Experiment 8: Measuring Duty Cycle of Signals

Objective: Measure and interpret the duty cycle of digital signals, such as PWM signals, using a logic analyzer or oscilloscope.

Steps:

1. Connect the Signal Source to the Measurement Device:
   • Identify the output pin or terminal generating the signal you want to analyze.
   • Connect the signal source to the input of the logic analyzer or oscilloscope.
   • Ensure a proper ground connection to maintain signal integrity.
2. Observe the High and Low Times of the Signal:
   • Configure the measurement device to display the signal waveform.
   • Measure the time the signal remains high (T_high) and low (T_low) during one complete cycle.
   • Verify the signal’s stability over multiple cycles to ensure accurate measurements.
3. Calculate the Duty Cycle:
   • Calculate the duty cycle using the formula:
     Duty Cycle (%) = (Thigh / (Thigh + Tlow)) × 100
   • Ensure the calculated duty cycle aligns with the expected value for the signal (e.g., for PWM signals).
   • Record the results for different signal frequencies and duty cycle configurations.

Expected Outcome:

By the end of this experiment, you will understand how to measure the duty cycle of digital signals, interpret the results, and correlate duty cycles with signal behavior, such as in PWM applications.