XR2206 is a very useful part - Electronic Circuits Projects Diagrams Free

speakerguy79 · 16th July 2008, 02:04 AM

There are frequent threads about "what common parts should I have". I would like to add this to the list as one that should be mentioned.

It's a simple IC function generator that can produce sine, square, and triangle waves with variable amplitude and can operate from single or dual supplies. I have confirmed operation from 0.2Hz all the way up to 1MHz depending on R/C combinations. All it takes is a few resistors, a potentiometer or two, and some small caps (10uF and less). It has built in functionality for FM and AM modulation of its output with a few more components added.

My only gripe is that the square wave rise time is huge (400ns) compared to its fall time (40ns). I'm guessing this is because of the weak (10K) pullup resistor on the square wave output pin. I tried putting in a 1K and it didn't like it, and I haven't tried any intermediate values. I also noticed a little bit of jitter, but my test setup didn't use any of the stabilizing components (like the bypass cap on pin 3).

But for under $5 in parts, it is a very useful addition to anyone's toolkit.

audioguru · 16th July 2008, 02:16 AM

I don't think EXAR has made the XR2206 for many years but a few places still have some.
Since you didn't use the recommended stabilizing parts then you are asking for trouble.

speakerguy79 · 16th July 2008, 02:47 AM

The only important one I deleted was the bypass cap on the voltage divider that sets the DC output rail, and a Vcc decoupling cap (I just had a low ESR electrolytic from power to ground, so no real bypassing >1MHz). It functioned perfectly fine, though I plan to add them on my next board (this was a 'how does this thingy work' first run).

Edited to add: Exar still lists it on their site, and the data sheet was updated Feb of '08. I hope it's still in production.

http://www.exar.com/Common/Content/P...aspx?ID=XR2206

Mikebits · 16th July 2008, 02:51 AM

The part still looks current in the Exar data base.
http://www.exar.com/Common/Content/P...aspx?ID=XR2206

speakerguy79 · 16th July 2008, 02:53 AM

Also, further reading of the data sheet confirms the difference in rise/fall time of the square wave (listed as 250ns/50ns respectively, where I was getting 400ns/40ns).

PS: My edit beat you by 1 minute

audioguru · 16th July 2008, 03:03 AM

Digikey and Newark are the largest American and Canadian electronics parts suppliers and they do not even list the XR2206 anymore.

speakerguy79 · 16th July 2008, 03:13 AM

Digikey doesn't carry Exar. Future and Jameco have them in stock, but manufacture date is in question. The ones I have from Future have a manufacture code F0747 but I can't find how to decode that.

I emailed Exar about its production status and hope to get a reply back.

audioguru · 16th July 2008, 03:56 AM

I think 747 is the 47th week of 2007. Near the end of November about 7.5 months ago.
Or maybe the 47th month of 1997. 1987? 1977?

It is a very old IC.

Mikebits · 16th July 2008, 04:30 AM

Quote:

It is a very old IC.
__________________
Uncle $crooge

Old is not always a bad thing, afterall we do still value your opinion

This is just a joke, no offence intended...

ericgibbs · 16th July 2008, 06:54 AM

[quote=Mikebits;327818]Old is not always a bad thing, afterall we do still value your opinion

QUOTE]

Gee, thanks Mike, that me makes me feel so much better...

Regards

Mikebits · 16th July 2008, 07:06 AM

Eric, as you know, I hold you in the highest regards and I still await your first blog

audioguru · 16th July 2008, 02:06 PM

Many years ago, I used the Intersil ICL8038 function generator IC.
I have never seen the EXAR one.

eng1 · 16th July 2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakerguy79

There are frequent threads about "what common parts should I have". I would like to add this to the list as one that should be mentioned.

I would second that. I built a simple circuit on veroboard to evaluate that chip and it's been often useful! I selected parts in order to get low-frequency fixed-amplitude waves.
I used a 20-turn trimpot that allows me to tune the frequency with a decent resolution.
Since the square wave output is open collector I placed another switch to select the high level between Vdd (=15 V) and +5 V (TTL-compatible) generated by a voltage regulator.

speakerguy79 · 16th July 2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Recently you requested personal assistance from our on-line support center. Below is a summary of your request and our response.

If this issue is not resolved to your satisfaction, you may reopen it within the next 7 days.

Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.

Questions, literature requests or comments:
Is the XR2206 monolithic function generator currently in production and if so will it continue to be an active product? I have heard that this part is/was going to be discontinued and wanted verification before deciding whether or not to use it.

