Waveform Management [1Pi Controller Only]; Figure 4-7: Selecting A Waveform - Ametek California Instruments MX15 Series User Manual

4.4 Waveform Management
The MX Series with 1Pi controller employs independent arbitrary waveform generators for each
phase. This allows the user to create custom waveforms. In addition, three standard waveforms
are always available. This chapter covers issues that relate to defining, downloading and
managing custom waveforms.
4.4.1 Standard Waveforms
For most AC applications, a sine wave shape is used. The sine wave is one of the standard
waveforms provided on all MX Series models. This standard sine wave is always available and
is the default waveform at power-on. On MX models with the 1Pi controller, two more standard
waveforms are available, square and clipped.
The square wave provides a high frequency content waveform with relative fast rise and fall
times. Due to AC amplifier bandwidth limitations, the frequency content of the standard square
wave has been kept within the amplifier's capabilities. As the fundamental frequency is
increased, the relative contribution of higher harmonics is reduced.
The clipped sine wave may be used to simulate voltage distortion levels to the unit under test.
The total harmonic distortion level may be programmed in percent using the CLIP THD field of
the PROGRAM menu. Changing the distortion level of the CLIP waveform forces the AC source
to regenerate the CLIPPED sine wave's data points and reload the waveform register with the
newly requested data. This process requires the output to be dropped. To avoid interrupting the
voltage output to the unit under test, select a different waveform such as the standard sine wave
first, change the clip level and change the waveform back to the CLIPPED sine wave. This will
avoid any output interruption.
4.4.2 Creating Custom Waveforms
The 1Pi controller provides four groups of 50 custom defined waveforms each for a total of 200
waveforms in addition to the 3 standard waveforms. Of these four groups, one may be active at
a time.
Custom waveforms cannot be created from the front panel of the MX Series. Rather, they have
to be downloaded through the IEEE-488 or RS232C interface. A Windows based program is
included with the MX Series that allows waveforms to be created and downloaded easily. This
Graphical User Interface program allows waveforms to be created by specifying harmonic
amplitudes and phase angles with respect to the fundamental. It also offers an arbitrary
waveform data entry mode that allows individual data points to be specified.
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[1Pi Controller only]

Figure 4-7: Selecting a Waveform