IviRFSigGen Class Driver Overview
This instrument driver provides programming support for the IviRFSigGen Class. The IviRFSigGen class is designed to support the typical RF signal generator as well as common extended functionality found in more complex instruments. The IviRFSigGen class conceptualizes a RF signal generator as an instrument that can generate a sinusoidal carrier waveform with a wide variety of modulation types. The driver contains all the functions required in the IviRFSigGen specification defined by the IVI Foundation. This driver requires NI-VISA and the IVI Compliance Package to be installed.
The IviRFSigGen class is divided into a base capability group and several extension groups. The base capability group is used to configure the carrier waveform. This includes setting the output frequency and amplitude, enabling or disabling the ALC and the RF output.
Extension Capability Groups
The IviRFSigGen class driver identifies functions and attributes that belong to an extension group with the following abbreviations. Instrument specific drivers are not required to implement any of the extension capability groups. If you use functions and attributes that belong to extension capability groups, every instrument specific driver that you use must implement those extensions.
| Group Name | Description |
|---|---|
Analog and Pulse Modulation Extension Groups | |
| IviRFSigGenModulateAM | Supports signal generators that can apply amplitude modulation to the RF output signal. You can enable or disable amplitude modulation, specify the source and coupling of the modulating signal and the modulation depth with linear or logarithmic attenuation. |
| IviRFSigGenModulateFM |
Supports signal generators that can apply frequency modulation to the RF output signal. You can enable or disable frequency modulation, specify the source and coupling of the modulating signal and the peak frequency deviation. |
| IviRFSigGenModulatePM | Supports signal generators that can apply phase modulation to the RF output signal. You can enable or disable phase modulation, specify the source and coupling of the modulating signal and the peak phase deviation. |
| IviRFSigGenAnalogModulationSource | The source of the modulating signal is a repeated capability. One or more internal sources (LF Generators) and/or one and more external sources can be combined. The voltage of all signals is summed before modulating the RF Signal. |
| IviRFSigGenModulatePulse | Supports signal generators that can apply pulse modulation to the RF output signal. You can enable or disable pulse modulation, and specify the source and the polarity of the modulating signal. |
| IviRFSigGenLFGenerator | Supports the LF generator (within the RF signal generator), that is normally used as a source for the modulators. To use the LF generator as a modulation source, the modulation source in the ModulateAM extensions group, ModulateFM extension group or ModulatePM extension group should be configured. The user can set the frequency and the waveform of the LF signal. |
| IviRFSigGenLFGeneratorOutput | Supports the output of the LF generator, if it is used as a source for external devices. You can set the amplitude and enable or disable the output. Requires the LFGenerator extension group. |
| IviRFSigGenPulseGenerator | Supports the pulse generator within the signal generator that is normally used as a source for the pulse modulator. You can set the pulse period, width and delay. The pulse can be triggered, so source and external trigger polarity can be set. Double pulse can be set with the functions and attributes of the IviRFSigGenPulseDoubleGenerator extension group. The output of the pulse generator can be set with the functions and attributes of the IviRFSigGenPulseOutput extension group. |
| IviRFSigGenPulseDoubleGenerator | Extends the IviRFSigGenPulseGenerator extension group to support double pulse generation. |
| IviRFSigGenPulseGeneratorOutput | Requires the IviRFSigGenPulseGenerator extension group. The output of the pulse generator can be enabled or disabled and its polarity set. |
Sweep Extension Groups | |
| IviRFSigGenSweep | Supports signal generators with the ability to sweep (or step) the frequency or the power of the RF output signal. |
| IviRFSigGenFrequencySweep | Supports signal generators that can apply a frequency sweep to the output signal. You may configure the sweep with start and stop, or center and span frequencies. The sweep time is also configurable. In order to support this extension group, a driver shall first support the IviRFSigGenSweep extension group. This extension group is active when the Sweep Mode attribute is set to Frequency Sweep. |
| IviRFSigGenPowerSweep | Supports signal generators that can apply a power sweep to the output signal. You may configure the sweep with start and stop power. The sweep time is also configurable. In order to support this extension group, a driver shall first support the IviRFSigGenSweep extension group. This extension group is active when the Sweep Mode attribute is set to Power Sweep. |
| IviRFSigGenFrequencyStep | Supports signal generators that can vary (sweep) the frequency of the RF output signal in steps. You can specify the start, stop and step frequency and set linear or logarithmic spacing. Setting single step and dwell time are also included. This extension group requires the IviRFSigGenSweep extension group. Frequency stepping is enabled by setting the Sweep Mode to Frequency Step in the IviRFSigGenSweep extension group. |
| IviRFSigGenPowerStep | Supports signal generators that can vary (sweep) the power of the RF output signal in steps. The user can enable or disable stepping, specify the start, stop and step power. Setting single step and dwell time are also included. This extension group requires the Sweep extension group. Power stepping is enabled by setting the Sweep Mode to Power Step in the IviRFSigGenSweep extension group. |
| IviRFSigGenList | Supports signal generators that can set the frequency and power of the RF output signal to values given as a list of values. You can enable or disable stepping the frequency and power list, specify the name of the list and set its values. The active list can be selected using the list name. Setting single step and dwell time are also included. This extension group requires the Sweep extension group. List stepping is enabled by setting the Sweep Mode to List in the IviRFSigGenSweep extension group. |
Digital Modulation Extension Groups | |
| IviRFSigGenModulateIQ | Supports signal generators that can apply IQ (vector) modulation to the RF output signal. You can enable or disable IQ modulation and specify the source of the modulating signal. A calibration is executed with an event function. |
| IviRFSigGenImpairmentIQ | Supports signal generators that can apply IQ (vector) modulation to the RF output signal. You can enable or disable IQ modulation and specify the source of the modulating signal. A calibration is executed with an event function. |
| IviRFSigGenArbGenerator | Controls the internal arbitrary waveform generator. The two outputs of the Arb generator are used with the IQ (vector) modulation to simulate digital modulation. This group is an extension of the IviRFSigGenModulateIQ extension group. |
| IviRFSigGenDigitalModulationBase | Using this extension group, you can generate signals conforming to wireless communication standards (e.g. mobile cellular standards). The generated signals do not have TDMA framing nor CDMA channel coding. The functionality covers basic modulation properties such as IQ constellation, symbol mapping, etc. within a specified communication standard. |
| IviRFSigGenCDMABase | Use this extension group to simulate mobile (cell) phone modulation based on Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standards. |
| IviRFSigGenTDMABase | Use this extension group to simulate mobile (cell) phone modulation based on Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) standards. |
Remaining Extension Groups | |
| IviRFSigGenALC | For generators with configurable Automatic Level Control. |
| IviRFSigGenReferenceOscillator | Supports signal generators with a configurable frequency reference. |
| IviRFSigGenSoftwareTrigger | Supports RF signal generators that can generate output based on a software trigger signal. You can send a software trigger to cause signal output to occur, to start a sweep (frequency or power), or to initiate the next step (frequency and/or power). |