National Instruments 779900-01 RF Vector Signal Generator

The National Instruments 779900-01 (PXIe-5672) Vector Signal Generator is a highly versatile RF signal generation module that is designed for applications requiring precision and flexibility. It operates within a frequency range of 250 kHz to 2.7 GHz. The device consists of two core modules: the PXIe-5442 Waveform Generator which delivers 16 bit resolution with a sampling rate of 100 MS/s (400 MS/s interpolated) and the PXI-5610 RF Signal Upconverter which enables efficient superheterodyne upconversion up to 2.7 GHz. These components work together to provide up to 20 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth and output power ranging from -145 dBm to +10 dBm.

The 779900-01 has high speed data streaming capability which enables continuous RF generation from hard disk or memory at rates exceeding 600 MB/s. This functionality is particularly beneficial for applications requiring extended waveform generation, such as broadcast video testing, record and playback and prolonged bit error rate (BER) testing. The module's capability to stream continuous waveforms from disk for over five hours at a maximum output rate of 25 MS/s (100 MB/s) ensures reliable performance in demanding environments. This Vector Signal Generator employs quadrature digital upconversion to minimize errors and optimize signal quality. The module digitally upconverts baseband I/Q waveforms to an intermediate frequency (IF) on a field programmable gate array (FPGA). This process allows the use of interpolating pulse shaping filters that enhance memory efficiency and enable real time operation over the full 20 MHz bandwidth. The onboard ultra-stable 10 MHz oven controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) provides exceptional frequency stability (±20 ppb) and accuracy (±50 ppb).

The NI 779900-01 is designed with flexibility in mind, supporting a wide range of standard modulation formats including AM, FM, PM, ASK, FSK and QAM. The included NI Modulation Toolkit for LabVIEW extends this capability by offering functions for signal generation, analysis and visualization. The 779900-01 module follows industry-standard plug-and-play specifications for the PXI Express bus. It comes with the NI-RFSG instrument driver, which is compatible with multiple application software environments, including LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI. The driver simplifies the configuration of timing, synchronization and arbitrary waveform generation and provides a comprehensive solution for complex RF signal generation tasks.