Agilent E1445A Data Sheet

Data Sheet

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Arbitrary Function Generator

Agilent E1445A

• 1-Slot, C-size, message based

• 13-bit resolution, 40 MSa/s

• 256 kSa waveform segment memory

• Waveform and frequency hopping with sweep function

• Direct access to high-speed registers

• Built-in self-test

Agilent E1445A

Description

The Agilent E1445A Arbitrary Function Generator is a C-size,
1-slot, message-based VXI module. It provides the

flexibility to produce virtually any waveform needed.

The deep memory allows downloading a large number of
waveforms at once, and can store up to 128 waveforms using
SCPI programming. The memory sequencer lets you link
waveform segments together in any order. These sequences
can be repeated 1 to 64 k times or continuously. Within a
sequence, the segments can be repeated up to 4,096 times
using only one sequence memory entry. This memory
structure lets you build large, complex waveforms out of
small segments.

Refer to the Agilent Technologies Website for instrument
driver availability and downloading instructions, as well as for
recent product updates, if applicable.

Produce Complex Waveforms

Essentially, there are two memories built into the E1445A:

1. 256 kSa segment memory that supplies the digital-to-analog
converter (DAC) with its output values; and

2. 32 k-segment sequence memory that defines how the
segments are consecutively linked together at full speed.

The memory sequencer lets you link waveform segments
together in any order. These sequences can be repeated 1 to
64 k times or continuously. Within a sequence, the segments
can be repeated up to 4,096 times using only one sequence
memory entry. This memory structure lets you build large,
complex waveforms out of small segments.

Precisely Control the Frequency

One of the clocks is created by the Direct Digital Synthesis
(DDS) technique. With DDS, you get very high resolution. This
allows you to precisely set the frequencies you need.

For signals with the lowest phase noise, crystal oscillators
with divider circuits are also on-board to clock the DAC. This
allows you to set values like 20 MSa/s with minimal jitter.

Hop Frequencies

Frequency hopping is done easily by programming a list of
frequencies and instructing the internal microprocessor to
step through the list. As an added benefit, the frequency
changes are phase continuous. Using this feature, you can
produce bursts of several tones.

Drive the DAC Directly

When you have an extremely long or indeterminate
waveform, you can use the VXI Local Bus or the faceplate
connector to drive the DAC directly. This lets your process
define the waveform being produced by the E1445A. Local
Bus speed is limited to 7.4 MSa/s typical. Neither is paced by
the internal time base, they must be paced externally.

Agilent Technologies

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Control and Synchronize Other Instruments

A programmable marker places a pulse on the Marker Out
BNC. This marker can appear in any location in the segment
memory. You can use the marker to synchronize other
instruments, such as an oscilloscope or a digital functional
tester.

Product Specifications

Waveforms

Arbitrary waveform
function: Yes
Standard waveforms: Sine, square, ramp, and triangle
Resolution: 13 bits (12 bits for sine)
Sample rate generation
method: Direct digital synthesis (DDS) or time base

sources with digital dividers

Sample rate using DDS:*

Mode: Resolution Range (Sa/s):

DDS normal 0.01 Sa/s 0.01 to 10.7

M

DDS doubled 0.02 Sa/s 0.02 to 21.4

M

* Internal 42.94 MHz crystal

Sample rate: (Resolution using non-DDS timebase) (time

base frequency)/(divider), divider = 1, 2, 3,
2N (N = 1 to 64 k), max. 40 MSa/s

Waveform segment
memory: 256 kSa
Maximum number of
segments: 256 using SCPI
Sequence memory: 32,768 segments
Maximum number of
waveforms in memory: 128 using SCPI
Waveform sequence
looping (burst output
mode): 1 to 65,536 cycles or continuous
Segment looping: 1 to 4,096
Waveform hoppng: Programmed in memory or randomly using

register access via VXI Data Transfer Bus
(P1), VXI Local Bus (P2), or faceplate
connector

Modulation: FSK, PM

Frequency Rates

Sample rate: 40 MSa/s
Time base sources: Internal 40 MHz and 42.9 MHz crystals

(50 ppm); VXI CLK10 line; VXI ECLTrig lines;
faceplate BNC

Maximum waveform
frequency:

10.7 MHz sine, 5 MHz square, 100 kHz ramp/
triangle using 100 samples per cycle

Sweep: Linear and log frequency
Frequency sweep range: 0.01 Hz to 10 MHz
Frequency hop range: 0.01 Hz to 10 MHz
Frequency hop rate: Up to 500 kHz using registers, 800 Hz using

SCPI

Frequency shift (FSK) rate: Up to 2 M changes/s
Phase modulation rate: Up to 500 kHz
Phase modulation source: Software, VXI Local Bus (P2), or faceplate

connector

Square waveform rise
time: 17 ns typical

Output

Amplitude: ± 10.2 V max. (open circuit)
Output impedance
(software selectable):

50 or 75 Ω (output also calibrated for open
circuit)

Voltage amplitude range: ± 5.1 V in 1.25 mV steps in 50 Ω, ± 10.2 V

in 2.5 mV steps in to high impedance.

