National Instruments PXI NI 5401 User Manual

Computer-Based
Instruments

NI 5401 User Manual

™

PXI /PCI Arbitrary Function Generator

NI 5401 User Manual

March 1999 Edition

Part Number 322419A-01

Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information

www.natinst.com

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© Copyright 1999 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.

Important Information

Warranty

The NI 5401 is warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of shipment,
as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its opt ion, repair or replace equipment that
proves to be defective during the warranty period . T his w arran ty i ncludes part s and l abo r.

The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming
instructions, due to defects in materials and work man ship, for a peri od of 90 d ays from da te o f sh ipm ent, as evi denced
by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not
execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives noti ce of su ch defect s d uring th e warranty perio d.
National Instruments does not warrant that the op eration of t he soft ware shall b e uni nterrup ted or erro r free.

A Return Material Authorization (RMA) number must b e ob tain ed fro m th e facto ry an d clearl y mark ed on t he outsi de
of the package before any equipment wil l be accepted for warranty work. National Instruments will pay the shippi ng costs
of returning to the owner parts which are covered by warran ty.

National Instruments believes that the information in this document is accurate. The document has been carefully
reviewed for technical accuracy. In the event that technical or typographical errors exist, National Instruments reserves
the right to make changes to subsequent editions of this document without prior notice to holders of this edition. The
reader should consult National Instruments if errors are suspected. In no event shall National Instruments be liable for
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WARNING REGARDING MEDICAL AND CLINICAL USE OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS PRODUCTS

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Conventions

The following conventions are used in this manual:

» The » symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options

to a final action. The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to
pull down the File menu, select the Page Setup item, and select Options
from the last dialog box.

♦ The ♦ symbol indicates that the following text applies only to a specific

product, a specific operating system, or a specific software version.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to

avoid injury, data loss, or a system crash.
This icon denotes a warning, which advises you of precautions to take to

avoid being electrically shocked.

bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click on in the software,

such as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes
parameter names.

italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross reference, or an introduction

to a key concept.

monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the

keyboard. This font is also used for the proper names of functions,
variables, and filenames and extensions.

monospace italic

Italic text in this font denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value
that you must supply.

Contents

Chapter 1
Generating Functions
with the NI 5401

About Your NI 5401......................................................................................................1-1

Connecting Signals ........................................................................................................1-2

ARB Connector...............................................................................................1-3

SYNC Connector.............................................................................................1-3

PLL Ref Connector..........................................................................................1-4

Pattern Out Connector (PCI Only)..................................................................1-5

Connector Pin Assignments....................................................... .......1-5

Signal Descriptions...........................................................................1-6

SHC50-68 50-Pin Cable Connector ................................................................1-6

Software Options for Your NI 5401 ..............................................................................1-8

Software Included with Your NI 5401 ............................................................1-8

VirtualBench.....................................................................................1-8

NI-FGEN Instrument Driver.............................................................1-9

Additional National Instruments Development Tools.....................................1-9

LabVIEW..........................................................................................1-9

LabWindows/CVI.............................................................................1-10

ComponentWorks .............................................................................1-10

Using the Soft Front Panels to Generate Waveforms....................................................1-11

Generating Standard Functions .......................................................................1-11

Generating Multiple Frequencies in a Sequence.............................................1-13

Waveform Editor.............................................................................................1-15

Power-Up and Reset Conditions....................................................................................1-16

Chapter 2
Function Generator Operation

Generating Waveforms..................................................................................................2-2

Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) .....................................................................................2-3

Frequency Hopping and Sweeping..................................................................2-4

Triggering ......................................................................................................................2-4

Trigger Sources ...............................................................................................2-4

Modes of Operation.........................................................................................2-5

Single Trigger Mode.........................................................................2-5

Continuous Trigger Mode.................................................................2-6

Stepped Trigger Mode ........................................ ..............................2-7

Analog Output................................................................................................................2-7

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National Instruments Corporation v NI 5401 User Manual

Contents

SYNC Output and Duty Cycle........................................................................2-9

Output Attenuation.................................................. ........................................2-9

