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National Instruments NI 5401 User Manual

National Instruments NI 5401 User Manual

Computer-based instruments pxi /pci arbitrary function generator
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Computer-Based
Instruments
NI 5401 User Manual
PXI /PCI Arbitrary Function Generator
™
NI 5401 User Manual
March 1999 Edition
Part Number 322419A-01

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  • Page 1 Computer-Based Instruments NI 5401 User Manual PXI /PCI Arbitrary Function Generator ™ NI 5401 User Manual March 1999 Edition Part Number 322419A-01...
  • Page 2 Switzerland 056 200 51 51, Taiwan 02 2377 1200, United Kingdom 01635 523545 For further support information, see the Technical Support Resources appendix. To comment on the documentation, send e-mail to techpubs@natinst.com. © Copyright 1999 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.

  • Page 3: Important Information

    90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives notice of such defects during the warranty period.
  • Page 4 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 5: Table Of Contents

    Software Options for Your NI 5401 ................1-8 Software Included with Your NI 5401 ............1-8 VirtualBench ..................1-8 NI-FGEN Instrument Driver .............1-9 Additional National Instruments Development Tools........1-9 LabVIEW ..................1-9 LabWindows/CVI ................1-10 ComponentWorks ................1-10 Using the Soft Front Panels to Generate Waveforms ............1-11 Generating Standard Functions ...............1-11...
  • Page 6 VirtualBench-FG Signals Settings Dialog Box for the NI 5401... 1-12 Figure 1-9. VirtualBench-FG Load Waveform Dialog Box........1-13 Figure 1-10. VirtualBench-FG Frequency List Editor Dialog Box ......1-14 Figure 1-11. Waveform Editor Soft Front Panel ............1-15 NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...
  • Page 7 RTSI Trigger Lines and Routing for the NI 5401 for PCI ....2-14 Figure 2-15. PXI Trigger Lines, 10 MHz Backplane Oscillator, and Routing for the NI 5401 for PXI ............2-14 Table Table 1-1. Digital Connector Signal Descriptions..........1-6 © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 8: Generating Functions With The Ni 5401

    Generating Functions with the NI 5401 The NI 5401 User Manual describes the features, functions, and operation of the 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 a National Instruments NI 5401 arbitrary function generator.

  • Page 9: Connecting Signals

    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. LOCK ACCESS ARB OUT EXT TRIG SYNC PLL IN PLL REF SYNC OUT Figure 1-1. NI 5401 I/O Connectors NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...

  • Page 10: Arb Connector

    You can also vary the duty cycle of the SYNC output on the fly by software control, as shown in Figure 1-3. t is the time period of the © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 11: Pll Ref Connector

    RTSI bus using the 20 MHz RTSI clock signal. You can frequency lock the NI 5401 for PXI to other National Instruments devices using the 10 MHz backplane clock. If no external reference clock is available, the NI 5401 automatically tunes the internal clock to the highest accuracy possible.

  • Page 12: Pattern Out Connector (Pci Only)

    Figure 1-4 shows the NI 5401 50-pin digital connector. Refer to Table 1-1 for a description of the signals. DGND EXT_TRIG DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND Figure 1-4. NI 5401 50-Pin Digital Connector Pin Assignments © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 13: Signal Descriptions

    The cable connects to the digital connector on the NI 5401. Figure 1-5 shows the 68-pin connector pin assignments on the SHC50-68 cable. Note The SHC50-68 connector uses the same signals as the NI 5401 digital output connector shown in Table 1-1. NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...

  • Page 14: Figure 1-5. Shc50-68 68-Pin Connector Pin Assignments

    DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND DGND EXT_TRIG Figure 1-5. SHC50-68 68-Pin Connector Pin Assignments © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 15: Software Options For Your Ni 5401

    ASCII text file and generate them repeatedly. You can generate these waveforms with a resolution of approximately 10 mHz and perform frequency sweeps and shift-keying. As with all VirtualBench instruments, you can load and save instrument settings. NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...

  • Page 16: Ni-Fgen Instrument Driver

    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 17: Labwindows/Cvi

    ComponentWorks features instrumentation-based graphical user interface (GUI) tools, including graphs, meters, gauges, knobs, dials, and switches. Note Use the NI-FGEN instrument driver to program and control your NI 5401 using ComponentWorks. NI 5401 User Manual 1-10 www.natinst.com...

