100 MS/s, 16-Bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator NEW NI 5421 • 1 analog output channel • 16-bit resolution, 100 MS/s sampling rate • 400 MS/s maximum effective sampling rate with interpolation • 43 MHz analog bandwidth • 12 Vp-p into 50 Ω load • 91 dBc close-in SFDR at 10 MHz • -67 dBc THD at 10 MHz • -148 dBm/Hz average noise density • 8, 32, or 256 MB of onboard memory • Optional 16-bit LVDS digital pattern output Operating Systems • Windows 2000/NT/XP Recommended Software • LabVIEW™ • LabWindows™/CVI™ • Measurement Studio™ • Analog Waveform Editor • Digital Waveform Editor Other Compatible Software • Visual Basic • Visual C/C++ Application Software • Analog Waveform Editor (32 and 256 MB models only) Driver Software (included) • NI-FGEN Calibration Certificate Included Overview The NI 5421 is a 100 MS/s arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) featuring 16-bit resolution and up to 256 MB of onboard memory in a compact, 1 slot 3U PXI module or PCI board. With this combination of high resolution and deep memory, you can generate long, precise aperiodic waveforms, ideal for a range of applications in communications, consumer electronics, scientific research, automotive, and military/aerospace. Because the NI 5421 uses the PCI bus, waveforms can be downloaded up to 280 times faster than with GPIB-based AWGs. With the NI Synchronization and Memory Core (SMC) architecture of the NI 5421, you can create stimulus/response systems with digitizers and digital waveform generator/analyzers or synchronize multiple arbitrary waveform generators to form a phase-coherent multichannel system. Analog Output Performance Because of its 100 MS/s, 16-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and clean back-end analog design, the NI 5421 has a close-in spuriousfree dynamic range (SFDR) of 91 dBc and an average noise density of -148 dBm/Hz. These features make it ideal for even the most stringent frequency-domain applications common in communications. Depending on your signal and application needs, you can select from 2x, 4x, or 8x interpolation for an effective sampling rate up to 400 MS/s. For demanding time-domain applications, the NI 5421 has <5% pulse aberration and <1.0 psrms jitter at the analog output. The analog output path features a 43 MHz 7-pole elliptical analog filter to suppress undesired high-frequency signal images. You can also choose from 50 or 75 Ω output impedance and vary the output attenuation with three digits of accuracy. In addition, you can bypass the output gain and attenuation by using the direct path. The direct path excels at intermediate frequency (IF) applications with passband flatness of ±0.25 dB from 0 to 40 MHz. Figure 1. Power Spectrum of a 10 MHz Sine Wave Output from the PXI-5421 Shared Waveform and Instruction Memory Because the NI 5421 is built on the SMC architecture, it uses the same physical memory for both waveform data and sequencing instructions. Traditionally, the instruction memory of AWGs is physically separate from the waveform data memory and is typically only a few kB. The limited instruction memory of traditional AWGs severely limits the maximum number of waveforms that can be sequenced as well as the overall flexibility of the AWG. The NI 5421 onboard memory of 8, 32, or 256 MB stores data and instructions together, giving you the flexibility to use as much space as you need for sequencing instructions. With shared memory, you can use the memory space for very long sequences with small waveforms, short sequences with very large waveforms, or a balance in between. 100 MS/s, 16-Bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator Triggering and Sequencing Software The NI 5421 has four triggering modes for controlling the starting and stopping of waveform generation – single, continuous, stepped, and burst. With these triggering modes combined with the linking and looping flexibility of the NI 5421, you can create sophisticated waveforms. With the 256 MB memory configuration, more than 1 million waveforms can be stored in memory and linked in any order. Each waveform segment can be looped up to 16,777,216 times or looped indefinitely. Triggers can be received from software as well as the front panel connectors, PXI trigger lines, PXI star trigger, or RTSI bus. Every National Instruments signal generator comes with the IVI-compliant NI-FGEN driver, which is fully compatible with NI LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and Measurement Studio, as well as Microsoft Visual C++ and Visual Basic. NI-FGEN also includes the interactive FGEN Soft Front Panel, with which you can quickly generate standard signals such as sine, square, and ramp, as well as user-defined waveforms. Simulation mode is available in both the FGEN Soft Front Panel and the NI-FGEN instrument driver, so you can develop your application without having the hardware in your system. In this mode, several developers can write applications for the same hardware and share resources. With the Analog Waveform Editor you can rapidly create or edit analog test signals for use with the NI 5421. To view or edit existing waveforms, you can open files saved in binary, ASCII, or the LabVIEW Express .lvm file format. Alternatively, you can create your waveform from scratch by selecting from a list of over 20 waveform primitives, such as sine and Gaussian noise, or enter a mathematical expression. The Analog Waveform Editor is included with the 32 and 256 MB models of the NI 5421, and is a separate add-on for use with the 8 MB