Can I Synchronize Multiple RF Devices? Hardware: Modular Instruments>>RF Measurement Devices>>PXI-5650, Modular Instruments>>RF Measurement Devices>>PXI-5671, Modular Instruments>>RF Measurement Devices>>PXI-5652, Modular Instruments>>RF Measurement Devices>>PXI-5651, Modular Instruments>>RF Measurement Devices>>PXI-5660, Modular Instruments>>RF Measurement Devices>>PXI-5661, Modular Instruments>>RF Measurement Devices>>PXI-5670
Problem: Is it possible to phase synchronize any two or more of the following RF devices: NI PXI-5660, NI PXI-5661, NI PXI-5670, NI PXI-5671 or NI PXIe-5672? Solution: The short answer is no. Although you can reference all the devices to the same 10 MHz reference clock and synchronize their start triggers, each device has its own local oscillator (LO) that cannot be shared between multiple devices. Each LO is susceptible to inherent phase drift and noise that affects each individual device. The result is that any two devices requiring an LO cannot be accurately synchronized. The following diagram shows how an LO is used to mix a signal from an intermediate frequency (IF) to a radio frequency (RF). In reality, the NI 5600 and the NI 5610 use three of these mixers to convert the signal.  Note: All the NI digitizers and RF signal generators can be synchronized to each other as long as they are not being used in any up or downconversion processes. Related Links: Attachments:  - rfmixer.gif
Report Date: 11/09/2006 Last Updated: 01/03/2008 Document ID: 438G2PQ7 |
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