Racal Instruments 3162A/B User manual

User Manual
3162A/B
500 MS/s
(SINGLE OR DUAL CHANNEL)
WAVEFORM SYNTHESIZER
Publication No. 980818
RACAL INSTRUMENTS
Racal Instruments, Inc.
4 Goodyear St., Irvine, CA 92618-2002
Tel: (800) RACAL-ATE, [phone], [phone]; FAX: [phone]
Racal Instruments, Ltd.
480 Bath Road, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 6BE, United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]; FAX: [phone]
Racal Systems Electronique S.A.
18 Avenue Dutartre, 78150 LeChesnay, France
Tel: [phone]; FAX: [phone]
Racal Systems Elettronica s.r.l.
Strada 2-Palazzo C4, 20090 Milanofiori Assago, Milan, Italy
Tel: [phone]; FAX [phone]
Racal Elektronik System GmbH.
Technologiepark Bergisch Gladbach, Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse, D-51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
Tel.: [phone]; FAX: [phone]
Racal Australia Pty. Ltd.
3 Powells Road, Brookvale, NSW 2100, Australia
Tel: [phone], FAX: [phone]
Racal Electronics Pte. Ltd.
26 Ayer Rajah Crescent, 04-06/07 Ayer Rajah Industrial Estate, Singapore 0513.
Tel: [phone], FAX: [phone]
Racal Instruments, Ltd.
Unit 5, 25F., Mega Trade Center, No 1, Mei Wan Road, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, PRC
Tel: [phone], FAX: [phone]
http://www.racalinstruments.com
PUBLICATION DATE: May 8, 2001
Copyright 2001 by Racal Instruments, Inc. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved.
This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.

WARRANTY STATEMENT
All Racal Instruments, Inc. products are designed and manufactured to exacting standards and in full conformance
to Racal’s ISO 9001 procedures.
For the specific terms of your standard warranty, or optional extended warranty or service agreement, contact your
Racal customer service advisor. Please have the following information available to facilitate service.
1. Product serial number
2. Product model number
3. Your company and contact information
You may contact your customer service advisor by:
E-Mail: [email protected]
Telephone: [phone] (USA)
[phone] (UK)
[phone] (Hong Kong)
Fax: [phone] (USA)
[phone] (UK)
[phone] (Hong Kong)
RETURN of PRODUCT
Authorization is required from Racal Instruments before you send us your product for service or calibration. Call your
nearest Racal Instruments support facility. A list is located on the last page of this manual. If you are unsure where
to call, contact Racal Instruments, Inc. Customer Support Department in Irvine, California, USA at 1-800-722-3262
or 1-949-859-8999 or via fax at 1-949-859-7139. We can be reached at:
[email protected].
PROPRIETARY NOTICE
This document and the technical data herein disclosed, are proprietary to Racal Instruments, and shall not, without
express written permission of Racal Instruments, be used, in whole or in part to solicit quotations from a competitive
source or used for manufacture by anyone other than Racal Instruments. 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 Racal Instruments.

FOR YOUR SAFETY
Before undertaking any troubleshooting, maintenance or exploratory procedure, read carefully the WARNINGS
and CAUTION notices.
This equipment contains voltage hazardous to human life and safety, and is capable of inflicting personal injury.
If this instrument is to be powered from the AC line (mains) through an autotransformer, ensure the common
connector is connected to the neutral (earth pole) of the power supply.
Before operating the unit, ensure the conductor (green wire) is connected to the ground (earth) conductor of the
power outlet. Do not use a two-conductor extension cord or a three-prong/two-prong adapter. This will defeat the
protective feature of the third conductor in the power cord.
Maintenance and calibration procedures sometimes call for operation of the unit with power applied and protective
covers removed. Read the procedures and heed warnings to avoid “live” circuit points.
Before operating this instrument:
1. Ensure the instrument is configured to operate on the voltage at the power source. See Installation Section.
2. Ensure the proper fuse is in place for the power source to operate.
3. Ensure all other devices connected to or in proximity to this instrument are properly grounded or connected
to the protective third-wire earth ground.
If the instrument:
-fails to operate satisfactorily
-shows visible damage
-has been stored under unfavorable conditions
-has sustained stress
Do not operate until performance is checked by qualified personnel.

