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National Instruments NI 5401 User Manual

Computer-based instruments, pxi /pci arbitrary function generator
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  • Page 1 (217) 352-9330 | Click HERE Find the National Instruments PXI-5401 at our website:...
  • Page 2 Computer-Based Instruments NI 5401 User Manual PXI /PCI Arbitrary Function Generator ™ NI 5401 User Manual May 2001 Edition Part Number 322419B-01...
  • Page 3 Singapore 2265886, Spain 91 640 0085, Sweden 08 587 895 00, Switzerland 056 200 51 51, Taiwan 02 2528 7227, United Kingdom 01635 523545 For further support information, see the Technical Support Resources appendix. To comment on the documentation, send e-mail to techpubs@ni.com. Copyright © 1999, 2001 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • Page 4 Warranty The NI 5401 is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace equipment that proves to be defective during the warranty period.
  • Page 5 Classification requirements are the same for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Canadian Department of Communications (DOC). Changes or modifications not expressly approved by National Instruments could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment under the FCC Rules.
  • Page 6 Canadian Department of Communications This Class B digital apparatus meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations. Cet appareil numérique de la classe B respecte toutes les exigences du Règlement sur le matériel brouilleur du Canada. Compliance to EU Directives Readers in the European Union (EU) must refer to the Manufacturer's Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for information** pertaining to the CE Mark compliance scheme.
  • Page 7 Conventions The following conventions are used in this manual: » The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options from the last dialog box.

  • Page 8: Table Of Contents

    Pattern Out Connector (PCI Only) ..............1-6 Connector Pin Assignments ..............1-6 Signal Descriptions ................1-7 SHC50-68 50-Pin Cable Connector ..............1-7 Software Options for Your NI 5401 ................1-9 Software Included with Your NI 5401 ............1-9 Interactive Sources Soft Front Panel..........1-9 NI-FGEN Instrument Driver .............1-10 Additional National Instruments Development Tools........1-10...
  • Page 9 Phase-Locked Loops and Board Synchronization............2-11 Analog Filter Correction....................2-12 RTSI/PXI Trigger Lines ....................2-13 Calibration ........................2-15 Appendix A Specifications Appendix B Optional Accessories Appendix C Frequency Resolution and Lookup Memory Appendix D Technical Support Resources Glossary Index NI 5401 User Manual viii ni.com...

  • Page 10: Generating Functions With The Ni 5401

    NI 5401 arbitrary function generator. This device performs comparably to standalone instruments while providing the flexibility of computer-based operation. About Your NI 5401 Thank you for buying an NI 5401 arbitrary function generator. The NI 5401 family consists of two different devices: • NI 5401 for PCI •...

  • Page 11: Safety Information

    Connections, including power signals to ground and vice versa, that exceed any of the maximum signal ratings on the NI 5401 device can create a shock or fire hazard, or can damage any or all of the boards connected to the host computer, and the NI 5401 device.

  • Page 12: Connecting Signals

    Generating Functions with the NI 5401 Connecting Signals Figure 1-1 shows the front panels for the NI 5401 PXI and PCI buses. The front panel contains three types of connectors: BNC, SMB, and 50-pin very high-density SCSI (VHDSCSI). The main waveform is generated through the connector labeled ARB on the PCI version and ARB OUT on the PXI version.

  • Page 13: Arb Connector

    The maximum output levels on this connector depend on the type of load termination. If the output of your NI 5401 terminates into a 50 Ω load, the output levels are ±5 V, as shown in Figure 1-2. If the output of your NI 5401 terminates into a high-impedance load (HiZ), the output levels are ±10 V.

  • Page 14: Pll Ref Connector

    You can frequency lock the NI 5401 for PCI to other NI devices over the RTSI bus Note using the 20 MHz RTSI clock signal. You can frequency lock the NI 5401 for PXI to other NI devices using the 10 MHz backplane clock.

  • Page 15: Pattern Out Connector (Pci Only)

    Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401 Pattern Out Connector (PCI Only) This connector is used on the NI 5401 for PCI to supply the external trigger input to the board. Connector Pin Assignments Figure 1-4 shows the NI 5401 50-pin digital connector. Refer to Table 1-1 for a description of the signals.

