Ultra fast arbitrary waveform generators cards
This webpage provides
information and links to all the Spectrum programmable waveform generator cards
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Spectrum generatorNETBOX
Available in two enclosure sizes. The DN2 (up to 16 channels) and
the DN6 (up to 48).
The generatorNETBOX utilises the fast M2p and M4i waveform generation instrumentation
card technology described on this page, all contained within a robust enclosure
with all the power and cooling considerations taken care of. This system is
ready to use. Simply attach to the Gbit Ethernet port of a computer and use the "discovery"
facility in the supplied software to install the generatorNETBOX automatically.
Combine with a notebook PC and DC option for portability, or within
an extended Ethernet network which may include more generatorNETBOX units.
Each unit includes its own Web server which gives the facility to remotely view and
configure the setup. It also has its own IP address so that captured data can
be streamed back over the network to a client PC. The generatorNETBOX is very portable
and can be taken with the operator, (e.g within a vehicle) using a notebook PC and
DC option. For complete independence from a host computer, an embedded server option,
with installed CPU, RAM and SSD is also available as an option.
The gneratorNETBOX docking station package includes
SBench6 Professional for easy set up, log, view and signal processing of data.
whilst Windows/Linux drivers provide programming in MATLAB™, LabVIEW™, or one of the
popular programming languages such as Visual Basic or C.
For the ultimate in versatility consider the NEW hybridNETBOX, This combines
signal capture and generation in one multi-channel system.
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Spectrum M4i and M4x programmable waveform generator cards:
Using a high bandwidth x8-lane PCI Express Gen 2.0 interface, data
streaming direct to the PC is greatly enhanced. This makes the M4i &
M4x card series of particular value to users generating signals over longer
periods at hundreds of MHz. This is aided by a deep 4 GByte on-board memory.
Utilising a new generation of high resolution 16 bit D/A converter, replay speeds
up to 1.25 giga samples per second are possible. Even at these speeds an
amplitude of +/2V into 50 Ohm can be generated (+/- 4V into a high impedance load).
Replay can be single shot or loop and the sequence generation mode allows complex
multiple changes of signal to be pre-programmed in. This makes it an excellent
instrument for a test system.
Three digital I/O lines are also present on the card, the outputs configurable
to be polled on demand or synchronous to sampling. Ideal for positional,
status monitoring and control.
Up to 8 cards can be perfectly clock and trigger synchronised to provide up to 32
replay channels.
The M4i & M4x series share the same well proven software driver set as the M2p
AWG cards opposite. The versatile Windows® and Linux® drivers support
all popular text programming languages, as well as packages such as LabVIEW® and MATLAB®.
More information on all features can be found by following the image link in the table below.
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Spectrum M2p programmable waveform generator cards:
The Spectrum M2p cards provide excellent performance for many
applications requiring a high frequency generated signal, examples include
telecommunications, radar, and ultrasonics...to name but a few.
These high-speed arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) cards provide output update
rates of up to 125 mega samples/second and 16 bit amplitude resolution.
Using the high voltage output version, signal amplitudes even at
maximum output frequency, will attain +/- 6V into a 50 ohm load, +/- 12V into
1 mega ohm. The M2p AWG comes with two D/A speeds 40 MS/s and 125 MS/s
and the ability to generate synchronous signals from 1 to 8 channels (depending
on the model chosen). All M2p AWG cards have 1 GByte on-board memory for data
storage and this maybe combined with data upload from the host system PC RAM
and hard drive allowing very long waveform files to be run. This is achieved
using Spectrum's special "FIFO mode" where M2p uses a x4-lane PCI-Express
interface to provide streaming speeds up to 700 Mbytes per second.
Three digital I/O lines are also present on the card, the outputs configurable
to be polled on demand or synchronous to sampling. Potentially useful for instrument
control and timing.
Up to 16 cards can be perfectly clock and trigger synchronised to provide up
to 128 replay channels.
M2p replaces the earlier M2i waveform generators, but does share
the same well proven software driver set. This follows the practice of
supporting both existing and new users. Windows® and Linux® programming
drivers are provided, plus examples to show the main operational features
More information on all features can be found by following the image link in the table below.
