Transitioning Applications from NI 5401 to NI 5402/NI 5406.
Primary Software: Driver Software>>NI-FGEN
Primary Software Version: 2.4
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: N/A
Hardware: Signal Sources (AWG/FG/AO)>>Arbitrary Waveform and Function Generators>>PCI-5401, Signal Sources (AWG/FG/AO)>>Arbitrary Waveform and Function Generators>>PXI-5401, Signal Sources (AWG/FG/AO)>>Arbitrary Waveform and Function Generators>>PCI-5402, Signal Sources (AWG/FG/AO)>>Arbitrary Waveform and Function Generators>>PXI-5402
Problem: How do I transition my application from a NI 5401 to a NI 5402 or NI 5406?
Solution: The following two tables show a comparison of the features and functions between the NI 5401 and the NI 5402/NI 5406. Consult the tables with the specific actions or operations that the NI 5401 is doing to see what must be changed to transition the application to a NI 5402/NI 5406.
Features Supported by Device
The following table shows a comparison of the features between the NI 5401 and the NI 5402/NI 5406.
| | NI 5401 | NI 5402 / NI 5406 |
| Basic Operation |
| Operation Modes | Standard Function,
Frequency List | Standard Function,
Frequency List |
| Standard Function Output |
|---|
| Waveform | Sine,
Square,
Triangle,
Ramp Up,
Ramp Down,
DC,
Noise,
User-Defined | Sine,
Square,
Triangle,
Ramp Up,
Ramp Down,
DC,
Noise,
User-Defined |
| Maximum Frequency1 | Sine: 16 MHz
Other: 1 MHz | | Sine: | 20 MHz | 40 MHz | | Square: | 20 MHz | 40 MHz | | Other: | 1 MHz | 5 MHz | | User: | 20 MHz | 40 MHz |
|
| SYNC Duty Cycle | 20% to 80% | Square: 20% to 80%
SYNC: 50% |
| User-Defined Waveform Size | 16,384 samples | 16,384 samples |
| Frequency List Output |
|---|
| Maximum Number of Lists* | 16 | 9,999 |
| Maximum List Length* | 512 | 58,253 |
| Maximum Step Duration* | 3.35544 s | 21 s |
| Minimum List Length* | 1 | 1 |
| Minimum Step Duration* | 1 ms | 1 ms |
| List Duration Quantum* | 200 ns | 80 ns |
| Output Characteristics |
|---|
Output Voltage
(at load equal to source impedance) | up to ±5 V | up to ±5 V |
Offset
(at maximum gain) | ±2.5 V | ±5 Vpk |
| Output Impedance | 50 Ω, 75 Ω | 50 Ω, 75 Ω |
| Analog Path | | Main,
Fixed Low-Gain,
Fixed High-Gain |
| Analog Filter Option | Yes | Yes |
Filter Correction Frequency Option /
Flatness Correction for Sine Waveforms | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Filter Option | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Filter Interpolation Factor | 2
(fixed when filter is enabled) | 2 or 8
(automatic for Standard Function and Frequency List modes) |
| Triggering and Synchronization |
|---|
| Trigger Modes | Single,
Continuous,
Burst | Single,
Continuous,
Stepped,
Burst |
| Trigger Sources | Immediate,
External,
Software,
RTSI_<0..5>,
RTSI_6 (PCI only),
PXI_STAR (PXI only) | Immediate,
External,
Software,
RTSI_<0..7>,
PXI_STAR |
| Multiple Device Synchronization | Limited2 | Using NI-TClk3 |
| Events |
|---|
| Ready for Start | | Yes |
| Started | | Yes |
| Done | | Yes |
| Clocking |
|---|
Sample Rate (Update Rate)
before filtering and interpolation | 40 MSps | 100 MSps |
| Reference Clock Source | Internal (none),
External,
PXI 10 MHz clock (PXI only)
RTSI clock (PCI only) | Internal (none),
External (CLK IN),
PXI 10 MHz clock (PXI only),
RTSI_7 (RTSI clock; PCI only),
Onboard (PCI only) |
| Reference Clock Frequency | 1 MHz
or
5 to 20 MHz in 1 MHz steps | 5 to 20 MHz in 1 MHz steps |
| Update/Sample Clock Source | Internal,
External (PXI only) | Internal |
| Calibration |
|---|
| Self-Calibration Functions | ni54xx_CalSelfCalibrate,
ni54xx_CalRestoreExternalConstants | niFgen_SelfCal,
niFgen_RestoreLastExtCalConstants |
| Calibration Utility Functions4 | ni54xx_functions | niFgen_ functions |
| External Calibration Functions5 | ni54xx_CalStart and associated functions | niFgen_InitExtCal and associated functions |
*You can get the value of this characteristic by calling a query function or by reading an attribute. NI recommends that your programs query or read the characteristic rather than depend on a certain value.