  • Page 16: Signal Descriptions

    Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401 Signal Descriptions Table 1-1 shows the pin names and signal descriptions used on the NI 5401 digital output connector. Table 1-1. Digital Connector Signal Descriptions Signal Name Type Description DGND — Digital ground...
  • Page 17 Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401 DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND...

  • Page 18: Software Options For Your Ni 5401

    NI 5401. Software Included with Your NI 5401 Your NI 5401 kit includes an interactive Sources soft front panel to help you get up and running quickly with your waveform generator. In addition, the NI-FGEN instrument driver is also included, which you can use with a wide variety of development tools to build applications for your NI 5401.

  • Page 19: Ni-Fgen Instrument Driver

    This file can be launched from the Start»Programs» National Instruments FGEN menu. Note An NI-FGEN Instrument Driver Quick Reference Guide is included in your NI 5401 kit. This reference guide helps you program your NI 5401. Additional National Instruments Development Tools The following sections describe several additional tools that you can use to develop complex applications for your NI 5401.

  • Page 20: Labwindows/Cvi

    C/C++ compilers, including Visual C++ and Borland C++ under Windows. Note Use the NI-FGEN instrument driver to program and control your NI 5401 using LabWindows/CVI. ComponentWorks ComponentWorks is a collection of 32-bit ActiveX controls for building virtual instrumentation systems.

  • Page 21: Using The Sources Soft Front Panel To Generate Waveforms

    Generating Functions with the NI 5401 Using the Sources Soft Front Panel to Generate Waveforms You use the Sources Soft Front Panel to interactively control your NI 5401 just as you would a desktop function generator. Generating Standard Functions If you need to generate standard waveforms such as a sine, square, ramp, or DC signal, you can use the Sources Soft Front Panel in the operation mode as shown in Figure 1-6.
  • Page 22 Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401 To control additional instrument parameters, select Edit»Device Configuration to bring up the dialog box shown in Figures 1-7 and 1-8. Figure 1-7. Sources Soft Front Panel Output Settings Dialog Box Figure 1-8. Sources Soft Front Panel Update Clock Settings Dialog Box ©...
  • Page 23 Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401 You can also load a custom waveform pattern. This waveform should be a text, binary, or sound file and should contain exactly 16,384 samples. If the defined waveform does not contain exactly 16,384 samples, the Sources Soft Front Panel either adds the necessary number of 0 values or allows you to choose a subset of the waveform or file.

  • Page 24: Waveform Editor

    Text ( .txt • Binary ( .bin Binary waveforms are the preferred format for the NI 5401. This format is the fastest to calculate and download, and creates the smallest size file. © National Instruments Corporation 1-15 NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 25: Power-Up And Reset Conditions

    Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401 Power-Up and Reset Conditions When you power up your computer, the NI 5401 is in the following state: • The output is disabled and set to 0 V. • The trigger mode is set to continuous.

  • Page 26: Function Generator Operation

    Function Generator Operation This chapter describes how to use your NI 5401. Figure 2-1 shows the NI 5401 block diagram. RTSI/PXI Trigger Bus DDS + Instruction Lookup FIFOs Memory Digital IFIFO RTSI Filter Control Control Attenuators, Waveform Clock Filter, and...

  • Page 27: Generating Waveforms

    I/O connector. Generating Waveforms The NI 5401 generates waveforms using DDS, which is used for generating standard waveforms that are repetitive in nature, such as sine, TTL, square, and triangular waveforms. DDS mode limits you to one buffer, and the buffer size must be exactly equal to 16,384 samples.

  • Page 28: Direct Digital Synthesis (Dds)

    Chapter 2 Function Generator Operation On the NI 5401, the high-speed DAC is always updated at 80 MHz, but the update clock for memory is 40 MHz. Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) Direct digital synthesis (DDS) is a technique for deriving, under digital control, an analog frequency source from a single reference clock frequency.

  • Page 29: Frequency Hopping And Sweeping

    Chapter 2 Function Generator Operation The NI 5401 uses a lookup waveform memory for storing the waveform buffer and FIFO memory for storing the staging list, which contains multiple frequency list information. This FIFO is referred to as an instruction FIFO.

  • Page 30: Modes Of Operation

    Only one trigger is required to start the waveform generation. In single trigger mode, after the NI 5401 receives a trigger, the waveform generation starts at the first stage and continues through the last stage. The last stage is generated repeatedly until you stop the waveform generation.

