BNC 670C User manual

True ARB User Manual Model 670C
Performance Arbitrary Waveform Generator

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Table of Contents
CONTACTING BERKELEY NUCLEONICS..........................................................................................................................5
GENERAL SAFETY SUMMARY........................................................................................................................................6
TO AVOID FIRE OR PERSONAL INJURY ............................................................................................................................................................... 6
Use Proper Power Cord .........................................................................................................................................6
Ground the Product...............................................................................................................................................6
Observe All Terminal Ratings ................................................................................................................................6
Power Disconnect..................................................................................................................................................6
Do Not Operate Without Covers ........................................................................................................................... 6
Do Not Operate With Suspected Failures ..............................................................................................................6
Avoid Exposed Circuitry.........................................................................................................................................6
Do Not Operate in Wet/Damp Conditions............................................................................................................. 6
Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere ........................................................................................................6
Keep Product Surfaces Clean and Dry....................................................................................................................6
Provide Proper Ventilation ....................................................................................................................................6
SAFETY REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................................................................................................................7
Safety Symbols ......................................................................................................................................................7
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS ...........................................................................................................................9
PRODUCT END-OF-LIFE HANDLING.................................................................................................................................................................... 9
EQUIPMENT RECYCLING ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
PREFACE ......................................................................................................................................................................10
PACKAGE CONTENTS.........................................................................................................................................................................................10
MODELS............................................................................................................................................................................................................10
RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES.........................................................................................................................................................................11
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS.......................................................................................................................................................................11
KEY FEATURES .............................................................................................................................................................12
INSTALLING YOUR INSTRUMENT ................................................................................................................................12
OPERATING REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................................................................................12
ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................................................................................................13
POWER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS.......................................................................................................................................................................13
CLEANING..........................................................................................................................................................................................................14
CALIBRATION.....................................................................................................................................................................................................14
ABNORMAL CONDITIONS..................................................................................................................................................................................14
POWER THE INSTRUMENT ON AND OFF..........................................................................................................................................................15
PROTECT YOUR INSTRUMENT FROM MISUSE..................................................................................................................................................15
OBTAINING THE LATEST VERSION RELEASES....................................................................................................................................................16
INSTALL TRUEARB APPLICATION ......................................................................................................................................................................16
USBPEN DRIVE AND RECOVERY PROCEDURE.................................................................................................................................................18
Recovery Procedure.............................................................................................................................................18
INSTRUMENT OVERVIEW............................................................................................................................................20

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FRONT PANEL ...................................................................................................................................................................................................20
Analog Outputs ...................................................................................................................................................20
Marker Output Connector (Model 670C-2C only)................................................................................................20
Trigger In Connector (Model 670C-2C only) ........................................................................................................20
Soft keyboard and rotary knob............................................................................................................................21
Numeric Keypad..................................................................................................................................................22
REAR PANEL......................................................................................................................................................................................................23
Marker Output Connector (Model 670C-4C only)................................................................................................24
Trigger In Connector (Model 670C-4C only) ........................................................................................................24
Reference Clock Input Connector ........................................................................................................................24
Reference Clock Output Connector......................................................................................................................24
Digital Output connector.....................................................................................................................................24
AUXILIARY CHANNELS.......................................................................................................................................................................................25
Marker Output ....................................................................................................................................................25
Trigger In.............................................................................................................................................................25
Reference Clock Input Connector ........................................................................................................................26
Reference Clock Output Connector......................................................................................................................26
Digital Output connector.....................................................................................................................................26
QUICK START GUIDE ...................................................................................................................................................27
SIMPLE TRUEARB APPLICATION..................................................................................................................................32
SIMPLE TRUEARB TOUCH UI ..........................................................................................................................................32
USER INTERFACE DESCRIPTION.........................................................................................................................................................................34
SEQUENCER AREA.............................................................................................................................................................................................35
Multiple Channels View.......................................................................................................................................37
Sequencer area items..........................................................................................................................................37
Sequencer Toolbar ..............................................................................................................................................38
WAVEFORM AREA ............................................................................................................................................................................................39
Status Toolbar.....................................................................................................................................................44
COMMAND BAR................................................................................................................................................................................................45
SETTINGS...........................................................................................................................................................................................................48
Device Settings....................................................................................................................................................48
Channel Settings .................................................................................................................................................60
Marker Settings...................................................................................................................................................63
Sequencer Settings..............................................................................................................................................64
WAVEFORM LIST...............................................................................................................................................................................................66
The Waveform Graph.......................................................................................................................................... 67
How to import an Analog/Digital waveform from a file......................................................................................68
How to export an Analog/Digital waveform to a file...........................................................................................69
How to promote an Analog/Digital waveform to a Predefined...........................................................................69
How to edit an Analog/Digital Waveform...........................................................................................................70
How to create a new Analog/Digital Waveform .................................................................................................70
Parametric Waveforms .......................................................................................................................................70
How to create a new Parametric Waveform.......................................................................................................70
Parametric Waveform Types...............................................................................................................................71
The Auto Calc Menu ............................................................................................................................................73

