Generate voltage pulse using pc?

[aguy]

Hi,

I am wondering if it is possible to generate voltage pulses (square or sinuosoidal, +/- 5V) using a computer. If yes, then how would I go about doing it?

Thanks.

 

[Feldoh]

You could use a sound card which are basically just glorified DAC's. Just make sure you're not drawing too much current which would be very bad.

Not only that but you could just as easily make an oscilloscope with a typical sound card's inputs. (That actually sounds kind of cool)

 

[vk6kro]

You can also produce an output on the serial port which will give +/- voltages.

You could use a program like Hyper Term which comes with Windows, or write something yourself, to get different combinations of pulses.

The serial port produces a good square wave pulse. The amplitude will vary with different computers, but it could be up to +/- 15 volts.

Note that the output on the serial port is inverted, so a "1" or logic high is actually the negative voltage.

Do you have an application that requires pulses or is it just a general question?