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M4i.6620-x8 16 bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator - SPECTRUM Instrumentation
M4i.6620-x8
16 bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator
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Product:

M4i.6620-x8

16 bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator

Description:

The M4i.66xx-x8 series arbitrary waveform generators (AWG) deliver the highest performance in both speed and resolution. The series includes PCIe cards with either one, two or four synchronous channels. The large onboard memory can be segmented to replay different waveform sequences. The AWG features a PCI Express x8 Gen 2 interface that offers outstanding data streaming performance. The interface and Spectrum’s optimized drivers enable data transfer rates in excess of 2.8 GB/s so that signals can continuously replayed at a high output rate. While the cards have been designed using the latest technology they are still software compatible with the drivers from earlier Spectrum waveform generators. So, existing customers can use the same software they developed for a 10 year old 20 MS/s AWG card and for an M4i series 625 MS/s AWG.

Facts & Features:

  • Up to 625 MS/s on 1 channel
  • Fast 16 bit arbitrary waveform generator
  • Simultaneous signal generation on all channels
  • Output level ±160 mV to ±5 V (625 MS/s) or ±4 V (1.25 GS/s) into High Impedance
  • Output level ±80 mV to ±2.5 V (625 MS/s) or ±2.0 V (1.25 GS/s) into 50 Ohm
  • Fixed trigger to output delay
  • Multi-carrier DDS option available
  • Single-Shot, Loop, Gated, Sequence Mode
  • Marker Output, Digital Outputs
  • Synchronization of up to 8 cards
  • PCI Express x8 Gen2 Interface
  • Works with x8/x16 PCIe Gen1 to Gen3 slots
  • Sustained streaming speed card to PC up to 3.4 GB/s
  • Sustained streaming speed PC to card up to 2.8 GB/s
  • Direct data transfer to / from CUDA GPU using SCAPP

Product-Video:

Technical Drawing:

Application examples:

  • Telecommunications
  • Research and Development
  • Stimulus-Response Tests
  • Semiconductor Tests

FIFO mode

The FIFO mode is designed for continuous data transfer between measurement board and PC memory or hard disk. The write(replay) transfer rate reached depends on the motherboard and can be up to 2.8 GByte/s on a PCI Express x8 Gen2 slot. 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.

Repeated Output

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.

Sequence Replay Mode

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.

Single Restart

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.

Singleshot Output

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.

Star-Hub (Optional)

The star-hub is an additional module allowing the phase stable synchronization of up to 8 boards in one system. Independent of the number of boards there is no phase delay between all channels. The star-hub distributes trigger and clock information between all boards. As a result all connected boards are running with the same clock and the same trigger. All trigger sources can be combined with OR allowing all channels of all cards to be trigger source at the same time. The star-hub is available as either piggy-back version (extending the width of the card) or as extension version (extending the length of the card to full length).

Multi-Carrier DDS mode

The multi-carrier DDS option allows to program and combine multiple DDS cores in hardware allowing to generate multi-tone sine signals with a few DDS commands. DDS commands allow manipulation of frequency, amplitude and phase as well as advanced functions liek frequencya or amplitude slopes, all with single DDS commands.

External 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.

Gated Replay

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.

Multiple Replay

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.

External Clock

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.

High Precision PLL

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.

Reference Clock

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.

Digital Outputs/Marker Outputs

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.

Programmable Amplitude

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.

High Bandwidth Option (Optional)

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.

Programming Examples

Programming examples for C++, Delphi, Visual Basic, C#, VB.Net, Java, Python, Julia 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.

Linux

All cards are delivered with full Linux support. Pre compiled kernel modules are included for the most common distributions like RedHat, Fedora, Suse, Ubuntu or Debian. The Linux support includes SMP systems, 32 bit and 64 bit systems, versatile programming examples for Gnu C++ as well as the possibility to get the driver sources for own compilation.