  • Page 18: Using The Soft Front Panels To Generate Waveforms

    50 load. If the load is a high-impedance load, the actual levels will be twice that shown on the front panel. Figure 1-6. VirtualBench-FG Soft Front Panel for Function Generation © National Instruments Corporation 1-11 NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 19: Figure 1-7. Virtualbench-Fg General Settings Dialog Box For The Ni 5401

    Figure 1-7. VirtualBench-FG General Settings Dialog Box for the NI 5401 Figure 1-8. VirtualBench-FG Signals Settings Dialog Box for the NI 5401 Note Refer to the online help for further information about the 54xx Settings dialog box. NI 5401 User Manual 1-12 www.natinst.com...

  • Page 20: Generating Multiple Frequencies In A Sequence

    If desired, you can generate multiple frequencies in a sequence, which can include frequency sweeping, hopping, and so on. You can list up to 512 different frequencies and specify the duration of generation for each of © National Instruments Corporation 1-13 NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 21: Figure 1-10. Virtualbench-Fg Frequency List Editor Dialog Box

    To return to the main VirtualBench-FG screen shown in Figure 1-6, select File»Close. Select File»Load Frequency List to load the frequency list. You can combine the frequency list generation with different trigger modes to get the desired frequency generation. NI 5401 User Manual 1-14 www.natinst.com...

  • Page 22: Waveform Editor

    You can use the Waveform Editor shown in Figure 1-11 to create a custom waveform. To launch the Waveform Editor, select Start»Programs» National Instruments FGEN»Waveform Editor. You can select waveforms from the function library, write equations, or draw them manually. Each segment can have more than one waveform component in it, and you can perform a variety of math functions on each component.

  • Page 23: Power-Up And Reset Conditions

    Output attenuation is set to 0 dB. • The analog filter is enabled. • Output impedance is set to 50 • The PLL reference source is set to internal tuning. • The SYNC duty cycle is set to 50%. NI 5401 User Manual 1-16 www.natinst.com...

  • Page 24: Function Generator Operation

    Filter, and Sequencer Control Controls Amplifier Trigger Analog Filter SYNC Control Control Controls Level Crossing Detector Data Path PLL Ref PLL and Clocking Interface PXI/PCI Channel Figure 2-1. NI 5401 Block Diagram © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 25: Generating Waveforms

    Digital Filter Enable Div/2 80 MHz Oscillator Figure 2-2. Waveform Data Path Block Diagram On the NI 5401, the high-speed DAC is always updated at 80 MHz, but the update clock for memory is 40 MHz. NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...

  • Page 26: Direct Digital Synthesis (Dds)

    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. © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 27: Frequency Hopping And Sweeping

    You can also use an external trigger from a pin on the digital I/O connector, the RTSI trigger lines on the RTSI bus, or the TTL trigger lines on the PXI trigger bus on the backplane. Figure 2-4 shows the trigger sources for the NI 5401. NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...

  • Page 28: Modes Of Operation

    The last stage is generated repeatedly until you stop the waveform generation. Figure 2-5 illustrates a single trigger mode of operation. © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 29: Figure 2-5. Single 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 www.natinst.com...

  • Page 30: Stepped Trigger Mode

    The output of this relay goes to a series of passive attenuators. The output of the attenuators goes through a selectable output impedance of 50 or 75 to the I/O connector. © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 31: Figure 2-8. Analog Output And Sync Out Block Diagram

    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 www.natinst.com...

  • Page 32: Sync Output And Duty Cycle

    = desired voltage level for the output signal = input voltage level. For the NI 5401, V = ±5 V for a terminated load and ±10 V for an Note unterminated load. © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 33: Output Impedance

    You can change the output enable state 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 2-10 www.natinst.com...

  • Page 34: Pre-Attenuation Offset

    The reference and VCXO clock are compared by a phase comparator running at 1 MHz. The loop filters the error signal and sends it to the control pin of the VCXO to complete the loop. © National Instruments Corporation 2-11 NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 35: Figure 2-11. Pll Architecture For The Ni 5401 For Pci

    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. NI 5401 User Manual 2-12 www.natinst.com...

  • Page 36: Analog Filter Correction

    A. Typical Analog Filter Characteristics B. Corrected Filter Characteristics C. Correction Applied Figure 2-13. Analog Filter Correction Note You can change the filter frequency correction at any time during waveform generation. © National Instruments Corporation 2-13 NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 37: Rtsi/Pxi Trigger Lines

    TRIG 2 TRIG 3 RTSI RTSI Trigger TRIG 4 Switch BOARD_SYNC TRIG 5 PXI STAR PXI 10MHz Osc Figure 2-15. PXI Trigger Lines, 10 MHz Backplane Oscillator, and Routing for the NI 5401 for PXI NI 5401 User Manual 2-14 www.natinst.com...

