PulseBlasterDDS-I-300
I. Introduction
Product Overview
PulseBlasterDDS is a high-performance signal generator that combines two units – the digital waveform synthesis unit
(DDS, Direct Digital Synthesis), and the PulseBlaster Timing Processor.
The PulseBlaster Timing Processor provides all the necessary timing control signals required for overall system control
and pulse synchronization. This part of the PulseBlasterDDS design also generates the programmable-length digital (TTL
logic) pulses. By adding DDS features, PulseBlasterDDS can now provide not only programmable TTL pulses but also
RF (Radio Frequency) output signals. By utilizing the PulseBlaster Timing Processor core, the combined system can
generate sophisticated pulse sequences with single-clock accuracy, meeting high-performance demands of advanced
users.
The PulseBlasterDDS-I-300 is equipped with one 300 MHz DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), and it can produce
useful output signal frequencies from DC (Direct Current) (0 Hz) to 100 MHz. Arbitrary Waveform Generation (AWG),
output gating and attenuation, and user-programmable amplitude, frequency, and phase modulation are standard. In
addition to the ability to modulate the envelope of the generated signal, the shape of the carrier signal can be custom-
defined as well, giving the user the opportunity to explore novel excitation modes. Select designs allow for external
frequency modulation using dedicated hardware input lines.
Packaged in a small USB form factor, the PulseBlasterDDS-I-300 series of boards provide users the ability to control
their systems through the generation of fully synchronized digital and analog excitation pulses, ranging from simple RF and
TTL pulses to sophisticated excitation schemes with nested loops, subroutines, etc., providing users with a compelling
price/performance proposition unmatched by any other device on the market today.
Please note that currently, the PCI board version SP6 is only available for special orders.
Board Architecture
Block Diagram
Figure 1, on the next page, presents the general architecture of the PulseBlasterDDS-I-300 board. The two major
building blocks are the DDS Core (top level blocks in Figure 1), and the PulseBlaster Timing Core (PB Core, bottom level
of blocks in Figure 1).
The DDS Core contains a Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) that is equipped with programmable frequency and
phase registers that are under the pulse program control through the PulseBlaster Timing Core. Following the NCO, the
Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) unit can modulate the signal envelope to a user programmable shape, e.g., a sinc
shape. Scaling, or attenuation of the signal amplitude, is also under program control, as well as the additional gating
(blanking) in the digital domain.
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2017-11-14