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The Setup Warning Menu....................................................................................................................................75
Pulse Type Parametric Waveform .......................................................................................................................76
Square Type Parametric Waveform ....................................................................................................................77
Sweep Type Parametric Waveform .....................................................................................................................77
Exponential Type Parametric Waveform.............................................................................................................78
Sine Type Parametric Waveform.........................................................................................................................78
Sinc Type Parametric Waveform .........................................................................................................................78
PRBS Type Parametric Waveform .......................................................................................................................79
Multitone Type Parametric Waveform................................................................................................................79
How to create and load a Restore Point..............................................................................................................81
How to obtain the array points from a parametric waveform ............................................................................81
CONFIGURATIONS.......................................................................................................................................................82
SAVE AS.............................................................................................................................................................................................................82
EXPORT CONFIGURATION.................................................................................................................................................................................82
LOAD FROM ......................................................................................................................................................................................................83
REMOTE CONTROL......................................................................................................................................................84
REMOTE DESKTOP CONNECTION .....................................................................................................................................................................84
CALIBRATION AND DIAGNOSTIC.................................................................................................................................85
LICENSE........................................................................................................................................................................86
GPIB AND USBTMC (WITH –GPIBUSB OPTION ONLY) ...............................................................................................87
GPIB control ........................................................................................................................................................87
USBTMC control ..................................................................................................................................................88
APPENDIX A –DIGITAL OPTION AND ACCESSORIES...................................................................................................89
1.1 AT-LVDS-SMA8 ...........................................................................................................................................91
1.2 AT-DTLL8 ....................................................................................................................................................92
CERTIFICATIONS ..........................................................................................................................................................94
EMCCOMPLIANCE...........................................................................................................................................................................................94
SAFETY COMPLIANCE........................................................................................................................................................................................94
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE.......................................................................................................................................................................95

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Copyright © Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are
owned by Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation or its subsidiaries or suppliers, and are protected by national
copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
Berkeley Nucleonics products are covered by Italian and foreign patents, issued and pending.
Information in this publication supersedes that in all previously published material. Specifications and
price change privileges reserved.

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Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to this product or any
products connected to it.
To avoid potential hazards, use this product only as specified.
Only qualified personnel should perform service procedures.
Use only the power cord specified for this product and certified for the country of use.
This product is grounded through the grounding conductor of the power cord. To avoid electric shock, the
grounding conductor must be connected to earth ground. Before making connections to the input or
output terminals of the product, ensure that the product is properly grounded.
To avoid fire or shock hazard, observe all ratings and markings on the product. Consult the product
manual for further ratings information before making connections to the product.
The power cord provides Mains disconnect.
Do not operate this product with covers or panels removed.
If you suspect that there is damage to this product, have it inspected by qualified service personnel.
Do not touch exposed connections and components when power is present.
Refer to the manual’s installation instructions for details on installing the product so it has proper
ventilation.

