UF2e-6021

Overview

The UF2e Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) cards are used as lower cost, more flexible and deeper memory alternatives to standalone instruments. The Strategic Test cards are designed to offer maximum versatility, ease of programming, highest fidelity generation, long-term reliability and low power consumption. Manufactured in Germany the instrument cards include a two year hardware warranty combined with lifetime technical support and software updates - which includes new drivers for future operating systems and third-party software.

Analog Outputs

The UF2e-6021 Arbitrary Waveform Generator card allows you to generate complex analog signals with output rates from 1 kSamples per second to 60 MSamples per second on 2 channels. All channels have separate 14-bit DAC's that are synchronized by a common clock for output without phase-errors. Each channel can be configured with one of the three available low-pass filters, or you can choose to select the no-filter option. In addition, each channel has independent dcV offset adjustment.

There are two other output features: Differential Output and Double-Out mode. The Differential output generates the data on even channels and inverted signals on the odd channels. This generates differential signals that are more noise resistant when transmitted over long cables. The Double-Out mode is similar but outputs the same signals on both even and odd channels.

Deep Signal Memory and Streaming to the PC

The AWG comes with 256 MBytes signal memory that can be expanded at the factory in increments up to 4 GBytes. Like all of the Strategic Test waveform generator cards there are two operating modes. In Standard mode the data to be generated is first stored to the onboard memory. Output is started on software or external TTL trigger and the signal(s) are output once, n times, or repeated until the card is stopped by software. This mode allows the cards to output at the maximum clock rate. While generating, the card operates independently of the host PC so the cpu can be used for other tasks.

Alternatively, the FIFO mode allows data to be continuously transferred from the PC to the AWG card during the output, so that much longer signals than the onboard memory can be generated. However, the PCI Express x1 bus has a maximum continuous transfer rate (not to be confused with Burst Transfer which is higher) of approximately 120 MBytes/s - so this effectively limits the maximum output rate during streaming to approximately 60 MS/s when using 14-bit (2 Byte) resolution.

Unlike older the PCI and PCI-X bus where the bus is shared, PCI Express x1 has the advantage that every slot has a maximum continuous transfer rate of up to 120 MBytes/s. This means if four digitizer cards are installed, that the total system transfer rate is up to 480 MBytes/s. Note that the limit of 120 MBytes/s is determined by current motherboards; the UF2e card is able to transfer up to 160 MBytes/s.

Sampling Clock

Unlike other Arbitrary Waveform Generator cards that offer a limited choice of fixed output rates, the UF2e cards allow you to set an output rate with a fine degree of accuracy by using one of the six different modes available that use a combination of internal 10 MHz reference clock, PLL, hardware divider, quartz clock, external reference clock and external clock. There is also a factory option to install a second quartz for applications that require highest accuracy and stability at a customer-specific output rate. The external clock connector can be programmed as either an input or as an output when you want to synchronize external equipment.

Flexible Triggering

In addition to the standard external TTL trigger, the XBaseIO option can be used to AND/OR two more external trigger inputs.

The External Trigger connector can be set to either input or output when you need to synchronize the start of measurement with external equipment.

Synchronization

The Star Hub option is available in two versions that synchronize the clock and trigger signals of either up to 5 cards or 16 cards within the PC. All analog outputs will be perfectly synchronized with no phase error between channels. It's also possible to configure mixed mode systems that contain a mixture of digitizer, arbitrary waveform generator and high-speed digital I/O instrument cards.

This option only needs to be purchased for one card in the system and consists of a small daughterboard that is factory-installed to the card. The clock and trigger signals are then distributed by small ribbon cables to this and the other cards. The 16 card version being larger in size does require an additional PCI slot width.

For larger configurations, the System Star Hub option allows up to 271 cards to be synchronized by distributing the clock and trigger signals across up to 17 PC's.

Advantage of PCI Express for instrumentation

Read an application note on the advantages of PCI Express here .

Applications

Typical applications include: I&Q, ATE, RADAR, video

What's Included?

We believe that the Strategic Test instrument cards offer the best price vs performance and lowest cost-of ownership available. The following items are included:

• 256 MByte onboard memory
• +100 page printed user manual
• SDK's for Microsoft Windows and Linux
• Example source code programs for Visual Basic, Visual C++, Borland C++ Builder, Gnu C, Borland Delphi, VB.NET, C#, J#
• SBench measurement and generation program
• Two year hardware warranty, optional 5 years
• Lifetime technical support
• Lifetime updates for Windows and Linux SDK's, including future versions
• Lifetime updates for optional third-party drivers (if purchased), also future version releases

Specifications

Options

Application options

Cables

Software

Pricing

Questions