Monotonicity: >11 bits
Differential nonlinearity
(dc): 4 LSB
Amplitude accuracy (dc): ± (0.3% + 5 mV) into 50 Ω
Output

Maximum offset: ± 5 V into 50 Ω
Maximum output: ± 5.5 V AC+DC into 50 Ω

Amplitude accuracy (ac): ± (0.1 dB + attenuator error + ac flatness)

(Absolute)

Sine total harmonic distortion with internal filters
applied:

Frequency Range Harmonic Level

0.1 - 250 kHz –60 dBc

0.25 - 4 MHz –60 dBc + 20 log (f/250 k)
4 MHz - 10 MHz –36 dBc

Note: f = output frequency

Sine spurious nonharmonic distortion:

Frequency Range Non-harmonic Level

10 Hz - 1 MHz –60 dBc or –60 dBm,

(whichever is greater)

1 MHz - 4 MHz –50 dBc
4 MHz - 10 MHz –45 dBc

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Auxiliary Input/Output

VXI Local Bus: Data to DAC (not synchronized to time base

and limited to 7.4 MSa/s typical), data to
segment memory, waveform selection, phase
modulation

Trigger sources: Auto, hold, software, VXI TTLTRG, VXI

ECLTRG, or faceplate BNC

Faceplate Connectors

Ref/sample in BNC: Frequency reference, sample clock
Start arm in BNC: Start arm
Stop trig/FSK/gate in BNC: Trigger clock gate, Trigger stop, FSK
Marker out: Any point, start of sequence, sample clock,

reference frequency, frequency/phase change

Digital port: Data to DAC or segment memory, waveform

selection, phase modulation

VXI TTLTRG lines: Sample clock, gate, sweep arm/trigger, FSK

input

VXI ECLTRG lines: Sample clock, reference frequency, start arm,

all marker outputs

General Specifications

VXI Characteristics

VXI device type: Message based
Data transfer bus: A16, A32, D8/16/32 slave

only

Size: C
Slots: 1
Connectors: P1/2
Shared memory: None
VXI busses: Local Bus A-row, Local Bus

C-row, TTL Trigger Bus, ECL
Trigger Bus

C-size compatibility: n/a

Instrument Drivers

See the Agilent Technologies Website (http://www.agilent.com/find/
inst_drivers) for driver availability and downloading

.

Command module
firmware:

n/a

Command module
firmware rev: n/a
I-SCPI Win 3.1: n/a
I-SCPI Series 700: n/a
C-SCPI LynxOS: n/a
C-SCPI Series 700: n/a
Panel Drivers: Yes
VXI

plug&play

Win
Framework: No
VXI

plug&play

Win 95/NT
Framework: Yes
VXI

plug&play

HP-UX
Framework: No

Module Current

I

PM

I

DM

+5 V: 3.5 0.2
+12 V: 0.1 0.1
–12 V: 0.13 0.06
+24 V: 0.22 0.17
–24 V: 0.34 0.17
–5.2 V: 2.5 0.12
–2 V: 1.2 0.2

Cooling/Slot

Watts/slot: 44.00
∆P mm H

2

O: 0.50

Air Flow liter/s: 3.50

Ordering Information

Description Product No.

C-Size Arbitrary Function Generator E1445A
Service Manual E1445A 0B3
Germany - German Localization E1445A ABD
France - French Localization E1445A ABF
Japan - Japanese Localization E1445A ABJ

Frequency Range Flatness

0.1 Hz - 100 kHz 0.05 dB
100 - 250 kHz 0.1 dB
1 kHz - 10 MHz 0.2 dB

Note: relative to 1 kHz with internal filters

Attenuator range: 0 to 30 dB in 0.01 steps
Attenuator error: 0 dB at max output level, 0.05 dB at other

levels

Output filters
(software selectable): 250 kHz, 5-pole Bessel; 10 MHz, 7-pole

Bessel; no filter applied

AC flatness:

Backplane Connector Shield Kit

E1400-80920

Related Literature

2000 Test System and VXI Catalog CD-ROM,

Agilent Pub. No. 5980-0308E (detailed specifications for VXI products)

2000 Test System and VXI Catalog,

Agilent Pub. No. 5980-0307E (overview of VXI products )

1998 Test System and VXI Products Data Book,

Agilent Pub. No. 5966-2812E

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Data Subject to Change
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2000
Printed in the U.S.A. May 1, 2004
5965-5542E