DN6.662-24 | Spectrum

General Information

The generatorNETBOX DN6.66x arbitrary waveform generators (AWG) deliver the highest performance in both speed and resolution. The series includes LXI units with either 6 to 24 fully synchronous channels. The large onboard memory can be segmented to replay different waveform sequences.

The digitizerNETBOX and generatorNETBOX offer a powerful GBit Ethernet connection and are fully LXI compatible. The netbox can be used as tabletop instrument or 19" rack mount operation. It can be connected anywhere in your LAN or directly point-to-point with your Laptop/Workstation. A full option package and software package including SBench 6 Professional is included. The first data acquisition can be done within minutes: connect power + ethernet + signals, swicth on, install software on client PC, detect the digitizerNETBOX/generatorNETBOX with Discovery, start SBench 6, do the first acquisition!

The FIFO mode is designed for continuous data transfer between the digitizerNETBOX and the host PC. The transfer speed is depending on the Ethernet connection between box and host and is in the region of 40 MB/s to 60 MB/s. The control of the data stream is done automatically by the driver on interrupt request. The complete installed on-board memory is used for buffer data, making the continuous streaming extremely reliable.

When repeated output is used the data of the on-board memory is replayed continuously until a stop command is executed or N times. As trigger source one can use the external TTL trigger or the software trigger.

The sequence mode allows to split the card memory into several data segments of different length. These data segments are chained up in a user chosen order using an additional sequence step memory with the ability to program loops and triggers and to reload data while output is running.

When this mode is activated the data of the on-board memory will be replayed once after each trigger event. As Trigger source one can use the external TTL or software trigger.

When singleshot output is activated the data of the on-board memory is replayed exactly one time. As trigger source one can use the external TTL trigger or the software trigger.

All boards can be triggered using a separate external trigger signal with a two level programmable window comparator and a second separate external trigger with a single programmable level comparator. It's possible to use positive or negative edge. An internally recognized trigger event can - when activated by software - be routed to a multi purpose i/o connector to start external instruments.

The Gated Sampling option allows data replay controlled by an external gate signal. Data is only replayed if the gate signal has a programmed level.

The Multiple Replay option allows the fast repetition output on several trigger events without restarting the hardware. With this option very fast repetition rates can be achieved. The on-board memory is divided in several segments of same size. Each of them is generated if a trigger event occurs.

Using a dedicated connector a sampling clock can be fed in from an external system. It's also possible to output the internally used sampling clock to synchronize external equipment to this clock.

The internal sampling clock of the card is generated using a high precision PLL. This powerful device allows to select the sampling rate with a fine step size making it possible to perfectly adopt to different measurement tasks. Most other cards on the market only allow the setup of fixed sampling rates like 100 MS/s, 50 MS/s, 25 MS/s, 10 MS/s, ... without any possibility to set the sampling rate to any value in between.

The option to use a precise external reference clock (normally 10 MHz) is necessary to synchronize the board for high-quality measurements with external equipment (like a signal source). It's also possible to enhance the quality of the sampling clock in this way. The driver automatically generates the requested sampling clock from the fed in reference clock.

Additional synchronous digital channels (markers) can be replayed phase-stable with the analog data. When this mode is active up to 3 additional digital marker outputs can be used by reducing the analog resolution of the D/A converter.

This option adds 6 more digital marker outputs to the existing 3 marker outputs making 9 in total. 9 additional synchronous digital channels (markers) can be replayed phase-stable with the analog data. When this mode is active up to 9 additional digital marker outputs can be used by reducing the analog resolution of the D/A converters.

The Spectrum Arbitrary Waveform Generators are equipped with a very wide programmable output amplitude. This allows to adapt the output signal level to the needs of the stimulated device while also having the maximum output resolution available for the signal.

This option is available for all 663x products with 1.25 GS/s. One option is needed per card/internal AWG of a generatorNETBOX. The bandwidth is extended from 400 MHz to 600 MHz. The maximum output level is reduced to ±480 mV. An external reconstruction filter is needed to remove mirror signals that result from higher Nyquist images.

3rd Party Drivers

A lot of third-party products are supported by the Spectrum driver. Choose between LabVIEW, MATLAB, LabWindows/CVI and IVI. All drivers come with examples and detailed documentation.

Embedded Server (Optional)

The option turns the digitizerNETBOX in a powerful PC that allows to run own programs on a small and remote data acquisition system. The digitizerNETBOX is enhanced by more memory, a powerful CPU, a freely accessable internal SSD and a remote software development access method (SSH)

Programming Examples

Programming examples for C++, Delphi, Visual Basic, C#, J#, VB.Net, Java, Python and LabWindows/CVI are delivered with the driver. Due to the simple interface of the driver, the integration in other programming languages or special measurement software is an easy task.

The digitizerNETBOX can be remotely accessed from any current Windows (starting with Windows XP) 32 bit or 64 bit system or Linux (starting with Kernel 2.6) 32 bit or 64 bit system by Ethernet. The remote access is done in the very exact programming like a locally installed product allowing to use any of the supported software packages.

SBench6

SBench 6 is a powerful and intuitive interactive measurement software. Besides the possibility to commence the measuring task immediately, without programming, SBench 6 combines the setup of hardware, data display, oscilloscope, transient recorder, waveform generator, analyzing functions, import and export functions under one easy-to-use interface.

Windows

This standard driver is included in the card delivery and it is possible to get the newest driver version free of charge from our homepage at any time. There are no additional SDK fees for the classical text-based programming. All boards are delivered with drivers for Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10, all 32 bit and 64 bit.