model. LVDS Digital Pattern Output In addition to generating analog signals, the 32 and 256 MB configurations of the NI 5421 can generate low-voltage differential signal (LVDS) digital patterns. LVDS is increasingly used for digital signaling because of its reduced power consumption, lower electromagnetic interference, and immunity to noise. The digital patterns generated on the digital data and control (DDC) front panel connector correspond to the analog waveform being generated and make use of all of the linking, looping, triggering, and timing features. The sample clock is also available on the DDC I/O connector to latch the digital patterns. Alternatively, you can externally clock the NI 5421 via the DDC front panel connector. The NI Digital Waveform Editor is available as an add-on software package to provide you with further functionality in creating LVDS digital patterns. Timing and Synchronization The NI 5421 sample clock has three modes – Divide-by-N, HighResolution, and External. Using the Divide-by-N sample clock, the jitter of the analog output is <1.0 ps rms and the phase noise is -137 dBc/Hz (10 MHz carrier, 10 kHz offset). The direct digital synthesis (DDS) based high-resolution sample clock has a sample rate resolution of 1.06 µHz, which offers you exceptional stability and sampling rate flexibility. The NI 5421 can also import its sample clock from the CLK IN and DDC connectors, PXI star trigger, and PXI trigger bus or RTSI bus. In addition, you can phase lock the NI 5421 oscillator to an external reference or the PXI 10 MHz reference clock. With synchronization, you can create mixed-signal test systems by combining the NI 5421 with other modular instruments such as the NI 5122 digitizer and/or the NI 655x digital waveform generator/analyzer. You can also synchronize two or more NI 5421 modules to build a multichannel phase coherent AWG, important for applications such as I and Q signal generation or antilock brake system simulation. To trigger other instruments such as oscilloscopes, the NI 5421 can generate marker event outputs. A marker event can be placed in a different location in each waveform segment. Calibration Every NI 5421 is factory calibrated using NIST-traceable standards. The NI 5421 has an onboard calibration reference that corrects for environmental effects on DC gain, offset, and timing errors. If you want to calibrate your device externally, return your NI 5421 to National Instruments or ship it to a qualified metrology lab for recalibration. 2 Ordering Information NI PXI-5421 8 MB ..........................................................................778697-01 32 MB, LVDS output ................................................778697-02 256 MB, LVDS output ..............................................778697-03 NI PCI-5421 8 MB ..........................................................................778692-01 32 MB, LVDS output ................................................778692-02 256 MB, LVDS output ..............................................778692-03 Includes NI 5421 module, SMB112 cable, NI-FGEN, and FGEN Soft Front Panel. The 32 and 256 MB models also include the Analog Waveform Editor. Software NI Analog Waveform Editor ........................................778848-01 LVDS Cable SHC68-68-D3................................................................188143-01 Accessories Recommended PXI switch NI PXI-2593 ............................................................778793-01 Related Products NI 5122 High-Speed Digitizer NI 655x Digital Waveform Generator/Analyzers NI SCXI-1193 Multiplexer Switch BUY ONLINE! Visit ni.com/products and enter pxi5421 or pci5421. National Instruments • Tel: (800) 433-3488 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com 100 MS/s, 16-Bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator Specifications Specifications are valid for 0 to 55 °C, unless otherwise noted. Onboard Clock (Internal VCXO) Sample clock source ........................................ Phase locked to reference clock or derived from onboard VCXO frequency reference. Frequency accuracy .......................................... ±25 ppm PLL reference clock sources............................. PXI_CLK10, CLK IN, RTSI_7 General Number of channels......................................... DAC resolution ................................................. Maximum sampling rate .................................. Maximum effective sampling rate with Interpolation............................................. Bandwidth ........................................................ Output paths..................................................... 1 16 bits 100 MS/s Digital Data and Control, DDC (optional front panel connector) 400 MS/s 43 MHz 1. Main Output Path setting with driver selected Low Gain Amplifier or the High Gain Amplifier 2. Direct Path optimized for IF applications Analog Output Amplitude range (full scale) Main output path ............................................. Direct path........................................................ Offset range ..................................................... Output impedance ............................................ DC Accuracy 0 to 55 ˚C ................................................... Within ±10 ˚C of self-calibration temperature ..................... AC amplitude accuracy .................................... Output filters .................................................... Data output signals.......................................... 