Specifications

Using the DMM and ARB 65Chapter 4
Using the Agilent E6173A Arbitrary Waveform Generator
The following describes the Agilent E6173A Arbitrary Waveform generator
and how to use it.
Arbitrary Waveform
Generator
Description
The Agilent E6173A Arbitrary Waveform Generator (Arb), formerly the
Agilent Z2471A, is a register-based, two channel signal generator whose
channels are isolated from each other and from ground. The factory default
configuration connects first channel to the Agilent E6171 Measurement
Control Module (MCM).
You can amplify channel one's output using the MCM's V/I
amplifier/current source. You can connect channel two directly to your Unit
Under Test (UUT) or use one of the unassigned MCM inputs. The Arb can
also switch to any UUT pin by switching to Aux ports, if using the default
system pins.
The Arb can output standard waveforms, such as sine, square, triangle,
knock, or crank of a specified frequency, amplitude, and offset, and custom
arbitrary waveforms defined by the user.
How the Arb
Generates
Waveforms
The Arb generates waveforms using pre-defined or user defined segment
and sequence data. Figure 4-3 shows a typical example of a waveform.
The segments of a waveform are the voltage levels of each point on the
waveform. The sequence consists of a group of pre-defined or user defined
number of segments. To generate a waveform, the Arb outputs the sequence,
consisting of the defined number of segments, using a pre-defined time.
The number of segments output (i.e., how often they occur) and the time of
the Arb’s internal clock (i.e., segment duration time) determines the time or
frequency of the waveform to be output. The Arb’s internal clock time is
2 µS. Either single or multiple clock cycles can be used to set the appropriate
frequency. Selecting the clock cycles is usually known as selecting the
“dwell” count.
For example, a waveform consisting of 250 segments using two 2 uS clock
cycles (or 2 dwell counts), outputs a 1 kHz waveform, shown as follows:
250 * (0.000002 * 2) = 250 * 0.000004 = 0.001 S = 1 kHz
In addition to the 2 µS clock, the Arb also has a 100 nS counter that can be
used to add time in 100 nS steps to the 2 µS clock cycles. This is used to
generate frequency accurate waveforms.The counter is normally set using
the “clock adjust” function. Note: Segment time = (Dwell + 1) * (2 µS +
(clock adjust * 0.1 µS))
Both the segment data and sequence data is downloaded into the Arb’s
memory using the standard actions supplied with the system. These actions
can be used to download both standard (pre-defined) waveforms and user
defined waveforms.
Artisan Technology Group - Quality Instrumentation ... Guaranteed | (888) 88-SOURCE | www.artisantg.com