NI PXI/PCI-5411/5431
Waveform Memory

NI PXI/PCI-5411/5431 signal generators use a waveform memory that is 16-bits wide. The standard memory size for the NI 5411 is 2,000,000 samples, and for the NI 5431 is 8,000,000 samples. With a minimum standard memory size of 2,000,000 samples, you can store very long waveforms on the device and obtain reliable waveform generation even at full speed. You can upgrade the NI 5411 to an 8,000,000-sample waveform memory by installing the 16 MB memory module. Refer to Installing the Optional Memory Module (NI 5411 only), for more information about the installation of the optional memory module.

As shown in the following figure, a 2,000,000-sample waveform memory is organized as eight banks of 256 k by 16-bit memory chips. An 8,000,000-sample waveform memory is organized as eight banks of 1 M by 16 bit memory chips. These eight banks are then shifted serially to achieve a single data stream of 16-bit words at 40 MHz.