User`s guide

76 Chapter 3
Basic Digital Operation
Using the Dual ARB Player
Using the Dual ARB Player
The dual arbitrary (ARB) waveform player is used to play-back waveform files either
individually, called waveform segments, or combined with other waveform files (segments),
called waveform sequences. Waveform files can be created either locally to the ESG by using
installed ARB modulation formats (Custom, W-CDMA, cdma2000, etc.) or by downloading
them. It is in the dual ARB player where waveform files are renamed and saved into and
loaded from non-volatile memory.
A waveform file is generated when an ARB modulation format is turned on and is named
AUTOGEN_WAVEFORM. Since the file name is shared among the ARB formats, the
waveform file will have to be renamed in the dual ARB player after turning the modulation
format off. If you do not rename the file, it will be overwritten when the same or another ARB
format is turned on.
Waveform sequences play an ordered series of individual waveform segments. The waveform
sequencer is not available for real-time I/Q modulation formats, it is only for precomputed
ARB-style formats.
The dual ARB player features include waveform clipping, markers, and triggering useful for
synchronizing the output of the signal generator with other devices.
Before you can work with waveform segments, they must reside in volatile memory. When a
waveform file (AUTOGEN_WAVEFORM) is generated using an ARB format, it is generated in
volatile memory. It will remain in volatile memory until you store it to non-volatile memory.
Whenever you cycle the power on the ESG or download new firmware, you will have to reload
your waveform segments from non-volatile memory.
In this section you will be shown how to create waveform files and segments, build and store
waveform sequences, edit waveform sequences, store waveform segments, load waveforms
from non-volatile memory, and play-back waveform files.
Accessing the Dual ARB Player
Press Mode > Dual ARB.
You are now at the first-level softkey menu as shown in Figure 3-11. Most procedures after
the procedure “Creating Waveform Segments” on page 77 will start from this first-level
softkey menu.