LeCroy PXA125 User manual

User Manual
PXA125
125 MS/s
ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR
Publication No. 010520
PUBLICATION DATE: June, 2002
REVISION: 1.1
Copyright 2002 by LeCroy. All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form
without written permission of the publisher.

WARRANTY STATEMENT
Products sold by LeCroy are warranted to be free from defects in workmanship or materials. LeCroy will, at its
option, either repair or replace any hardware products, which prove to be defective during the warranty
period. You are a valued customer. Our mission is to make any necessary repairs in a reliable and timely
manner.
Duration of Warranty
The warranty period for this LeCroy hardware is one year, except software and firmware products designed
for use with LeCroy Hardware is warranted not to fail to execute its programming instructions due to defect in
materials or workmanship for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of delivery to the initial end user.
Return of Product
Authorization is required from LeCroy before you send your product for service or calibration. Call your
nearest LeCroy support facility. A list is located on the last page of this manual. If you are unsure where to
call, contact LeCroy Customer Support Department.
Limitation of Warranty
LeCroy shall be released from all obligations under this warranty in the event repairs or modifications are
made by persons other than authorized LeCroy service personnel or without the written consent of LeCroy.
LeCroy expressly disclaims any liability to its customers, dealers and representatives and to users of its
product, and to any other person or persons, for special or consequential damages of any kind and from any
cause whatsoever arising out of or in any way connected with the manufacture, sale, handling, repair,
maintenance, replacement or use of said products.
Representations and warranties made by any person including dealers and representatives of LeCroy, which
are inconsistent or in conflict with the terms of this warranty (including but not limited to the limitations of the
liability of LeCroy as set forth above), shall not be binding upon LeCroy unless reduced to writing and
approved by an officer of LeCroy
Except as stated above, LeCroy makes no warranty, express or implied (either in fact or by operation of law),
statutory or otherwise; and except to the extent stated above, LeCroy shall have no liability under any
warranty, express or implied (either in fact or by operation of law), statutory or otherwise.
PROPRIETARY NOTICE
This document and the technical data herein disclosed, are proprietary to LeCroy, and shall not, without express written
permission of LeCroy, be used, in whole or in part to solicit quotations from a competitive source or used for manufacture
by anyone other than LeCroy. The information herein has been developed at private expense, and may only be used for
operation and maintenance reference purposes or for purposes of engineering evaluation and incorporation into technical
specifications and other documents, which specify procurement of products from LeCroy.

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 - PORTRAYAL
What’s in This Chapter...................................................................................................1-1
Introduction....... .............................................................................................................1-1
Conventions used in this Manual .............................................................................1-1
PXA125 Series Feature highlights .................................................................................1-2
ArbConnection Feature highlights..................................................................................1-3
Functional Description....................................................................................................1-6
Output Function.....................................................................................................1-6
Frequency .............................................................................................................1-6
Amplitude. .............................................................................................................1-6
Trigger Modes .......................................................................................................1-6
Arbitrary Waveforms..............................................................................................1-6
Memory Segmentation ..........................................................................................1-7
Remote Control .....................................................................................................1-7
Frequency Agility...................................................................................................1-7
Multi instrument Synchronization...........................................................................1-7
Supplied Accessories.....................................................................................................1-8
Specifications ... .............................................................................................................1-8
Functional Description....................................................................................................1-8
Front Panel Connectors .................................................................................................1-8
Output...... .............................................................................................................1-8
SYNC output..........................................................................................................1-8
TRIG/FSK IN .........................................................................................................1-8
SINE OUT .............................................................................................................1-9
REF IN..... .............................................................................................................1-9
Operating Modes............................................................................................................1-9
Continuous Mode ..................................................................................................1-9
Triggered Mode ...................................................................................................1-10
Gated mode.........................................................................................................1-10
Burst mode ..........................................................................................................1-10
Frequency Agility..........................................................................................................1-10
Sweep...... ...........................................................................................................1-11
FSK. ........ ...........................................................................................................1-11