Output Impedance.............................................................. .............................2-10

Output Enable ..................................... .............................................. ..............2-10

Pre-Attenuation Offset.................................................................................... 2-11

Phase-Locked Loops and Board Synchronization.........................................................2-11

Analog Filter Correction................................................................................................2-13

RTSI/PXI Trigger Lines................................................................................................2-14

Calibration.....................................................................................................................2-15

Appendix A
Specifications

Appendix B
Optional Accessories

Appendix C
Frequency Resolution and Lookup Memory

Appendix D
Technical Support Resources

Glossary

Index

Figures

Figure 1-1. NI 5401 I/O Connectors........................................................................ 1-2

Figure 1-2. Output Levels and Load Termination Using a

50 Ω Output Impedance........................................................................1-3

Figure 1-3. SYNC Output and Duty Cycle..............................................................1-4

Figure 1-4. NI 5401 50-Pin Digital Connector Pin Assignments............................ 1-5

Figure 1-5. SHC50-68 68-Pin Connector Pin Assignments....................................1-7

Figure 1-6. VirtualBench-FG Soft Front Panel for Function Generation................ 1-11

Figure 1-7. VirtualBench-FG General Settings Dialog Box for the NI 5401.......... 1-12

Figure 1-8. VirtualBench-FG Signals Settings Dialog Box for the NI 5401........... 1-12

Figure 1-9. VirtualBench-FG Load Waveform Dialog Box....................................1-13

Figure 1-10. VirtualBench-FG Frequency List Editor Dialog Box...........................1-14

Figure 1-11. Waveform Editor Soft Front Panel .......................................................1-15

NI 5401 User Manual vi www.natinst.com

Table

Contents

Figure 2-1. NI 5401 Block Diagram ........................................................................2-1

Figure 2-2. Waveform Data Path Block Diagram....................................................2-2

Figure 2-3. DDS Building Blocks............................................................................2-3

Figure 2-4. Waveform Generation Trigger Sources ................................................2-5

Figure 2-5. Single Trigger Mode .............................................................................2-6

Figure 2-6. Continuous Trigger Mode.....................................................................2-6

Figure 2-7. Stepped Trigger Mode............................... ... .........................................2-7

Figure 2-8. Analog Output and SYNC Out Block Diagram....................................2-8

Figure 2-9. Waveform and Trigger Timings............................................................2-8

Figure 2-10. Output Attenuation Chain .....................................................................2-9

Figure 2-11. PLL Architecture for the NI 5401 for PCI ............................................2-12

Figure 2-12. PLL Architecture for the NI 5401 for PXI............................................2-12

Figure 2-13. Analog Filter Correction .......................................................................2-13

Figure 2-14. RTSI Trigger Lines and Routing for the NI 5401 for PCI....................2-14

Figure 2-15. PXI Trigger Lines, 10 MHz Backplane Oscillator, and

Routing for the NI 5401 for PXI ...........................................................2-14

Table 1-1. Digital Connector Signal Descriptions..................................................1-6

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National Instruments Corporation vii NI 5401 User Manual

Generating Functions
with the NI 5401

The NI 5401 User Manual describes the features, functions, and operation
of the NI 5401 arbitrary function generator. This device performs
comparably to standalone instruments while providing the flexibility of
computer-based operation.

About Your NI 5401

Thank you for buying a National Instruments NI 5401 arbitrary function
generator. The NI 5401 family consists of two different devices:

• NI 5401 for PCI

• NI 5401 for PXI
Your NI 5401 device has the following features:

• One 12-bit resolution output channel

• Up to 16 MHz sine and transistor-transistor logic (TTL) waveform
output

• Software-selectable output impedances of 50 Ω and 75 Ω

• Output attenuation levels from 0 to 73 dB

• Phase-locked loop (PLL) synchronization to external clocks

• Sampling rate of 40 MS/s

• Digital and analog filter

• 32-bit direct digital synthesis (DDS) for standard function generation

• External trigger input

• Real-Time System Integration (RTSI) and PXI triggers

1

All NI 5401 devices follow industry-standard Plug and Play specifications
on both buses and offer seamless integration with compliant systems.

