With the new DDS mode, the 63xx series generators offer 64 individual sinusoidal probes on a single generator channel, and the frequency, amplitude, and phase of each probe can be changed in steps as small as 3.2 ns. This provides a simple way to generate wave trains, frequency sweeps, or fine-tuning references for industrial, medical, and imaging systems, as well as for quantum research, semiconductor testing, and communications applications.
The new DDS option for the 63xx series ultrafast arbitrary waveform generators offers up to 64 individual sine waves (shown as FFT in the image) on one channel.
The new DDS option allows each channel of the arbitrary waveform generator to produce up to 64 programmable sine wave cores, also called carriers or tones. For each core, the frequency, amplitude, and phase, as well as the frequency and amplitude variation, can be set independently. All changes are controlled by simple commands that can be executed in real time or within pre-loaded sequences. This makes devices with DDS ideal for applications requiring fast and high-purity signal sources.
Oliver Rovini, CTO of Spectrum Instrumentation, notes: “A major advantage of incorporating DDS is its efficiency. Instead of transmitting large datasets with waveforms, users can control signal characteristics through compact command sequences stored in the device's memory. This allows millions of commands to be saved and executed with a precise time resolution of up to 3.2 ns, without jitter or interference. Parameters can be input externally, using internal timers or commands, enabling complex pulse trains, frequency sweeps, AM/FM modulation, and custom-shaped transitions.”
The 63xx series of arbitrary waveform generators comprises 22 versions in two hardware form factors:
• The PCIe-based M5i.63xx models are designed for direct installation in PCs and are ideal when space and high data transfer speeds are critical. These cards support one or two channels with output speeds from 3.2 to 10 GS/s (5 GS/s for dual-channel mode). Spectrum's Star-Hub system can synchronize up to eight cards, allowing for up to 16 synchronous channels and up to 512 DDS cores.
• The NETBOX instruments (DN2.63x and DN6.63x models) are standalone, LXI-compliant devices optimized for desktop or rack-mounted applications that connect to PCs or networks via Ethernet. They are supplied in configurations of 1 to 12 synchronous channels and achieve output speeds of 3.2 or 5 GS/s, or up to 6 channels at 10 GS/s, and can program up to 384 DDS cores.
Example of DDS mode: a few commands generate a sinusoidal wave (orange), accelerate the frequency (blue) and decrease the amplitude (green).
It is important to emphasize that the addition of DDS does not affect the original capabilities of the arbitrary waveform generator. Users still have access to the generator's advanced operating modes, such as single-shot, loop, controlled, and transmission, among others. In practice, this means users have two instruments in one.
All Spectrum products feature software support for Windows and Linux, as well as programming examples for popular languages such as Python, MATLAB, C++, and LabVIEW, plus a high-level API for Python. The DDS option for the 63xx series is now available and comes with lifetime technical support provided directly by Spectrum engineers, along with free software and firmware updates.
