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Synchronising Two Generators
Two generators can be synchronised together following the procedure outlined below. It is possible
to link more than two generators in this way but results are not guaranteed.
Synchronising Principles
Frequency locking is achieved by using the clock output from the master generator to drive the
clock input of a slave. The additional connection of an initialising SYNC signal permits the slave to
be synchronised such that the phase relationship between master and slave outputs may be
specified.
The most practical use of synchronisation will be to provide outputs at the same frequency, or
maybe harmonics, but with phase differences. Using dual channel generators allows up to four
synchronised channels.
Connections for Synchronisation
The clock connection arrangement is for the rear panel 10MHz REF OUT of the master (which will
be set to
master
) to be connected directly to the 10MHz REF IN socket of the slave (which will
be set to
slave
).
Similarly the synchronising connection is from the SYNC OUT of the master to the TRIG IN input of
the slave.
It is also possible for the master instrument to have its 10MHz REF IN driven from a frequency
reference during synchronisation.
Generator Set-ups
Each generator can have its main parameters set to any value and each generator can be set to
any waveform, except noise.
The master is set as follows.
Press UTILITY-
System
-
Refclk
-
LokTyp
to show the screen below.
Press the
LocTyp
soft-key repeatedly until the Edit Box shows
Master
. The signal at the MAIN
OUT from the generator will stop at the dc offset level.
To set the slave press UTILITY-
System
-
Refclk
-
LokTyp
but this time select
Slave
. The
slave instrument will sound a beep and will switch to using the external clock from the master, as
shown by
in the Status Line. The signal at the MAIN OUT from the generator will stop at the
dc offset level.
Note. On dual channel instruments Tracking, Coupling, Master and Slave modes are mutually
exclusive.
Press the
Reset
soft-key on the slave followed by the
Lock
soft-key on the master. The
generators will now both output their waveforms, which will be sychronised at the selected phases.
