Spectrum Instrumentation adds DPG capability for digitisers and AWGs
A digital pulse generator (DPG) option has been released for Spectrum Instrumentation’s high resolution, medium speed, digitiser and arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) products. This allows the units to produce digital pulses and pulse streams on up to four front panel multi-purpose I/O connectors while simultaneously performing tasks such as acquiring or generating analogue signals and waveforms. The DPG option is suitable for a variety of automated test and measurement applications, including experiment control, AI and robotics, automated test equipment (ATE), stimulus-response testing, system and machine control, component or sensor testing, advised Spectrum.
All the DPG functionality is implemented by using the on-board FPGAs of the PCIe-cards or LXI / Ethernet instruments, thereby running parallel to the unit’s other tasks. Control is via a simple programming structure that allows the pulse characteristics for each of the four outputs to be adjusted, whether it is generating single pulses, pulse trains or continuous pulse streams. Key parameters, such as the pulse width, period, phase, or the number of pulses in a pulse train, are all programmable.
Once enabled, the DPG will output the pre-programmed pulses on the assigned multi-purpose I/O connector as soon as it receives a valid trigger. The trigger can be generated by software, or from one of the product’s regular internal and external trigger sources, or even one of the other DPG channels. As the pulse generator outputs are synchronised to the product’s acquisition or replay functionality, they can produce enabling or switching signals (e.g. for signal actuating). The ability to cascade the four different generators creates a convenient way to transform pulse repetition time scales.
The DPG option is available for 92 Spectrum products, including all of the 59xx-series digitisers of PCIe-cards and stand-alone LXI / Ethernet units. It also fits to the complete 65xx-series of AWGs and eight of the combined Digitizer+AWG products can use the new Digital Pulse function.
The timing characteristics of the pulses generated by the DPG depend on the hardware used and the selected sampling clock. The parameters can be programmed with a resolution of one sample, while the maximum pulse frequency that can be produced, being half the maximum sampling clock, is 62.5MHz. The pulse amplitude levels are 3.3V low voltage TTL (LVTTL); TTL compatible for high impedance loads enabling the option to work with today’s most common digital circuitry, said Spectrum.
The low-cost DPG option is available for immediate delivery and can be supplied for new and existing products in the 59xx and 65xx ranges.
