3-1
CHAPTER 3
WAVEFORMS AND WAVE GENERATORS
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this chapter you will be able to:
1. Explain the operation of a stable, monostable, and bistable multivibrators.
2. Explain the operation of a blocking oscillator.
3. Explain the operation of a sawtooth generator.
4. Explain the operation of a trapezoidal wave generator.
5. Explain how the jump voltage is produced in a trapezoidal wave generator.
WAVEFORMS
This chapter will present methods of generating waveforms. Before you begin to study how
waveforms are generated, you need to know the basic characteristics of waveforms. This section will
discuss basic periodic waveforms.
PERIODIC WAVEFORMS
A waveform which undergoes a pattern of changes, returns to its original pattern, and repeats the
same pattern of changes is called a PERIODIC waveform. Periodic waveforms are nonsinusoidal except
for the sine wave. Periodic waveforms which will be discussed are the sine wave, square wave,
rectangular wave, sawtooth wave, trapezoidal wave, and trigger pulses.
Sine Wave
Each completed pattern of a periodic waveform is called a CYCLE, as shown by the SINE WAVE in
figure 3-1, view (A). Sine waves were presented in NEETS, Module 2, Alternating Current and
Transformers, Chapter 1.