Detailed specifications for the NI 5401 are in Appendix A, Specifications.

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National Instruments Corporation 1-1 NI 5401 User Manual

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

Connecting Signals

Figure 1-1 shows the front panels for the NI 5401 for the PXI and PCI
buses. The front panel contains three types of connectors: BNC, SMB, and
50-pin very high-density SCSI (VHDSCSI). The main waveform is
generated through the connector labeled ARB.

LOCK

ACCESS

ARB OUT

SYNC OUT

EXT TRIG

PLL REF

ARB

SYNC

PLL IN

PXI PCI

PATTERN OUT

Figure 1-1.

NI 5401 I/O Connectors

NI 5401 User Manual 1-2 www.natinst.com

ARB Connector

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

The ARB connector provides the waveform output. The maximum output
levels on this connector depend on the type of load termination. If the
output of your NI 5401 terminates into a 50 Ω load, the output levels are
±5 V , as sho wn in Figure 1-2. If the output of your NI 5401 terminates into
a high-impedance load (HiZ), the output levels are ±10 V. If the output
terminates into any other load, the levels are as follows:

R

L

V

out

------------------ -

RLRO+

10× V±=

where V

By default, R

Figure 1-2.

Note

Software sets the voltage output levels based on a 50 Ω load termination.

is the maximum output voltage level

out

R

is the load impedance in ohms, and

L

R

is the output impedance on the NI 5401.

O

= 50 Ω, but you can use your software to set it to 75 Ω.

O

NI 5401
ARB

50 Ω Load

RO =

Ω

50

R
50

Load

=

L

Ω

±5 V

NI 5401
ARB

RO =
50

High-Impedance Load

Output Levels and Load Termination Using a 50

For more information on waveform generation and analog output
operation, refer to Chapter 2, Function Generator Operation. For
specifications on the waveform output signal, see Appendix A,

Specifications.

Load

R

=

Ω

L

HiZ

Output Impedance

Ω

±10 V

SYNC Connector

The SYNC connector provides a TTL version of the sine waveform being
generated at the output. You can think of the SYNC output as a very
high-frequency resolution, software-programmable clock source for many
applications. You can also vary the duty cycle of the SYNC output on the
fly by software control, as shown in Figure 1-3. t

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National Instruments Corporation 1-3 NI 5401 User Manual

is the time period of the

p

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

sine wave being generated and tw is the pulse width of the SYNC output.
The duty cycle is (t

ARB Output

SYNC Output
(50% Duty Cycle)

SYNC Output
(33% Duty Cycle)

For your NI 5401 for PCI, you can route the SYNC output to the RTSI lines
over the RTSI bus. For your NI 5401 for PXI, you can route the SYNC
output to the TTL trigger lines over the TTL trigger bus. The SYNC output
is derived from a comparator connected to the analog waveform and
provides a meaningful waveform only when you are generating a sine w ave
on the ARB output. For more information on SYNC output, see Chapter 2,

Function Generator Operation.

) × 100%.

w/tp

t

p

t

w

Figure 1-3. SYNC Output and Duty Cycle

PLL Ref Connector

The PLL Ref connector is a phase-locked loop (PLL) input connector that
can accept a reference clock from an external source and frequency lock the
NI 5401 internal clock to this external clock. The reference clock should
not deviate more than ±100 ppm from its nominal frequency . The minimum
amplitude levels of 1 V
reference clock frequencies of 1 MHz and 5–20 MHz in 1 MHz steps.

Note You can frequency lock the NI 5401 for PCI to other National Instruments devices

over the RT SI bus using the 20 MHz RTSI clock signal. You can frequency lock the
NI 5401 for PXI to other National Instruments devices using the 10 MHz backplane clock.

If no external reference clock is av ailable, the NI 5401 automatically tunes
the internal clock to the highest accuracy possible. For more information on
PLL operation, refer to Chapter 2, Function Generator Operation.

NI 5401 User Manual 1-4 www.natinst.com

are required on this clock. You can lock

pk-pk

Pattern Out Connector (PCI Only)

This connector is used on the NI 5401 for PCI to supply the external trigger
input to the board.

