Tektronix, Inc.

Geoffrey D Cheren

Brett Trevor

Brandon Z Fry

David A Holaday

Jordan Edgar

A device has a digital-to-analog converter to convert waveform data into analog waveforms, a waveform memory to store stored waveform data, an external waveform interface to receive real-time waveform data from an external device, a waveform multiplexer connected to the digital-to-analog converter to select between the first memory and the external waveform interface, a sequencer to receive and execute instructions to identify and access waveform data to drive the digital-to-analog converter, a sequencer instruction memory to provide stored instructions to the sequencer, an external instruction interface to receive real-time instructions for the sequencer, and a sequencer multiplexer to select between the sequencer instruction memory and the external instruction interface connected to the sequencer. A method of controlling a waveform generator includes selecting a mode of operation, where the mode of operation is selected from streaming waveform data, real-time waveform memory updates, real-time sequencer instructions, real-time sequencer instruction updates, and real-time sequencer flow control.

Realtime streaming control of an arbitrary waveform generator

An arbitrary waveform generator including a first processor configured to output first digital data, a second processor configured to output second digital data, a first digital-to-analog converter to receive the first digital data from the first processor and output a first analog signal representing the first digital data, a second digital-to-analog converter to receive the second digital data from the second processor and output a second analog signal representing the second digital data, a system phase detector to receive the first analog signal and the second analog signal and determine a phase difference between the first analog signal and the second analog signal, and a controller configured to receive the phase difference from the system phase detector and determine a delay time for the first processor to delay an output of third digital data based on the phase difference.

Dynamic delay adjustment for multi-channel digital-to-analog converter synchronization

A system and method synchronizes multi-AWG system, where such systems are of a type having a master arbitrary waveform generator (AWG), one or more slave AWGs, and a sync hub having a sync controller and sync phase detector. The method operates by receiving at the sync hub a divided down clock (SystemRefClock) signal from a master arbitrary waveform generator (AWG). The method then derives a clock signal (SystemClock) from the SystemRefClock signal received from the master AWG and outputs the SystemClock signal to the master AWG and to the one or more slave AWGs Finally, the SystemClock signal is used to clock a synchronous trigger for the master AWG and one or more slave AWGs to play a waveform. In one aspect, the synchronous trigger includes AlignmentFiducial and Run signals to effect trigger and play commands.

Synchronization for multiple arbitrary waveform generators

A method and apparatus for processing packetized data spanning multiple clock cycles includes at least one comparator, for comparing a present clock cycle count to a reference clock cycle count, wherein the reference clock cycle values may be anywhere within the packet and may be non-contiguous with other reference clock cycle values. At least one word recognizer, compares a presently clocked word to a reference word, and an output circuit provides an indication of a favorable word comparison that occurred in response to a favorable clock cycle count comparison.

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Beaverton, OR, United States of America

Geoffrey D Cheren