Spectrum Instrumentation has recently introduced a new Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) option for its 65xx series Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWGs), delivering a highly economical and flexible solution for generating sinusoidal signals, finely tunable reference sources, combined sine waves, waveform trains, frequency sweeps, and modulated signals.
With this launch, Spectrum completes the rollout of DDS functionality across its entire AWG portfolio. The portfolio now includes more than 70 DDS-enabled product variants, supporting multi-tone, multi-channel signal generation with bandwidths of up to 3.9 GHz.
In DDS mode, the 65xx series AWGs can generate up to 16 individual sine waves per channel. Engineers can program and control these signals using only a few commands or through the intuitive DDS CONTROL interface. This approach enables fast adjustments to signal parameters while maintaining exceptional accuracy.
Combining traditional Arbitrary Waveform Generator operation with a powerful DDS mode in a single instrument, the 65xx series delivers high performance and versatility. Each channel can generate up to 16 sine wave tones, with frequency, amplitude, and phase easily controlled through simple commands. Parameter changes can be executed with spacing as fast as 8 nanoseconds, allowing rapid generation of multitone and modulated signals without the need for large data transfers or complex waveform calculations.
AWG Mode
Designed for everyday test and measurement applications, the 65xx series provides a compact and general-purpose signal generation platform. The instruments offer output rates from 40 MS/s to 125 MS/s, 16-bit resolution, and bandwidths up to 70 MHz. Individual cards are available with 1 to 8 channels, while larger systems can scale to as many as 80 fully synchronized channels. This scalability makes the series suitable for both standalone setups and larger automated test systems. The products are available in two industry-standard form factors: PCIe cards for direct installation in PC-based systems and LXI stand-alone instruments that support Ethernet-based control in laboratory and production environments.
DDS Mode
The new DDS option introduces advanced capabilities such as frequency and amplitude slopes along with flexible command sequencing. These features allow engineers to dynamically adapt signals in real time. Such capabilities are particularly valuable in applications that require agile frequency sources to identify resonant frequencies or compensate for system drift. Typical applications include network stimulation, automated testing of filters and amplifiers, and the operation of medical and industrial sensors.
Application Examples
One application example involves generating a slowly swept sine wave from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. These waveforms are often used to drive vibration shakers when identifying mechanical resonance and fatigue in automotive and aerospace systems. The 65xx series DDS option can perform up to 16 parallel sweeps with different frequency ranges, significantly reducing overall test time.
Another example demonstrates circuit fault detection by simulating voltage and current transducer outputs. The generated signals can simulate a three-phase power fault with a line-to-ground fault on phase A. The resulting current waveform shows an exponentially decaying current, highlighting the DDS option’s ability to generate both sinusoidal and complex non-sinusoidal waveforms.
Software and Support
All 65xx series instruments are optimized for computer-controlled operation using Spectrum Instrumentation’s unified software toolkit. The toolkit simplifies integration into test systems and supports future upgrades. Software support is available for Windows and Linux operating systems, with programming examples provided for Python, MATLAB, C++, and LabVIEW. A high-level Python API is also available. Additionally, the complimentary DDS CONTROL graphical interface allows users to generate and adjust signals without the need for programming.
All Spectrum products include lifetime technical support provided directly by the company’s engineering team, as well as free software and firmware updates.
