Definition

Noun: A device or circuit that produces one or more electrical voltage pulses. It is typically designed to allow adjustment of the pulse repetition rate (how often the pulses occur).

Usage

A pulse generator is a piece of electronic test equipment used in laboratories, engineering, and medicine to create precise electrical signals for testing, stimulating, or synchronizing other devices.

Examples

• The engineer used a pulse generator to test the response time of the new circuit.
• In the experiment, the pulse generator was set to deliver ten pulses per second.
• The function of a cardiac pulse generator is to regulate the heartbeat.

Advanced Usage

• Adjustable Parameters: Beyond the pulse rate, advanced pulse generators often allow control over other parameters such as pulse width (duration), amplitude (voltage height), and shape (e.g., square, triangular).
• Applications: Used in digital logic testing, radar systems, laser drivers, and as the timing clock source in many electronic systems.

Variants and Related Words

• Signal Generator: A more general type of generator that can produce various waveforms (sine waves, square waves, etc.), not just pulses.
• Function Generator: Similar to a signal generator, often capable of producing pulses alongside other standard waveforms.
• Clock Generator: A specific type of pulse generator that produces a continuous, regular train of pulses to synchronize operations in a digital system.

Synonyms

• Pulse Source
• Pulse Producer

Related Phrases

• To generate a pulse: The action performed by the device.
  • The circuit is designed to generate a pulse when the button is pressed.
• Pulse train: A series of pulses produced by the generator.
  • The oscilloscope displayed a clean pulse train from the generator.

Noun

1. a generator of single or multiple voltage pulses; usually adjustable for pulse rate