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User Manual 3162A/B
i
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
GETTING STARTED...............................................................................................................................1-1
What’s In This Chapter........................................................................................................................1-1
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................1-1
Options ......................................................................................................................................1-3
Manual Changes .............................................................................................................................1-4
Safety Considerations......................................................................................................................1-4
Supplied Accessories......................................................................................................................1-4
Specifications .................................................................................................................................1-4
Functional Description.........................................................................................................................1-4
Input and Output Connectors............................................................................................................1-4
Main Output - Channel A..............................................................................................................1-6
Main Output -Channel B...............................................................................................................1-6
SYNC Output..............................................................................................................................1-6
Trigger/PLL/FSK Input..................................................................................................................1-6
AM/PM Input -Channel A..............................................................................................................1-6
AM Input - Channel B...................................................................................................................1-7
Reference Clock Input..................................................................................................................1-7
Frequency/ Segment Control Input .......................................................................................................1-7
Operating Modes.............................................................................................................................1-7
Continuous Mode ........................................................................................................................1-7
Triggered Mode ...........................................................................................................................1-7
Burst Mode.................................................................................................................................1-8
Gated Mode................................................................................................................................1-8
Output Type....................................................................................................................................1-8
Standard (Fixed) Waveforms.........................................................................................................1-8
Arbitrary (User) Waveforms...........................................................................................................1-8
Sequenced Waveforms ................................................................................................................1-9
Synthesizer Agility ....................................................................................................................1-12
Output State.............................................................................................................................1-12
Amplitude Modulation ................................................................................................................1-12
Front-Panel / VXIbus PLL...............................................................................................................1-12
Frequency Counter....................................................................................................................1-13
Phase Modulation......................................................................................................................1-13

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ii
Filters.......................................................................................................................................1-13
Front Panel Indicators................................................................................................................1-14
Programming The Model 3162B......................................................................................................1-14
Chapter 2
CONFIGURING The INSTRUMENT...........................................................................................................2-1
Installation Overview............................................................................................................................2-1
Unpacking and Initial Inspection...........................................................................................................2-1
Safety Precautions..........................................................................................................................2-1
Performance Checks...........................................................................................................................2-2
Grounding Requirements..................................................................................................................2-2
Long Term Storage or Repackaging For Shipment ..........................................................................2-2
Preparation For Use.....................................................................................................................2-3
Logical Address Selection............................................................................................................2-3
Installation......................................................................................................................................2-4
Chapter 3
USING THE INSTRUMENT......................................................................................................................3-1
Overview ............................................................................................................................................3-1
Inter-Channel Dependency ...............................................................................................................3-1
Output Termination..........................................................................................................................3-1
Input/Output Protection................................................................................................................3-1
Power On/Reset Defaults.............................................................................................................3-2
What To Do Now ................................................................................................................................3-3
Using the APPLy Command.............................................................................................................3-4
Selecting the Active Channel ........................................................................................................3-7
Output Configuration Commands...................................................................................................3-8
Selecting an Output Function Type ...............................................................................................3-8
Selecting a Standard Function Shape............................................................................................3-9
Changing the Frequency and Sample Clock.................................................................................3-10
Controlling Synthesizer Agility....................................................................................................3-10
FSK Mode................................................................................................................................3-11
HOP Mode................................................................................................................................3-12
Selecting the Reference Oscillator ..............................................................................................3-13
Programming the Output Amplitude and Offset.............................................................................3-14
Selecting the Filter ....................................................................................................................3-14
Activating the Backplane ECLTRG and TTLTRG Lines ..................................................................3-15
Enabling the Main Output...........................................................................................................3-16
Enabling the SYNC Output.........................................................................................................3-16

