Communications instruments speed signal generation

29 June 2005 Test & Measurement

RF and baseband signals can be generated more than 300 times faster with the new National Instruments PXI-5671 RF vector signal generator and the new NI PXI-5441 arbitrary waveform generator with onboard signal processing, according to the manufacturer.

The PXI-5671 module is a three-slot RF vector signal generator that delivers signal generation from 250 kHz to 2,7 GHz, 20 MHz of realtime bandwidth and up to 512 MB of memory. With the onboard digital upconverter on the module, engineers can achieve more than 300 times faster waveform download time or playback duration. This functionality will suit engineers who require data streaming with rapid response time for software-defined radio (SDR) or faster download times for satellite radio applications. They also can take advantage of the module's configurable signal processing parameters such as prefilter gain and offset, finite impulse response (FIR) filters, cascaded integrator-comb (CIC) filters, a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) and IQ mixing.

The new PXI-5441 module, a 100 Msps arbitrary waveform generator for producing standard functions, arbitrary waveforms and waveform sequences, introduces onboard signal processing functionality. Onboard processing adds baseband interpolation/pulse shaping and quadrature digital upconversion capability for generating baseband I/Q and IF signals up to 43 MHz. The PXI-5441 is said to be the industry's first arbitrary waveform generator to combine these operating modes in a single module with instrument-quality analog specifications.

The PXI-5671 and PXI-5441 modules ship with the new NI Modulation Toolkit 3.0 for LabVIEW. This software now includes channel coding, channel equalisation and channel models as well as new pallet functions for ASK, PAM, AM-VSB and AM-SSB modulation formats.

For more information contact NI South Africa, 0800 203 199.

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