Web interface for controlling the dual-channel WB-SG1 generator over a serial port (Web Serial API). CH1: 1 Hz … 250 MHz, 1 Hz resolution. CH2: 35 MHz … 8 GHz, 10 Hz resolution.
1. Connection and privacy
- Browser. A browser with Web Serial API support is required: Chromium-based Chrome, Edge or Opera.
- Privacy. The app runs entirely locally in the browser. No data is sent to the internet and no cookies are used.
- Connecting. Press CONNECT to open the system port picker. Select the generator COM port. Link settings: 9600 Bd. The header indicator changes to “Online”.
- Disconnecting. Pressing the button again (DISCONNECT) closes the port.
2. Frequency control
- Initial sync. After connecting, the UI queries the instrument and the CH1 and CH2 readouts take the frequencies set on the generator.
- Tuning knob. Turn the knob with the mouse or a finger (18° = one step), with the mouse wheel, or with the arrow keys when the knob has focus. The − / + buttons change the frequency by one step; hold for auto-repeat.
- Tuning step. Select it with the buttons to the right of the knob or by clicking the digit on the readout; the selected digit is underlined.
- Direct entry. “Enter frequency” below the readout: a value in Hz or with a k / M / G multiplier (e.g. 868.1M, 2.4G). Values outside the channel range are rejected.
- RF output. The RF ON / RF OFF buttons enable and disable each channel output independently. The highlight shows the last command sent.
- Phone. On a narrow screen the channels are switched with “CH 1 / CH 2” tabs showing the current frequency.
3. Frequency sweep
- Setup. Set the start and stop frequencies (Hz or with a k / M / G multiplier).
- Number of steps. Sets the sweep resolution. More steps mean a longer full sweep cycle.
- Validation. The UI checks the channel range and that stop is above start. The instrument does not check whether the values make physical sense: with invalid parameters there may be no output signal.
- Sweep progress. Shown only on the generator’s own display. The channel readout in the UI is dimmed meanwhile.
- Exiting the sweep. The ■ Stop sweep button returns to fixed-frequency mode: MODE is sent twice for CH1 and once for CH2. Manually, use the MODE button: two presses for CH1, one for CH2.
4. Modulation and system settings
- AM (CH2):
- set the modulating frequency on CH1 (e.g. 1000 Hz);
- set the carrier frequency on CH2;
- turn on the Modulation switch. If it is already on, turn it off and on again so the command is guaranteed to be sent.
- Key beep. Enables audible key feedback on the instrument.
- LCD contrast. Adjusts the instrument display contrast (0…63). Recommended range: 40…55.
- SAVE. Stores the current settings in the generator internal EEPROM.
- LOG. Opens the COM port traffic log for diagnostics: transmitted (TX) and received (RX) data with timestamps, copy and clear.
5. Known limitations
Caused by the current generator firmware.
- One-way sync. Only the frequency is read reliably on connect. Sweep, beep, modulation and RF output states cannot be queried.
- UI state. Therefore the switches and sweep fields may not match the actual instrument state until the first change in the current session.
- Navigation. Returning from sweep to fixed-frequency mode requires the MODE command, as described in section 3.
6. Compatibility
- Works on devices with USB and a Chromium-based browser.
- A manual FTDI USB driver install may be required.
- Android. Connectivity depends on Web Serial support in the browser version. Touch control of the knob is supported in this UI version.
- Bugs. Report issues via GitHub Issues in the project repository (katzenjens/wbsg1).
Adapted from the katzenjens/wbsg1 manual (manual.md) for this UI version.