Card provides four channels of simultaneous data generation capable of outputting analogue signals at a conversion rate of 300 million samples per second with 12-bit vertical resolution
The CompuGen 4300 from Gage Applied provides four channels of simultaneous data generation capable of outputting analogue signals at a maximum D/A conversion rate of 300 million samples per second (MS/s) with 12-bit vertical resolution (4096 levels).
Arbitrary waveforms are generated by creating a digital representation of the waveform in the on-board memory of the CompuGen 4300.
This digital pattern is then converted into an analogue signal using a high-speed digital/analogue convertor and conditioning amplifiers.
The large on-board memory buffer of the CompuGen 4300 is a powerful feature because it allows for the generation of very long signals, with four megasamples of on-board memory shared equally among four channels (1M per channel).
Waveform generation is controlled by a stable 300MHz crystal oscillator which provides temperature stability, long-term stability, and precision far above what is available from standard waveform generators.
The standard output range is +/-1V, and a programmable attenuator provides up to 30dB of signal attenuation in 0.5dB increments.
The output amplifier has a very high output slew rate and a 50ohm output impedance.
The output rise and fall times are 2.5ns.
The CompuGen 4300 may be operated in two distinct generation modes: free-run mode and triggered mode.
Free-run mode is provided for the generation of continuous repetitive signals with the CompuGen 4300.
In this mode, the on-board memory is seamlessly and endlessly looped during signal generation, with the pattern advancing from the last sample back to the first in exactly one clock cycle.
This means that a single cycle may be uploaded to memory and looped in order to create a continuous sine-wave signal.
In triggered mode, the CompuGen 4300 is configured to generate its pre-programmed waveform in a single-shot fashion, once every time a trigger event occurs.
The trigger circuitry is automatically re-armed in hardware after single-shot waveform generation in order to await another trigger event.
Since it is done in hardware with no software interaction required, trigger re-arm is extremely fast.
By issuing multiple triggers, the user can easily create waveform bursts.
The source of the trigger event can be a software trigger or an external trigger signal.
Using external triggering, the CompuGen 4300 generates a single-shot waveform upon receipt of the rising edge of a TTL pulse at the external trigger input.
Using software triggering, the generation of a single-shot waveform occurs when a software command is issued.
A multi-card CompuGen system, consisting of up to four independent CG4300 cards, can be configured to achieve up to 16 output channels.
The CompuGen CG4300 is available exclusively in the UK from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments).
