Instrument can be used as either an arbitrary waveform generator or a high-speed function generator, and generates waveforms with 12 bits of vertical resolution
The new Tabor 3362, now available in the UK from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), is a two-channel 300MS/s (megasamples per second) waveform generator with 4M points (optional 16M points) per channel of waveform memory.
The new instrument can be used as either an arbitrary waveform generator or a high-speed function generator, and generates waveforms with 12 bits of vertical resolution.
Each channel has its own waveform generator with independent amplitude, offset, and amplitude modulation controls. Auxiliary outputs on each channel provide the same waveforms as the main output with a fixed 1V output.
Control is carried out from a PC using WaveCad software.
WaveCad operates under Microsoft Windows, and presents a familiar user interface. Creating and downloading arbitrary waveforms is also easy. WaveCad is a powerful arbitrary waveform creation software package which can help create complex waveforms and download them to the 3362.
Waveforms can be created using any combination of drawing or mathematical expression, uploading signals from DSOs, selecting from the included library of waveforms or by importing data files from other applications.
For long or very complex waveforms, waveform memory can be divided into up to 4096 smaller segments, and different waveforms can be loaded into each segment.
The various segments may then be loaded into a sequence table to generate long and complex waveforms.
The sequence table can link up to 4096 segments, while each segment can loop up to 1 million times.
The model 3362 can store up to 16 different sequence tables and use these for generating a sequence of sequences.
This capability makes it possible to generate even the most complex signals.
Standard functions such as sine, square and triangle waves can be generated at up to 150 MHz, making the 3362 the fastest function generator available today.
The internal reference oscillator provides accuracy of one part in 10^6 and has excellent long-term stability.
An external frequency reference can be used if better accuracy or stability is required.
Amplitude modulation and suppressed carrier modulation are available on all waveforms, and are controlled via an external signal.
Modulation from 0% to 200% is possible at bandwidths up to 1MHz.
In addition to continuous waveform generation, operation of the 3362 can be triggered in a number of modes.
A single waveform occurrence can be initiated with the trigger function, or a specific number of waveforms (up to 1 million) produced with internal, external or manual triggers.
The gated function will allow waveform generation whenever the gating signal is true.
Both channels share a common precision sample clock, and both channels are triggered from the same source.
This ensures that channel-to-channel timing is tightly synchronised. Precise control over channel-to-channel phase offset is achieved by allowing control over channel start phase with a resolution down to one waveform point.
This enables extremely accurate timing or phase dependencies to be studied, such as those found in high-speed digital communication systems.
The model 3362 is ideal for applications requiring complex signal generation such as I/Q signal simulation and electronic drives for medical, chemical, mechanical and vibration table applications.
