Configuration and Status Panel

The Configuration and Status Panel is accessed by the third tab. In this panel you can check on the internal status of the AWG module, configure the module as a master or slave for multi board operation, and set the guard length to delay a waveform.

Internal States

Module Status

Displays the current status of the AWG module. The status is not automatically refreshed. In order to see the most current status of the module, you must poll its status by clicking on the Update Status button.

Armed - displays if module is in the "Armed" state. For more information about the internal states please see the Internal States page.

Burst Mode - displays if the module is not in Endless Loop mode. The module will output a burst at each trigger if in Master Mode or at each SYNCI signal if in Slave Mode. The burst consists of the waveform repeated as many times as specified in Loop Count.

Auto Signature Update - displays if the module is set to update the signature settings when it detects that the input clock frequency has changed.

Auto Trigger - displays if the Auto Trigger feature is turned on. Auto trigger is a feature that sends a software trigger signal.

Slave - displays if module is in Slave mode. When this option is not indicated, the module is in either Master mode or Free-running mode.

With Guard Page - displays if the Guard Length setting is turned on. Setting a Guard length (default is 40 hex) helps give a better waveform output.

Infinite Loop - displays if the module is in Endless Loop mode. In this mode, the Loop Count parameter is ignored.

Clock Changed - displays if the module has detected a change in input clock frequency. Remember, you must click the Update button to see the updated status.

Clock Readback - displays the clock frequency detected by the module to the nearest 100 MHz. Modules that include the optional Auto Signature Update feature will change signature settings to match saved settings for the nearest detected frequency.

Configuration

Master

When enabled, puts board into Master mode.

Slave

When enabled, puts board into Slave mode. For more information about multi-module operation, please see Multi-Module Operation.

Endless Loop

Enables continuous waveform output. With Endless Loop, the Loop Count parameter is ignored. If you wish to operate the module in burst mode, you must uncheck the Endless Loop box and enter a value for Loop Count.

Loop Count

Specifies the number of waveforms to output for each trigger signal. If you want an infinite loop or continuous output, please check the box for Endless Loop.

Guard Length

Sets the delay before the first waveform. This is useful for synchronizing the master and slave waveforms under multi-board operation. The default Guard Length is 40 (hex). Increasing the Guard Length by 1 corresponds to delaying the waveform output by 32 clocks (32 samples). You should be able to use the same value for the Guard Length on multiple modules if the coaxial cable connecting the Master SYNCOUT to the Slave SYNCIN is not too long. We recommend that you use a coaxial cable less than 3 ft. in length.

After you change the Guard Length, you must re-arm the board to see the waveform correctly. You do not need to re-download the waveform if you only changed the Guard Length.

Auto Trigger

When enabled, sends a periodic software trigger signal. You can enter a number of microseconds to set the software trigger period here.