Exporting a Frequency Reference

You can export onboard reference of the NI 5610 upconverter module to other benchtop instruments or PXI modules.

The 10 MHz reference signal from the upconverter module onboard OCXO is always available on the 10 MHz OUT front panel connectors. Both connectors transmit replicas of the upconverter module 10 MHz frequency reference signal, 180° out-of-phase with each other. If the upconverter module has been configured to lock to an external reference signal, then the signal generated at the 10 MHz OUT upconverter module front panel connector is also locked to the specified reference.

The upconverter module can also be configured to drive the 10 MHz PXI backplane clock with its highly accurate onboard reference clock. This option is only available when the upconverter module is installed in PXI Slot 2 on a PXI chassis. The upconverter module and the NI RF signal generator can also be configured to lock to an external reference clock signal attached to the REF IN connector on the upconverter module front panel.

Note  The onboard reference of the upconverter module offers frequency stability and phase noise far superior to the frequency reference built into most PXI chassis. Do not lock to the 10 MHz PXI backplane clock unless the backplane clock is driven by a high-accuracy reference (built-in or installed in PXI Slot 2).