User Manual 3162A/B
iii
Assigning the Source For The SYNC Output................................................................................3-17
Selecting the SYNC Position......................................................................................................3-17
Using the Built-In Standard Waveforms........................................................................................3-18
Selecting an Operating Mode......................................................................................................3-20
Triggered Mode .........................................................................................................................3-21
Gated Mode..............................................................................................................................3-21
Burst Mode...............................................................................................................................3-22
Selecting the Trigger Source.......................................................................................................3-23
Using the Internal Trigger Generator ............................................................................................3-23
Selecting the Trigger Slope.........................................................................................................3-24
Selecting the Trigger Level..........................................................................................................3-24
Using the Soft Trigger ................................................................................................................3-24
Generating Arbitrary Waveforms..................................................................................................3-25
What Are Arbitrary Waveforms?..................................................................................................3-25
Arbitrary Memory Management...................................................................................................3-27
Memory Management Commands...............................................................................................3-27
Loading Arbitrary Waveforms ......................................................................................................3-29
Reversing Byte Order.................................................................................................................3-33
Using Shared Memory ...............................................................................................................3-33
Generating Sequenced Waveforms .................................................................................................3-35
What Are Sequenced Waveforms?..............................................................................................3-35
Sequence Commands................................................................................................................3-35
Sequence Advance Commands ..................................................................................................3-36
Sequence Advance Source Commands .......................................................................................3-37
Front-Panel / VXIbus Phase Synchronization ...............................................................................3-38
PLL Commands ........................................................................................................................3-39
Using the Frequency Counter .....................................................................................................3-40
Using the Phase Modulation Input...............................................................................................3-40
Inter-Channel Phase Control .......................................................................................................3-41
Amplitude Modulation Commands...............................................................................................3-41
System-Related Commands.......................................................................................................3-42
Chapter 4
SCPI COMMAND REFERENCE ..............................................................................................................4-1
What’s In This Chapter........................................................................................................................4-1
Introduction To SCPI Language............................................................................................................4-1
Command Format ...........................................................................................................................4-2
Command Separator....................................................................................................................4-2
The MIN and MAX Parameters......................................................................................................4-3
Querying Parameter Setting .........................................................................................................4-3

3162A/B User Manual
iv
Query Response Format ..............................................................................................................4-3
SCPI Command Terminator..........................................................................................................4-3
IEEE-STD-488.2 Common Commands ..........................................................................................4-4
SCPI Parameter Type..................................................................................................................4-4
Numeric Parameters....................................................................................................................4-4
Discrete Parameters....................................................................................................................4-4
Boolean Parameters ....................................................................................................................4-4
Arbitrary Block Parameters ..........................................................................................................4-5
SCPI Command Summary ...............................................................................................................4-5
Output Configuration Command Summary .......................................................................................4-10
Standard Waveform Command Summary ........................................................................................4-12
Arbitrary Waveform, Sequence, and Shared Memory Command Summary .........................................4-13
Modulation Command Summary.....................................................................................................4-14
Trigger Command Summary...........................................................................................................4-14
PLL Command Summary...............................................................................................................4-14
System-Related Command Summary .............................................................................................4-15
IEEE-STD-488.2 Common Commands and Queries..........................................................................4-15
The SCPI Status Registers.........................................................................................................4-17
The Status Byte Register (STB)..................................................................................................4-18
Reading the Status Byte Register ..............................................................................................4-20
Clearing the Status Byte Register ..............................................................................................4-20
Service Request Enable Register (SRE) .....................................................................................4-20
Standard Event Status Register (ESR) ........................................................................................4-20
Standard Event Status Enable Register (ESE) .............................................................................4-21
Error Messages.........................................................................................................................4-22
Device-Specific Commands ........................................................................................................4-24
Chapter 5
MAINTENANCE AND PERFORMANCE CHECKS.....................................................................................5-1
What’s in This Chapter........................................................................................................................5-1
Disassembly Instructions ....................................................................................................................5-1
Special Handling of Static Sensitive Devices......................................................................................5-2
Cleaning.........................................................................................................................................5-2
Repair and Replacement..................................................................................................................5-3
Performance Checks.......................................................................................................................5-3
Environmental Conditions.................................................................................................................5-3
Warm-up Period..........................................................................................................................5-3
Initial Instrument Setting...............................................................................................................5-4
Recommended Test Equipment ....................................................................................................5-4

