Arbitrary Waveform Generator
Arbitrary Waveform Generator - AWG272

General Description:

The Euvis AWG272 is a dual channel arbitrary waveform generator with sampling rates up to 2 GSPS. The on-board SRAMs provide up to 4M x 12-bit of independent data memory to each channel. The AWG modules can be controlled by a PC via a USB interface. The sole RF input is a single-ended clock source CKIP, which can be operated up to 2 GHz with minimum power of 10 dBm. The RF outputs of the module are comprised of two pairs of differential analog outputs, with 50-ohm back termination. The module accepts a high-speed trigger signal and generates synchronization outputs and three programmable marker signals. The waveform generation can be in continuous or burst/pulse mode. The waveform contents can be dynamically changed using the user page selection. Programmable profile option offers further programatic controls of user pages, loop repetitions, and auto trigger periods. The companion API provides users an interface for software development.

Key Features:

Applications:

The flexibility of Euvis AWG modules to generate arbitrary patterns with high sample rates, dynamic page selection, and continuous or burst mode operation allow the AWG to be used for a variety of applications, such as:


Board Photo

Board Photo


Graphical User Interface Application

GUI Application

» To download the AWG Software, API, and Manual, please click here.


Functional Specifications:

GENERAL
DAC Resolution 12 bits
Waveform Generation Modes Continuous
Triggered Continuous
Triggered Burst
User Interface USB
GUI for Windows XP and Windows 7
INPUT CLOCK
Type Single Ended, 50 ohm terminated
Connector Type SMA
Frequency Range Standard: 2 GHz
Optional: 500 MHz to 2 GHz
Power Level 10 dBm to 18 dBm
OUTPUT
Type Dual channel
Each channel is differential, 50 ohm terminated
Connector Type SMA
Output Rate 500 Msps to 2 Gsps
Output Level (DC) -635 mV to 0 V
Output Power (RF) -4 dBm to 0 dBm
Residual Phase Noise @ 10kHz from Carrier -130 dBc/Hz
Output Return Loss 10 dB
TRIGGER
Connector SMA
Source External or Software
External Trigger LVCOM33 0/3.3 V
WAVEFORMS
Max Waveform Length 3,670,016 samples per channel
Minimum Waveform Length (continuous mode) 64 samples per channel
Minimum Waveform Length (burst) 768 samples per channel
MARKERS
Number of Markers 3
Marker 1 Level 1.8 V HSTL Class I
Marker 2 Level LVCMOS33
Marker 2 Additional Features Polarity, Enable, Filter
Marker 3 Level LVCMOS33
Marker 3 Additional Features Polarity, Enable
Marker Length User defined
Minimum Marker Length 4 samples
API
CLR Language Support:
  • Visual C++
  • Visual C#
  • Visual Basic
  • Visual J#
OPTIONS
Programmable Profiles
Variable Clock Frequency



Electrical Specifications:

Parameter Symbol Min Typical Max Unit
Output Level Vout -635   0 mV
Output Power Pout -4   0 dBm
Output Phase Noise Nφ     -130 dBc/Hz
Output Port Return Loss RLRF   10   dB



Waveform Generation Modes:

The module can be operated in three waveform generation modes: Continuous mode, Triggered Continuous mode and Triggered Burst mode.

Continuous / Infinite Loop Mode
In Continuous mode, the module starts waveform generation by a Restart command from the GUI or API-based applications. Once the waveform starts, the module repeats the waveform continuously. There is no latency between two consecutive waveforms. The following waveform starts right after the end of the preceding waveform. The waveform generation can be aborted by an Abort command from the GUI or API-based applications.




Triggered Free Run Mode
In Triggered Free Run mode, the operation manner is similar to that in Free Run mode except for the start of waveform. The waveform generation is initiated by a trigger signal. In order to accept the upcoming trigger signals, the module has to be armed prior the instance of the trigger signals. Trigger signals happening before the module is armed will be ignored. An Arm command from the GUI or API-based applications can be used to arm the module. Once the module is armed, it waits for the trigger signal. The waveform generation starts after the falling edge of the trigger signal. The trigger signal can be mainly applied via the TRIGGER SMA connector or provided by a command Trigger via the GUI or API-based applications.




Triggered Burst Mode
In Triggered Burst mode, the module starts waveform generation when it is armed and receives the trigger signal as in the Triggered Free Run mode. Instead of repeating continuously, the waveform starts, repeats, and stops after finite repetitions. The number of the repetitions can be specified by a property Loop Count via the GUI or the API-based applications. The Loop Count can be set from 1 to 255. Similarly, trigger signals happening before the waveform stops will be ignored. Once the waveform stops, the module will arm itself automatically and wait for the next trigger signal.



An example of Burst Mode appears in the following image:

burst



The following figure shows waveform generation for different Loop Counts: 1, 2, and 3.




Programmable Profiles (Option)

In burst mode, the AWG can only output one waveform specified in the user page for each trigger signal. To change the waveform, users have to set the user page in the operations. Setting the user page or other relevent parameters may not be practical for tight timing and sophisticated waveform sequences.

With programmable profiles, users can specify user page sequences, loop counts, and auto trigger periods in the "Programmable Profiles" dialog window in the GUI or by API methods.


Programmable Profiles Window


Each separate waveform is downloaded to separate user pages and the sequence in which the waveforms are output is defined in the "User Page Sequence" textbox at the top. In the example above, the sequence of waveforms would be Userpage 0, Userpage 2, Userpage 1, Userpage 0, Userpage 2 and so on.

Users can also define the loop count for each trigger signal. The loop count sequence is defined in the "Loop Count Sequence" textbox. In the example above, Userpage 0 will loop 3 times back to back for the first trigger signal, then Userpage 2 will loop once for the second trigger signal, and finally, Userpage 1 will loop twice for the third trigger signal. The number of loop count sequence does not necessarily have to match up with the number of user page sequence. For example you can have a sequence of 3 user pages but you may only have 2 loop count sequences. If the Loop Count Sequence was defined as "3,1" in the above then Userpage 0 will loop 3 times back to back, then Userpage 2 will loop once, then Userpage 1 will loop 3 times, then Userpage 0 will loop 1 time and so on.

The third profile is for the auto trigger period. In normal operation, auto trigger period is a constant, which is specified in the Auto Trig textbox. With the programmable profile option, users can program the periods of auto trigger signal to match the timing requirements for compound waveforms generated by the userpage and loop count profiles.

The image below shows a graphical representation of the waveforms depicted in the GUI screenshot above.


Programmable Profiles



The GUI screenshot below demonstrates a different programmable profile. For this profile, you will notice that there are 3 user pages but only 2 values each for the loop count and auto trigger sequences.


Programmable Profiles


For this example, the Userpage sequence will be: Userpage 0, Userpage 2, Userpage 1, Userpage 0, Userpage 2, Userpage 1, and so on. The loop count sequence will be: 3 loops, 1 loop, 3 loops, 1 loop, 3 loops, and so on. The auto-trigger period sequence will be: 100 us, 60 us, 100 us, 60 us, 100 us, and so on.


Programmable Profiles



Board Diagram:

Board Diagram

Board Dimensions
Length 9 inches*
Width 5.5 inches*
Height 1.75 inches with heat sinks
(0.6 inches without heat sinks)

* for build EB54_32 only



Detailed Datasheet:

To get the complete AWG272 datasheet, please click here.



Email: info@euvis.com to get pricing information.

685 Cochran St. Suite 160 | Simi Valley, CA 93065 | Tel: 805-583-9888 | Fax: 805-583-9889 | info@euvis.com