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This section contains information and warnings that must be observed to keep the instrument operating
in a correct and safe condition. You are required to follow generally accepted safety procedures in
addition to the safety precautions specified in this section.
Where the following symbols appear on the instrument’s front or rear panels, or in this manual, they
alert you to important safety considerations.
This symbol is used where caution is required. Refer to the accompanying information or
documents in order to protect against personal injury or damage to the instrument.
This symbol warns of a potential risk of shock hazard.
This symbol is used to denote the measurement ground connection.
This symbol is used to denote a frame or chassis connection.
This symbol is used to denote a safety ground connection.
On (Supply). This is the DC power connect/disconnect switch at the back of the
instrument.
Off (Supply). This is the DC power connect/disconnect switch at the back of the
instrument.
This symbol is used to denote Power. It is located on the front panel and denotes
Power On/Off status of the instrument.
This symbol is used to denote Direct Current.
This symbol is used to denote that the device connectors are sensitive to electrostatic
discharge

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CAUTION
The CAUTION sign indicates a potential hazard. It calls attention to a procedure, practice or condition
which, if not followed, could possibly cause damage to equipment. If a CAUTION is indicated, do not
proceed until its conditions are fully understood and met.
WARNING
The WARNING sign indicates a potential hazard. It calls attention to a procedure, practice or condition
which, if not followed, could possibly cause bodily injury or death. If a WARNING is indicated, do not
proceed until its conditions are fully understood and met.
CAT I
Installation (Overvoltage) Category rating per EN 61010-1 safety standard and is applicable for the
instrument front panel measuring terminals. CAT I rated terminals must only be connected to source
circuits in which measures are taken to limit transient voltages to an appropriately low level.

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Observe the following guidelines when recycling an instrument or component.
Production of this equipment required the extraction and use of natural resources. The equipment may
contain substances that could be harmful to the environment or human health if improperly handled at
the product’s end of life. In order to avoid release of such substances into the environment and to
reduce the use of natural resources, we encourage you to recycle this product in an appropriate system
that will ensure that most of the materials are reused or recycled appropriately.
The symbol shown to the left indicates that this product complies with the European
Union’s requirements according to Directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic
equipment (WEEE).

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This manual describes the installation and operation of Model 670C Series using the Simple TrueArb
software. Basic operations and concepts are presented in this manual.
The easiest touch screen display interface allows to create waveforms scenarios, only in few screen
touches.
In summary the True Arb technology provides AWG capabilities to the instrument where every data
point is used to generate the output signal which has been stored in memory; the software architecture
makes arbitrary waves easier to manipulate and more flexible once they’ve been created and it adds
sequencing features to the instrument.
The standard Model 670C Series package includes the following:
•Model 670C Series Arbitrary Waveform Generator equipment
•32 GB USB Pen Drive for Software Recovery procedure
•Power Cord
•Performance/Calibration Certificate
•CE certificate
Item
Description
670C-2C
2 Ch - 180 MHz –2MSamples
670C-2C
2 Ch - 180 MHz –64MSamples
670C-2C
2 Ch - 180 MHz –256MSamples
670C-4C
4 Ch - 180 MHz –2MSamples
670C-4C
4 Ch - 180 MHz –64MSamples
670C-4C
4 Ch - 180 MHz –256MSamples

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Item Description
670C-DIG8
8 channel Digital license (Mini SAS cable included)
AT-DTLL8
LVDS to LVTTL digital adapter probe
AT-LVDS-SMA8
LVDS to SMA digital adapter cable
670C-WAR
3 years warranty extension for 670C
670C-HV
High voltage output (12Vpp on 50 Ohm) for 670C-2C
670C -HV
High voltage output (12Vpp on 50 Ohm) for 670C-4C
GPIB / USB-TMC
GPIB and USBTMC Ports for Remote Control
Net Weight
6.5kg
Net Weight with Package
7 kg
Overall Dimensions
Height: 143 mm
Width: 362 mm
Depth: 258 mm

