===== Electronics Explorer - Intro to the Digital Pattern Generator and Logic Analyzer =====

~~TechArticle~~

  * Using the WaveForms Digital Pattern Generator with a CMOS Inverter Circuit

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===== Introduction =====

This project is intended to introduce the user to the Digital Pattern Generator and Logic Analyzer instruments in WaveForms. (The Digital Pattern Generator is also demonstrated in another EE Board project.) The circuit we will be working with is a //CMOS Inverter//, sometimes called a //NOT gate//. In operation, an inverter outputs the inverse of the applied input, as the name would suggest. This is accomplished by using two transistors, a P-channel MOSFET and an N-channel MOSFET. The WaveForms Digital Pattern Generator will be used to apply an input to the inverter, and the Logic Analyzer will be used to observe the output pattern. The WaveForms Power Supplies will also be used in this project.

===== Materials =====

  * Electronics Explorer Board w/ Power Supply and USB cable
  * From the Starter Parts Kit:
    * ZVP2110 P-channel MOSFET (**M**etal-**O**xide-**S**emiconductor **F**ield-**E**ffect **T**ransistor)
    * ZVN2110 N-channel MOSFET
    * Jumper wires
  * WaveForms Software ([[https://digilent.com/shop/software/digilent-waveforms/| download]]) - //WaveForms 3.5.4 is used in this tutorial//

===== Procedures =====

  - Connect the EE Board to your PC with the USB cable.
  - Connect the board's external power supply and flip the **Ready** switch to the **ON** position. 
  - Build the circuit. /* description of what we see */
    * The figure below shows the completed circuit. {{ :learn:instrumentation:tutorials:electronics-explorer-pattern-generator-and-logic-analyzer:pattern_generator_logic_analyzer_circuit.png?600nolink |}}
  - Launch the WaveForms Software. The **Device Manager** will pop up. Click your **EExplorer** on the list and click **Select**. The WaveForms main window will now appear.
  - Click on the {{:learn:instrumentation:tutorials:electronics-explorer-pattern-generator-and-logic-analyzer:patterns_icon.png?nolink|}} icon to open the Digital Pattern Generator and on the {{:learn:instrumentation:tutorials:electronics-explorer-pattern-generator-and-logic-analyzer:logic_icon.png?nolink|}} icon to open the Logic Analyzer.
  - We are going to configure the Digital Pattern Generator first. The only signal that needs to be generated is the input signal from pin 9. Click the **Add** button and select **Signal**. This will bring up a list of all the digital I/O pins on the EE Board. Select **DIO 9** and click **Add**. Set the **Type** to **Random** and the **Output** to **PP** for Push-Pull. Your Pattern Generator window should match the figure below. {{ :learn:instrumentation:tutorials:electronics-explorer-pattern-generator-and-logic-analyzer:pattern_generator_setup.png?nolink700 |}}
  - Next we will set up the Logic Analyzer. The Logic Analyzer is similar to an oscilloscope, but for digital signals. We want to observe the behavior of the input at pin 9 and the output at pin 11. Follow the same process from the previous step to add DIO 9 and DIO 11 as signals. Your Logic Analyzer window should resemble the figure below. {{ :learn:instrumentation:tutorials:electronics-explorer-pattern-generator-and-logic-analyzer:logic_analyzer_setup.png?nolink700 |}}
  - Before running the Pattern Generator and Logic Analyzer, we need to supply a voltage at Vcc. To do this, open the WaveForms Voltage instrument. Uncheck all of the boxes except for Vcc, then click **Master Enable** to turn it on.{{ :learn:instrumentation:tutorials:electronics-explorer-pattern-generator-and-logic-analyzer:power_supplies_setup.png?nolink700 |}}
  - Once power is being supplied to Vcc, click **Run** in the Pattern Generator window and **Run** in the Logic Analyzer window. Observe the results. The output at pin 11 should be the inverse of the input at pin 9. {{ :learn:instrumentation:tutorials:electronics-explorer-pattern-generator-and-logic-analyzer:pattern_generator_la_response.png?nolink700 |}}

{{tag>learn instrumentation tutorial electronics-explorer}}