14-bit 500 Msample/sec digitiser achieves 3 GBytes/sec streaming to PC
The first model based on the new platform is the UF4e-4451-x8. This comes with comes with four channels and 500 Msample/sec synchronous sampling speed at 14 bit ADC resolution. A smaller version with two channels and 500 Msample/sec is also available. Both versions have a signal bandwidth of 250 MHz.
To optimise data storage and bus transfer, repetitive signals can be stored into separate segments using Multiple Recording mode while transferring data in parallel; a feature that is useful for radar applications. The compact UF4e card is also equipped with different acquisition modes like single-shot, streaming (FIFO), segmented (Multiple Recording), gated (Gated Sampling) or the combination of segmented acquisition of fast signals in parallel to slow continuous data recording (ABA mode). All trigger events can be time stamped. Timestamp clock can either be based on the internal clock circuit or an externally fed-in time reference signal.
The four (or two) input channels are completely separate and have one monolithic ADC per channel, as well as an individual high precision pre-amplifier. Each amplifier can be configured separately by software. Software can select one of six input ranges (±200 mV up to ±10 V), 50 Ohm or 1 MOhm input impedance and AC or DC coupling. A bandwidth filter can be activated which suppresses high frequency noise signals.
The UF4e cards have a powerful trigger engine that can combine the two external trigger inputs with channel trigger of each channel by a logical OR or AND. The channel trigger detection can be programmed for edge, level, window or pulse width. Up to eight UF4e cards can run synchronously in one system. The star-hub module option distributes clock and trigger signals between the cards. The star-hub module can combine all of the trigger sources of all connected cards making it possible to use any trigger source as a starting event for the complete system. Using the star-hub a total of 32 channels with 500 Msample/sec and 14 bit resolution can be acquired simultaneously.
The UF4e-4451-x8 is the first product of a new series of ultra fast digitisers. The UF4e platform increases the bus transfer speed by factor of 16 compared with former UF2e and MF3e platforms with PCI Express x1 Gen1 interface. During 2013, it is planned to release further models with 16 bit ADC resolution and 130 Msample/sec and 250 Msample/sec. The UF4e platform is not limited to A/D modules but will also be used as a basis for fast digital data acquisition and arbitrary waveform and pattern generators.
All features of the new card series are fully supported by the UltraFast SBench 6 software. SBench 6 has been optimised to handle several GByte large signals and runs natively under Windows and Linux, both 32 bit and 64 bit. With this, SBench is the first out-of-the-box measurement software with full Linux support.
SBench 6 has been designed for the UltraFast PC instruments and supports all usage modes and settings of the UF4e series with comfortable setup dialogues. The software is able to run the cards in oscilloscope mode as well as long time transient recording mode (streaming mode). A special feature of SBench 6 is the segmented view that allows display of segment based signals together with signals of a second timebase (ABA mode) as well as highly precise timestamps. Besides this SBench 6 has many build-in features for data analysis and documentation such as FFT analysis, a function interpreter, several integrated analysis functions, export into ASCII, Wave, MATLAB, comment functions for signals and display details as well as a comfortable printout function. The SPCM driver interface incorporates a common API for all current products from Strategic Test. Strategic Test; www.strategic-test.com
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
