Arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs), as the name suggests, offer the means of producing almost any type of signal waveform within the limits of their maximum sampling rate and bit resolution. The compact modular SDR14TX recently unveiled by Teledyne Signal Processing (SP) Devices, for example, is a dual-channel, 14-b AWG with a maximum sampling frequency to 2 Gsamples/s. It can create wideband dc-coupled signal waveforms in the first Nyquist frequency range to 1 GHz and direct synthesis of RF waveforms in the second Nyquist frequency range to 2 GHz.
The versatile AWG can be used in a wide range of commercial, industrial, and military systems, including LiDAR, radar, test systems, and wireless communications networks. Its 1 GB of onboard memory stores the code required to produce often-used signal waveforms.
1. The modular SDR14TX arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) operates at sampling rates to 2 Gsamples/s and synthesizes output signals in the first Nyquist zone to 1 GHz and in the second Nyquist zone to 2 GHz. (Courtesy of Teledyne SP Devices)
The SDR14TX AWG, packed into a modular housing (Figs. 1 and 2), includes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) that is accessible to a user for programming. The dual-channel signal source operates at sampling frequencies to 2 GHz per channel with 14-b vertical resolution. The dual output enables transmission of two synchronized but independent waveforms.
There’s also support for generation and transmission of complex in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) modulated signals for advanced communications applications. An advanced waveform sequencing engine enables flexible waveform generation, and the built-in zero generation feature makes it possible to generate “silent” output without wasting any memory.
Multiple units can be readily synchronized for multichannel applications—each AWG is packed with 1 GB of data memory for storing waveform data to simplify programming of multiple waveforms. Every SDR14TX comes with either PXIe or PCIe data interfaces for interconnection with external systems.
2. The compact, fan-cooled architecture of the SDR14TX AWG and its high sampling rates make it a candidate for signal generation in many different systems. (Courtesy of Teledyne SP Devices)
The 50-Ω ports of the AWG are matched to most high-frequency systems, with output voltages to 1 V p-p for single-ended outputs and 2 V p-p for differential outputs. Signal outputs achieve 3-dB bandwidths as wide as 1 GHz with power spectral density of
−152 dBm/Hz for single-ended waveforms and −149 dBm/Hz for differential waveforms. The spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR) is 52 dBc for single-ended output signals and 63 dBc for differential output signals, with both levels measured at 100 MHz.
For complex signal generation, as required in many communications, radar, and electronic-warfare (EW) systems, modular AWG signal sources such as these are well-suited for programming and producing advanced waveforms as needed, without excessive power consumption. The AWG is designed for +12 V dc power and is rated for maximum power consumption of 40 W.
Teledyne Signal Processing (SP) Devices Sweden AB, Teknikringen 6, SE-583 30 Linkoping, Sweden.