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Ramped FSK.......................................................................................................1-11
FM .. ........ ...........................................................................................................1-11
Output Type ..... ...........................................................................................................1-11
Standard (Fixed) Waveforms ..............................................................................1-12
Arbitrary (User) Waveforms.................................................................................1-12
Sequenced Waveforms .......................................................................................1-13
Output State ..... ...........................................................................................................1-14
Filters ...... ........ ...........................................................................................................1-14
Programming the PXA125 ...........................................................................................1-15
Chapter 2 - INSTALLATION
Installation Overview ......................................................................................................2-1
Unpacking and Initial Inspection ....................................................................................2-1
Safety Precautions ...................................................................................................2-1
Operating Environment .........................................................................................2-2
Power Requirements.............................................................................................2-2
Grounding Requirements ......................................................................................2-2
Calibration .............................................................................................................2-3
Abnormal Conditions .............................................................................................2-3
Cleaning .. .............................................................................................................2-3
Long Term Storage or Repackaging for Shipment.........................................................2-3
Preparation for Use ........................................................................................................2-4
Removing the Instrument From the Bag ...............................................................2-4
Installation .............................................................................................................2-4
Installing instrument Drivers...........................................................................................2-4
Minimum System Requirements ...........................................................................2-5
Windows Software installation...............................................................................2-5
Windows 95/98/ME Device Driver installation.......................................................2-5
Windows 2000/XP Device Driver installation ......................................................2-12
Windows NT Device Driver installation ...............................................................2-17
Installing ArbConnection and ArbDetector ...................................................................2-17
The ArbDetector2-24
Using the ArbDetector .........................................................................................2-25

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v
Configuring Actual Slot Location .........................................................................2-26
Testing Communications with Your instrument ...................................................2-28
Chapter 3 - ArbConnection
What’s in This Chapter...................................................................................................3-1
Introduction to ArbConnection........................................................................................3-1
Installing ArbConnection .......................................................................................3-1
Quitting ArbConnection .........................................................................................3-2
For the New and Advance Users...........................................................................3-2
Conventions Used in This Manual.........................................................................3-2
The Opening Screen ......................................................................................................3-3
ArbConnection Features ................................................................................................3-6
The Control Panels.........................................................................................................3-6
The Main Panel ....................................................................................................3-8
Waveforms....................................................................................................3-9
Operating modes ..........................................................................................3-9
SYNC Output................................................................................................3-9
TTLTrig Output .............................................................................................3-9
Output.........................................................................................................3-10
The Standard Waveforms Panel .........................................................................3-10
Parameters .................................................................................................3-10
Frequency...................................................................................................3-10
10 MHz Ref.................................................................................................3-11
Waveforms..................................................................................................3-12
The Arbitrary & Sequence Panel .........................................................................3-13
Parameters .................................................................................................3-13
Sample Clock .............................................................................................3-14
10 MHz Ref.................................................................................................3-14
Sequence Advance ....................................................................................3-15
Using the Segment Table....................................................................................3-15
Using the sequence Table...................................................................................3-17
The Trigger Panel................................................................................................3-19
Trigger Parameters.....................................................................................3-19

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vi
Slope ..........................................................................................................3-20
Source ........................................................................................................3-20
Arm . ...........................................................................................................3-21
The Modulation Panel .........................................................................................3-21
Frequency Modulation ................................................................................3-21
FSK. ...........................................................................................................3-23
Sweep.........................................................................................................3-23
The Utility Panel ..................................................................................................3-25
Multi-Instrument Synchronization Control...................................................3-25
Filter ...........................................................................................................3-28
System Commands ....................................................................................3-28
The System and Commands Editor ....................................................................3-28
Communication...........................................................................................3-28
System Commands ....................................................................................3-29
Command Editor.........................................................................................3-30
The Waveform Composer ............................................................................................3-30
The Commands Bar ............................................................................................3-30
File Commands ..........................................................................................3-31
Edit Commands ..........................................................................................3-32
View Commands ........................................................................................3-34
Wave Commands .......................................................................................3-35
System Commands ....................................................................................3-37
The Toolbars .......................................................................................................3-37
The Waveform Screen ........................................................................................3-40
The FM Composer .......................................................................................................3-42
The Commands Bar ............................................................................................3-42
File Commands ..........................................................................................3-43
Edit Commands ..........................................................................................3-44
Wave Commands .......................................................................................3-46
Generating Waveforms Using the Equation Editor ......................................................3-47
Anchor ........................................................................................................3-48
Level Adjuster.............................................................................................3-48
Equation .....................................................................................................3-49