Discussion Thread
Response (Joanie Ramos) 07/16/2008 03:24 PM
Hi XXXXXX,

We still provide the XR2206CP-Fand the XR2206D-F, these are unleaded product. We have discontinued the leaded version of both of these products.

Kind regards,

Joanie Ramos
Customer Support
Customer (Exar Corporation) 07/15/2008 08:04 PM
Data from form "Contact Us Form" was received on 7/15/2008 7:58:54 PM.

Customer Support

Still in production baby!

chemelec · 16th July 2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speakerguy79

Still in production baby!

If all else fails, I have a bunch of the Older ones. New and unused.

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16th July 2008, 02:04 AM	(permalink)
speakerguy79	XR2206 is a very useful part There are frequent threads about "what common parts should I have". I would like to add this to the list as one that should be mentioned. It's a simple IC function generator that can produce sine, square, and triangle waves with variable amplitude and can operate from single or dual supplies. I have confirmed operation from 0.2Hz all the way up to 1MHz depending on R/C combinations. All it takes is a few resistors, a potentiometer or two, and some small caps (10uF and less). It has built in functionality for FM and AM modulation of its output with a few more components added. My only gripe is that the square wave rise time is huge (400ns) compared to its fall time (40ns). I'm guessing this is because of the weak (10K) pullup resistor on the square wave output pin. I tried putting in a 1K and it didn't like it, and I haven't tried any intermediate values. I also noticed a little bit of jitter, but my test setup didn't use any of the stabilizing components (like the bypass cap on pin 3). But for under $5 in parts, it is a very useful addition to anyone's toolkit.

16th July 2008, 02:16 AM	(permalink)
audioguru	I don't think EXAR has made the XR2206 for many years but a few places still have some. Since you didn't use the recommended stabilizing parts then you are asking for trouble. __________________ Uncle $crooge

16th July 2008, 02:47 AM	(permalink)
speakerguy79	The only important one I deleted was the bypass cap on the voltage divider that sets the DC output rail, and a Vcc decoupling cap (I just had a low ESR electrolytic from power to ground, so no real bypassing >1MHz). It functioned perfectly fine, though I plan to add them on my next board (this was a 'how does this thingy work' first run). Edited to add: Exar still lists it on their site, and the data sheet was updated Feb of '08. I hope it's still in production. http://www.exar.com/Common/Content/P...aspx?ID=XR2206 Last edited by speakerguy79; 16th July 2008 at 02:50 AM.

16th July 2008, 02:51 AM	(permalink)
Mikebits	The part still looks current in the Exar data base. http://www.exar.com/Common/Content/P...aspx?ID=XR2206

16th July 2008, 02:53 AM	(permalink)
speakerguy79	Also, further reading of the data sheet confirms the difference in rise/fall time of the square wave (listed as 250ns/50ns respectively, where I was getting 400ns/40ns). PS: My edit beat you by 1 minute Last edited by speakerguy79; 16th July 2008 at 02:54 AM.

16th July 2008, 03:03 AM	(permalink)
audioguru	Digikey and Newark are the largest American and Canadian electronics parts suppliers and they do not even list the XR2206 anymore. __________________ Uncle $crooge Last edited by audioguru; 16th July 2008 at 03:04 AM.

16th July 2008, 03:13 AM	(permalink)
speakerguy79	Digikey doesn't carry Exar. Future and Jameco have them in stock, but manufacture date is in question. The ones I have from Future have a manufacture code F0747 but I can't find how to decode that. I emailed Exar about its production status and hope to get a reply back. Last edited by speakerguy79; 16th July 2008 at 03:16 AM.

16th July 2008, 03:56 AM	(permalink)
audioguru	I think 747 is the 47th week of 2007. Near the end of November about 7.5 months ago. Or maybe the 47th month of 1997. 1987? 1977? It is a very old IC. __________________ Uncle $crooge

16th July 2008, 06:54 AM	(permalink)
ericgibbs	[quote=Mikebits;327818]Old is not always a bad thing, afterall we do still value your opinion QUOTE] Gee, thanks Mike, that me makes me feel so much better... Regards __________________ Eric "Good enough is Perfect" PIC tutorials: Gramo's: www.digital-diy.net/ Bill's: www.blueroomelectronics.com/ Last edited by ericgibbs; 16th July 2008 at 06:54 AM.

16th July 2008, 07:06 AM	(permalink)
Mikebits	Eric, as you know, I hold you in the highest regards and I still await your first blog

16th July 2008, 02:06 PM	(permalink)
audioguru	Many years ago, I used the Intersil ICL8038 function generator IC. I have never seen the EXAR one. __________________ Uncle $crooge