Function Generator with
Sine, Triangular and Square Wave
Joshua Koppin
BS-ECE
Iligan City, Philippines
jchristiankoppin@gmail.com
Abstract – this document discusses the various
components used in the circuit design of a function
generator, the simulation results of the 3 signal
outputs needed. This document was taken from
sources from various sources from the internet.
I. INTRODUCTION
Function generators (aka FG’s) are widely useful
in many audio and analog circuits. FG’s are capable
of generating Sine, Square and Triangle waveforms.
But not many electronic hobbyists can afford to buy
FG for their experimentation purpose. This function
generator circuit will come in handy for those who
want to build a simple cost effective function
generator by their own.
A function generator is usually a piece
of electronic test equipment or software used to
generate different types of electrical waveforms over
a wide range of frequencies. Some of the most
common waveforms produced by the function
generator are the sine, square and triangular shapes.
These waveforms can be either repetitive or single-
shot (which requires an internal or external trigger
source). Integrated circuits used to generate
waveforms may also be described as function
generator ICs.
Although function generators cover both audio
and RF frequencies, they are usually not suitable for
applications that need low distortion or stable
frequency signals. When those traits are required,
other signal generators would be more appropriate.
Some function generators can be phase-locked to
an external signal source (which may be a frequency
reference) or another function generator.
Function generators are used in the development,
test and repair of electronic equipment. For example,
they may be used as a signal source to test amplifiers
or to introduce an error signal into a control loop.
Jamalicah Nagamora
BS-ECE
Iligan City, Philippines
njamalicah@gmail.com
II. FUNCTION GENERATOR OPERATION
One of the most important attributes of a
periodic waveform is the period — the time required
for the signal to repeat. In electronics, typical periods
may range from a few milliseconds to less than a
nanosecond. The repetition of the periodic signal can
also be described in terms of the frequency — the
number of periods that occur each second. The
frequency is the inverse of the period, f = T–1. The
units of frequency are s–1 or hertz (Hz). Typical
frequencies range from a few tens of Hz, as might be
the case for the low end of the audio range to several
billion Hz (GHz), as might be used in communication
systems. Either period or frequency can be used to
specify the repetition of the waveform. In the power
industry, there is one frequency that is more
important than any other – 60 Hz, which corresponds
to a period of 16.67 ms.
The second important attribute is the amplitude
— the maximum voltage (or current) of the
waveform. Note that amplitude can be specified
either in terms of the peak — from 0 to the maximum
or by peak-to-peak— from the minimum to the
maximum. Obviously, the peak-topeak amplitude
will be twice the peak amplitude. Sinusoids can also
be expressed in terms of RMS (root-mean-square)
voltage.
The function generator can produce any of
these waveforms. The sinusoid requires that the
amplitude and frequency (or period) be specified.
The square wave and ramp wave have more
parameters that can be used to fine-tune the shape of
the waveforms.
BLOCK DIAGRAM
 The block diagram shown in figure 1 contains
different types of operational amplifier; integrator,
differentiator and amplifier in producing different
waveforms. The circuit of the function generator also
contains switch choosing a waveform before it is
being amplified.
A. INTEGRATOR
The op-amp integrator is an operational amplifier
circuit that performs the mathematical operation
of integration that is we can cause the output to
respond to changes in the input voltage over time as
the op-amp integrator produces an output voltage
which is proportional to the integral of the input
voltage.
Figure 2 shows the form of integrator. Based on
the figure, we can derive the ideal voltage output of
an integrator. By doing the math, we can obtain the
following equation:
Where ω = 2πƒ and the output voltage Vout is a
constant 1/RC times the integral of the input
voltage Vin with respect to time. The minus sign ( – )
indicates a 180o phase shift because the input signal
is connected directly to the inverting input terminal
of the op-amp.
If we apply a constantly changing input signal
such as a square wave to the input of an integrator
amplifier then the capacitor will charge and discharge
in response to changes in the input signal. This
results in the output signal being that of a triangular
waveform whose output is affected by the RC time
constant of the resistor/capacitor combination
because at higher frequencies, the capacitor has less
time to fully charge.
Figure 1. Function Generator Block Diagram
Figure 2. Operational Amplifier Integrator
B. COMPARATOR
Voltage comparators either use positive
feedback or no feedback at all (open-loop mode) to
switch its output between two saturated states,
because in the open-loop mode the amplifiers voltage
gain is basically equal to AVO. Then due to this high
open loop gain, the output from the comparator
swings either fully to its positive supply rail, +Vcc or
fully to its negative supply rail, -Vcc on the
application of varying input signal which passes
some preset threshold value.
Figure 3 shows the non-inverting configuration
of a comparator, the reference voltage is connected to
the inverting input of the operational amplifier with
the input signal connected to the non-inverting input.
To keep things simple, we have assumed that the two
resistors forming the potential divider network are
equal and: R1 = R2 = R. This will produce a fixed
reference voltage which is one half that of the supply
voltage, that is Vcc/2, while the input voltage is
variable from zero to the supply voltage.
When VIN is greater than VREF, the op-amp
comparators output will saturate towards the positive
supply rail, Vcc. When VIN is less than VREF the op-
amp comparators output will change state and
saturate at the negative supply rail, 0v as shown.

