documentation.HELP! NI Signal Generator Documentation

NI Signal Generators Help

NI Signal Generator

Table of contents

• NI Signal Generators Help
  • Related Documentation
  • Using Help
    • Conventions
    • Navigating Help
    • Searching Help
    • Printing Help File Topics
  • Fundamentals
    • Waveform Fundamentals
      • Bandwidth and Flatness
      • Sample Rate
        • Nyquist and Shannon's Sampling Theorems
          • Aliased Images
      • DAC Resolution
      • Arbitrary Waveform Generation Mode
        • Digital Pattern Generation
        • Marker Output Signal
        • Minimum Waveform Size and Quantum
      • Standard Function Mode
        • Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS)
        • Frequency Hopping and Sweeping
      • Clocking
      • Impedance Matching
      • Output Attenuation
      • Output Enable
      • Output Impedance
      • Phase-Locked Looping
      • Triggering
        • Triggers Summary
        • Types of Triggers
          • Edge Trigger
          • Level Trigger
          • Software Triggers
        • Trigger Modes
        • Trigger Sources
      • Events
        • Marker Events
        • Data Marker Events
      • Scripts
      • Streaming
        • Direct DMA
      • Frequency Domain Fundamentals
        • SFDR
        • THD
        • SINAD
        • ENOB
      • Filtering and Interpolation
  • Devices
    • NI 5401/5404/5411/5431 Features Supported
    • NI 5402/5406/5412/5421/5422/5441 Features Supported
    • NI 5401
      • Front Panel Connectors
        • ARB
        • PLL Ref
        • Pattern Out (PCI Only)
          • SHC50-68 50-Pin Cable Connector
        • SYNC
        • LOCK and ACCESS LEDs
      • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
      • Theory of Operation
        • Block Diagram
        • Analog Output Path
          • Output Attenuation
          • Analog Filter Correction
          • Output Enable
        • DDS Lookup Memory
      • Waveform Generation
        • Frequency Hopping and Sweeping
      • Triggering
        • Trigger Sources
          • RTSI/PXI Trigger Lines
        • Trigger Modes
          • Burst/Stepped
          • Single Trigger Mode
          • Continuous Trigger Mode
      • Phase-Locked Loops and Module Synchronization
      • Specifications
      • Calibration
      • Accessories
        • Connector blocks
    • NI 5402/5406
      • NI PXI-5402/5406
        • Front Panel Connectors
          • CH 0
          • REF IN
          • SYNC OUT/PFI 0 and PFI 1
          • Access and Active LEDs
        • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
        • Thermal Shutdown
        • Theory of Operation
          • Block Diagram
          • Hardware State Diagram
          • Analog Output Path
            • Waveform Amplitude Control
              • DC Offset
              • Digital Gain
              • Flatness Correction
            • Filtering
              • Analog Filter
              • Digital Filter
            • Output Enable
            • Output Impedance
          • Clocking
            • Sample Clock
            • Reference Clock
            • Exporting Clocks
          • Onboard Memory
          • Signal Routing
            • Syntax for Terminal Names
        • Waveform Generation
          • Standard Function
          • Frequency List
            • Frequency Hopping and Sweeping
            • Trigger Modes
          • Aborting Generation
        • Triggering
          • Trigger Sources
          • Trigger Modes
          • Trigger Timing
          • Filtering Effects
        • Data Mask
        • Events
        • Event Delays
        • Exporting Signals
        • Synchronization
        • Specifications
        • Calibration
        • Accessories
      • NI PCI-5402/5406
        • Front Panel Connectors
          • CH 0
          • REF IN
          • SYNC OUT/PFI 0 and PFI 1
        • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
        • Thermal Shutdown
        • Theory of Operation
          • Block Diagram
          • Hardware State Diagram
          • Analog Output Path
            • Waveform Amplitude Control
              • DC Offset
              • Digital Gain
            • Filtering
              • Analog Filter
              • Digital Filter
            • Output Enable
            • Output Impedance
          • Clocking
            • Sample Clock
            • Reference Clock
            • Exporting Clocks
          • Onboard Memory
          • Signal Routing
            • Syntax for Terminal Names
        • Waveform Generation
          • Standard Function
          • Frequency List
            • Trigger Modes
          • Frequency Hopping and Sweeping
          • Aborting Generation
        • Triggering
          • Trigger Sources
          • Trigger Modes
          • Trigger Timing
          • Filtering Effects
        • Data Mask
        • Events
        • Event Delays
        • Exporting Signals
        • Synchronization
        • Specifications
        • Calibration
        • Accessories
    • NI 5404
      • Front Panel Connectors
        • SINE Out
        • CLOCK Out
        • PFI 0
        • REF OUT
        • REF IN
        • ACCESS and ACTIVE LEDs
      • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
      • Theory of Operation
        • Block Diagram
        • Analog Output Path
        • Locking to a Reference Clock
      • Phase-Locked Looping
      • Waveform Generation
        • Waveform Start Conditions
