Revised and upgraded direct digital synthesis function generator provides improved waveform quality, with lower distortion and improved suppression of spurious effects
TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) has revised and upgraded its popular model TG1010 DDS (direct digital synthesis) function generator to provide improved waveform quality.
The new TG1010A retains the high functionality of its predecessor but now offers a lower distortion figure of -60dBc and improved suppression of non-harmonically related spurious effects.
It has also been restyled to match the company's range of variable-clock arbitrary generators, the TGA1240 series.
The TG1010A is a 10MHz function generator using direct digital synthesis yet costing only £695.
It offers a resolution of seven digits or 0.0001Hz with an absolute accuracy of better than 10 parts in a million. These figures are dramatically better than those obtained from conventional analogue function generators.
The TG1010A has fully phase-continuous sweep, linear or logarithmic, with sweep times variable between 10ms and 1000s.
The sweep trigger source can be internal or external, and multiple sweep markers are provided. Amplitude modulation from 0 to 100% is available using an internal or external modulation source.
Frequency shift keying (FSK) gives phase-coherent switching between two selected frequencies at rates of DC to 1kHz internally or to 1MHz externally.
A multi-level square-wave capability of up to 16 steps per cycle of variable level and duration is suitable for generating waveforms such as staircase signals or multiplexed LCD drives.
Other facilities include trigger/burst, variable start/stop phase, gating, and phase locking of two or more generators.
The TG1010A also has a built-in arbitrary waveform capability using a 27.48MHz waveform clock.
Waveforms of 1024 samples can be loaded via the digital interfaces and replayed at any desired frequency and amplitude.
Alternatively, waveforms can be entered manually into the generator from the front panel.
TTi offers a sophisticated arbitrary waveform creation and editing program called Waveform Manager Plus which supports all TTi products with arbitrary capability.
For standard waveforms, the generator offers sine, triangle, square, pulse, multi-level square wave, positive ramp and negative ramp waveforms plus a set of quasi-arbitrary waveforms such as sineX/X.
The output level is settable between 6mV and 20V peak-to-peak, and the output impedance is selectable between 50 and 600 ohms.
The generator has full remote-control capabilities using an RS-232 interface.
A model with an additional GPIB (IEEE-488.2) interface is also available.
The TG1010A is housed in a compact metal case of half-rack by 3U size, and costs £695 (plus VAT) in the UK.