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The following list describes some of the key features of the Model 670C Series
•High resolution, high sampling rate: 16 Bits, 600 MS/s
•Best output frequency vs amplitude trade off: up to 180MHz, up to 12V voltage window
•2 operating modes in the same instruments: Function Generator and Arbitrary Waveform
Generator
•Very long memory: up to 256MSamples per channel
•Mixed signal generation: 2/4 analog outputs + 8 digital outputs (with Model 670C-DIG8)
•Simple touch screen user interface to create complex waveforms scenarios just in few screen
touches
•Large 7”, 1024x600 capacitive touch LCD
•Touchscreen or Keypad data entering
•Windows 10 operating system
•USB and LAN interfaces
•Compact case size with the possibility of rack mounting in 3U
Unpack the instrument and check that you received all items listed in the Package Content paragraph.
NOTE. The instrument does not ship with a product software CD. To reinstall the product software,
follow the instructions in the paragraph “Obtaining the Latest Software Releases” to get the latest
software release and the instructions in the paragraph “Install TrueArb Application” to install the
application.
CAUTION. To ensure proper cooling, keep sides of the instrument clear of obstructions.
Place the instrument on a cart or bench, observing clearance requirements:
•Top: 20 mm (0.8 in)
•Left and right side: 150 mm (5.9 in)
•Bottom: 20 mm (0.8 in)
•Rear: 75 mm (3 in)

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CAUTION. Ensure that the equipment is positioned in a way that the disconnecting device can be readily
accessible.
The instrument is intended for indoor use and should be operated in a clean, dry, nonconductive
environment. Occasionally a temporary conductivity that is caused by condensation must be expected.
This location is a typical office/home environment. Temporary condensation occurs only when the
product is out of service.
Before using this product, ensure that its operating environment is maintained within these parameters:
Temperature
Operating +5 °C to +40 °C (+41 °F to 104 °F)
Non-operating -20 °C to +60 °C (-4 °F to 140 °F)
Humidity
Operating 5% to 80% relative humidity with a maximum wet
bulk temperature of 29 °C at or below +40 °C, non-condensing.
Non-operating 5% to 95% relative humidity with a maximum wet
bulb temperature of 40 °C at or below +60 °C, non- condensing.
Altitude
Operating 3,000 m (9,843 feet)
Non-operating 12,000 m (39,370 feet)
WARNING. To reduce the risk of fire and shock, ensure that the mains supply voltage fluctuations do
not exceed 10% of the operating voltage range.
No manual voltage selection is required because the AC Adapter automatically adapts to line voltage.
Source Voltage and Frequency
100 to 240VAC ±10% @ 45-66 Hz
Power Consumption
Maximum: 100W
WARNING - Electrical Shock Hazard
Only use the power cord provided with your instrument

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WARNING. To avoid personal injury, power off the instrument and disconnect it from line voltage
before performing any other following procedures.
Inspect the arbitrary waveform generator as often as operating conditions require. To clean the exterior
surface, perform the following steps:
•Remove loose dust on the outside the instrument with a lint-free cloth. Use care to avoid
scratching the front panel display.
•Use a soft cloth dampened with water to clean the instrument. Use a 75% isopropyl alcohol
solution as a cleaner.
CAUTION. To avoid damage to the surface of the arbitrary waveform generator, do not use any
abrasive or chemical cleaning agents.
The recommended calibration interval is one year. Calibration should be performed by qualified
personnel only.
Operate the instrument only as intended by the manufacturer.
If you suspect the instrument’s protection has been impaired, disconnect the power cord and secure the
instrument against any unintended operation.
The instrument’s protection is likely to be impaired if, for example, the instrument shows visible damage
or has been subjected to severe transport stresses.
Proper use of the instrument depends on careful reading of all instructions and labels.
WARNING
Any use of the instrument in a manner not specified by the manufacturer may impair the instrument’s
safety protection.