1Refer to the device specifications for conditions.
2You can synchronize the NI 5401 in Standard Function mode as long as it is unnecessary to change the phase between devices while generating.
3Refer to the NI-TClk Synchronization Help file for more information.
4NI 5401 calibration utility functions include:
- ni54xx_CalFetchDate
- ni54xx_CalFetchCount
- ni54xx_CalFetchMiscInfo
- ni54xx_CalStoreMiscInfo
- ni54xx_CalChangePassword
5External calibration functions and steps vary from device to device. For more information about calibrating your device, refer to the calibration procedure for your device:
- NI 54XX Calibration Procedure (NI 5401)
- NI PXI-5404 Calibration Procedure
NIFGEN Functions Supported by Device
The following table shows a comparison of the NIFGEN functions between the NI 5401 and the NI 5402/NI 5406.
| Function | NI 5401 | NI 5402 / NI 5406 | Convert to NI 5402 Task | Possible
Error | Note |
| Initialize | No difference. | Supports the NI-DAQmx style resource naming convention. | N/A | N | |
| Configure Analog Filter | Analog filter and Filter Correction Frequency are supported. | Analog filter and Flatness Correction for Sine Waveforms are supported. | N/A | N | The Filter Correction Frequecy feature corrects for the normal sync roll-off that DACs exhibit. This requires the program to configure the Analog Filter with the configured signal frequency. The Flatness Correction for Sine Waveforms automatically works for the configured waveform. |
| Configure Digital Filter | No difference. | N/A | N | The NI 5402/5406's default interpolation factor is 4. It can be set to 2 if required. |
| Configure Output Enable | No difference. | N/A | N | |
| Configure Output Impedance | No difference. | N/A | N | |
| Configure Update Clock Source | Supported | Not Supported | Remove function from program. | Y | |
| Configure Sample Clock Source | Internal
External (PXI only - PLL REF smb) | Internal | If configured, review function parameters and ensure that configured parameters are applicable to the NI 5402/6. | Y | Obsolete Function: Configure Update Clock Source |
Configure Reference Clock:
Ref Clock Frequency | 1 MHz or 5 to 20 MHz in 1 MHz steps | 1 MHz to 20 MHz in 1 MHz steps. | If configured, review function parameters and ensure that configured parameters are applicable to the NI 5402/6. | N | Obsolete Function: Configure Ref Clock Frequency |
Configure Reference Clock:
Ref Clock Source | Internal
External
RTSI Clock | Internal
REF IN
PXI_CLK10 (PXI)
RTSI 7 (PCI)
ONBOARD REF CLOCK (PCI) | If configured, review function parameters and ensure that configured parameters are applicable to the NI 5402/6. | Y | The External setting will result in an error on the NI 5402/NI 5406. Select CLK IN for the REF IN option.
Obsolete Function: Configure Ref Clock Source |
| Export Signal | NONE
MARKER
SYNC OUT
OUT START TRIGGER
BOARD CLOCK
SYNCHRONIZATION | Sample Clock
Reference Clock
Onboard Reference Clock
Ready For Start Event
Started Event
Done Event
Sync Out
ONBOARD REF CLOCK | If confiured, review function parameters and ensure that configured parameters are applicable to the NI 5402/6. | Y | Obsolete Function: Route Signal Out |
| Configure Synchronization | Supported | Not Supported | Remove function from program. | Y | Refer to the NI-TClk Synchronization Help file for more information. |
| Configure Trigger | Immediate
External
Software Trigger VI
PXI Star
RTSI <0..7> | Disable(Immediate)
Software Edge
PFI <0..3>
PXI Trigger Line <0..7>
RTSI <0..7>
PXI STAR Line | If configured, review function parameters and ensure that configured parameters are applicable to the NI 5402/6.
Immediate on the NI 5401 should be reconfigured for Disable or just not configured on the NI 5402/6.