  • Page 38: Calibration

    EEPROM, calculating correction values, and writing those values to the CalDACs. National Instruments calibrates all NI 5401 devices to the levels indicated in Appendix A, Specifications. Factory calibration involves procedures such as nulling the offset and gain errors. However, since offset and gain errors may drift with time and temperature, you may need to recalibrate your device.
  • Page 39 Frequency resolution......9.31 mHz Voltage Output 5 V into a 50 load Ranges 10 V into a high-impedance load Accuracy 0.1 dB Output attenuation........0 to 73 dB Resolution ........0.001 dB steps © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...

  • Page 40: 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 NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...

  • Page 41: Bus Interface

    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 42 Aging (1 year).........±5 ppm Mechanical Connectors ARB (output) ........SMB/BNC SYNC (output).........SMB/BNC PLL reference (input) ......SMB External trigger in......50-pin digital (PCI), SMB (PXI) Size ............1 slot Power requirements .......5 V, 3.5 A max 12 V, 125 mA NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...

  • Page 43: Optional Accessories

    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) • 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 44: Frequency Resolution And Lookup Memory

    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. © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 45 (N–L–D+1) of 2 . In other words, for an effective update rate of every sample at half the maximum clock rate, write a frequency value of (32–14–2+1) )) / 2 , which equals 1.221 kHz. NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...

  • Page 46: Technical Support Resources

    Technical Support Resources This appendix describes the comprehensive resources available to you in the Technical Support section of the National Instruments Web site and provides technical support telephone numbers for you to use if you have trouble connecting to our Web site or if you do not have internet access.
  • Page 47 If you have trouble connecting to our Web site, please contact your local National Instruments office or the source from which you purchased your National Instruments product(s) to obtain support. For telephone support in the United States, dial 512 795 8248. For...
  • Page 48 ° degree +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 49 = 20 log V1/V2, for signals in volts decibel referred to carrier level NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...
  • Page 50 A/D conversion EXT_TRIG external trigger input signal © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 51 NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...
  • Page 52 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 53 PCs and work-stations; it offers a theoretical maximum transfer rate of 132 Mbytes/s. PCLK digital pattern clock output peak-to-peak a measure of signal amplitude; the difference between the highest and lowest excursions of the signal NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...
  • Page 54 For example, a system has 12-bit resolution, one part in 4,096 resolution, and 0.0244 percent of full scale. RTSI bus Real-Time System Integration bus—the National Instruments timing bus that connects DAQ boards directly, by means of connectors on top of the boards, for precise synchronization of functions...
  • Page 55 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 transistor-transistor logic update rate the rate at which a DAC is updated NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...
  • Page 56 See staging list. waveform staging See linking, looping. word The standard number of bits that a processor or memory manipulates at one time. Microprocessors typically use 8-, 16-, or 32-bit words. © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 57 SYNC output and duty cycle, 2-9 block diagram, 2-1 DDS. See direct digital synthesis (DDS). calibration, 2-15 DGND signal (table), 1-6 direct digital synthesis (DDS), 2-3 to 2-4 diagnostic resources, online, D-1 frequency hopping and sweeping, 2-4 © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 58 1-13 to 1-14 continuous trigger mode, 2-6 single trigger mode, 2-5 to 2-6 stepped trigger mode, 2-7 trigger sources, 2-4 to 2-5 National Instruments Web support, D-1 to D-2 waveform generation, 2-2 NI 5401. See also function generator operation. block diagram, 2-1...
  • Page 59 1-11 to bus interface, A-3 1-13 external clock reference input, A-4 VirtualBench-FG software filter characteristics, A-2 description, 1-8 internal clock, A-4 Frequency List Editor, 1-14 mechanical, A-4 General Settings dialog box (figure), 1-12 © National Instruments Corporation NI 5401 User Manual...
  • Page 60 1-13 to 1-14 generating standard functions, 1-11 to 1-13 using Waveform Editor, 1-15 waveform specifications, A-3 Web support from National Instruments, D-1 to D-2 online problem-solving and diagnostic resources, D-1 software-related resources, D-2 Worldwide technical support, D-2 NI 5401 User Manual www.natinst.com...

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