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Control Buttons...........................................................................................3-49
Writing Equations ................................................................................................3-49
Equation Conventions .........................................................................................3-49
Typing Equations.................................................................................................3-51
Equation Examples..............................................................................................3-52
Combining Waveforms ........................................................................................3-56
Creating FM Markers....................................................................................................3-58
Chapter 4 – PROGRAMMING REFERENCE
What’s in This Chapter...................................................................................................4-1
What’s Required.............................................................................................................4-1
The TEComm.dll Functions............................................................................................4-1
FindInstrument.......................................................................................................4-2
Openinstrument.....................................................................................................4-4
OpenAllInstrument.................................................................................................4-6
CloseInstrument ....................................................................................................4-8
GetInstrumentAttribute ........................................................................................4-10
GetStateMessage................................................................................................4-13
The TE5200drv.dll Functions .......................................................................................4-14
SendCommand....................................................................................................4-14
SendBlock ...........................................................................................................4-17
Introduction to SCPI .....................................................................................................4-21
Command Format................................................................................................4-21
Command Separator ...........................................................................................4-22
The MIN and MAX Parameters ...........................................................................4-22
Querying parameter Setting ................................................................................4-22
Query Response Format .....................................................................................4-22
SCPI Command Terminator ................................................................................4-23
IEEE-488.2 Common Commands .......................................................................4-23
SCPI Parameter Type .........................................................................................4-23
Numeric Parameters...................................................................................4-23
Discrete Parameters...................................................................................4-23
Boolean Parameters...................................................................................4-24

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SCPI Syntax and Styles ......................................................................................4-24
SOURce Subsystem ....................................................................................................4-30
APPLy:SINusoid{<freq>,<ampl>,<offs>,<phase>} ..............................................4-31
APPLy:TRIangle{<freq>,<ampl>,<offs>,<phase>} ..............................................4-31
APPLy:SQUare{<freq>,<ampl>,<offs>,<duty_cycle>}.........................................4-32
APPLy:PULSe{<freq>,<ampl>,<offs>,<delay>,<rise>,<high>,<fall>}..................4-32
APPLy:RAMP{<freq>,<ampl>,<offs>,<delay>,<rise>,<fall>}...............................4-33
APPLy:SINC{<freq>,<ampl>,<offs>,<N_cycles>} ...............................................4-33
APPLy:EXPonential{<freq>,<ampl>,<offs>,<exp>}.............................................4-34
APPLy:GAUSsian{<freq>,<ampl>,<offs>,<exp>}................................................4-34
APPLy:DC{<%_ampl>}........................................................................................4-35
APPLy:USER{<seg# >,<sclk>,<ampl>,<offs>}....................................................4-35
FM(OFF|ON|0|1}..................................................................................................4-36
FM:DEViation<deviation>....................................................................................4-36
FM:FUNCtion:MODE{FIXed|USER}....................................................................4-36
FM:FUNCtion:SHAPe(SINusoid|TRIangle|SQUare|RAMP} ................................4-37
FM:FREQuency<FM_freq> .................................................................................4-37
FM:FREQuency:RASTer<FM_sclk> ...................................................................4-37
FM:TRIGger:MODE(CONTinuous|TRIGered|GATEd} ........................................4-38
FM:TRIGger:SLOPe(POSitive|NEGative} ...........................................................4-38
FREQuency{<freq>|MINimum|MAXimum} ..........................................................4-38
FREQuency:RASTer{<sclk>|MINimum|MAXimum}.............................................4-39
FREQuency:RASTer:SOURce{EXTernal|INTernal}............................................4-39
FSK:FREQuency:RASTer<FM_sclk> .................................................................4-40
FSK:MODE(HOP|RAMPed} ................................................................................4-40
FSK:RAMP:TIME<time> .....................................................................................4-40
FUNCTion:MODE{FIXed|USER|SEQuence}.......................................................4-41
FUNCtion:SHAPe{SINusoid|TRIangle|SQUare|PULSe|RAMP|SINC|
EXPonential|GAUSsian|NOISe|DC} ...........................................................4-41
ROSCillator:SOURce{INTernal|EXTernal|TCXO} ...............................................4-42
SWEep:STOP<stop_sclk> ..................................................................................4-42
SWEep:TIME<time>............................................................................................4-42
SWEep:DIRection{UP|DOWN}............................................................................4-43

