Electronic – Arduino limit PWM voltage

The Arduino Playground Timer1 library does what you describe: Set Timer1 to whichever period (i.e. 1/f) is specified. You can either examine the code which is on GitHub to build your own version, or use the library directly.

If using Timer1 directly, these lines will generate the 50% duty cycle square wave required:

#include <TimerOne.h>

setup() {
    pinMode(squareOut, OUTPUT);    // squareOut can be either 9 or 10 on Duemilanove
    Timer1.initialize();
    // Other set-up code
}

setFrequency(frequency) {
    Timer1.pwm(squareout, 512, (long) 1000000L / frequency); // Duty cycle = 0-1023
}

The library uses the method described by @JimParis in the answer above, to determine the prescaler and Top values within TimerOne::setPeriod.

If you generate a more optimized version of that bit of code from the library, please share, as I would like to use it.

Method 1: Do nothing special...

Simple if the generated signal can be DC-biased by the signal generator, i.e. instead of -1.4 to 1.4 Volts, output a waveform of 1.0 to 3.8 Volts.

This signal can be directly used as digital input to an Arduino GPIO pin. For standard Arduino boards, V_cc is 5 Volts, while some clones and specific newer boards work at 3.3 Volts. For the 5 Volt case:

• GPIO port thresholds (from ATmega328 datasheet):
  • LOW is < 0.3 Vcc, i.e. < 1.5 Volts
  • HIGH is > 0.7 Vcc, i.e. > 3.5 Volts

Thus, raise the voltage floor of the square wave so it goes beyond these voltage levels at high and low, and it's all done.

Method 2: Use a comparator, or an Op Amp as comparator

This is as already suggested by Nick Alexeev in comments. Please note that the LF355N may not be suitable for this purpose: Minimum V_cc supported is +/- 5 Volts, i.e. 10 Volts in single supply configuration. You will need a (preferably) rail-to-rail output op-amp supporting single supply operation at V_cc of 5 Volts.

_{(from this web page, which has additional explanations)}

Clamp (or adjust at signal generator) the negative part of the incoming signal so it does not go below Ground potential. If the generator does not support DC biasing, a diode-based voltage clamp could be used, several suitable schematics show up on a web search.

Choose R1 and R2 such that the voltage divider provides a comparison threshold within the voltage high and low levels of the square wave, say 0.8 Volts. The output will be inverted, but will toggle between the supply and ground levels (or as close to the supply rails as the op amp chosen can drive its output) according to the input signal.

Method 3: Use an NPN transistor as a switch

A BJT designed for switching, such as the 2n2222, can be used for this purpose. This transistor is designed to withstand higher reverse bias voltages at the base than the -1.4 Volts that a 2.8 Volt peak to peak signal would have, so no additional care needs to be taken for the negative part of the cycle.

What is the better route?

• If the signal generator supports DC biasing, Method 1 is the obvious answer.
• If not, the simplest and least expensive solution would be Method 3.