UF2e-6100 Series Overview

There are 2 different 8-bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator cards in the UF2e-6100 range. The cards are available with 2 or 4 output channels and have a 125 MS/s maximum channel output rate. Each channel can be independently set for offset, amplitude or filter.

The UF2e cards are used as lower cost, more flexible and deeper memory alternatives to standalone AWG instruments. The fast PCI Express bus gives direct integration with your preferred PC software, while the 120 MBytes/s data transfer delivers faster test times.

Advantage of PCI Express for instrumentation

Read an application note on the advantages of PCI Express here.

Standard mode…

The signals are downloaded to the onboard signal memory. Output is started on software or external TTL trigger and the signal(s) are output once, n times, or repeated until the card is stopped by software. This mode allows the cards to output at the maximum clock rate. While generating, the card operates independently of the host PC so the cpu can be used for other tasks.

… and FIFO mode. Generating continuously at 120 MBytes per second from the PC

Alternatively, the UF2e boards also provide a FIFO mode that continuously transfers the waveform data gap-free from the PC to the AWG card while it outputs the signals. This mode has the advantage that longer signals can be generated than the available on-board memory.

Note that the maximum output rate is limited by the PCI Express bus transfer rate, which is typically 120 MBytes/s, and the number of activated channels. For a 8-bit AWG board this equates to a max sampling rate of f=120M/n where n is the total number of activated channels (including all cards in the system).

Synchronous channels

Each channel on the AWG board is equipped with it’s own D/A converter for synchronous output, eliminating any risk of time-skew (or phase) errors.

Synchronizing multiple-cards in a single PC

The Star Hub option is an add-on that allows multiple cards, even of different types, to be synchronized. There are two versions that support up to 5 cards or 16 cards.

The Star Hub distributes the clock and trigger signals, so all channels are without time-skew errors and all cards start on the same trigger condition (any channel, any external TTL trigger). Any card can be defined as the clock master or trigger master by software. It’s also possible to configure AND/OR trigger conditions (channel or external TTL) across multiple cards. Please note that the UF2e Star Hub option is not compatible with the older UF Star Hub option.

Download the UF2/UF2e Star Hub datasheet here.

Synchronizing multiple PC’s

A new option, the System Star Hub synchronizes up to 271 UF2e and UF2 cards cards hosted in up to 17 PC’s. This option is useful if:

• The number of channels/cards required can’t fit in one PC
• Data will be stored continuously (using FIFO mode) to hard disk array and the limits of the PCI/PCI Express means not all cards can be placed in one system
• Extensive online calculations have to be made for several channels and the bus bandwidth isn’t capable of streaming data for all channels or a single cpu power is not sufficient

Software selectable low-pass filters

Each channel can be configured with one of the three available low-pass filters, or you can choose to select the no-filter option. In addition, each channel has independent dcV offset adjustment.

Fine Resolution Sampling Rates

Most other products limit you to a few fixed sampling rate choices, however with the UF2e cards you simply instruct the software which rate you require and the driver will automatically adjust the onboard PLL and hardware divider to achieve the closest sampling rate possible.

External Clock and External Trigger

Need to synchronize with external equipment? As standard the UF2e cards are supplied with connectors for external clock and trigger. Both can be programmed as input or output, so the card can receive a TTL clock or output the internal clock and the trigger connector can receive a TTL trigger event or generate a trigger event from either a software trigger or detected channel trigger.

Easy Programming

Only six key functions to define a complete setup. Small DLL or module (Linux) uses few system resources and does not conflict with other programs. On request, we will be pleased to send you the User Manual as a pdf so you can see the many examples.

The API is identical for all UF2e Digitizer, AWG and Digital cards to reduce programming times.

What’s included

The UF2e cards are supplied with:

• Windows (Vista, XP, XP64, 2000, NT) and Linux drivers
• Extensive printed user manual with many programming examples
• Source code programming examples: c/c++, VB, Delphi
• SBench 6 waveform generationprogram for Win/Linux
• Two years hardware warranty
• Lifetime software updates (inc. future Win/Linux drivers)
• Lifetime technical support from specialists