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SWEep:SPACing{LINear|LOGarithmic}...............................................................4-43
SWEep:TRIGger:MODE(CONTinuous|TRIGered|GATEd} .................................4-43
SWEep:TRIGger:SLOPe(POSitive|NEGative} ....................................................4-44
SWEep:MARKer<mark_sclk> .............................................................................4-44
VOLTage{<ampl>|MINimum|MAXimum} .............................................................4-44
VOLTage:OFFSet<offs>......................................................................................4-45
SINusoid:PHASe<phase> ...................................................................................4-45
TRIangle:PHASe<phase> ...................................................................................4-45
SQUare:DCYCle<duty_cycle> ............................................................................4-46
PULSe:DELay<delay>.........................................................................................4-46
PULSe:WIDTh<pulse_width>..............................................................................4-46
PULSe:TRANsition<rise> ....................................................................................4-47
PULSe:TRANsition:TRAiling<fall>.......................................................................4-47
RAMP:DELay<delay>..........................................................................................4-47
RAMP:TRANsition<rise> .....................................................................................4-48
RAMP:TRANsition:TRAiling<fall>........................................................................4-48
SINC:NCYCleN_cycles> .....................................................................................4-48
GAUSsian:EXPonent<exp>.................................................................................4-49
EXPonential:EXPonent<exp>..............................................................................4-49
DC<%_amplitude> ..............................................................................................4-49
OUTPut Subsystem......................................................................................................4-50
OUTPut{OFF|ON|0|1}..........................................................................................4-50
OUTPut:FILTer{NONE|25M|50M|ALL} ................................................................4-50
OUTPut:SYNC{OFF|ON|0|1}...............................................................................4-51
OUTPut:SYNC:SOURce{BIT|LCOMplete} ..........................................................4-51
OUTPut:SYNC:POSition<position>.....................................................................4-51
OUTPut:SYNC:WIDTh<width>............................................................................4-52
OUTPut:TTLTrig<N>{OFF|ON|0|1}......................................................................4-52
OUTPut:STAR {OFF|ON|0|1} ..............................................................................4-53
INSTrument Subsystem ...............................................................................................4-54
INSTrument:COUPle{OFF|ON|0|1} .....................................................................4-54
INSTrument:COUPle:MODE{MASTer|SLAVe}....................................................4-54
INSTrument:COUPle:PHASe<phase> ................................................................4-55

