NI-FGEN Standard Function

NI-FGEN

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NI-FGEN Standard Function

Configures and runs National Instruments signal generators using NI-FGEN in Standard Function output mode.

The NI 5404 frequency generator is not supported.

Dialog Box Options

ParameterDescription
ConfigurationContains the following options:
  • Device—Specifies the signal generator used. This ring control lists all NI signal generators installed on this computer that can be used by this step. If you loaded this step as part of an existing project and the selected signal generator is dimmed, it is no longer available.
  • Output—Specifies the state of the output enable relay.
  • Function Setup—Configures the characteristics of the function to generate. Contains the following options:
    • Type—Specifies the standard waveform for the signal generator to produce.
    • Frequency (Hz)—Specifies the frequency of the standard waveform.
    • Duty cycle (%)—Specifies the duty cycle of the square waveform. This value is the percentage of time the square waveform is high in a cycle.
    • Amplitude (Vpk)—Specifies the amplitude of the standard waveform. This value is the amplitude at the output terminal. For example, to produce a waveform ranging from -5.00 to +5.00 V, set Amplitude (Vpk) to 5.00.
    • DC offset (V)—Specifies the DC offset of the standard waveform. This value is the offset from ground to the center of the waveform. For example, to configure a waveform with an amplitude of 10.00 V to range from 0.00 V to +10.00 V, set DC offset (V) to 5.00.
    • Start phase (deg)—Specifies the horizontal offset of the standard waveform.

      A start phase of 180 degrees means the output generation begins halfway through the period. A start phase of 360 degrees offsets the output by an entire waveform cycle, which is identical to a start phase of 0 degrees.
    • Output impedance—Specifies the output impedance of the signal generator.
    • Load impedance—Specifies the load impedance. Using this control allows the signal generator to produce the correct output signal for the most common applications: high (>1 MΩ) load impedance; or matched output and load impedance.
Trigger and TimingContains the following options:
  • Trigger type—Specifies the type of trigger to use for starting waveform generation. Selecting an Immediate trigger starts waveform generation as soon as all configuration settings are applied.
  • Trigger source—Specifies the trigger source. The signal generator waits for the specified trigger to start waveform generation.

    Refer to the NI Signal Generators Help to determine which digital trigger sources are valid for each signal generator.
  • Edge—Specifies whether to trigger on a rising edge or a falling edge of a trigger signal.
  • Reference clock source—Specifies the source of a 10 MHz reference clock signal. The signal generator uses this reference clock source to derive frequencies when generating output.

    Refer to the NI Signal Generators Help to determine which sources are valid for each signal generator.
Execution ControlContains the following options:
  • Pre-execution delay (ms)—Specifies the amount of time to wait before the step executes. If you configure the step to start after another step, the delay represents the amount of time to wait after the step to wait for has started.
  • Post-execution delay (ms)—Specifies the amount of time to wait after the step executes.
  • Start this step after—Use this control to make the step wait until another step has started before executing. You can make the step wait on any other hardware step in the project by selecting it in the ring control.

    You may need this control to force an acquisition device to start after a generation device has started. You may also use it to ensure that a device generating a trigger signal starts after the device receiving the signal, to avoid sending the signal before the receiver is ready.
  • Step to wait for—Lists the possible hardware steps for which this step can wait.
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