        • Generating a Sine Wave
        • Generating a Clock Signal (Square Wave)
      • Triggering
        • Trigger Sources
          • RTSI/PXI Trigger Lines
        • Continuous Trigger Mode
      • Exporting Signals
      • Phase-Locked Loops and Device Synchronization
      • Specifications
      • Calibration
      • Accessories
    • NI 5411
      • Front Panel Connectors
        • ARB Out
        • PLL Ref/External Clock
        • DIGITAL PATTERN
          • SHC50-68 50-Pin Cable Connector
          • Digital Pattern Generation
        • SYNC
        • Lock and Access LEDs
      • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
      • Theory of Operation
        • Block Diagram
        • Analog Output Path
          • Waveform Amplitude Control
            • Pre-Attenuation Offset
            • Output Attenuation
          • Filtering
            • Analog Filter Correction
            • Digital Filter Considerations
          • Output Enable
        • External and High-Resolution Clocking (PXI only)
        • Onboard Memory
          • DDS Lookup Memory
          • Waveform Memory
      • Waveform Generation
        • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
        • Sample Size and Resolution
        • Minimum Waveform Size and Resolution
        • Frequency Hopping and Sweeping
        • Waveform Staging
        • Linking and Looping
        • Marker Events
      • Triggering
        • Trigger Sources
          • RTSI/PXI Trigger Lines
        • Trigger Modes
          • Single Trigger Mode
          • Continuous Trigger Mode
          • Stepped Trigger Mode
          • Burst Trigger Mode
      • Phase-Locked Loops and Module Synchronization
        • Master/Slave Operation
      • Events
        • Marker Events
      • Specifications
      • Calibration
      • Accessories
        • Installing the Optional Memory Module
    • NI 5412
      • NI PXI-5412
        • Front Panel Connectors
          • CH 0
          • CLK IN
          • PFI 0 and PFI 1
          • Access and Active LEDs
        • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
        • Thermal Shutdown
        • Theory of Operation
          • Block Diagram
          • Hardware State Diagram
          • Analog Output Path
            • Waveform Amplitude Control
              • DC Offset
              • Digital Gain
            • Filtering
              • Digital Filter
            • Output Enable
            • Output Impedance
          • Clocking
            • Sample Clock
              • Internal Sample Clock
              • External Sample Clock
            • Reference Clock
            • Exporting Clocks
          • Onboard Memory
            • Waveform and Instruction Memory Size
            • Memory Fragmentation
          • Signal Routing
            • Syntax for Terminal Names
        • Waveform Generation
          • Standard Function
          • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Trigger Modes
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Arbitrary Sequence
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Trigger Modes
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Aborting Generation
        • Triggering
          • Trigger Sources
          • Trigger Modes
          • Trigger Timing
          • Filtering Effects
        • Data Mask
        • Events
          • Event Delays
          • Marker Events
        • Exporting Signals
        • Synchronization
        • Specifications
        • Calibration
        • Accessories
      • NI PCI-5412
        • Front Panel Connectors
          • CH 0
          • CLK IN
          • PFI 0 and PFI 1
        • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
        • Thermal Shutdown
        • Theory of Operation
          • Block Diagram
          • Hardware State Diagram
          • Analog Output Path
            • Waveform Amplitude Control
              • DC Offset
              • Digital Gain
            • Filtering
              • Digital Filter
            • Output Enable
            • Output Impedance
          • Clocking
            • Sample Clock
              • Internal Sample Clock
              • External Sample Clock
            • Reference Clock
            • Exporting Clocks
          • Onboard Memory
            • Waveform and Instruction Memory Size
            • Memory Fragmentation
          • Signal Routing
            • Syntax for Terminal Names
        • Waveform Generation
          • Standard Function
          • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Trigger Modes
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Arbitrary Sequence
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Trigger Modes
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Aborting Generation
        • Triggering
          • Trigger Sources
          • Trigger Modes
          • Trigger Timing
          • Filtering Effects
        • Data Mask
        • Events
          • Event Delays
          • Marker Events
        • Exporting Signals
        • Synchronization
        • Specifications
        • Calibration
        • Accessories
    • NI 5421
      • NI PXI-5421
        • Front Panel Connectors
          • CH 0
          • CLK IN
          • DIGITAL DATA & CONTROL
            • Data Format (LVDS)
          • PFI 0 and PFI 1
          • Access and Active LEDs
        • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
        • Thermal Shutdown
        • Theory of Operation
          • Block Diagram