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INSTrument:SET {0|1|2}......................................................................................4-55
Synchronizing Multiple Instruments .............................................................................4-56
TRIGger Subsystem.....................................................................................................4-58
ARM{OFF|ON|0|1}...............................................................................................4-58
ARM:SLOPe{POSitive|NEGative} .......................................................................4-59
ARM:BREakpoint:POSition<position>.................................................................4-59
INITiate:CONTinuous{OFF|ON|0|1} ....................................................................4-59
TRIGger:BURSt{OFF|ON|0|1} .............................................................................4-60
TRIGger:COUNt<count> .....................................................................................4-60
TRIGger:GATE{OFF|ON|0|1} ..............................................................................4-60
TRIGger:SLOPe{POSitive|NEGative} .................................................................4-61
TRIGger:SOURce:ADVance{EXTernal|INTernal|TTLTrig<N>|STAR} ................4-61
TRIGger:TIMer<interval> ....................................................................................4-62
TRIGger:IMMediate.............................................................................................4-62
*TRG ....... ...........................................................................................................4-62
TRACe Subsystem.......................................................................................................4-63
Arbitrary Waveforms ....................................................................................................4-63
Arbitrary Memory Management....................................................................................4-64
Downloading Arbitrary Waveforms...............................................................................4-64
TRACe:DEFine<segment_number>,<length> ....................................................4-65
TRACe:DELete<segment_number> ...................................................................4-65
TRACe:DELete:ALL ............................................................................................4-65
TRACe:SELect<segment_number>....................................................................4-66
Sequenced Waveforms................................................................................................4-66
SEQuence:ADVance(?){AUTOmatic|STEP|SINGle|MIXed} ...............................4-67
SEQuence:ADVance:SOURce(?){EXTernal|INTernal|TTLTrig<N>|STAR} ........4-67
SEQuence:DEFine <step_#>,<segment_#>,<#_repeat>,<mode> .....................4-68
SEQuence:DELete:ALL.......................................................................................4-68
SYSTem Subsystem ....................................................................................................4-69
SYSTem:ERRor? ................................................................................................4-69
SYSTem:VERSion? ............................................................................................4-69
SYSTem:IDENtification? .....................................................................................4-69
RESet, *RST .......................................................................................................4-69

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*IDN?....... ...........................................................................................................4-69
IEEE-STD-488.2 Common Commands and Queries ...................................................4-70
The SCPI Status Registers..................................................................................4-71
The Status Byte Register (STB) ..........................................................................4-71
Reading the Status Byte Register ......................................................................4-74
Clearing the Status Byte Register ......................................................................4-74
Service Request Enable Register (SRE) ............................................................4-74
Standard Event Status Register (ESR) ...............................................................4-75
Standard Event Status Enable Register (ESE) ...................................................4-76
Error Messages ...................................................................................................4-76
Appendix A - SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................ A-1
List of Figures
Figure 1-1, PXA125 Series.............................................................................................1-3
Figure 1-2, ArbConnection – Control Panels..................................................................1-4
Figure 1-3, ArbConnection – Wave Composer ..............................................................1-5
Figure 1-4, ArbConnection – FM Composer ..................................................................1-5
Figure 1-5a, Segment 1 – Sin (x)/x Waveform .............................................................1-13
Figure 1-5b, Segment 2 – Sin Waveform .....................................................................1-13
Figure 1-5c, Segment 3 – Pulse Waveform .................................................................1-14
Figure 1-5d, Sequenced Waveforms............................................................................1-14
Figure 2-1, Add New Hardware Wizard..........................................................................2-6
Figure 2-2, Search for PXA125 Driver............................................................................2-7
Figure 2-3, Specify PXA125 Driver Location..................................................................2-8
Figure 2-4, Specify Subfolder for Your Instrument .........................................................2-9
Figure 2-5, Device Driver Detected ................................................................................2-9
Figure 2-6, Copying Device Driver ...............................................................................2-10
Figure 2-7, Finish Copying Device Driver.....................................................................2-10
Figure 2-8, Checking Driver Installation .......................................................................2-11
Figure 2-9, The Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard...................................2-12
Figure 2-10, Install Hardware Device Drivers...............................................................2-13
Figure 2-11, Locate Driver Files ...................................................................................2-13