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Power On
•Insert the AC power cord into the power receptacle on the rear panel.
•Use the front-panel power button to power on the instrument.
•Wait until the system shows windows desktop.
•The Simple TrueArb software will start automatically if at the previous power off the instrument
was working in TrueArb mode.
Alternatively push the TrueArb icon to launch the application from the desktop or push the
Switch App button to switch in TrueArb mode from another application.
Power Off
•Close the application in use.
•Press the front-panel power button to power off the instrument.
Check Input and Output Connectors
When connecting a cable, be sure to distinguish the input connector from the output connectors to avoid
making the wrong connection (images are referred to 670C-4C models).

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CAUTION. Do not short output pins or apply external voltages to Output connectors. The instrument
may be damaged.
CAUTION. Do not apply excessive inputs over ±15 Vpk to Trigger Input connector. The instrument may be
damaged.
The latest release of the software may not be installed on your instrument. The latest version could be
found on Berkeley Nucleonics’ website (www.berkeleynucleonics.com) in the support area
If your instrument has already installed another version of the Simple TrueArb application, DO NOT
uninstall it otherwise you will lose all the configurations and projects.
1. Download the Simple TrueArb setup package from Berkeley Nucleonics’ website and
decompress it to instrument’s local disk.
2. Right click on the “Add-AppDevPackage.ps1” file and select Run with PowerShell to start the
installation.

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3. When the application has been installed, press the “Enter” button to continue.

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In case of software failure or corrupted applications, it’s possible reinstall the full factory image of the
software using the 32 GB Usb Pen Drive included in the package.
Note: In the Recovery USB Pen Drive you’ll find the same version of applications, drivers and updates
that were installed on the instrument at the time of purchase. To get the latest application release
follow the instructions in the paragraph “Obtaining the Latest Version Releases”.
Note: The procedure completely formats the SSD of the instrument so remember to save all important
data (Configuration files, Arbitrary User Waveform files…) in an external device because all the current
settings will be lost when the Recovery Procedure is launched.
Note: If two SSD are mounted on the instrument remember to leave only the one with the label “System
Disk” printed on it while the other one must be removed.
Note: A keyboard is required for the recovery procedure from USB Pen Drive.
1) Insert the Recovery USB Pen Drive into a USB port of the instrument. If the instrument is OFF
press the power-ON button, otherwise restart the instrument. Check that a keyboard is correctly
connected to the instrument.
2) Once the instrument is started press repeatedly F11 button on the keyboard during the Boot
process and access the Boot menu (see the image below).

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3) In the Boot menu select the “UEFI: USB DISK 3.0 PMAP, partition 1” choice and then press Enter.
4) Press ‘1’ on the keyboard to start the recovery procedure.
5) Enter the code "1234" to confirm the execution of the recovery procedure.
6) Once the procedure is complete, press enter to shut down the instrument.
Remove the Recovery USB Pen Drive and power ON the instrument. Follow the instructions at point 2)
to access the Boot menu and select SATA SSD source. Press enter to confirm.

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Single ended analog outputs /
Marker Out - Trigger In
Power
on/off
button
7” Capacitive
Touch Screen
Soft Keyboard and
Rotary Knob
Numeric
Keypad
The Touch screen functionalities and features are described in the Simple TrueArb Application
paragraph.
The Model 670C Series instrument has two or four analog output channels, each one is single- ended
and the connector type is a standard BNC.
The Marker Out BNC connector is located on the front panel in the Model 670C-2C models. See “Auxiliary
Channels” section form more information.
The Trigger In BNC connector is located on the front panel in the Model 670C-2C models. See “Auxiliary
Channels” section form more information.