User Manual 3162A/B
v
Performance Check Procedures....................................................................................................5-4
Frequency Accuracy....................................................................................................................5-5
Amplitude Accuracy ....................................................................................................................5-6
DC Offset Characteristics.............................................................................................................5-7
Square Wave Characteristics........................................................................................................5-9
Sine Characteristics ..................................................................................................................5-10
Sine Flatness............................................................................................................................5-12
Trigger Gate & Burst Characteristics...........................................................................................5-13
Synthesizer Agility Characteristics..............................................................................................5-14
PLL Characteristics...................................................................................................................5-16
Adjustments.................................................................................................................................5-17
Environmental Conditions ...........................................................................................................5-17
Warm-up Period........................................................................................................................5-17
Recommended Test Equipment ..................................................................................................5-17
Adjustment Procedures..............................................................................................................5-17
Sample Clock Duty Cycle Adjustment.........................................................................................5-18
Pulse Response Adjustment ......................................................................................................5-18
Amplitude Adjustment................................................................................................................5-20
Offset Adjustment......................................................................................................................5-21
PLL Adjustment ........................................................................................................................5-22
Troubleshooting................................................................................................................................5-22
Recommended Test Equipment......................................................................................................5-22
Power-up Tests.............................................................................................................................5-22
Self-Test...................................................................................................................................5-23
Main Board Circuits Checkout ....................................................................................................5-23
Power Supply Checks................................................................................................................5-24
CPU and VXI ASIC Checks ........................................................................................................5-24
Output Amplifier and Amplitude Control Checks ...........................................................................5-25
Clock Synthesizer Checks.........................................................................................................5-26
Engine Board A/B Circuit Checkout ................................................................................................5-27
Engine Board A/B Checks..........................................................................................................5-27
Continuous Operation Checks ....................................................................................................5-27
Triggered Operation Checks .......................................................................................................5-29
D/A, Preamplifier & Amplitude Control Checks.............................................................................5-29
Sequence Generator Checks......................................................................................................5-30
Chapter 6
PRODUCT SUPPORT.............................................................................................................................6-1
Product Support .................................................................................................................................6-1
Reshipment Instructions......................................................................................................................6-1

3162A/B User Manual
vi
Support Offices...................................................................................................................................6-2

User Manual 3162A/B
vii
List of Figures
Figure 1-1, Model 3162A and 3162B.........................................................................................................1-1
Figure 1-2, The Front Panel .....................................................................................................................1-5
Figure 1-3, Segment 1 – Sin (x)/x Waveform.............................................................................................1-9
Figure 1-4,Segment 2 – Sine Waveform..................................................................................................1-10
Figure 1-5. Segment 3 – Pulse Waveform..............................................................................................1-10
Figure 1-6. Sequenced Waveforms.........................................................................................................1-10
Figure 1-7, WaveCAD Example..............................................................................................................1-11
Figure 2-1, Set Logical Address...............................................................................................................2-4
Table 3-1, Default Conditions After Power On or After *RST......................................................................3-2
Table 3-1, Default Conditions After Power On or After *RST (continued).....................................................3-3
Figure 3-3, WaveCAD Hop Table............................................................................................................3-12
Figure 3-5, WaveCAD Control Panel for Trigger Mode...............................................................................3-21
Figure 3-6, WaveCAD’s Arbitrary Waveform Control Panel........................................................................3-26
Figure 3-7, WaveCAD’s Axis Definition Panel..........................................................................................3-27
Figure 3-8, Definite Length Arbitrary Block Data Format ...........................................................................3-30
Figure 3-9, 12-Bit Waveform Data Format ...............................................................................................3-30
Table 5-1, CPU and VXI Interface Checks ..............................................................................................5-24
Table 5-2, Output Amplifier and Amplitude Control Checks.....................................................................5-25

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User Manual 3162A/B
Getting Started 1-1
Chapter 1
GETTING STARTED
What’s In This
Chapter This chapter contains a general description of the VXIbus Model 3162A and
3162B Waveform Generators and an overall functional description of the
instrument. It lists and describes various options available for these models. It
also describes the front panel connectors and indicators.
This manual provides description of all features and options available with the
instruments; however, some items described in the following paragraphs may
not be installed in your instrument.
Figure 1-1, Model 3162A and 3162B
Introduction A detailed functional description is given following the general description of the
features, functions, and options available with the Model 3162A and Model
3162B.
The Model 3162A is a VXIbus, single slot, C-size synthesized Waveform
Generator. It is a high performance waveform generator that combines three
powerful instruments in one small package: function generator, arbitrary
waveform generator and sequence generator. The instrument provides a variety
of standard waveforms to be used as test stimuli for different electronic devices.
The Model 3162B is a VXIbus, dual slot C-size, dual-channel synthesized
Revision 4/18/00

