Features:
- Compatible with Tektronix 53/63 Series System
- Produces a Programmable Series of Output-Voltage Steps
- Sample Rates from 40 Nanoseconds to 671 Milliseconds in 40 Nanosecond Steps
The Tektronix 53A-243 Arbitrary Waveform Generator (ARB) Card is a printed circuit board assembly
for use in a Tektronix 53/63 Series System. The card produces a programmable series of
output-voltage steps that can be used to create precise sinusoidal, triangular, square, or other
user-defined arbitrary waveforms. The ARB Card produces an analog output of either 15.11
V, programmable in 10-mV steps, when driving a 50-Ohm load; or t 10.22 V, programmable in
20-mV steps, when driving a high-impedance load.
Sample rates are programmable from a period of 40 nanoseconds to a period of 671 milliseconds
in 40 nanosecond steps, using the internal clock.
A waveform consisting of up to 16,384 10-bit voltage points can be programmed into the
on-card memory. The waveform may be of any length up to 16,384 samples. The output
waveform may be programmed to repeat from 1 through 255 times, or continuously.
Break points may be programmed in any nonconsecutive memory locations except the first
location in memory. A break point causes the waveform to pause until it is retriggered by
software or by a TTL trigger from an external source. This feature is particularly useful in
applications where it is desirable to coordinate portions of the output waveform with other
portions of the test.
Multiple ARB Cards can be slaved to a single card or to a common external clock source to
allow output waveforms to be phase synchronized. This feature gives greater flexibility in
using the ARB. For example, the phase relationship between waveforms that have been
synchronized in this manner can be varied under program control by specifying a new starting
memory location for each individual output waveform.
Memory locations are easily programmed using a string of numeric ASCII characters which
directly specify the output voltage for each sample. An editing capability allows individual
points in the waveform to be changed without requiring a complete memory reload. In
addition, memory loading is further optimized during a block waveform load by an
auto-increment feature. With this, the user need only program the starting waveform address
at the beginning of the block waveform load.
Auxiliary inputs provide for an external clock input (up to 25 MHz), and for an external
trigger. Auxiliary outputs provide a clock output at a frequency equivalent to the programmed
sample rate, and a synchronization pulse that is generated at the end of each waveform cycle.
The 53A-243 Tektronix Arbitrary Waveform Generator Card may still be available for purchase and support from Artisan Technology Group beyond End-Of-Life (EOL) by the manufacturer (OEM).
Artisan Scientific Corporation dba Artisan Technology Group is not affiliated with or a distributor for Tektronix. The depiction, description, or sale of products featuring names, trademarks, brands, and logos is for identification and/or reference purposes only and does not indicate any affiliation with or authorization by any rights holder.