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Spectrum's arbitrary waveform generator hardware summary |
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Up to 4 fully synchronous channels on one card |
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Programmable amplitude |
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Programmable output offset on M2p models |
| Synchronisation of multiple cards possible, both for signal output and trigger |
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Versatile trigger features with fast auto re-arm |
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Large standard memory, 4 GBytes on M4i & M4x, 1GByte on M2p and up to 12 Gbytes on the generatorNETBOX |
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Multiple Replay / Gated Replay with pre-trigger,
post-trigger |
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Programmable Sequence Replay Mode, dynamic change to new signal on event, or loop |
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Optimised clock section, internal or external clock reference |
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All cards have a multi-lane PCI-Express interface for ultra high speed data streaming from the PC* |
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Versatile and wide ranging software support, all cards use a universal driver set for Windows® and Linux® |
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Spectrum's hybridNETBOX combines signal
capture and generation in a single robust enclosure. It even provides digital
I/O for control and synchronisation to external equipment.
Perfect for test and measurement systems that need to perform automated
closed-loop or stimulus-response type testing. It is also a cost effective way to
have a universal fast signal generation and logging system, ready to take on many
varied tasks. The Gbit Ethernet port connection allows easy direct connection to a
computer, or anywhere on a network.
In common with all NETBOX systems the hybridNETBOX includes
SBench6 Professional for easy set up of signal logging, replay, viewing of data
and signal processing. Windows/Linux drivers provide also facilitate programming
in MATLAB™, LabVIEW™, or the programming languages such as Visual Basic or C.
Click here
for more details on the hybridNETBOX!
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D/A SIGNAL CAPTURE SELECTION TABLES - Ethernet/LXI enclosure format
The NETBOX is suitable for connection to many types of computers
including notebook PCs. The unit can be placed close to the computer or remotely
on a LAN. Sampling speeds shown below are the maximum, however slower converters
are fitted to certain models to best match the application and help ensure the
most cost effective solution. |
generatorNETBOX DN2 & DN6 |
MODEL SERIES Please click on the images for more information |
RESOLUTION | MAXIMUM SAMPLE RATE
(GS/s = Giga samples per second) (MS/s = Mega samples per second) | NUMBER OF CHANNELS |
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16 bit | 1.25GS/s | 1 to 24 |
hybridNETBOX DN2 (signal capture & generation) |
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8 to 16 bit | 500MS/s A/D, 1.25GS/s D/A | 1 to 8 (A/D), 1 to 8 (D/A) |
D/A WAVEFORM GENERATOR CARD SELECTION TABLES - PCI-Express card format
This versatile generator card range fits into a wide range
of computers, most commonly a desktop but also some types of industrial computers too.
A choice of two D/A converter speeds are available in each model series. It is possible
to program a wide range of generator output speeds up to the maximum shown and a
voltage swing up to +/-12 volts if using one of the M2p series cards. |
M4i (PCIe x8-lane) |
MODEL SERIES Please click on the images for more information |
RESOLUTION | MAXIMUM SAMPLE RATE
(MS/s = mega samples per second) | NUMBER OF CHANNELS |
M4i.66xx |
16 bit | 1.25 GS/s | 1 , 2 , 4 |
M4x (3U PXIe - x4 lane) |
M4x.66xx |
16 bit | 1.25 GS/s | 1 , 2 , 4 |
M2p (PCIe - x4 lane) |
MODEL SERIES Please click on the images for more information |
RESOLUTION | MAXIMUM SAMPLE RATE
(MS/s = mega samples per second) | NUMBER OF CHANNELS |
M2p.65xx |
16 bit | 125MS/s | 1, 2, 4, 8 |
For existing users of the older M2i.60xx series AWG cards, who simply wish for a drop-in
replacement, we can still supply. Please contact us for further information.
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Microsoft, Windows, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10,
are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
The registered trademark Linux® is used pursuant to a sublicense from LMI, the exclusive licensee of Linus Torvalds, owner of the mark on a world-wide basis.
LabVIEW and LabWindows CVI the registered trademark of the National Instruments Corporation.
MATLAB is registered trademarks of The MathWorks, Inc.
© DataQuest Solutions Ltd October 2014
Images courtesy of Spectrum Instrumentation GmbH. Last modified 22.02.21
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