiring such operation, the accuracy of the circuit severely deteriorates unless at least one of the amplifiers has a high slew rate and frequ Design by Jim McLucas, Longmont, CO

RF Field Strength Indicator -  Useful as a transmitter tune-up meter or an RF sniffer, this is an RF field strength indicator that is loosely based on the Broad Band RF Field Strength Probe, described elsewhere.  it detects RF via a square law detector, basically its a crystal set with gain.  The bias circuit for the detector is significantly modified from the probe to reduce the effects of battery voltage droop during use.   __ Designed by Dick Cappels

RF Field Strength Probe -  This broadband probe has a small antenna (about a 15 cm length of insulated wire).  Radio Frequency energy coupled to the antenna is detected and made available to drive millivolt level signals to the input of a DVM (Digital Volt Meter).  its battery powered for convenience with very low current drain and automatic shutdown for long battery life.   __ Designed by Dick Cappels

Sampling peak Detector has shutdown feature -  05/16/02 EDN Design Ideas:  You face a serious problem in using a slow ADC with a fast peak detector.  The circuit in Figure 1 allows a slow ADC to measure a fast, sampled signal peak.  The 100-MHz peak detector for ultrasonic-pulse sampling uses a fast MAX4231 amplifier from Maxim (www.maxim-ic.com].  This amplifier has a shutdown feature that facilitates power savings without losing the sampled information Design by Shyam Tiwari, Sensors Technology Private Ltd, Gwalior, India

Simple Circuit LM335 thermometer -  The circuit consists of two parts: The LM335 and its adjustment.  The output of the LM335 is 10 millivolts per degree C, with 25 degrees C corresponding to 2.982 VDC.  A reference circuit provides a zero reference voltage.  it is adjusted to (2.982 volts - (25 degrees x 10 millivolts/degree) = 2.732 volts.  To read the temperature of the LM335 directly in degrees C, connect the + lead from a high impedance DVMto the output pin and the - end of the DVM to the 2.732 volt pin.   __ Designed by Dick Cappels

Switch Detects Audio Signal -  This circuit will activate a transistor switch when it detects at least 50mv peak to peak of an audio signal.    it could be used to turn on a relay, routing the signal to were it is needed.. . . Circuit by Dave Johnson P.E.-July, 2006

Transistor-Switch Detects Audio Signal -  For some audio systems it is desirable to have an automatic switch circuit turn on other devices, such as an amplifier, if an audio signal is detected on one line.  The hobby circuit below will activate a transistor switch when it detects at least 50mv peak to peak of an audio signal.  The switch could be used to turn on a relay, routing the signal to where it is needed.  A single 3v lithium cell will power the electronic circuit for about 5 years . . . Hobby Circuit designed by Dave Johnson P.E.-July, 2006

VU/Peak Meter with LCD Bargraphs -  This easy-to-build bargraph VU meter makes it easy to record audio signals at the correct level.  it shows both the average signal and peak levels in stereo on an LCD and you can adjust both the display range and number of steps.  A digital display option is also available.__ SiliconChip

Waveform Monitor with LCD -  The result was a project that includes a waveform capture circuit, a graphic LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and a control panel with LED indicators.  The details of the Graphic LCD display unit, composed of the LCD module, a serial interface, and bias supply were published earlier on this site,  __ Designed by Dick Cappels

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