Product category:
Stand-Alone Instruments
News Release from: TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) | Subject: AFG3000 Series
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 01 December 2006
Novel SoC drives generator performance
The Tektronix AFG3000 Series of arbitrary/function generators consists of six models with the market-leading 240MHz, dual-channel, 2Gsample/s AFG3252 at the head of the series.
Now available from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) is the Tektronix AFG3000 Series of arbitrary/function generators, consisting of six models with the market-leading 240MHz, dual-channel, 2Gsample/s AFG3252 at the head of the series Thanks to an innovative architecture based on a powerful "generator on a chip" (GoC) ASIC, the AFG3000 Series delivers industry-leading performance in its class
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 30 Jan 2006 at 8.00am (UK)
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Generators span broad range of applications
The Tektronix AFG3000 Series of arbitrary/function generators comprises six models with the market-leading 240MHz dual-channel 2Gsample/s AFG3252 at the head of the series.
Compact bench power supply provides 175W
The EX355, new from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), is a single-output laboratory DC power supply providing an output from 0 to 35V at 0 to 5A.
At the same time, the platform's user interface is straightforward and easy to use, maximising productivity.
The AFG3000 Series spans a broad range of applications.
The 240MHz models at the top of the series will appeal to designers developing high-performance computing or communications equipment and video products.
Further reading
Programmable power-supplies offer outputs to 1kW
The XHR range of programmable power supplies, offering output ratings up to 1 kW is power-factor corrected for low current draw and reduced generation of input current harmonics.
Low-pass filter meets digital testing requirements
The new Audio Precision S2-AES17LP filter, now available exclusively in the UK from TTi, meets the requirements for digital audio testing laid down by the Audio Engineering Society.
Programmable synthesised 1GHz RF generator
The TGR1040GP from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments) is a programmable synthesised RF signal generator with a frequency range up to 1GHz.
The high 2Gsample/s sampling rate and wide analogue bandwidth provide a minimum rise time of less than 2.5ns.
Both rise and fall times can be independently adjusted on single or dual channels up to a maximum of 62.5s.
The AFG3000 supports 12 standard functions (waveform shapes), including sinusoidal waves at frequencies up to 240MHz.
A built-in arbitrary waveform generator capable of delivering sample rates up to 2Gsample/s (an industry first in this class of signal sources) and 14bit amplitude resolution can generate or replicate any waveform.
This exceptional performance is essential for maintaining narrow test margins, and it protects the user's investment as bandwidth requirements increase over time.
All the instruments in the series are equipped with a stable time base whose drift is only +/-1ppm per year.
The dual-channel models provide completely independent selection of waveform and frequency for each channel.
Designers working with mixed-signal devices, for example, will be able to drive the device with both analogue and digital signals simultaneously, at two distinct frequencies if necessary.
Similarly, two serial bit streams - one ideal and the other impaired, can be fed to a component at the same time.
By using the phase align and phase adjust features, the dual-channel versions are also ideal for generating I and Q channels for testing of communications equipment components.
The large (5.6in) LCD on every AFG3000 Series model is easy to read at a glance, offering ample space for both graphical waveforms and instrument settings.
This display supports an information-rich user interface that is patterned after the proven graphical interface used in Tektronix oscilloscopes.
Simple on-screen menus are supplemented by shortcut keys that control the most common waveform parameters.
AFG3000 Series users can move quickly around the front panel to set up even the most complex modulated signals.
The 0.18um ASIC at the heart of the AFG3000 Series instruments integrates a host of essential features into a single CMOS chip encompassing the core signal-generating functions.
The GoC incorporates a direct digital synthesis (DDS) circuit, a digital-to-analogue convertor, and other signal-generating elements including a pulse generator with variable period and independently adjustable rise and fall times, a modulation source, a noise source, and a frequency sweep generator.
The ASIC also includes up to 128Ksample of arbitrary waveform memory.
Standard function generator waveforms are stored in separate memory.
The GoC design enables better performance and lower cost than has been previously available in this class of instrument.
USB, GPIB and LAN interfaces are provided, with an additional front panel USB connector for waveform storage on a memory device.
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