          • Hardware State Diagram
          • Analog Output Path
            • Waveform Amplitude Control
              • DC Offset
              • Digital Gain
            • Filtering
              • Analog Filter
              • Digital Filter
            • Output Enable
            • Output Impedance
          • Clocking
            • Sample Clock
              • Internal Sample Clock
              • External Sample Clock
            • Reference Clock
            • Exporting Clocks
          • Onboard Memory
            • Waveform and Instruction Memory Size
            • Memory Fragmentation
          • Signal Routing
            • Syntax for Terminal Names
        • Waveform Generation
          • Standard Function
          • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Trigger Modes
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Arbitrary Sequence
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Trigger Modes
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Script
            • Scripting Instructions
              • script/end script
              • generate
              • repeat/end repeat
              • if/else/end if
              • wait
              • clear
            • Common Scripting Use Cases
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Streaming Data
            • Direct DMA
          • Aborting Generation
        • Triggering
          • Trigger Sources
          • Trigger Modes
          • Trigger Timing
          • Filtering Effects
        • Data Mask
        • Events
          • Event Delays
          • Marker Events
          • Data Marker Events
        • Exporting Signals
        • Synchronization
        • Specifications
        • Calibration
        • Accessories
      • NI PCI-5421
        • Front Panel Connectors
          • CH 0
          • CLK IN
          • DIGITAL DATA & CONTROL
            • Data Format (LVDS)
          • PFI 0 and PFI 1
        • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
        • Thermal Shutdown
        • Theory of Operation
          • Block Diagram
          • Hardware State Diagram
          • Analog Output Path
            • Waveform Amplitude Control
              • DC Offset
              • Digital Gain
            • Filtering
              • Analog Filter
              • Digital Filter
            • Output Enable
            • Output Impedance
          • Clocking
            • Sample Clock
              • Internal Sample Clock Sources
              • External Sample Clock Sources
            • Reference Clock
            • Exporting Clocks
          • Onboard Memory
            • Waveform and Instruction Memory Size
            • Memory Fragmentation
          • Signal Routing
            • Syntax for Terminal Names
        • Waveform Generation
          • Standard Function
          • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Trigger Modes
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Arbitrary Sequence
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Trigger Modes
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Script
            • Scripting Instructions
              • script/end script
              • generate
              • repeat/end repeat
              • if/else/end if
              • wait
              • clear
            • Common Scripting Use Cases
            • Sample Size and Resolution
            • Waveform Size and Quantum
            • Generating Marker Events
          • Streaming Data
            • Direct DMA
          • Aborting Generation
        • Triggering
          • Trigger Sources
          • Trigger Modes
          • Trigger Timing
          • Filtering Effects
        • Data Mask
        • Events
          • Event Delays
          • Marker Events
          • Data Marker Events
        • Exporting Signals
        • Synchronization
        • Specifications
        • Calibration
        • Accessories
    • NI 5422
      • Front Panel Connectors
        • CH 0
        • CLK IN
        • DIGITAL DATA & CONTROL
          • Data Format (LVDS)
        • PFI 0 and PFI 1
        • Access and Active LEDs
      • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
      • Thermal Shutdown
      • Theory of Operation
        • Block Diagram
        • Hardware State Diagram
        • Analog Output Path
          • Waveform Amplitude Control
            • DC Offset
            • Digital Gain
          • Filtering
            • Analog Filter
          • Output Enable
          • Output Impedance
        • Clocking
          • Sample Clock
            • Internal Sample Clock
            • External Sample Clock
          • Reference Clock
          • Exporting Clocks
        • Onboard Memory
          • Waveform and Instruction Memory Size
          • Memory Fragmentation
        • Signal Routing
          • Syntax for Terminal Names
      • Waveform Generation
        • Standard Function
        • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
          • Sample Size and Resolution
          • Waveform Size and Quantum
          • Trigger Modes
          • Generating Marker Events
        • Arbitrary Sequence
          • Sample Size and Resolution
          • Waveform Size and Quantum
          • Trigger Modes
          • Generating Marker Events
        • Script
          • Scripting Instructions
            • script/end script
            • generate
            • repeat/end repeat
            • if/else/end if
            • wait
            • clear