Connector Pin Assignments

Figure 1-4 shows the NI 5401 50-pin digital connector. Refer to Table 1-1
for a description of the signals.

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

DGND

NC

DGND

NC

DGND

NC

DGND

RFU

DGND

RFU

DGND

RFU

DGND

RFU

DGND

RFU

DGND

RFU

DGND

RFU

DGND

RFU

DGND

RFU

DGND

50

EXT_TRIG25
2449
2348
2247
2146
2045
1944
1843
1742
1641
1540
1439
1338
1237
1136
1035

934
833
732
631
530
429
328
227
126

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

NC

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

RFU

Figure 1-4.

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National Instruments Corporation 1-5 NI 5401 User Manual

NI 5401 50-Pin Digital Connector Pin Assignments

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

Signal Descriptions

Table 1-1 shows the pin names and signal descriptions used on the NI 5401
digital output connector.

Table 1-1.

Signal Name Type Description

DGND – Digital ground
EXT_TRIG Input External trigger—The external trigger input signal is a

NC – Not connected.
RFU – Reserved for future use. Do not connect signals to this pin.

Digital Connector Signal Descriptions

TTL-level signal that you can use to start or step through a
waveform generation. For more information on trigger sources
and trigger mode, see Chapter 2, Function Generator

Operation.

SHC50-68 50-Pin Cable Connector

You can use an optional SHC50-68 50-pin to 68-pin cable for external
trigger input. The cable connects to the digital connector on the NI 5401.
Figure 1-5 shows the 68-pin connector pin assignments on the SHC50-68
cable.

Note

The SHC50-68 connector uses the same signals as the NI 5401 digital output

connector shown in Ta ble 1-1.

NI 5401 User Manual 1-6 www.natinst.com

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU
RFU

NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC
NC

EXT_TRIG

26

34

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

27
28
29
30
31
32
33

1

35

2

36

3

37

4

38

5

39

6

40

7

41

8

42

9

43
44
45
46
47

48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57

58

59

60

61

62

63

64

65

66

67

68

DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
RFU
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND
DGND

Figure 1-5. SHC50-68 68-Pin Connector Pin Assignments

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National Instruments Corporation 1-7 NI 5401 User Manual

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

Software Options for Your NI 5401

This section describes the NI-FGEN driver software and development tools
that you can use to create application software for your NI5401.

Software Included with Your NI 5401

Your NI5401 kit includes several VirtualBench soft front panels to help
you get up and running quickly with your waveform generator. These soft
front panels are an onscreen interface similar to standalone instruments. An
NI-FGEN instrument driver is also included, which you can use with a
wide variety of development tools to build applications for your NI 5401.

These software tools are discussed in the following sections.

VirtualBench

Similar to standalone instruments, VirtualBench acquires, controls,
analyzes, and presents data. However, since VirtualBench operates on your
PC, it provides additional processing, storage, and display capabilities.

VirtualBench loads and saves waveform data in a form that popular
spreadsheet programs and word processors can use. It can also generate
reports—a complement to the raw data storage—by adding timestamps,
measurements, user names, and comments. You can print the waveforms
and the settings of VirtualBench to a printer connected to thePC.

VirtualBench has two components—VirtualBench-FG and Waveform
Editor—that you can use with your NI5401. These components are
described in the following sections.

VirtualBench-FG

VirtualBench-FG transforms your PC into a fully featured function
generator that rivals desktop models by using the DDS capabilities of your
NI5401. VirtualBench-FG emulates benchtop function generators, so you
can quickly learn to use computer-based instruments.

With VirtualBench-FG, you can generate a variety of waveforms, including
five standard waveforms: sine, square, triangle, rising exponential, and
falling exponential. Using VirtualBench-FG, you load waveforms from an
ASCII text file and generate them repeatedly. You can generate these
waveforms with a resolution of approximately 10mHz and perform
frequency sweeps and shift-keying. As with all VirtualBench instruments,
you can load and save instrument settings.

