Can I use a PXI AWG as a programmable delay pulse generator?

[VJC1]

A purpose designed delayed pulse generator appears to be absent from the range of PXI sources. I require a low jitter PXI pulse generator that uses an external trigger, and that I can update the delay and pulse width quickly (<1ms). Can the AWGs (eg PXI-5421) be used for this role, and how best is it configured ?

[Sonya W.]

Hello,

A device with a counter would be better-suited for your application (retriggerable pulse generation, allowing for the changing of pulse specifications on-the-fly). Our AWGs were not designed for this type of application. There is already an example program written to do exactly what you are looking for using a device with a counter (such as a Counter/Timer or E Series device).

If you have LabVIEW and NI-DAQ installed, you could use the example finder to locate this example:

LabVIEW Help menu >> Find Examples >> Hardware Input and Output >> DAQmx >> Generating Digital Pulses >> Gen Dig Pulse-Retriggerable.vi

I hope this helps!

Regards,

Sonya W.
Applicati
ons Engineer
National Instruments

[VJC1]

Thanks for your reply Sonya. I will review the example program and Counter/Timer devices.

[davelclark]

If you are still in need of such a module, take a look at these modules.

http://www.racalinst.com/pdf/ch_ma204.pdf
http://www.chtech.com/PDFdatash/MA209ds.pdf

They are supported in PXI with this M-module carrier board and others:

http://www.racalinst.com/pdf/ch_ami3000.pdf

David Clark
C&H Technologies, Inc.