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WL-FlexDDS-NG-DUAL: Flexible Dual Channel Phase-Continuous 1 GS/s 400 MHz Agile RF Source

Datasheet
Rev. 1 (12/2016)
(895 kB PDF)
Manual
Rev. (07/2020)
(2669 kB PDF)

Description

FlexDDS-NG DUAL is a dual-channel phase continuous direct digital signal synthesizer. Based on the successful design of the FlexDDS multi-channel RF source developed for the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, FlexDDS-NG is the next generation waveform generator which deliberately targets the needs of experimental physicists.

Firmware and Drivers
Date: 2020-07-03
(501 kB ZIP)
LabView Drivers
Date: 2017-05-30
(195 kB ZIP)

FlexDDS-NG DUAL is the "next generation" improved version of the legacy multi-channel FlexDDS. If you need more than 2 channels, take a look at the new multi-channel FlexDDS-NG.

Typical Applications:

  • Driving AOMs (acousto-optic modulators).
  • Ultra-cold atom experiments; coherent atom manipulation.
  • Control loops that require analog modulation.
  • BEC evaporation ramps.
  • Replacement for VFG-150.

Features:

  • Direct digital synthesis (DDS) at 1 GS/s and 14 bit resolution enables highly configurable and precisely repeatable signal generation with a frequency range from 0.3 to 400 MHz (resolution 0.23 Hz).
  • Two independent output channels with precisely known phase relationship.
  • One DDS Command Processor (DCP) per channel with 8 ns timing resolution and separate instruction cache (4096 entries) enables fast real-time control of all signal parameters and execution of complex sequences with deterministic timing.
  • Versatile signal generation: Phase-continuous linear frequency/ amplitude sweeps with external hold and direction inputs, phase ramps, fast profile switching, RAM playback, separate amplitude sweep generator, delay/timing generator.
  • Two independent high speed analog modulation inputs: Amplitude, phase, frequency or polar modulation from analog signal sources with up to 20 MHz bandwidth; slope and intercept of the transfer function can be digitally set.
  • Excellent signal quality (low phase noise, spurs, harmonics) with an RF output level up to +10 dBm (2 Vpp) into 50 Ohm e.g. to drive mixers directly.
    Phase noise of -100 MdBc/Hz at 3 kHz offset from a 200 MHz carrier.
  • Fast output on/off functionality; no signal leakage in off state.
  • Three real-time digital IOs for external triggering and other functions.
  • Multi-channel version: FlexDDS-NG with up to 6 FlexDDS-NG-1GS slots.

For a complete description of the features, please see the datasheet PDF. If you are unsure whether FlexDDS-NG DUAL is suitable for your application, feel free to contact us.

Examples:

FlexDDS-NG DUAL output: Hann shaped chirped pulse using the ramp/sweep generator to change the frequency while the amplitude is fed from the RAM modulation storage.

FlexDDS-NG DUAL output: Arbitrary pulse shape using the RAM modulation feature with up to 1024 samples. Any amplitude shape can be programmed.

FlexDDS-NG DUAL output showing analog modulation:
Top: Externally provided analog modulation signal
Center: Channel 0 configured for analog amplitude modulation
Bottom: Channel 1 set to analog frequency modulation

FlexDDS-NG DUAL output: A series of frequecy sweeps; each one can be triggered from a BNC input or internally self-timed.

The FlexDDS-NG DUAL narrow-band output spectrum shows very little phase noise: -100 dBc at 300 kHz offset measured in a 10 Hz RBW corresponds to -110; dBc/Hz phase noise at 300 kHz from carrier (at 360 MHz!) (Some other generators, especially from vendors that don't show spectra, perform badly in this respect.)

Harmonics at 82 MHz and +10 dBm output power: Harmonics at about -60 dBc for 2nd and 3rd, about -70 dBc for 4th; non-harmonic spurs below -75 dBc (barely visible)