[sllug-members]: DDS Waveform Generator

[Jackman]

I am currently working on getting a homebrew signal generator going.
If you don't know what this is, it is an instrument for injecting a
waveform (e.g. square, sine, triangle) into an electronic circuit for
diagnostic purposes.  It has been pointed out to me that an
off-the-shelf IC can be used to make this easy work, called signal
generators, waveform generators, or direct digital synthesis (DDS)
ICs.  Here is an article:

http://www.siliconfareast.com/waveform-gen.htm

Because these ICs use a basic TTL interface to receive instructions,
they can be connected to just about anything, an AVR, a PC parallel
port, a USB interface, whatever, with the proper translation.
Personally, I really like the idea of having a piece of very expensive
bench test equipment being able to fit into a parallel port connector,
software controlled, for under $50.  Does anyone know of any local
distributors for these ICs?

Thanks.

Andrew Jackman.
W7MEZ.