The system uses a Synthetic Instrument paradigm that employs a set of core hardware components (Up Converter/Synthesizer, Down Converter, Arbitrary Function Generator, Digitizer, & High Speed I/O) and defines the measurement capability and digital signal processing of the system through industry-standard LabVIEW software. The NI Modulation Toolkit for LabVIEW provides both standard and custom modulation formats, such as QAM, QPSK, and FSK.
The system consists of one five slot VXI chassis consisting of a Phase Matrix 1140B high performance Microwave Up Converter/Synthesizer (.001-20GHz), 1313B Down Converter (.001-26.5 GHz), 20309 Local Oscillator (3-9GHz), and a NI VXI-USB remote controller. The PXI chassis consists of a NI PXI-8196 embedded controller, NI PXI-5671 Vector Signal Generator (250 KHz- 2.7GHz) and an NI PXI-5620 frequency domain digitizer (64 MS/s, 14 bit).
Eric Starkloff, PXI and Modular Instruments Director , of National Instruments had the following comment about this new integrated capability: “By employing a hybrid PXI/VXI system, we are able to provide customers with the high performance microwave capabilities of VXI for up- and down-conversion, and the high bandwidth and small size of PXI for IF generation and digitization; LabVIEW provides a common software environment for integrating hybrid systems and adding user-defined analysis in a Synthetic Instrument environment.”
Phase Matrix, Inc. is a world-class ISO 900:2000 certified developer and manufacturer of RF and microwave instruments and components including Up-Converters/Frequency Synthesizers, Down Converters, Local Oscillators, and Microwave Frequency Counters. PMI is a private company based in San Jose, Ca; more information on PMI can be obtained at www.phasematrix.com , or by calling toll free 877-474-2736.
