M2p Mixed Mode Digital Option

The mixed mode option adds another 16 multi-purpose channels to each M2p card. Each of the 16 channels can be individually programmed for different functions. Together with the standard 4 multi-purpose I/O channels they form a total of 20 supporting digital channels.

Synchronous digital channels

One of the main features is the feature to acquire (digitizer) or generate (AWG) syncronous digital data together with the analog data. Mounted for example on an M2p.5968-x4 digitizer-card, the combination can be operated with 8 analog channels in parallel with up to 19 synchronous digital channels (actually 20, but one on the main card is output only). Using the same module on an M2p.6568-x4 AWG-card provides 8 analog AWG channels and up to 20 synchronous digital outputs or marker outputs.

Digital data is stored inside the analog samples by reducing the resolution. Software drivers allow customized setups that can generate perfectly matching mixed mode solutions. The option is fully supported by the complete software development kit (SDK) which includes programming using C++, C#, VB.NET, Python, JAVA, LabVIEW or MATLAB. The SDK is included as standard with every unit.

By software the storage mode can be selected:

• 16 bit analog data, no digital line stored
• 15 bit analog data, one digital line stored in sample
• 14 bit analog data, two digital lines stored in sample
• ...
• full replacement of analog data by 16 digital lines

Versions

The digital option is a piggy-back module for the PCIe cards that occupies the panel of a second slot. It comes in two different versions, one with SMB connectors and one with an FX2 flat-ribbon connector. The SMB-version (M2p.xxxx-DigSMB) offers ten connectors on the front panel plus six more that are available internally and can be used for PC-internal cross connection or external connection via an empty slot bracket. The FX2-version (M2p.xxxx-DigFX2) guarantees compatibility with predecessor products from Spectrum and allows parallel connection of all lines with a single connector.

The picture shows the SMB version on the left, mounted on a four channel card, with the option offering ten additional digital multi-purpose lines on the bracket and six more that are available internally.

On the right side the version witht the FX2 flat-ribbon-connector is shown. Four of the digital lines are here alternatively available on SMB connector. The selection is done by manual jumpers.

Available on these card families

• Digitizer M2p.59xx-x4: 5 MS/s to 125 MS/s, 1 to 8 channels 16 bit
• Arbitrary Waveform Generator M2p.65xx-x4: 40 MS/s to 125 Ms/s, 1 to 8 channels 16 bit