NI 5401 User Manual 1-8 www.natinst.com

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

Waveform Editor

You use the Waveform Editor to create, sketch, and edit complex
waveforms that the VirtualBench-FG player can then generate. A library of
standard waveforms for creating complex waveforms is included, and you
can also write equations to create arbitrary waveforms and view the
waveforms in a time or frequency domain.

NI-FGEN Instrument Driver

To create your application, you need an industry-standard software driver
such as NI-FGEN to control your instrument. The NI-FGEN driver
includes a set of standard functions for configuring, creating, starting, and
stopping waveform generation. The instrument driver reduces your
program development time and simplifies instrument control by
eliminating the need to learn a complex programming protocol for your
instrument.

NI-FGEN is in a standard instrument driver format that works with
LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and conventional programming languages
such as C, C++, and Visual Basic.

Refer to the NI-FGEN
instrument driver. This file can be launched from the
Start»Programs»National Instruments FGEN menu.

Note

An NI-FGEN Instrument Driver Quick Reference Guide is included in your NI 5401

kit. This reference guide helps you program your NI 5401.

readme.txt file for more details on the NI-FGEN

Additional National Instruments Development Tools

The following sections describe several additional tools that you can use to
develop complex applications for your NI 5401. The NI-FGEN instrument
driver exposes the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to these
development environments.

LabVIEW

LabVIEW is a graphical programming language for building
instrumentation systems. With LabVIEW, you quickly create front panel
user interfaces, giving you interactive control of your software system. To
specify the functionality, you assemble block diagrams—a natural design
notation for engineers and scientists. LabVIEW has all of the same
development tools and language capabilities of a standard language such

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National Instruments Corporation 1-9 NI 5401 User Manual

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

as C, including looping and case structures, configuration management
tools, and compiled performance.

Note Use the NI-FGEN instrument driver to program and control your NI 5401 using

LabVIEW.

LabWindows/CVI

LabWindows/CVI is an interactive, ANSI C programming environment
designed for automated test applications.

LabWindows/CVI has an interacti ve drag-and-drop editor for building your
user interface and a complete ANSI C development environment for
building your test program logic. The LabWindows/CVI environment has
a wide collection of automatic code-generation tools and utilities that
accelerate your development process, without sacrificing any of the po wer
and flexibility of a language such as C. In addition, the LabWindows/CVI
run-time libraries are compatible with standard C/C++ compilers,
including Visual C++ and Borland C++ under Windows.

Note Use the NI-FGEN instrument driver to program and control your NI 5401 using

LabWindows/CVI.

ComponentWorks

ComponentWorks is a collection of 32-bit ActiveX controls for building
virtual instrumentation systems. ComponentWorks gives you the power
and flexibility of standard development tools, such as Microsoft Visual
Basic or Visual C++, with the instrumentation expertise of National
Instruments. Based on ActiveX technology, ComponentWorks controls are
easy to configure using property sheets and are easy to control from your
programs using high-level properties and methods. ComponentWorks
features instrumentation-based graphical user interface (GUI) tools,
including graphs, meters, gauges, knobs, dials, and switches.

Note Use the NI-FGEN instrument driver to program and control your NI 5401 using

ComponentWorks.

NI 5401 User Manual 1-10 www.natinst.com

Chapter 1 Generating Functions with the NI 5401

Using the Soft Front Panels to Generate Waveforms

You use the VirtualBench soft front panels to interactively control your
NI 5401 as you would a desktop function generator.

Generating Standard Functions

If you need to generate standard waveforms such as a sine, square, ramp,
or DC signal, you can use the VirtualBench-FG soft front panel shown in
Figure 1-6. Launch the front panel by selecting Start»Programs»National
Instruments FGEN»VirtualBench FG. You use this front panel to
control the frequency, amplitude, offset, and type of waveform generated.
The maximum sine frequency you can generate is 16 MHz. The maximum
amplitude is 5 V
the actual levels will be twice that shown on the front panel.

into a 50 Ω load. If the load is a high-impedance load,

pk

Figure 1-6.

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National Instruments Corporation 1-11 NI 5401 User Manual

VirtualBench-FG Soft Front Panel for Function Generation