Ultrafast GHz digitisers offer easy control over Ethernet

Spectrum Instrumentation offers seven new digitisers that make automated acquisition and analysis of signals in the GHz range more straightforward than ever before. Using a simple Ethernet/LXI cable, the DN2.33x series products can connect directly to PCs, laptops or even the company network. Also, the instruments are compact, lightweight and mobile, enabling them to be taken almost anywhere. Electronic signals are acquired using state-of-the-art ADC technology capable of sampling at rates between 3.2GS/s and 10GS/s, with 12-bit vertical resolution and bandwidths between 1GHz and 4.7GHz. With seven variants to select from, scientists and engineers will find the perfect fit solution for their application.

The products are designed for R&D and industrial users looking for a complete measurement solution. The new digitisers have all the software tools required to capture, store and analyse signals. For straight out-of-the-box operation, connect the Gbit Ethernet port of the digitizerNETBOX to a computer or company network, run the software and start working. LXI compliance ensures simple integration into almost any automated test system.

The seven models comprise one or two channel variants providing maximum sampling rates of 3.2, 5 and 10GS/s, all with 12-bit resolution and bandwidths of 1, 2, 3 and 4.7GHz. The high performance makes the series the new flagship models in the company's 'Netbox' product range, offering over 70 other Netbox models with lower speeds.

Each channel features its own ADC, independent front-end signal conditioning, and calibrated gain and offset. Input ranges are fully programmable from ±200mV up to ±2.5V. The ADCs of dual-channel models are clocked synchronously, ensuring that phase errors are minimised and cross-channel measurements can be made with absolute precision. The products also combine fast sample rates with large onboard memory to capture and store long or complex signals. Each unit has 2 GSamples (4GB) of acquisition memory as standard or 8 GSamples (16GB) as an option.

An array of smart trigger and acquisition modes further compliments the large memory. This allows problem signals to be acquired and stored, together with their trigger timestamps, in the most memory-efficient way. Transient capture, Multiple Recording, and an optional Block Averaging are all supported.

Instrument control can be managed by simply running SBench 6 Professional, the company's software for acquisition, display, processing, analysis, storage and documentation. This powerful tool is included free of charge with every unit. Alternatively, you can run your application-specific code. Fully programmable, all digitizerNETBOX products come with software development kits for programming in many different languages, including C++, Python, MATLAB, and LabVIEW.