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xii
Figure 2-12, Copying Device Drivers ...........................................................................2-14
Figure 2-13, Driver Files Search Results .....................................................................2-15
Figure 2-14, Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard ........................................2-15
Figure 2-15, Device Manager.......................................................................................2-16
Figure 2-16, CD’s GUI..................................................................................................2-18
Figure 2-17, Install preparation ....................................................................................2-19
Figure 2-18, First Installation Step ...............................................................................2-20
Figure 2-19, Customer Information Step......................................................................2-20
Figure 2-20, Selecting Setup Type...............................................................................2-21
Figure 2-21, Selecting Destination ...............................................................................2-22
Figure 2-22, Selecting Features...................................................................................2-22
Figure 2-23, Selecting ArbDetector Icon options .........................................................2-23
Figure 2-24, Setup Complete .......................................................................................2-24
Figure 2-25, The ArbDetector Icon at the Startup Tray................................................2-24
Figure 2-26, ArbDetector Icon Options ........................................................................2-25
Figure 2-27, The ArbDetector Dialog Box ....................................................................2-25
Figure 2-28, The Settings Tab .....................................................................................2-27
Figure 2-29, Editing Chassis Number and Slot Location .............................................2-27
Figure 2-30, Communicating with your Instrument ......................................................2-29
Figure 3-1, The Opening Screen....................................................................................3-3
Figure 3-2, ArbConnection’s Toolbars ...........................................................................3-5
Figure 3-3, The Main Panel............................................................................................3-8
Figure 3-4, The Standard Waveforms Panel................................................................3-12
Figure 3-5, The Arbitrary & Sequence Panel ...............................................................3-14
Figure 3-6, The Segment Table ...................................................................................3-16
Figure 3-7, The Sequence Table .................................................................................3-18
Figure 3-8, The Trigger Panel ......................................................................................3-20
Figure 3-9, The Modulation Panel................................................................................3-23
Figure 3-10, The Utility Panel.......................................................................................3-26
Figure 3-11, The Multi-Instrument Synchronization Panel ...........................................3-27
Figure 3-12, Multi-Instrument Synchronization Error Message....................................3-27
Figure 3-13, System Control and the Command Editor ...............................................3-29
Figure 3-14, The Wave Composer Opening Screen....................................................3-31

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Figure 3-15, The Save Wave As… Dialog Box ............................................................3-32
Figure 3-16, Zooming In on Waveforms.......................................................................3-35
Figure 3-17, An Example of Generating Sine Waveforms From the Built-in Library ....3-36
Figure 3-18, The Toolbar Icons....................................................................................3-37
Figure 3-19, The Waveform Screen .............................................................................3-41
Figure 3-20, The FM Composer Opening Screen ........................................................3-43
Figure 3-21, The FM Composer Save As… Dialog Box...............................................3-44
Figure 3-22, An Example of Generating Modulating Sine From the Built-in Library.....3-47
Figure 3-23, The Equation Editor Dialog Box...............................................................3-48
Figure 3-24, Using the Equation Sample to Combine Two Waveforms .......................3-52
Figure 3-25, Using the Equation Editor to Modulate Sine Waveforms .........................3-53
Figure 3-26, Using the Equation Editor to Add Second Harmonic Distortion ...............3-54
Figure 3-27, Using the Equation Editor to Generate Exponentially Decaying
Sinewave ...........................................................................................................3-55
Figure 3-28, Using the Equation Editor to Build Amplitude Modulated Signal with ............
Upper and Lower Sidebands ..............................................................................3-56
Figure 3-29, Combining Waveforms Into Equations.....................................................3-57
Figure 3-30, Generating FM markers ...........................................................................3-59
Figure 4-1, SCPI Status Registers ...............................................................................4-73
List of Tables
Table 4-1, Model PXA125 SCPI Commands List Summary.........................................4-25

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Chapter 1
PORTRAYAL
What’s In This
Chapter
This chapter contains general and functional description of the Model
PXA125 Arbitrary Waveform Generator. It also describes the front
panel connectors and operational modes and provides description o
f
all features available with the instruments.
Introduction Model PXA125 is a single-channel PXI-based Arbitrary Waveform
Generator. It is a high performance waveform generator that
combines three powerful instruments in one small package: function
generator, Waveform generator and modulation generator. Supplied
free with the instrument is ArbConnection software, which is used fo
r
controlling the PXA125 and for generating, editing and downloading
waveforms from a remote computer. The following highlights the
PXA125 and ArbConnection features.
Conventions
Used in this
Manual
The following conventions may appear in this manual:
NOTE
A Note contains information relating to the use of this product
CAUTION
A Caution contains information that should be followed to avoid personal
damage to the instrument or the equipment connected to it.
WARNING
A Warning alerts you to a potential hazard. Failure to adhere to the
statement in a WARNING message could result in personal injury.
The following symbol may appear on the product:
CAUTION:
Refer to Accompanying Documents
This refers you to additional information contained in this manual. The
corresponding information in the manual is similarly denoted.
PXA125 Series •PXI Single Slot Module

