9100 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION The LeCroy 9100 Series Arbitrary Function Generators (AFG) are high performance ATE or benchtop instruments which can generate either standard or user-defined, complex waveforms with unparalleled point-to-point resolution. They are fully programmable via either GPIB or RS-232. Waveform creation and editing software is offered for PC-DOS compatible computers. The products in the 9100 Series are: 9100 high speed dual channel Arbitrary Function Generator 9101 high speed single channel Aribitrary Function Generator 9109 high speed dual channel Arbitrary Function Generator with digital outputs.The common elements of the 9100 Series are described in the early chapters of this manual. Product specific information for the 9109 and 9101 is located in Chapter 7 and 8 respectively. The 9100 Series instruments are part of a complete custom waveform generation system. The main products which support this system are listed below. 9100, 9101, 9109 ARBITRARY FUNCTION GENERATOR MAINFRAME. This is the basic mainframe unit. The standard unit is remotely programmable over GPIB. This unit has local control ONLY through use of the optional 9100/CP control panel. 9100R 9100 REAR PANEL CONNECTOR MAINFRAME. Same as 9100 except all signal input and output connectors are brought to the rear panel. 9100/CP 9100 HAND-HELD CONTROL PANEL. This is the control panel which adds local operation of all features of the 9100 with the exception of waveform file creation, editing and downloading. Metal brackets are included to allow control panel to be free-standing or attached to side of the 9100 mainframe. The EASYWAVE® Operating Manual covers the following products: 9100/SW EASYWAVE SOFTWARE. An optional software package for PC-DOS compatible computers which provides easy waveform creation and editing. This includes creating waveforms from a simple waveform element library, equations, tabular editing, or direct acquisition from LeCroy Oscilloscopes. Without this package waveform files must be created on a host computer either with a text editor or a user written program and then downloaded either over GPIB or RS-232. 9100GPIB2 IBM PC COMPATIBLE GPIB CARD AND SOFTWARE. This GPIB card and driver software are required to run EASYWAVE from an IBM XT/AT compatible. Manuals are included with this for detailed operation of GPIB without EASYWAVE. Operation of the 9100 AFG via the EASYWAVE software package provides full capability without compromise. All waveforms may be edited at any time and the 9100 can be operated via a full-screen interface on the host IBM XT/AT. NOTE: Waveform editing capability has not been provided in the 9100 Series mainframe. Some applications may not need to have waveform creation or editing facilities on hand at all times. In these cases, after the waveforms have been created with EASYWAVE (or other user supplied program) and downloaded to the AFG non-volatile RAM disk the host computer may be disconnected and the AFG can be used as a "custom” waveform generator with all control accessible via the 9100/CP control panel. Some users may need to use other host computers to operate their test systems. In this case the basic waveform shapes needed for testing may be edited using EASYWAVE and downloaded into the 9100 or transferred to the test system host computer. 9100 WAVEFORM GENERATION CONCEPT The 9100 is a signal source whose output voltage as a function of time-can be programmed via an array of data values and various control settings. The instrument generates the waveform by sequentially stepping through the array and outputting a voltage proportional to each data value for a fixed time interval or sample period (point). Selecting or specifying the contents of the data array are performed separately from entering the control settings commands so the user has a great deal of flexibility in modifying a waveform without having to change its basic shape (the waveform data array). A simple way of thinking about the operation of an AFG is shown in Figure 2.1. Basically, an oscillator clocks a counter which in turn advances the address applied to a memory. The memory data value which is stored in the next sequential location is then output to the digital-to-analog converter (DAC). Finally the DAC converts the data value to an analog level. As the counter steps through the memory addresses, the associated data values are converted by the DAC. This results in a voltage waveform being output which is proportional to the data array which resides in the memory.