Remote Server (Optional)

Using the Spectrum Remote Server it is possible to access the M2p/M2i/M3i/M4i/M4x card(s) installed in one PC (server) from another PC (client) via local area network (LAN), similar to using a digitizerNETBOX. To operate it the remote server option has to be activated by a software license for any of the Spectrum cards in the remote system.

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.

SCAPP - CUDA Interface (Optional)

The SDK option allows to directly transfer data between the Spectrum card and a NVIDA CUDA GPU card. The GPU card is optimized for parallel data processing. The package comes with a number of detailed examples like FFT or block average.

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, Windows 10 and Windows 11, all 32 bit and 64 bit.

Related products
Product Channels Max. Samplerate Max. Bandwidth
M4i.6621-x8 2 625 MS/s 200 MHz
M4i.6622-x8 4 625 MS/s 200 MHz
M4i.6630-x8 1 1.25 GS/s 400 MHz
M4i.6631-x8 2 1.25 GS/s 400 MHz
Other platforms
On different platforms Bus Max. Bus Transfer speed
M4x.6620-x4 PXI Express 1700 MByte/s

Streaming Systems (Optional)

Combining a number of Spectrum M2p/M2i/M3i/M4i/M5i PCIe digitizers with a Tera-Store Data Streaming solution allows the capture and storage of long complex signals for extended periods of time. With systems available offering from 1 to 32 TB of storage and streaming rates up to 3 GB/s signals can be digitized and stored seamlessly for hours on end.

Documents

Legacy Windows Driver Installation

Windows driver installation of driver versions < 4.0

21.02.20221 M
M4i.66xx Datasheet

Data sheet of the M4i.66xx series

23.02.2024758 K
M4i.66xx Manual

Manual of M4i.66xx / M4x.66xx family

28.02.202410 M
Streaming System

Datasheet of Spectrum Terastore Streaming System

21.02.2022910 K
SBench 6 data sheet

Data sheet of SBench 6

15.01.2024999 K
M4i LabVIEW Manual

Manual for LabVIEW drivers for M4i / M4x

08.12.20236 M
MATLAB Manual

Manual for MATLAB driver M2p/M4i/M4x/M5i/M2i/M3i/DN2/DN6

13.12.20231 M
SCAPP Manual

SCAPP Manual

08.12.2023618 K
SBench 6 Manual

Manual for SBench 6

21.02.20227 M

WINDOWS DRIVER + SOFTWARE

Driver Win7/8/10/11

M2p/M4i/M4x/M5i/M2i/M3i/DN2/DN6 driver for Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 (32/64 bit)

7.0023.02.20245 M
Win32 Driver WinXP/Vista

M2i/M3i/M4i/M4x driver - last Version for Windows 32 XP / Vista

3.3021.02.20222 M
Win64 Driver WinXP/Vista

M2i/M3i/M4i/M4x driver - last Version for Windows 64 XP / Vista

3.2021.02.20223 M
c_header

C/C++ driver header and library files

7.0023.02.202443 K
IVI FGen

IVI Driver for IVI FGen class (32 bit)

23.02.20243 M
Control Center (32-bit)

Spectrum Control Center (32-bit) / Windows 7, 8, 10

2.3523.02.202422 M
Control Center (64-bit)

Spectrum Control Center (64-bit) / Windows 7, 8, 10, 11

2.3523.02.202425 M
Control Center WinXP

Spectrum Control Center - last Version for Windows XP

1.7421.02.20228 M
SBench6 (32-bit)

SBench 6 (32-bit) Installer / Windows 7, 8, 10

6.5.0723.02.202436 M
SBench6 (64-bit)

SBench 6 (64-bit) Installer / Windows 7, 8, 10, 11

6.5.0723.02.202439 M
SBench6 WinXP

SBench6 - last Version for Windows XP

6.3.521.02.202241 M
Remote Server Windows

Windows Installer for Remote Server Option

23.02.202413 M
LabView driver

M2i/M2p/M3i/M4i/M4x/M5i/DN2/DN6 LabView driver installer

23.02.202419 M
Matlab driver

M2p/M4i/M4x/M5i/M2i/M3i/DN2/DN6 Matlab driver + examples installer

23.02.20247 M
Examples for Windows

Windows Examples (C/C++, .NET, Delphi, Java, Python, Julia ...)