          • Common Scripting Use Cases
          • Sample Size and Resolution
          • Waveform Size and Quantum
          • Generating Marker Events
        • Streaming Data
          • Direct DMA
        • Aborting Generation
      • Triggering
        • Trigger Sources
        • Trigger Modes
        • Trigger Timing
        • Filtering Effects
      • Data Mask
      • Events
        • Event Delays
        • Marker Events
        • Data Marker Events
      • Exporting Signals
      • Synchronization
      • Specifications
      • Calibration
      • Accessories
    • NI 5431
      • Front Panel Connectors
        • VIDEO OUT
        • SYNC OUT
        • PLL Ref/External Clock
        • Video Digital Pattern
          • SHC50-68 50-Pin Cable Connector
          • DigiSync
          • Digital Pattern Generation
        • Lock and Access LEDs
      • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
      • Theory of Operation
        • Block Diagram
        • Analog Output Path
          • Waveform Amplitude Control
            • Pre-Attenuation Offset
            • Output Attenuation
          • Filtering
            • Analog Filter Correction
            • Digital Filter Considerations
          • Output Enable
        • External and High-Resolution Clocking (PXI Only)
        • Video Signal Generation
        • Onboard Memory
          • DDS Lookup Memory
          • Waveform Memory
      • Waveform Generation
        • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
        • Sample Size and Resolution
        • Minimum Waveform Size and Resolution
        • Frequency Hopping and Sweeping
        • Frequency Resolution and Lookup Memory in Standard Function Mode
        • Waveform Staging
        • Linking and Looping
        • Marker Events
      • Triggering
        • Trigger Sources
          • RTSI/PXI Trigger Lines
        • Trigger Modes
          • Single Trigger Mode
          • Continuous Trigger Mode
          • Stepped Trigger Mode
          • Burst Trigger Mode
      • Phase-Locked Loops and Module Synchronization
        • Master/Slave Operation
      • Events
        • Marker Events
      • Specifications
      • Calibration
      • Accessories
    • NI 5441
      • Front Panel Connectors
        • CH 0
        • CLK IN
        • DIGITAL DATA & CONTROL
          • Data Format (LVDS)
        • PFI 0 and PFI 1
        • Access and Active LEDs
      • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
      • Thermal Shutdown
      • Theory of Operation
        • Block Diagram
        • Hardware State Diagram
        • Analog Output Path
          • Waveform Amplitude Control
            • DC Offset
            • Digital Gain
          • Filtering
            • Analog Filter
            • Digital Filter
          • Output Enable
          • Output Impedance
        • Onboard Signal Processing (OSP)
          • Components
            • IQ Rate
            • Pre-Filtering
              • Pre-Filter Gain
              • Pre-Filter Offset
            • FIR Filter
              • Interpolation
              • Overflow
              • Types
                • Flat
                • Raised Cosine
                • Root Raised Cosine
                • Gaussian
                • Custom
            • CIC Filter
              • Frequency Response
              • Gain
              • Overflow
            • Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO)
            • IQ Combiner
          • Basic Properties
            • OSP Enabled
            • Data Processing Mode
            • IQ Rate
              • Sample Clock Considerations
              • Using an External Clock with the OSP Block
            • Carrier Frequency
            • FIR Filter Type
          • Common Applications
            • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
            • Single-Tone
            • Quadrature Upconversion
            • Amplitude Modulation (Double Sideband)
            • Baseband Interpolation
        • Clocking
          • Sample Clock
            • Internal Sample Clock
            • External Sample Clock
          • Reference Clock
          • Exporting Clocks
        • Onboard Memory
          • Waveform and Instruction Memory Size
          • Memory Fragmentation
        • Signal Routing
          • Syntax for Terminal Names
      • Waveform Generation
        • Standard Function
        • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
          • Sample Size and Resolution
          • Waveform Size and Quantum
          • Trigger Modes
          • Generating Marker Events
        • Arbitrary Sequence
          • Sample Size and Resolution
          • Waveform Size and Quantum
          • Trigger Modes
          • Generating Marker Events
        • Script
          • Scripting Instructions
            • script/end script
            • generate
            • repeat/end repeat
            • if/else/end if
            • wait
            • clear
          • Common Scripting Use Cases
          • Sample Size and Resolution
          • Waveform Size and Quantum
          • Generating Marker Events
        • Frequency List
          • Frequency Hopping and Sweeping
          • Trigger Modes
        • Streaming Data
          • Direct DMA
        • Aborting Generation
      • Triggering
        • Trigger Sources
        • Trigger Modes
        • Trigger Timing
        • Filtering Effects
      • Data Mask
      • Events
        • Event Delays
        • Marker Events
