Programming instructions

Downloading and Using Files
Downloads Directly into Pattern RAM (PRAM)
Chapter 4186
Downloading in Block Format
NOTE Because there is no parsing, block data format downloads are faster than list
format downloads.
Data Requirements and Limitations Summary
1. Data must be in binary form.
This requirement is necessary as the baseband generator reads binary data from the data
generator.
2. For every bit of modulation data (bit 0), you must provide 7 bits of control information
(bits 1-7).
The signal generator processes data in 8-bit bytes. Each byte contains 1 bit of “data field”
information, and seven bits of control information associated with the data field bit. See
Table 4-1 for the required data and control bits.
Total (data bits plus control bits) download size limitations are 8 Mbytes or 32 Mbytes for
Option 002.
Because a waveform containing 16 Mbit of data for subsequent modulation must also contain
another 112 Mbits of control information, a file this size requires a signal generator with
Option 002, which provides 32 Mbytes of pattern RAM. The largest amount of modulation
data for a waveform in an Option 001 signal generator is approximately 8 Mbits, which leaves
enough room for the required 56 Mbits of control bits.
Preliminary Setup
Before downloading data, set up the digital communications format to enable the signal
generator to define the modulation format, filter, and data clock. Activating the digital
communications format after data downloads to PRAM can corrupt the data.
Via the front panel:
To set up the TDMA format, press
Mode > desired format and toggle the format on.
To set up a custom modulation format, press
Mode > Custom and toggle the format on.
To adjust symbol rate, filtering, or other parameters, press the appropriate softkey and adjust
the value.