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VM3608A/3616A Programming
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Normal Mode
In normal mode, all channels are set to static values via word serial command or through direct
register access. To support higher throughput, 512 predefined values for each channel may be
loaded into RAM. With a single-word serial command, all 8 or 16 channels are updated at once.
To facilitate synchronization, each channel may be set to change value when written to, or only
when one or more selected channels are written to. This allows multiple values to be changed, but
all channels will update at the same time. Updates can also be synchronized to the front panel
trigger input, the VXIbus trigger lines, or via a word serial command.
FIFO Mode
In FIFO mode, any or all channels may be set up to output a continuous stream of data, while all
other channels remain at their previously programmed values. Data is fed into the instrument using
direct register access and data throughput of up to 100k samples per second. The output may be
paced using an internal timer with 100 ns resolution, the VXIbus trigger lines, or via a front panel
trigger input.
Arbitrary Waveform Generator Mode
In Arbitrary Waveform Generator (ARB) mode, any or all channels may be set up to output
complex waveforms by loading one or more waveform segments and linking them together. All
other channels remain at their previously programmed values. Up to 4096 waveform segments may
be loaded into the instrument and 4096 segments may be linked together. Each segment may be
used once, looped up to over a million times, or may loop continuously until triggered to advance
to the next segment. Advancing from segment to segment can occur automatically, or when a
trigger event is received. In ARB mode, all enabled channels track each other and all waveform
segments for each channel are the same length. All lopping and branching instructions apply for all
enabled channels. The data format should be set prior to configuring the scan mode for ARB
operation.
Scan Mode
In scan mode, any or all channels may be set up to output data previously stored in RAM. Each
channel may have up to 512 data points, and each channel may have a unique number of points.
The data is advanced by a VXIbus TTL trigger event, the front panel trigger input, or by word
serial command. Scan mode may be set up to either stop at the end of the data set, or restart from
the beginning of the data set. In this mode, the output levels of the channels that are not included in
scan mode may be altered while scan mode is running.
Summary of Contents for VM3608A
Page 2: ...VTI Instruments Corp 2 ...
Page 6: ...VTI Instruments Corp 6 VM3608A 3616A Preface ...
Page 12: ...VTI Instruments Corp 12 VM3608A 3616A Preface ...
Page 18: ...VTI Instruments Corp 18 VM3608A 3616A Introduction ...
Page 134: ...VTI Instruments Corp 134 VM3608A 3616A Command Dictionary ...