3162A/B User Manual
Getting Started 1-2
Waveform Generator. It has the same performance as the Model 3162A,
except it has two separate main outputs. While sample clock, frequency,
trigger and sequence modes are common to the two channels, each channel
has separate controls for amplitude, offset, and waveform shape.
NOTE
The Model 3162B has the same functionality as the Model
3162A. This manual describes all functions and features
that are available on the Model 3162B. If you own the
Model 3162A, simply ignore all references in this chapter
to the second output channel.
Despite its small size, the Model 3162B offers many features and functions
such as VXIplug&play compatibility, frequency hopping, amplitude
modulation, FSK modulation, front panel or backplane PLL, phase modulation,
counted burst, internal trigger-generator, and more. The instrument generates
high quality, high accuracy waveforms throughout the specified frequency
range, amplitude span and operating temperature.
The Model 3162B generates standard waveforms at frequencies ranging from
100µHz to 250 MHz. It can also generate arbitrary waveforms with clock rates
ranging from 100mHz to 500 MHz. Clock rates and frequency may be set with
7 digits of resolution. The accuracy and the stability of the output frequency
depend on the reference clock. As standard, a TCXO circuit provides 1ppm
accuracy and stability. With the TCXO reference, the output frequency can be
controlled to a full seven digits of resolution and accuracy.
Output amplitude may be programmed separately for each channel within the
range of 20mV to 10Vp-p into an open circuit, and 10mV to 5V into 50Ω.
Amplitude and offsets are programmed with 4 digits of resolution.
Using its PLL function, the generator can be phase locked to an external
reference. An internal frequency counter detects the frequency of the external
signal and adjusts the 3162B to its optimal lock-in range. After the instrument
has locked, the phase offset between the two signals can be changed from 0°
to +360°. Phase offset adjustment is controllable via SCPI commands or by
using the PM input as a phase modulation control.
Besides its normal continuous mode, the Model 3162B responds to a variety
of trigger modes. The output waveform may be gated, triggered, or may
generate a counted burst of waveforms. A built-in trigger generator with a
programmable period can be used as a replacement for an external trigger
source.
The Model 3162B generates arbitrary waveforms with 12 bits of resolution.
While ten standard waveforms are memory resident, up to 4096 additional
waveforms may be downloaded from the controller to the instrument, using
shared memory or standard data bus transfer. Waveforms may also be
generated using the WaveCAD program.
The Model 3162B is a digital instrument. With the exception of standard
waveforms, any waveform it generates must be first downloaded to waveform
memory. The arbitrary waveform memory is a bank of 12-bit words. Each word

User Manual 3162A/B
Getting Started 1-3
represents a point on the waveform. Each word has a horizontal address that
can range from 0 to 1046464, and a vertical address that can range from -2047
to +2048 (12 bits). Using a high speed clocking circuit, the digital contents of
the arbitrary waveform memory are 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.
There is no need to use the complete memory bank every time an arbitrary
waveform is generated. Waveform memory can be divided into up to 4096
smaller segments, and different waveforms can be loaded into each segment.
The various segments may then be loaded into a sequence table to generate
long and complex waveforms. The sequence table can link up to 4096
segments, while each segment can loop up to 1 million times.
The Model 3162B is fully programmable using SCPI commands and syntax.
There are four ways to program the Model 3162B, the first being low-level
programming of each individual parameter with SCPI commands. The second
alternative is to use the VXIplug&play driver’s Soft Front Panel (SFP) for high-
level programming. The SFPdriver simulates a mechanical front panel with the
necessary push buttons, displays and dials to operate the Model 3162B as a
bench-top instrument. The third way to program the 3162B is by using either
the LabVIEW or LabWindows/CVI driver. The fourth way to program the 3162B
is via the WaveCAD program. The Model 3162B will not operate without being
programmed. Therefore, it is recommended that the user become familiar with
its basic features, functions and programming concepts as described in this
and the following chapters.
Options No options are offered for the generators. Compare the Model number with the
number that is printed on the instrument to verify which of the instrument you
received. Contact your nearest Racal representative if the number printed on
the case does not reflect the correct version ordered. The list of available
versions is given below:
•407627-001 - Model 3162A, 500MS/s Waveform Generator, w/1Meg
RAM, 1PPM
•407627-013 - Model 3162A, 500MS/s Waveform Generator, w/4Meg
RAM, 1PPM
•407627-014 - Model 3162A, 500MS/s Waveform Generator, w/8Meg
RAM, 1PPM
•407629-001 - Model 3162B, 500MS/s Waveform Generator, w/1Meg
RAM, 1PPM
1Meg RAM designates instruments supplied with the 1Meg memory. 1046464
point waveforms can be programmed. 4 Meg RAM designates 4193304 point
waveforms and 8 Meg RAM designates 8387608 point waveforms can be
programmed.
1ppm denotes the accuracy and stability grade of the internal 10MHz reference
clock.
Revision 4/18/00

