Synchronization for multiple arbitrary waveform generators

摘要

A system and method synchronizes multi-AWG system, where such systems are of a type having a master arbitrary waveform generator (AWG), one or more slave AWGs, and a sync hub having a sync controller and sync phase detector. The method operates by receiving at the sync hub a divided down clock (SystemRefClock) signal from a master arbitrary waveform generator (AWG). The method then derives a clock signal (SystemClock) from the SystemRefClock signal received from the master AWG and outputs the SystemClock signal to the master AWG and to the one or more slave AWGs Finally, the SystemClock signal is used to clock a synchronous trigger for the master AWG and one or more slave AWGs to play a waveform. In one aspect, the synchronous trigger includes AlignmentFiducial and Run signals to effect trigger and play commands.

主权项

1. A system for synchronizing multiple arbitrary waveform generators comprising:
a master arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) having a master AWG clock and a master digital to analog converter (DAC); one or more slave arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs), each having a slave clock and a slave digital to analog converter (DAC); a sync hub having a sync controller and sync phase detector; a signal path between the master DAC and the sync phase detector and between the master DAC and sync controller, and between the slave DAC and sync phase detector; wherein said master DAC is configured to generate a divided down clock (SystemRefClock) from the master AWG clock and output said SystemRefClock to said sync hub; wherein the one or more slave DACs are configured to align the phase of the slave clock to the phase of said SystemRefClock; and an output on the sync hub to the master AWG and one or more slave AWGs configured for outputting a clock signal (SystemClock) derived from said SystemRefClock, said SystemClock being used within the AWGs to indicate when to start playing waveforms from the AWGs.