Figure 3. Operational Amplifier Comparator
C. SWITCH
The 3 waveforms is connected to a switch. It is
where a desired waveform is being chosen before it is
being amplified. The switch used in this function
generator contains two terminals, the first terminal is
connected to each different operational amplifier that
produces specific waveform and the other terminal is
connected to the amplifier.
D. AMPLIFIER
After the waveform is chosen, it is then
amplified. The amplifier for this function generator is
made of operational amplifier. By changing the
feedback resistor of the op amp used in this section to
potentiometer, the signal output could be changed
from zero to its maximum voltage.
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
The circuit in figure 4 was built around a Quad
op amp IC MAX494 which takes less supply for
operation. U1A and U1B form a triangle wave,
square wave oscillator, respectively. U1B has
hysteresis provided by R6 to input U1Bin+. The
Figure 4. Function Generator Schematic Diagram
output of U1B connects through R2 and R1
(Frequency Adjust pot) to the input U1Ain-. C1
connects from the output of U1A to U1Ain-. This
configuration causes U1A to work as an integrator.
When the input feeding U1Ain- is less than the
reference voltage, the output of U1A ramps up. The
output of U1A is connected through R5 to input
U1Bin+. When the voltage at U1Bin+ is greater than
the reference voltage at U1Bin-, the output of U1B
goes high. This raises the voltage at U1Bin+ causing
U1B to switch states. Since the output of U1B is
higher than the reference voltage at U1Ain+, the
output of U1A begins to ramp down. When the
output of U1A through R5 pulls the input U1Bin+
lower than U1Bin- reference, U1B output switches
low. This causes U1A to again begin ramping up
until the output of U1A causes the input U1Bin+ to
go higher than U1Bin-, and the process repeats in an
oscillating manner.
The output of U1A is a triangle wave. The
output of U1B is a square wave. To produce a
pseudo-sine wave, the output of U1A is connected by
R7 to input U1Cin-. The network of resistors R8 –
R12 and diodes D1 – D8 clip or reduce the gain of
U1C, progressively, as the triangle amplitude
increases. This reduces and rounds off the tip of the
triangle wave to produce the pseudo-sine wave.
The outputs of U1A, U1B and U1C are
connected through R15, R14, and R13 to the input
U1Din-. R18 provides the appropriate feedback for
 Thus, decreasing the value of either the resistor or
the capacitor would increase the frequency. Figure 5
shows the output of the function generator in
triangular form.

B. Square Wave

The op amp UIB produces square wave. Note that

the op amp in this stage is a comparator and the non-
inverting input is in series with a resistor and the
output of the op amp U1A which produces a
triangular wave which makes the output of U1B a
square wave. A square wave is a non-sinusoidal
periodic waveform , in which the amplitude
alternates at a steady frequency between fixed
minimum and maximum values, with the same
duration at minimum and maximum. The transition
Figure 5. Triangular Wave Output

controlling the output level of U1D. By substituting a

10K pot for R16, the output signal level of U1D
could be adjusted from 0 to Vmax. A selector switch
for S1, S2, and S3 could be used to select the desired
output type of waveform. A selector switch, to select
different values of capacitance for C1 (.1uF, .01uF,
or .001uF), could be added to increase the frequency
range of the function generator.

III. WAVEFORMS
A. Triangular Wave

The op amp U1A is an integrator having a

feedback capacitor of 0.01uF. The output of this op
amp is a triangular wave. The square wave signal is between minimum to maximum is instantaneous for
applied to the inverting input of the opamp. Observe an ideal square wave; this is not realizable in physical
that the inverting input is connected to the output of systems. Square waves are often encountered
the U1B opamp and we know that this produces a in electronics and signal processing. Its stochastic
square wave. Observe also that the frequency adjust counterpart is a two-state trajectory. Figure 6 shows
represented by a potentiometer is found at the the square wave of the function generator.
inverting input of the op amp U1A. Note that
changing the value of capacitor would change the
frequency range of the function generator. This can
be explained by the formula,
1
𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 2𝜋𝑅𝐶
 CONCLUSION

Different types of operational amplifier could

produce different types of waveform for function
generator. In simulating the circuit in figure 4, we
produced different waveforms – triangular, square
and sinusoidal wave. Observe that the peak to peak
voltage of each waveform is very close with the other
waveforms. Note also that in order to change the
frequency of the function generator, we should
change the value of either the capacitor or the resistor
or both. To have a higher frequency, we should
decrease the value of capacitor and/or resistor and to
have a lower value of frequency, we should increase
the value of capacitor and/or resistor. Thus, the
frequency is inversely proportional with the capacitor
and the resistor. Changing the resistor to
potentiometer would change the amplitude of the
waveforms. Refer to the simulation results for the
average values of V(p-p) and the frequency for the
different waveforms.

REFERENCES
C. Sinusoidal Wave [1] http://www.gadgetronicx.com/function-
generator-circuit-diagram/
A sine wave is a repetitive change or motion
which, when plotted as a graph, has the same shape [2] cnx.org - Using a Basic Function Generator,
as the sine function. The figure shown in figure 7 is 2005-08-21
the sinusoidal wave obtained from the circuit. [3] Bakshi, U. A.; Bakshi, A. V.; Bakshi, K. A.
The output of U1C connected with 4 pairs of (2008).Electronic Measurements and
diodes connected in parallel facing in opposite Instrumentation. Pune, India: Technical
direction with resistor between them would produce a Publications. pp. 3–26,3–27. ISBN 978-81-
sinusoidal wave. The term for the diodes arranged 8431-435-9.
this way is diode wave shaper.
As observed, the diodes come in pair. The diodes
facing downwards are responsible for the positive
cycle of the sinusoidal wave while the diodes in
upward direction is responsible for its negative cycle.
The more pairs of diodes are used, the more precise
the sine wave is.

SIMULATION RESULTS
Figure 7. Sinusoidal Wave Output

Waveform V(p-p) Frequency

Sinusoidal 95.5mV-3.51V 9.17Hz-2.64kHz

Square 198mV-4.11V 13.4Hz-2.61kHz
Triangular 200mV-3.86V 12.2 Hz-2.58kHz