3162A/B User Manual
Getting Started 1-4
Manual Changes Technical corrections to this manual (if any) are noted on the pages
themselves, with the change date shown at the bottom of the page..
Safety
Considerations
The Model 3162B has been manufactured according to international safety
standards. The instrument meets VDE 0411/03.81 and UL 1244 standards for
safety of commercial electronic measuring and test equipment for instruments
with an exposed metal chassis that is directly connected to earth via the
chassis power supply cable.
WARNING
Do not remove instrument covers when operating or when
the chassis power cord is connected to the mains.
Any adjustment, maintenance and repair of an opened, powered-on instrument
should be avoided as much as possible, but when necessary, should be
carried out only by a skilled person who is aware of the hazard involved.
Revision 4/18/00
Supplied
Accessories
The instrument is supplied with an Instruction Manual. The manual includes
disks with VXIplug&play drivers along with WaveCAD for Windows 3.1X and
Windows 95/NT. A Service Manual is available upon request.
Specifications Instrument specifications are listed in Appendix A. These specifications are the
performance standards or limits against which the instrument is tested.
Specifications apply under the following conditions: output terminated into 50Ω
after 30 minutes of warm up time, and within a temperature range of 20
o
C to
30oC. Specifications outside this range are degraded by 0.1% per oC.
Functional
Description
A detailed functional description is given in the following paragraphs. The
description is divided into logical groups: input and output connectors,
operating modes, output type, output state, filters, synchronization, front panel
indicators and programming.
Input and Output
Connectors
The Model 3162B has 7 BNC connectors on its front panel: two main outputs,
SYNC output, TRIG/PLL/FSK input, channel A AM/PM input, channel B AM
input and reference clock input. It also has a 9-pin D-sub connector for
frequency hop and output segment control.

User Manual 3162A/B
Getting Started 1-5
Figure 1-2, The Front Panel

3162A/B User Manual
Getting Started 1-6
Main Output -
Channel A The main output A connector outputs standard, user, sequenced, and
modulated waveforms. Output impedance is 50Ω.That is, the cable connected
to this output should be terminated with 50Ω. Output amplitude accuracy is
calibrated when connected to a 50Ωload. If the output is connected to a
different load resistance, determine the actual amplitude from the following
equation:
The output amplitude is doubled when the output impedance is above 1 MΩ.
Main Output -
Channel B The main output B connector outputs standard, user, sequenced, and
modulated waveforms. Phase offsets, accuracy and jitter are tightly controlled
between the two main outputs. Main output B impedance is 50Ω. While
amplitude, offset and waveform controls are separate for each channel, all other
parameters are common (i.e., sample clock, trigger mode, etc.).
SYNC Output The SYNC output generates a single TTL pulse for synchronizing other
instruments (e.g., an oscilloscope) to the output waveform. The SYNC signal
always appears at a fixed point relative to the waveform. The location of the
SYNC signal along the waveform is programmable.
Trigger/PLL/FSK
Input The trigger input accepts signals that stimulate the Model 3162B to output
waveforms. The trigger input is inactive when the instrument is in continuous
operating mode. When placed in trigger, gated or burst mode, the trigger input
is made active and waits for the right condition to trigger the instrument. In
trigger and burst modes, the trigger input is edge sensitive, i.e., it senses
transitions from high to low or from low to high to trigger the Model 3162B. The
direction of the transition is programmable. In PLL mode, the trigger input is
used as a phase reference input. In FSK mode, the trigger input is used as a
frequency shift control. The FSK input is level sensitive, i.e., the Model 3162B
outputs carrier frequency when the level is low and shifts to a pre-programmed
frequency when the level is high. Trigger level sensitivity may be programmed
for the trigger input.
In gated mode, the trigger input is level sensitive, i.e., the Model 3162B is
gated when the a logic level is high and idle when it is low.
AM/PM Input - The channel A AM input accepts signals that amplitude modulate the channel
A main output signal. The channel A PM Input accepts signals that phase
( ) V Vout prog=+ 250
50
Ω
ΩRL