User Manual PXA125
1-2 Portrayal
Feature Highlights •125 MS/s sample clock frequency
•Built-in standard waveforms. Up to 50 MHz sinewave output
•10 digits frequency setting, limited by 1 µS/s
•14-bit vertical resolution
•2 Meg memory depth
•Ultra fast waveform downloads
•1 ppm clock stability
•Extremely low phase noise carrier
•Frequency agility: FSK, ramped FSK, sweep, FM
•Trigger start phase control and breakpoints
•Built-in sequence generator
•Multiple instrument synchronization with tight phase control

User Manual PXA125
Portrayal 1-3
OUTPUT
10M REF IN
SINE OUT
SYNC OUT
TRIG IN
PXA125
TTL
1Vp-p
GENERATOR
WAVEFORM
125MS/s
LeCroy
Figure 1-1, PXA125
ArbConnection
Feature
Highlights
•Three powerful tools in one software package: Instrument control
panel, Waveform composer and FM signal composer
•Detailed virtual front panels control all PXA125 functions and
modes
•Wave composer generates, edits and downloads complex
waveforms
•FM wave composer generates and downloads complex
modulating signals
•Automatic detection of active instruments
•Equation editor generates waveforms from equations
•SCPI command and response editor simulates ATE operation

User Manual PXA125
1-4 Portrayal
•Translates waveform coordinates from ASCII and other formats
•Simplifies generation of complex sequences
Figure 1-2, ArbConnection - Control Panels

User Manual PXA125
Portrayal 1-5
Figure 1-3, ArbConnection - Wave Composer
Figure 1-4, ArbConnection - FM Wave Composer

User Manual PXA125
1-6 Portrayal
Functional
Description
Detailed functional description is given following the general
description of the features and functions available with the PXA125.
Output Functions Model PXA125 is completely digital. There are no analog functions
resident in its hardware circuits. Data has to be downloaded to the
instrument for it to start generating waveforms. The instrument can
generate a few standard functions such as sine wave, triangula
r
wave and square wave. Each time that a standard function is
required, the instrument calculates its coordinates and places them in
the waveform memory. Therefore, every time a standard function is
selected, minimal time is required for the controller to compute the
function and load its data to the waveform memory.
Frequency Waveform frequency and sample clock are programmed with 10
digits, limited only by 1 µS/s. Frequency accuracy of the output
waveform is determined by the clock reference, CLK10, which
provides 100ppm accuracy and stability over time and temperature.
Amplitude The output level may be programmed from 160 mV to 16 Vp-p into
open circuit, or 80 mV to 8 V into 50Ω. Offset may be applied to the
output to shift the signal either positive or negative. Offset and
amplitude are inter-related, so make sure you understand the offset-
amplitude ranges before you apply offset to your signal.
Trigger Modes Besides its normal continuous mode, the PXA125 responds to a
variety of trigger sources. The output waveform may be gated,
triggered, or generate a counted burst of waveforms. A built-in trigge
r
generator, having a programmable period can be used as a
replacement of an external trigger source. The internal trigge
r
generator can be programmed with resolution of 7 digits. The
PXA125 can be programmed to output triggers on one or more of 8
trigger lines that are connected to P2, as well as, be programmed to
respond to these same trigger lines.
Arbitrary Waveforms The Model PXA125 generates arbitrary waveforms with 14 bits o
f
vertical resolution. Any waveform it generates must first be loaded to
its waveform memory. The arbitrary waveform memory is a bank o
f
14-bit words. Each word represents a point on the horizontal
waveform scale. Each word has a horizontal address that can range
from 0 to 2,097,152 and a vertical address that can range from -8192
to +8191 (14 bits). Using a high speed clocking circuit, the digital
contents of the arbitrary waveform memory is extracted and routed to
the Digital to Analog Converter (DAC). The DAC converts the digital
data to an analog signal, and the output amplifier completes the task
by amplifying or attenuating the signal at the output connector.
Memory Segmentation There is no need to use the entire memory every time an arbitrary
waveform is generated. The waveform memory can be divided into