News
Next generation of 16-bit arbitrary waveform
generators
Offering advanced specifications and
more features, six newly released Arbitrary
Waveform Generators (AWGs) from
Spectrum Instrumentation are optimized
for signal quality, size and cost.
The «65» series AWGs offer the latest
16-bit DACs, a fast PCIe x4 interface
with up to 700 MByte/s streaming
speed and a card length of only 168
mm to fit into nearly every PC. With
40 or 125 MSamples/s speed, high
onboard memory of 512 MSamples,
output levels of up to ±6 V and four
additional multi-purpose outputs, these
cards target engineers needing signal
generators for frequencies between 1
and 60 MHz in the areas of ultrasound,
laser, LIDAR, radar, automotive, medical
science and big physics experiments.
Users can select from two separate
output speed rates of 40 or 125 MS/s
and models that have one, two or
four channels per card. Each channel
features its own DAC and output stage.
Multi-channel cards share a common
clock and trigger to ensure full synchronization
and the output stages incorporate
four switchable filter paths to help
optimize signal quality. At the same
time, they can produce output swings
up to ±6 V into a high impedance (1
MOhm) load or ±3 V into 50 Ohms. The
flexible output stages combine with the
high resolution 16-bit DACs to enable
the generation of signals with very low
distortion, exceptional dynamic range
and a high signal-to-noise ratio.
To allow the M2p.65xx series AWGs
to generate long and complex waveforms,
each card also comes equipped
with a generous 512 MSamples of
on-board memory. The large memory is
complemented by a variety of different
output modes. For example, the memory
can be segmented and waveforms
can be created by looping on, and
switching between, different segments.
The cards also feature a FIFO streaming
capability that enables new waveform
data to be read over the fast PCIe bus
(at rates of up to 700 MB/s) while replaying
already transferred information.
This flexibility allows users to create
ultra-long, single shot waveforms or
constantly changing, burst-type signals
such as those found in radar, ultrasound,
LIDAR or sonar systems.
For applications that
require the connection
of AWGs and Digitizers,
such as stimulus-response
or closed-loop
applications, Spectrum’s
Star-Hub piggy-back
module synchronizes
up to 16 different M2p
class products. The
latest M2p.65xx AWGs
match perfectly with the
M2p.59xx 16-bit digitizers
released in 2018.
The M2p.59xx digitizers
offer one to eight channels
with sampling rates
between 20 MS/s and
125 MS/s. The Star-
Hub distributes a common clock and
trigger signal to each channel ensuring
fully synchronous operation. Star-Hub
systems are also perfect for situations
where multiple test points, or arrays of
sensors, need to be stimulated by diffe -
rent test signals at the same time.
Controlling and generating signals
with the Spectrum AWGs is also easy
and straight forward. The cards are fully
programmable and drivers are provided,
free of charge, to support the most popular
languages (such as C++, VB.NET,
C#, J#, Delphi, Java or Python code)
as well as third party software tools like
LabVIEW and MATLAB. Alternatively,
users can simply run Spectrum’s own
software, SBench 6 Professional.
SBench 6 enables the user to control
all the modes and settings of the AWG
via a simple, easy-to-use, interface.
The software is designed to support
multi-channel operation and has a
host of built-in features for waveform
display, signal generation, data analysis
and documentation. Basic signals
can be created using the software’s
EasyGenerator function that produces
waveforms like sine waves, triangles or
rectangles with programmable frequency,
amplitude and phase. More complex
signals can be created using mathematical
equations or imported from other
programs or devices (such as digitizers
or oscilloscopes) using Binary, ASCII, or
Wave formats.
Once installed in a PC, the AWG
cards are easy to integrate with other
test and measurement devices. The
signal outputs as well as clock and
trigger inputs are provided via front-panel
SMB connectors. The front-panel
also hosts four MMCX connectors
(one multi-function output, and three
multi-function I/O lines), which can be
used for different tasks such as digital
output channels, clock, trigger or
status output as well as asynchronous
I/O lines. This high level of connectivity
allows the AWG cards to be easily
adapted into most automated test
system environments.
Switching the multi-purpose I/O lines
to digital output adds another four synchronous
output channels to the AWG.
A single AWG card can then generate
four analogue outputs and four digital
outputs in parallel with full speed. This
is especially helpful when interfacing
with external equipment in experiment
control or for OEM projects.
Oliver Rovini, CTO at Spectrum, said:
«These new AWG cards offer outstanding
performance at a very reasonable
cost and should be of interest to anybody
wanting to generate test or simulation
signals in the DC to 60 MHz range.
The ability to reproduce high quality
signals is always valuable to engineers
and scientists who need to stimulate a
system, or component, with waveforms
that are high precision, easily adapted,
and mimic real operational conditions.»
www.spectrum-
instrumentation.com
10 MW March - April 2019 www.mwee.com
/VB.NET
/www.spectrum-
/instrumentation.com
/www.mwee.com