External on the NI 5401 should be reconfigured for PFI <0..1> on the NI 5402/6. | Y | External (EXT TRIG smb) on the NI 5401 will map to PFI0 on the NI 5402/6. |
| Configure Trigger Mode | No difference. | N/A | N | |
| Send Software Edge Trigger | No difference. | N/A | N | Obsolete Function:
Send Software Trigger |
| Configure Output Mode | Standard Function
Frequency List | Standard Function
Frequency List | Review function parameters. | N | |
| Clear User Standard Waveform | No difference. | N/A | N | |
| Configure Standard Waveform | No difference. | N/A | N | |
| Define User Standard Waveform | 16,384 samples | 16,384 samples | N/A | N | |
| Clear Frequency List | No difference. | N/A | N | |
| Create Frequency List | | Max # Lists | 16 | | Max Length | 512 | | Min Length | 1 | | Max Step Dur. | 3.35 s | | Min Step Dur. | 1 ms | | Step Dur. Quantum | 200 ns |
| | Max # Lists | 9,999 | | Max Length | 58,253 | | Min Length | 1 | | Max Step Dur. | 21 s | | Min Step Dur. | 1 ms | | Step Dur. Quantum | 80 ns |
| Review function parameters. | N | |
| Configure Frequency List | No difference. | N/A | N | |
| Query Freq List Capabilities | No difference. | N/A | N | |
| Initiate Generation | No difference. | N/A | N | |
| Abort Generation | On Abort Generation, current generation stops, and output signal goes to 0V. | Current generation stops, and output signal goes to 0V. Square Wave: Ouput goes to square wave lower amplitude. | N/A | N | |
| Is Done | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Wait Until Done | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Close | Closes session to NIFGEN driver. If hardware is currently generating a waveform when called, the arb will continue generating the waveform until stopped. Either by the computer power being turned off, or a new NIFGEN session is opened to the module to change it's current operation. | Closes session to NIFGEN driver. Current generation stops, and output signal goes to 0V. Square Wave: Ouput goes to square wave lower amplitude. | N/A | N | |
NIFGEN Properties Supported by Device
The following table shows select properties that show a difference between the NI 5401 and the NI 5402 / NI 5406.
| Property | NI 5401 | NI 5402 / NI 5406 | Convert to NI 5402 Task | Possible
Error | Note |
| Clock Attributes: |
|---|
| Onboard Reference Clock: Export Output Terminal | Not Supported | Supported | Add if necessary | N | |
| Reference Clock: Export Output Terminal | Not Supported | Supported | Add if necessary | N | |
| Sample Clock Timebase: Export Output Terminal | Not Supported | Supported | Add if necessary | N | |
| Sample Clock: Export Output Terminal | Not Supported | Supported | Add if necessary | N | |
| Sample Clock: Source | Not Supported | Not Supported | Y | Y | |
| Instrument Specific Attributes: |
|---|
| Serial Number | Not Supported | Not Supported | N | Y | |
| Temperature Sensor Location | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Obsolete: |
|---|
| Inherent IVI Attributes: Driver Identification: Major Version | Supported | Not Supported | Remove property from program and use internal clock source, or Reference Frequency Source. | N | |
| Update Clock Source | Supported | Not Supported | Remove property from program and use internal clock source, or Reference Frequency Source. | Y | |
| Output Attributes: |
|---|
| Analog Filter Enabled | Supported | NIFgen automatically enabled the analog filter for Sine and disabled for every other waveform except user. User waveform is as configured. | Optional: Remove functions for every waveform except user. | N | NIFgen ignores this property with the exception of User waveform. No error is returned. |
| Analog Path | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Digital Filtered Enabled | Supported | NIFgen automatically enabled the analog filter for Sine and disabled for every other waveform except user. User waveform is as configured. | Optional: Remove functions for every waveform except user. | N | NIFgen ignores this property with the exception of User waveform. No error is returned. |
| Digital Gain | Not Supported | Supported | Optional | N | |
| Filter Correction Frequency | Supported | Not Supported | Remove Function | N | NIFgen atuomatically handles flatness correction based upon configured frequency. |
| Load Impedance | Not Supported | Supported | Optional | N | |
| Sync Duty Cycle High | Supported | Not Supported | Remove function from code. | Y | Sync is limited to a 50% duty cycle. The square wave out though can vary it's duty cycle. |
| Standard Function Output: |
|---|
| Duty Cycle High | Read Only | Optional | N/A | N | NI 5402/NI 5406 supports configuring the square waveform duty cycle. |
| Triggering: |
|---|
| Pause: Digital Level: Source | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Pause: Digital Level: Trigger When | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Pause: Export Output Terminal | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Pause: Trigger Type | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Start: Digital Edge: Edge | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Start: Digital Edge: Source | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Start: Export Output Terminal | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Start: Trigger Type | Not Supported | Supported | N/A | N | |
| Synchronization Source | Supported | Not Supported | Remove property from program. | Y | Module supports NI-TClk |
Related Links:
Attachments:
Report Date: 03/09/2006
Last Updated: 07/06/2006
Document ID: 3V87TOOL