  • Page 31: Continuous Trigger Mode

    Figure 2-6 illustrates a continuous trigger mode of operation. Repeat End of All Stages Start Trigger Until Stopped (f1, ∆T1) (f2, ∆T2) (f1, ∆T1) (f2, ∆T2) (f3, ∆T3) (f4, ∆T4) Figure 2-6. Continuous Trigger Mode NI 5401 User Manual ni.com...

  • Page 32: Stepped Trigger Mode

    Refer to the Output Enable section in this chapter for additional information about this relay. The output of this relay goes to a series of passive attenuators. © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 33 Note You can switch off the analog lowpass filter at any time during waveform generation. When you change this setting, the bouncing of electromechanical relays on the NI 5401 distorts the output signal for about 10 ms. NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 34: Sync Output And Duty Cycle

    Output Attenuation Figure 2-10 shows the NI 5401 output attenuator chain. The output attenuators are made of resistor networks and may be switched in any combination. The maximum attenuation possible on the NI 5401 is 73 dB. 32 dB 16 dB...

  • Page 35: Output Impedance

    Any amplitude less then this is coerced to this value. Note You can change the output attenuation at any time during waveform generation. When you change this setting, the bouncing of electromechanical relays on the NI 5401 distorts the output signal for about 10 ms. Output Impedance As shown in Figure 2-10, before the signal reaches the output connector, you can select an output impedance of 50 Ω...

  • Page 36: Phase-Locked Loops And Board Synchronization

    The PLL can lock to a reference clock source from the external connector, from an RTSI Osc line on the RTSI bus (NI 5401 for PCI), or from a 10 MHz Osc line on the PXI backplane bus (for NI 5401 for PXI). The PLL can also be tuned internally using a calibration DAC (CalDAC).

  • Page 37: Analog Filter Correction

    5 V pk-pk Note If two or more NI 5401 devices are locked to each other using the same reference clock, they are frequency locked, but the phase relationship is indeterminate. Analog Filter Correction...

  • Page 38: Rtsi/Pxi Trigger Lines

    RTSI bus to send and receive NI 5401-specific information to other boards that have RTSI connectors. Figure 2-14 shows the RTSI trigger lines and routing of NI 5401 for PCI signals to the RTSI switch. RTSI 0...
  • Page 39 For frequency locking to other boards as a master, the NI 5401 sends an onboard 20 MHz signal to the RTSI Osc line as a board clock signal. For locking to other devices as a slave, the NI 5401 receives the RTSI Osc line as an RTSI clock signal.

  • Page 40: Calibration

    ♦ NI 5401 for PXI For frequency locking to other boards, the NI 5401 for PXI receives the PXI backplane 10 MHz Osc as a reference clock signal. All the NI 5401s for PXI use this common signal as the reference clock for frequency locking.
  • Page 41 Specifications This appendix lists the specifications for the NI 5401. These specifications are typical at 25 °C unless otherwise stated. The operating temperature range is 0 to 50 °C. Analog Output Number of channels ....... 1 Resolution ..........12 bits Maximum update rate ......

  • Page 42: Appendix A Specifications

    Data interpolating frequency ...80 MS/s Pipeline signal delay......26 sampling periods Analog Type..........7th-order L-C lowpass filter Passband ripple........±2 dB With less than 10 dB of attenuation, signal maximum plus offset (before attenuation) must not exceed ±5 V (into 50 Ω). NI 5401 User Manual ni.com...
  • Page 43 Trigger to waveform output delay (T )........28 sample clocks + 150 ns max RTSI Trigger lines ........... 7 Clock lines..........1 Bus Interface Type ............Slave Operational Modes Type ............Single, continuous, stepped © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 44 Size ............1 slot Power requirements ........5 V, 3.5 A max 12 V, 125 mA Safety Designed in accordance with IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1, UL 3111-1, and CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 1010.1 for electrical measuring and test equipment. NI 5401 User Manual ni.com...
  • Page 45 Select the appropriate product family, followed by your product, and a link to the DoC (in Adobe Acrobat format) appears. Click the Acrobat icon to download or read the DoC. © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 46 Optional Accessories National Instruments offers a variety of products to use with your NI 5401, including probes, cables, and other accessories: • Shielded and unshielded I/O connector blocks (SCB-68, TBX-68, CB-68) • 16 MB memory module (optional) • RTSI bus cables For more specific information about these products, refer to your National Instruments catalogue or web site, or call the office nearest you.