16 LVDS data lines (ANSI/TIA/EIA-644 compliant) Start Trigger Sources ............................................................ PFI <0:3>, PXI_TRIG<0:7>, RTSI <0:7> PXI Star Trigger, Software, Immediate Modes............................................................... Single, Continuous, Stepped, Burst Markers Destinations ..................................................... PFI <0:1>, PFI <4:5>, PXI_TRIG <0:7>, RTSI <0:7> Quantity ............................................................ 1 Marker per Segment 12 Vpp to 5.64 mVpp (50 Ω load) 1 Vpp to 0.707 Vpp (50 Ω load) ±25% of Amplitude Range 50 or 75 Ω, software selectable Waveform and Instruction Memory Utilization ±0.4% of amplitude, ±0.05% of offset ±1 mV ±0.2% of amplitude, ±0.05% of offset ±500 ΩV ± 1.0% of Amplitude ± 1 mV at 50 kHz 2. Software selectable seven-pole elliptical analog filter and finite impulse response (FIR) digital interpolating filter Passband flatness ............................................ ± 0.25 dB (100 Hz to 40 MHz) for Direct Path Normalized Passband Flatness, Direct Path Onboard Memory Size 8 MB Standard 8,388,608 bytes 32 MB Option 33,554,432 bytes 256 MB Option 268,435,456 bytes Output modes ................................................... Arbitrary waveform; Arbitrary sequence Loop count ........................................................ 1 to 16,777,215. Burst trigger: unlimited Memory Limits Arbitrary waveform Mode maximum Waveform memory Arbitrary sequence Mode maximum Waveform memory Arbitrary sequence Mode maximum Waveforms Arbitrary sequence Mode maximum Segments in a sequence 8 MB 4,194,176 Samples 32 MB 16,777,088 Samples 256 MB 134,217,600 Samples 4,194,120 Samples 16,777,008 Samples 134,217,520 Samples 65,000 262,000 2,097,000 104,000 418,000 3,354,000 -12 VDC 0.01 A Total Power 21.9 W Comment Refer to detailed specifications for all trigger modes. Condition: One or two segments in a sequence Condition: One or two segments in a sequence Condition: Waveform memory is <4,000 samples. Power +3.3 VDC 1.9 A +5 VDC 2.0 A +12 VDC 0.46 A Physical Rise/fall time.................................................... < 8 ns for Main Output Low Gain Path Spectral Characteristics Signal to Noise and Distortion (SINAD) Spurious Free Dynamic Range w/ Harmonics Spurious Free Dynamic Range w/o Harmonics Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) Frequency 1 MHz 10 MHz 1 MHz 10 MHz 1 MHz 10 MHz 20 kHz 1 MHz Average Noise Density Amplitude Range Path Vp-p dBm Low gain 0.1 -16.0 High gain 12 25.6 Direct Path Low Gain Path Comments 64 dB 66 dB Amplitude -1 dBFS 61 dB 60 dB Measured from DC to 76 dBc 71 dBc 50 MHz 68 dBc 64 dBc 88 dBFS 91 dBFS 87 dBFS -89 dBFS -77 dBc (0.014%) -77 dBc (0.014%) Amplitude -1 dBFS -75 dBc -70 dBc 2nd through 6th harmonics Operating temperature (PXI) ............................ Operating temperature (PCI) ............................ Storage temperature ........................................ Relative humidity ............................................. 0 to +55 °C (Meets IEC-60068-2-1 and IEC-60068-2-2) 0 to +45 °C -25 to +85 °C (Meets IEC-60068-2-1 and IEC-60068-2-2) 10 to 90%, noncondensing (Meets IEC 60068-2-56) Calibration Self-calibration................................................. Correction for DC gain offset, and timing errors External calibration interval............................. 2 years Note Sources ............................................................ Internal Divide-by-N, Internal High-Resolution, External CLK IN, External DDC Clk In, PXI star Trigger, PXI_TRIG <0:7>, RTSI <0:7> Frequency resolution Divide-by-N................................................ (100 MS/s) / N where 1 ≤ N ≤ 4,194,304 High Resolution ......................................... 1.06 µHz Divide-by-N (PXI) Divide-by-N (PCI) High Resolution Environment CE Mark compliance Sample Clock System Output Jitter < 1.0 ps rms < 2.0 ps rms < 4.0 ps rms SMB (Jack) SMB (Jack) SMB (Jack) SMB (Jack) 68-pin VHDCI Female Receptacle Certifications and Compliances Average Noise Density nV/√Hz dBm/Hz dBfs/Hz 9 -148 -132.0 213 -120 -145.6 System Phase Noise Density -137 dBc/Hz (10 kHz offset) -137 dBc/Hz (10 kHz offset) -126 dBc/Hz (10 kHz offset) Front panel connectors CH0 ............................................................ CLK IN ........................................................ PFI 0 ........................................................... PFI 1 ........................................................... Digital data and control ................................... Comment 10 MHz carrier Unless otherwise noted, the following conditions were used for each specification: A. Analog filter enabled B. Interpolation set to maximum allowed factor for a given sample rate C. Signals terminated with 50Ω D. Direct path set to 1 Vpk-pk, Low Gain Amplifier Path set to 2 Vpk-pk, and High Gain Amplifier Path set to 12 Vpk-pk E. Sample clock set to 100 MS/s For detailed specifications on power, environmental, safety, and physical dimensions, please visit ni.com/products and enter express code: pxi5421 or pci5421 National Instruments • Tel: (800) 433-3488 • Fax: (512) 683-9300 • [email protected] • ni.com 3 Global Services and Support DEV E P LO Y LO AN MA IN NI has the services and support to meet IN PL your needs around the globe and TA through the application life cycle – from planning and development through deployment and ongoing maintenance – and tailored for customer requirements in research, design, validation, and manufacturing. 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