User Manual 3162A/B
Getting Started 1-7
Channel A modulate the channel A main output frequency. The phase modulation function
operates in conjunction with the PLL function. The AM/PM input becomes
active when one of these functions is selected.
AM Input - Channel B The channel B AM input accepts signals that amplitude modulate the channel
B main output signal. The AM input becomes active when one of these
functions is selected.
Reference Clock
Input The reference clock input accepts a 10 MHz, TTL level signal to replace the
CLK10 reference. The reference clock input is active only when selected.
Frequency/
Segment Control
Input
The frequency and segment control input is a 9-pin, D-Sub type connector.
Eight pins are used as control lines and one pin (pin 9) is connected to ground.
The binary combination of pins 1 through 8 may be used to control 256 different
frequency dividers, or 256 different segments. A frequency divider table and/or
a segment table must first be loaded into the instrument before this input can
modify the output. The signal level for this connector is TTL.
Operating Modes The Model 3162B can be programmed to operate in one of four operating
modes: continuous, triggered, gated and counted burst. These modes are
described below.
Continuous Mode In normal continuous mode, the selected waveform shape is output
continuously at the selected frequency, amplitude and offset.
Triggered Mode In triggered mode, the Model 3162B circuits are armed to generate one output
waveform. The trigger circuit is sensitive to transitions at the trigger input.
Select between positive or negative transitions to trigger the instrument. You
may also program the trigger level to the desired threshold level. When
triggered, the generator outputs one waveform cycle and remains idle at the
last point of the waveform. The Model 3162B can be armed to receive a trigger
signal from a front panel BNC connector, a VXI backplane TTLTRG<n> or
ECLTRG0, or from an internal, programmable trigger generator.
The trigger signal, whether it comes from the front panel or from the VXIbus,
has to pass through some electrical circuits. These circuits cause a small
delay known as system delay. System delay cannot be eliminated completely.
It is, however, minimized in the Model 3162B to approximately 100 ns
maximum. System delay is a factor that must be considered when applying a
trigger signal. It defines how long it will take from a valid trigger edge to the
moment that the output reacts.
While system delay has a fixed value that cannot be controlled, the Model
3162B offers a controllable trigger delay parameter. When operated, delay from

3162A/B User Manual
Getting Started 1-8
a trigger signal to output waveform may be programmed from 0 clocks to 8
Million clocks. System delay factor must be added to your calculation of final
delay value.
Burst Mode The burst mode is an extension of the triggered mode where the Model 3162B
can be armed to output a pre-determined number of waveforms. The source to
trigger the counted burst cycle can be selected from a front panel BNC
connector, VXI backplane trigger lines, or from the built-in trigger generator.
Gated Mode In gated mode, the Model 3162B circuits are armed to generate output
waveforms as long as a gating signal is true. Unlike the triggered mode, the
gated mode is level sensitive. When the gating signal goes low, the waveform
at the output connector is first completed and the output goes to an idle state.
The idle amplitude level, after the gating signal goes low, is the last point on
the waveform.
Output Type The Model 3162B can output three types of waveforms: standard (Fixed),
arbitrary (User) and sequenced waveforms. The three types of waveforms are
described in the following paragraphs.
Standard (Fixed)
Waveforms The Model 3162B generates waveforms from a memory that must be loaded
before the instrument can generate waveforms. There are 1Meg points available
as standard. 2112 points from this memory are allocated for standard
waveforms. Waveforms are loaded into this part of the memory each time that
a standard function is selected.
The Model 3162B can be programmed to output ten different standard
waveforms shapes: sine, triangle, square, pulse, ramp, sinc (sine(x)/x) pulse,
gaussian pulse, exponential pulse, noise, and DC. There are a number of
parameters associated with each waveform which modify the shape of the
waveform to better suit your needs. For example, a different start phase for the
sine waveform can be programmed for each channel to create phase offsets
between the two output channels.
Arbitrary (User)
Waveforms The arbitrary waveform memory is capable of storing one or more user-defined
waveforms. There are 1,046,464 points that can be allocated to one waveform
which has this length. There is no need to use the entire memory for one
waveform. The memory can be divided into smaller segments, variable in size.
The segments can be loaded with different waveforms and the Model 3162B
can be programmed to output one segment at a time.
Loading data to arbitrary waveform memory can be a time-consuming task,
especially if the complete 1Meg is loaded in one shot. The Model 3162B
utilizes the VXIbus shared memory concept that speeds data transfer from and
to the host computer. In this mode, the memory bank is disconnected from the