        • Data Marker Events
      • Exporting Signals
      • Synchronization
      • Specifications
      • Calibration
      • Accessories
    • NI 5442
      • Front Panel Connectors
        • CH 0
        • CLK IN
        • PFI 0 and PFI 1
        • Access and Active LEDs
      • Power-Up and Reset Conditions
      • Thermal Shutdown
      • Theory of Operation
        • Block Diagram
        • Hardware State Diagram
        • Analog Output Path
          • Waveform Amplitude Control
            • DC Offset
            • Digital Gain
          • Filtering
            • Analog Filter
            • Digital Filter
          • Output Enable
          • Output Impedance
        • Onboard Signal Processing (OSP)
          • Components
            • IQ Rate
            • Prefiltering
              • Prefilter Gain
              • Prefilter Offset
            • FIR Filter
              • Flat
              • Raised Cosine
              • Root Raised Cosine
            • Filtering and Interpolation
            • Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO)
            • IQ Combiner
          • Basic Properties
            • OSP Enabled
            • Data Processing Mode
            • IQ Rate
              • Sample Clock Considerations
              • Using an External Clock with the OSP Block
            • Carrier Frequency
            • FIR Filter Type
          • Common Applications
            • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
            • Single-Tone Generation
            • Quadrature Upconversion
            • Amplitude Modulation (Double Sideband)
            • Baseband Interpolation
        • Clocking
          • Sample Clock
            • Internal Sample Clock
            • External Sample Clock
          • Reference Clock
          • Exporting Clocks
        • Onboard Memory
          • Waveform and Instruction Memory Size
          • Memory Fragmentation
        • Signal Routing
          • Syntax for Terminal Names
      • Waveform Generation
        • Standard Function
        • Arbitrary Waveform Generation
          • Sample Size and Resolution
          • Waveform Size and Quantum
          • Trigger Modes
          • Generating Marker Events
        • Arbitrary Sequence
          • Sample Size and Resolution
          • Waveform Size and Quantum
          • Trigger Modes
          • Generating Marker Events
        • Script
          • Scripting Instructions
            • script/end script
            • generate
            • repeat/end repeat
            • if/else/end if
            • wait
            • clear
          • Common Scripting Use Cases
          • Sample Size and Resolution
          • Waveform Size and Quantum
          • Generating Marker Events
        • Frequency List
          • Frequency Hopping and Sweeping
          • Trigger Modes
        • Streaming Data
          • Direct DMA
        • Aborting Generation
      • Triggering
        • Trigger Sources
        • Trigger Modes
        • Trigger Timing
        • Filtering Effects
      • Data Mask
      • Events
        • Event Delays
        • Marker Events
        • Data Marker Events
      • Exporting Signals
      • Synchronization
      • Specifications
      • Calibration
      • Accessories
  • Integration and System Considerations
    • Environment
    • PXI/PXI Express Systems
      • PXI/PXI Express Chassis Cooling
      • Modules
        • PXI Modules
        • PXI Express Modules
      • PXI Star Trigger Line
      • PXI Trigger Lines
      • System Reference Clock
      • PFI Lines
      • MXI Optimization
    • PCI Systems
      • Chassis Cooling
      • RTSI Trigger Lines
      • PFI Lines
    • Synchronization
  • Interactive Tools
    • FGEN Soft Front Panel
      • Function Library
      • Waveform File Specifications
        • Binary Waveform Data Format (.bin)
        • Frequency Shift-Keying Source File Specifications
        • LabVIEW Measurement Data File (.lvm)
      • Example Files
    • NI Video Generator Wizard Help
      • Loading BMP Files and Computing Video
      • Generating a Video Signal
      • Editing Video Parameters
        • Editing Factory Settings
        • Use Custom Settings
        • Editing Custom Settings
      • Downloading and Saving a Video Data File
        • Downloading a Video Data File
        • Saving Video Data File to Disk
        • Saving and Downloading
      • Loading a Video Data File from Disk
  • Programming
    • NI-FGEN Help
      • Programming State Model
      • Programming Flow
      • Simulation Mode
      • Error Codes
      • Creating an Application with NI-FGEN and Your ADE
        • Creating an Application with LabVIEW
          • Considerations for Using the LabVIEW Real-Time Module
        • Creating an Application with LabWindows/CVI
        • Creating an Application with Visual C/C++
        • Creating an Application with Visual Basic
      • NI-FGEN Visual C++ Reference Help
        • NI-FGEN Examples for Measurement Studio
      • Scripting Instructions
        • script/end script
        • generate
        • repeat/end repeat
        • if/else/end if
        • wait
        • clear
    • How the NI Video Software Toolkit Filters Video Components
  • Operating System Support
  • Glossary
  • Important Information
    • Warranty
    • Copyright
    • Trademarks
    • Patents
    • Warning Regarding the Use of NI Products
  • Technical Support and Professional Services

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