7.0023.02.20242 M

LINUX DRIVER + SOFTWARE

Linux Driver Complete

M2p/M4i/M4x/M5i/M2i/M3i drivers (Kernel + Library) for Linux 32 bit and 64 bit

7.0023.02.202412 M
Linux Driver Library

Driver libraries (no Kernel) for Linux 32 bit and 64 bit

7.0023.02.20249 M
Remote Server Linux

Spectrum Remote Server Linux Installer Package

23.02.202412 K
Control Center

Spectrum Control Center

2.3507.03.202457 M
SBench6

SBench 6 Linux 32 (.rpm)

6.5.0723.02.202426 M
SBench6

SBench 6 Linux 64 (.rpm)

6.5.0723.02.202426 M
SBench6

SBench 6 Linux 32 (.deb)

6.5.0723.02.202423 M
SBench6

SBench 6 Linux 64 (.deb)

6.5.0723.02.202422 M
SBench6

SBench6 Jetson (.deb)

6.5.0723.02.20248 M
MATLAB Driver

Drivers + examples for MATLAB for Linux (DEB + RPM)

23.02.2024183 K
Examples for Linux

Linux Examples (C/C++, Python, Julia ...)

7.0023.02.2024556 K

Firmware

Firmware Update (Windows)

M2i/M2p/M3i/M4i/M4x/M5i firmware update (Windows)

23.02.202422 M
Firmware Update (Linux)

M2i/M2p/M3i/M4i/M4x/M5i firmware update (Linux)

23.02.202430 M

Case Studies

CS AWG for Quantum Research

Case Study AWG used for Quantum Research at University

21.02.2022464 K
CS AWG Atomic Experiment

Case Study AWG used for atomic experiments at Stuttgart University

21.02.20223 M
CS Digitizer at Cern

Case Study: Digitizers and AWGs at Cerns LHC Beam Dumping System

21.02.2022532 K
CS AWG moving Atoms

Case Study: AWG-card by Spectrum used to move around single atoms

21.02.20222 M

Product Notes

Trigger and Sync

Trigger, Clock and Synchronization Details at high-speed Digitizers

21.02.20221 M
Digitizer Software Integration

Software Support for Modular Digitizers

21.02.2022724 K
SBench 6 Introduction

SBench 6 - Data Acquisition and Analysis of Digitizer Data

21.02.20221 M
AWG Waveforms

Creating AWG Waveforms in SBench 6 using Equations

21.02.2022479 K
Create & Capture AWG Waveforms

Creating , Capturing and Transferring Waveforms for AWG's using SBench 6

21.02.20222 M

Application Notes

Teaming AWG with Digitizer

Teaming an Arbitrary Waveform Generator with a Modular Digitizer

21.02.2022919 K
Introduction to Modular Arbitrary Function Generators

An Introduction to Modular Arbitrary Function Generators

21.02.2022701 K
Arbitrary Waveform Generator Operating Modes

Using Arbitrary Waveform Generator Operating Modes Effectively

21.02.2022481 K
AN Closed Loop Digitizer+AWG

Application Note: Closed Loop Tests with Digitizer and AWG and CUDA-GPU

21.02.20222 M
AN008 Install Legacy Win Drivers

Application Note: Legacy Windows Driver Installation

21.02.20221 M
Aircraft Systems Testing

Testing electronic aircraft systems using modular instruments

21.02.20223 M
Contact

On location for you. Choose your region.

Europe USA Asia
Contact Europe
Phone +49 (0)4102 6956-0
Fax +49 (0)4102 6956-66
E-Mail info@spec.de
Contact USA
Phone +1 (201) 562-1999
Fax +1 (201) 820-2691
E-Mail sales@spectrum-instrumentation.com
Contact Asia
Phone +61 402 130 414
E-Mail greg.tate@spectrum-instrumentation.com
Support

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