Press Release September 2024

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DDS Generators with 50 tones per channel
Spectrum Instrumentation launches fast switching multi-tone DDS Instruments

Grosshansdorf, Germany – 25.09.2024. Spectrum Instrumentation launches a family of DDS Generators named the 96xx series,forming a new product category in the company’s portfolio. The new DDS Instruments offer up to 50 sine wave carriers on
one single output channel. This feature provides a new way for engineers and scientists to produce and independently control
multi-tone sine signals. DDS, which is short for “Direct Digital Synthesis”, is a powerful technique for generating high-purity
signals (typically sinewave cores, also called carriers or tones) with ultrafast switching between output frequencies and finefrequency resolution. The products can produce multiple tones, covering a broad range of operating frequencies up to 200
MHz. It makes them uniquely agile signal sources that are suitable for demanding applications in industries such as
biomedicine, communications, semiconductors and quantum science.
Link to the product video (5 min):https://youtu.be/FEzjhXFNfF0The 96xxs series comprises 12 different models in three different formfactors; PCIe cards, PXIe modules and Ethernet
instruments. A single PCIe or PXIe card can produce up to 50 different low-phase-noise variable-frequency tones and is available
with up to 4 channels. The stand-alone Ethernet instruments offer from 2 to 24 channels. For applications needing more than50 tones, the larger NETBOX units support up to 300, or it is possible to connect multiple cards together with the Star Hub
synchronization module to create systems with up to 400 tones. All models provide integrated output amplifiers with
programmable signal amplitudes up to ±2.5 V into 50 Ohm loads, or ±5 V for high-impedance.
Extremely fast parameter changes
The speed at which these products can change
the characteristics of a tone is what makes themdifferent to conventional signal generators. Fully
programmable, changes can be made using
simple commands almost instantly. New settings
for a tone’s frequency, amplitude and phase as
well as amplitude slopes and frequency slopes
can be initiated during runtime, or via preloaded
sequences of DDS commands. Millions of DDS
commands can be stored in the on-board
memory. Setting changes can be triggered
externally, or by an internal timer, orimmediately on command. No transition jitter orglitches appear and the timing resolution forsequencing commands is as small as just 6.4
nanoseconds.

The brand new 96xx-series contains 12 different DDS Generators that are able to produce up
to 50 sinewave cores on one single output channel.
The diagram shows these 50 cores in frequency domain.

DDS controls waveforms in Test andMeasurement, Communications and Quantum
The 96xx series DDS generators provide an easy and programmable way for users to produce trains of waveforms, frequency
sweeps or finely-tuneable references of various frequencies and profiles. Applications can be found in industrial, medical andimaging systems, network analysis or even communication technology where data is encoded using phase and frequency
modulation on a carrier. Another application is the control of lasers through AODs and AOMs, as often used in quantum
experiments. Laser control can be made at very high speeds with just a few simple commands - this is in contrast to the moreprocessing-intensive method that uses an Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) and demands large data array calculations.
Issuing a small series of slope commands, the user can control advanced functions like s-shaped or custom-shaped frequency
transitions, custom pulse envelopes, AM or FM modulation and more.
Headquarters

US OfficeSpectrum Instrumentation GmbH, Germany
Phone: +49 4102-6956-0
Email: Info@spec.de

Spectrum Instrumentation Corp., USA
Phone: (201) 562-1999
Email: Sales@spectrum-instrumentation.com

https://www.spectrum-instrumentation.com

Press Release September 2024-Page 2 of 2

Easy system integration
Running under Windows or Linux operating systems,
the 96xx series DDS generators can be programmedusing programming examples for C++, Python, C#,
JAVA, LabVIEW, MATLAB and others as well as a highlevel Python API‘s that provide an easy way tocontrol the products.
Two instruments in one
Should there ever be a need to generate more
In DDS-mode, only a few commands are needed to, for example, generate a sinecomplex waveforms, the 96xx series can also bewave (orange block), accelerate the frequency (blue block) and lower the amplitude
converted into a fully functional AWG. A firmware(green block).
option is available that switches the DDS Generator
into an AWG, allowing the replay of arbitrary waveforms on all active channels synchronously. Operating modes such as Single
Shot, Loop, Single Restart, Multiple Replay, Gated Replay, Streaming (FIFO) or Sequence Replay are all supported.
Availability
The 96xx series DDS generators are available now. The products carry a 5-year product warranty, with free software andfirmware updates, as well as customer support, direct from the engineering team, for the life of the product.

About Spectrum Instrumentation
Spectrum Instrumentation, founded in 1989, uses a unique modular concept to design and produce a wide range of more than
200 digitizers and generator products as PC-cards (PCIe and PXIe) and stand-alone Ethernet units (LXI). In over 30 years, Spectrum
has gained customers all around the world, including many A-brand industry-leaders and practically all prestigious universities.
The company is headquartered near Hamburg, Germany, known for its 5-year warranty and outstanding support that comes
directly from the design engineers. More information about Spectrum can be found at www.spectrum-instrumentation.com

Headquarters

US OfficeSpectrum Instrumentation GmbH, Germany
Phone: +49 4102-6956-0
Email: Info@spec.de

Spectrum Instrumentation Corp., USA
Phone: (201) 562-1999
Email: Sales@spectrum-instrumentation.com

https://www.spectrum-instrumentation.com