Specifications
Programming Guide 3-3
ESG Family Signal Generators Remote Data Transfer
ARB Waveform Data Downloads
Waveform data stored in ARB memory is volatile. The data in ARB memory is destroyed
whenever the signal generator’s line power is cycled. In ARB memory, waveform data may
be downloaded, sequenced, and played back through the signal generator’s I/Q baseband
generator section.
Information stored in NVARB memory is nonvolatile. Waveforms stored in NVARB
memory must first be moved to ARB memory in order to be sequenced and played.
Waveform data stored in NVARB memory is not at risk when the signal generator’s line
power is cycled.
While waveforms may be directly downloaded to either ARB or NVARB memory, it is much
faster to download to dynamic RAM-based volatile ARB memory. If memory space permits,
first download the waveform data to ARB memory and then copy it in NVARB memory.
Data Requirements
I/Q waveform data downloads have the following requirements:
• Data must be in unsigned, offset (binary) format.
The signal generator expects this type of data.
• Data must be in 2-byte integers
Two bytes are needed to express 14-bit waveforms. The signal generator accepts the
most significant byte first.
• Input data must be between 0 and 16383.
This range is based on the input specifications of the 14-bit DAC used to create the
analog voltages for the I/Q modulator. Note that markers increase the size of the I data
beyond 16383.
• Each I and Q waveform must contain at least 16 points to play in the waveform
sequencer.
A point equals an integer.
• Each I and Q waveform must contain an even number of points to play in the waveform
sequencer.
• Each I and Q waveform should be the same length.
Different length I and Q waveforms are allowed. The shorter waveform gives a
0V output from its end to the length of the longer waveform.
Data Limitations
As explained in “Types of Arbitrary Waveform Generator Memory” on page 3-2, there are
two types of arbitrary waveform generator memory. The data limitations for the two
different memory areas are explained separately.