Hardware/Software Package speeds signal generation.
Press Release Summary:
Three-slot, RF vector signal generator, Model PXI-5671 generates signals from 250 kHz to 2.7 GHz, with 20 MHz real-time bandwidth and up to 512 MB memory. Featuring onboard signal processing, 100 MS/s arbitrary waveform generator, Model PXI-5441 offers baseband interpolation/pulse shaping and quadrature digital upconversion for generating baseband I/Q and IF signals up to 43 MHz. Modulation Toolkit 3.0 for LabVIEW includes channel coding, channel equalization, and channel models.
Original Press Release:
NI Communications Instruments Speed Signal Generation by More Than 300 Times
New National Instruments Hardware and Software Provide Dramatic Advances from Baseband to RF
NEWS RELEASE - March 14, 2005 - Engineers and scientists now can generate RF and baseband signals more than 300 times faster with the new National Instruments PXI-5671 RF vector signal generator and the new NI PXI-5441 arbitrary waveform generator with onboard signal processing. With the release of these modules and the new NI Modulation Toolkit 3.0 for LabVIEW, National Instruments offers a complete modular solution for generating high-speed communications signals.
The PXI-5671 module is a three-slot RF vector signal generator that delivers signal generation from 250 kHz to 2.7 GHz, 20 MHz of real-time bandwidth and up to 512 MB of memory. With the onboard digital upconverter on the module, engineers can achieve more than 300 times faster waveform download time or playback duration. This functionality is ideal for engineers who require data streaming with rapid response time for software-defined radio (SDR) or faster download times for satellite radio applications. Engineers also can take advantage of the module's configurable signal processing parameters such as prefilter gain and offset, finite impulse response (FIR) filters, cascaded integrator-comb (CIC) filters, a numerically controlled oscillator (NCO) and IQ mixing.
The new PXI-5441 module, a 100 MS/s arbitrary waveform generator for producing standard functions, arbitrary waveforms and waveform sequences, introduces onboard signal processing functionality. Onboard signal processing adds baseband interpolation/pulse shaping and quadrature digital upconversion capability for generating baseband I/Q and intermediate frequency (IF) signals up to 43 MHz. The PXI-5441 is the industry's first arbitrary waveform generator to combine these operating modes in a single module with instrument-quality analog specifications.
The PXI-5671 and PXI-5441 modules ship with the new NI Modulation Toolkit 3.0 for LabVIEW. In addition to its ability to rapidly prototype any standard-specific or custom digital communication system, the software now includes channel coding, channel equalization and channel models as well as new, easy-to-use pallet functions for ASK, PAM, AM-VSB and AM-SSB modulation formats. Because the Modulation Toolkit tightly integrates with NI hardware, engineers can use the software to easily perform hardware-in-the-loop testing.
"Customers benefit from the increase in signal generation speed due to the quadrature digital upconversion capability onboard the NI PXI-5671 and PXI-5441 modules," said Joseph E. Kovacs, NI RF product marketing manager. "Using this new technology, engineers can reduce their download and signal generation time from 180 seconds to 0.5 seconds."
The National Instruments RF and communications product line extends the speed and flexibility of virtual instrumentation into the GHz frequency range. With these tools, engineers have access to customizable functionality unavailable with traditional instrumentation for applications including radio frequency identification (RFID), wireless sensors, wireless telemetry and wireless standards-based testing such as IEEE 802.15.4 (Zigbee). Furthermore, researchers and students can use the tools' flexibility to prototype next-generation communication systems such as multiple input, multiple output (MIMO). To learn about discounts for qualifying academic institutions, readers can visit www.ni.com/academic.
About NI Modular Instruments
NI offers essential technologies for test, which combine high-performance hardware, flexible software and innovative timing and synchronization technology for test and design applications. NI modular instruments offer accurate, high-throughput measurements from DC to 2.7 GHz. The product family includes:
o High-resolution digitizers (up to 24 bits, up to 200 MS/s)
o Signal generators (up to 16 bits, 200 MS/s)
o Digital waveform generator/analyzers (up to 400 Mb/s)
o Digital multimeters (up to 7½ digits)
o RF vector signal generators and analyzers (up to 2.7 GHz)
o Dynamic signal analyzers (up to 24 bits, 204.8 kS/s)
o Switching (multiplexers, matrices and general purpose)
About National Instruments
National Instruments (www.ni.com) is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation - a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging the PC and its related technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs through easy-to-integrate software and modular hardware. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,400 employees and direct operations in approximately 40 countries. In 2004, the company sold products to more than 25,000 companies in 90 countries.
Pricing and Contact Information
NI PXI-5441, priced from $8,495
NI PXI-5671, priced from $16,495
NI Modulation Toolkit, priced from $1,995
Web: http://www.ni.com/rf/5671-5441.htm