  • Page 47: Appendix B Optional Accessories

    Appendix B Optional Accessories Table B-1. National Instruments Optional Cable Accessories (Continued) Product Cable Name Part Number Cable Description 50 Ω SMB male to BNC male, 1 m coaxial cable PXI-5401 SMB 110 763405-01 50 Ω SMB male to alligator clip, 1 m cable...
  • Page 48 1 Hz, then the FCW is (2 * 1)/40E6, which equals 107. Note On the NI 5401, the maximum frequency of a sine wave you can generate reliably is limited to 16 MHz. Other waveforms, such as square or triangular waves, are limited to 1 MHz.
  • Page 49 , where N is the size of the accumulator and L is the number of address bits of lookup memory (L = 14 bits). Thus, the FCW value for the (N–L) NI 5401 equals 262,144. Since FCW = (2 ) / F = (2 ) / 2 ×...
  • Page 50 Technical Support Resources Web Support National Instruments Web support is your first stop for help in solving installation, configuration, and application problems and questions. Online problem-solving and diagnostic resources include frequently asked questions, knowledge bases, product-specific troubleshooting wizards, manuals, drivers, software updates, and more. Web support is available through the Technical Support section of ni.com...
  • Page 51 Appendix D Technical Support Resources Worldwide Support National Instruments has offices located around the world to help address your support needs. You can access our branch office Web sites from the Worldwide Offices section of . Branch office Web sites provide ni.com...
  • Page 52 ° degree Ω +5 V +5 V output signal amperes amplification method of scaling the signal level to a higher level normal waveform output signal attenuation decreasing the amplitude of a signal © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 53 = 20 log V1/V2, for signals in volts NI 5401 User Manual ni.com...
  • Page 54 A/D conversion EXT_TRIG external trigger input signal © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 55 NI 5401 frequency sweep change the frequency of a waveform in a controlled manner gain the factor by which a signal is amplified, sometimes expressed in decibels...
  • Page 56 This method of waveform generation decreases memory requirements. lowpass filter a circuit used to smooth the waveform output and removed unwanted high frequency contents form the signal © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 57 Noise corrupts signals you are trying to send or receive. output enable relay a relay switch at the output of the NI 5401 that can enable the waveform generation at any time or that can connect the output to ground...
  • Page 58 PLL Ref a PLL input that accepts an external reference clock signal and phase locks to it the NI 5401 internal clock Plug and Play devices devices that do not require dip switches or jumpers to configure resources on the devices—also called switchless devices...
  • Page 59 SYNC TTL version of the sine waveform output signal generated by the NI 5401 trigger any event that causes or starts some form of data capture...
  • Page 60 Also known as a waveform segment. waveform linking and See linking, looping. looping waveform memory physical data storage on the NI 5401 for storing the waveform data samples waveform segment See waveform buffer. waveform sequence staging list.
  • Page 61 2-9 to 2-10 electromagnetic compatibility specifications, A-5 external clock reference input, A-4 EXT_TRIG signal (table), 1-7 block diagram for NI 5401, 2-1 bus interface specifications, A-3 filters analog filter correction, 2-12 cables, optional, B-1 to B-2 characteristics, A-2...
  • Page 62 A-4 synchronization, 2-11 to 2-12 RTSI/PXI trigger lines, 2-13 to 2-15 triggering, 2-4 to 2-7 continuous trigger mode, 2-6 NI 5401. See also function generator single trigger mode, 2-5 to 2-6 operation. stepped trigger mode, 2-7 block diagram, 2-1...
  • Page 63 2-4 DDS output mode (figure), 1-12 timing I/O specifications, A-3 General Settings dialog box (figure), 1-13 trigger specifications generating standard digital trigger, A-3 functions, 1-12 to 1-14 RTSI, A-3 © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 64 DDS memory, 1-9 using Waveform Editor, 1-15 waveform memory, lookup, 2-4 Waveform Editor waveform specifications, A-3 creating custom waveforms, 1-15 Web support from National Instruments, D-1 description, 1-9 Worldwide technical support, D-2 NI 5401 User Manual ni.com...

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