Waveform Generators

PC Instruments manufactures three types of Waveform Generators:

	The most flexibility in creating waveforms is provided by our Arbitrary Waveform Generator ("Arbs", or "AWGs") product line. These five models are able to produce simple waveshapes and complex waveshapes using advanced waveform memory control features.
	The PCI-303 Function Generator provides sine waves, square waves, triangle waves, pulses, and ramps.
	The PCI-305 Sine Wave and Clock Generator utilizes DDS synthesis to create sine waves with a very fast, and phase continuous, frequency switch capability.

Arbitrary Waveform Generators

PC Instruments has a complete line of arbitrary waveform generators including five different models.  Included in the arbitrary waveform product line are the cost effective PCI-341 and PCI-342, the PCI-343 and PCI-344 featuring a wide variety of memory control schemes, and the PCI-345 with a dual-page waveform memory.

These arbitrary waveform generators are powerful tools for creating simple or complex waveshapes.  Some of the many applications for these instruments include:


	Communication Signals, Including I/Q Components,
	XY Positioning, Including Mechanical and Laser Positioning,
	Power Line Simulation, Including Disturbance Simulation and 3 Phase Systems,
	Automotive Sub-Assembly Testing and Simulation,
	ATE Systems,
	Power-On and Power-Off Testing,
	Video Signal Creation,
	And Many More...

And, these arbitrary waveform generators were designed to work in conjunction with the PCI-44x Oscilloscopes to measure waveforms, modify waveforms, and then replay the waveforms.

All the Arbitrary Waveform Generator models share the following features:

	12-bit Vertical Resolution,
	32ksample or 128ksample/channel Memory,
	Adjustable Output Amplitude from 200mVpp to 24Vpp, and
	Programmable Clock Rate from 29mHz to 50MHz.

The table below illustrates the features that differ among the five models.

Function Generator

The PCI-303 Function Generator provides a convenient and low-cost method to generate analog waveforms in a PC-based test system. The PCI-303 generates sine waves, triangle waves, square waves and DC levels and each of the waveshapes have frequency, DC offset, and amplitude controls with three digits of settability. The frequency is adjustable from 10Hz to 10MHz. Reliability is enhanced by the elimination of adjustments and calibration is performed with the covers on. The PCI-303 comes complete with the BenchCom Software Bundle which includes programmer's libraries, DLLs, utilities, and the BenchTop Lite for Windows graphical user interface.


Below is an overview of the features of this instrument:

	Programmable Output of Either Sine, Square, DC, or Triangle Waveshapes,
	Frequency Output Selectable from 10Hz to 10MHz,
	Adjustable Output Amplitude from 100mVpp to 24Vpp,
	Adjustable Output Amplitude from 50mVpp to 12Vpp into 50 Ohms,
	Adjustable Offset from -12V to +12V,
	Adjustable Offset from -6V to +6V (into 50 Ohms), and
	Adjustable Duty Cycle on any Waveshape from 20% to 80%.

The PCI-303 uses analog techniques thereby eliminating the glitches created by generators using digital-to-analog converters. A Sync Output is provided to trigger other test equipment and the Function Output and Sync Output are both capable of driving 50 Ohm loads. The output amplitude is adjustable from 24Vpp to 100mVpp (12Vpp to 50mVpp into a 50 Ohm load). A duty cycle control with a range of 20% to 80% allows the PCI-303 to generate ramps (i.e. sawtooth waveforms), pulses, and distorted sinewaves. An output enable control is provided to make it easier to include the PCI-303 into a test system that needs to switch output waveforms on and off.

The PCI-303 uses a half-slot ISA card (AT or XT bus) with power planes on the exterior of the printed circuit board to protect the generator from static damage and isolate it from high frequency interference. All of the critical power supplies are locally regulated to reduce noise and the Function Output and Sync Output are protected from reverse power surges.

Sinewave and Clock Generator

The PCI-305 Sinewave and Clock Generator combines the latest Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) techniques with a robust output amplifier to create a generator that is capable of creating sinewaves from 1 Hz to 25MHZ with amplitudes from 100mVpp to 24Vpp. This amazing product can also be used to create TTL level clock signals with frequencies from 0.1Hz to 50MHz.

Review the list of features below to see if this generator would be a valuable asset to add to your instrumentation suite:



	Sinewaves from 1Hz to 25MHz,
	Amplitude Range of 100mVpp to 24Vpp,
	Adjustable Output Amplitude from 100mVpp to 24Vpp,
	Amplitude Range of 50mVpp to 12Vpp into 50 Ohms,
	Output Enable Control,
	Sync Output Useful for Triggering,
	Amplitude Accuracy of 1%,
	Amplitude Resolution of 3 Digits,
	Offset Control with a ±12V Span,
	Offset Control Settings are Independent of the Amplitude Setting, and
	Output Amplifier has Reverse Power Protection.

• 
  The output range change circuit of the PCI-305 does not use any relays or analog switches, therefore amplitudes are changed without getting one of those nasty "range change glitches". Likewise, the offset control circuit does not use any switching electronics and offset changes also do not create any unexpected glitches. This generator is one of the few generators available that can change its frequency, amplitude, and offset all without out creating any abnormal glitch or distortion in the output waveform.
  
  The PCI-305 includes the BenchCom Software Bundle and the BenchTop Lite for Windows graphical user interface.
  

Software

Included (free-of-charge) with these products is the BenchCom (tm) Software Bundle. BenchCom includes 16-bit and 32-DLLs, programmers libraries, and drivers for all of the popular test control software packages. Also included with each instrument from PC Instruments is the BenchTop (tm) Lite graphical user interface (free-of-charge) for Windows 3.X, ’95, ’98, and NT. BenchCom and BenchTop Lite are available for downloading from this site. Also available is the BenchTop Plus graphical user interface. Please consult the Price List for the cost for BenchTop Plus. All software from PC Instruments has a lifetime, free-upgrade policy, and includes a detailed operators manual.

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