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Getting Started
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ArbExplorer Feature Highlights
• 396 - Three powerful tools in one software package: complete Instrument control
panel, Waveform composer and FM signal composer
• 397 - Four powerful tools in one software package: complete Instrument control
panel, Waveform, pulse, and FM signal composer
• 397 - Detailed virtual front panels control all of the Instrument’s functions and
modes
• Wave composer generates, edits and downloads complex waveforms
• FM wave composer generates and downloads complex modulating signals
• 397 - Easy, onscreen generation of complex pulses using the pulse composer.
• 396 - Automatic detection of active instruments
• Equation editor generates waveforms from equations
• SCPI command and response editor simulates ATE operation
• Translates waveform coordinates from ASCII and other formats
• Simplifies generation of complex sequences
Features, Functions, and Options
The following is a general description of the features, functions, and options available
with the Instrument.
Output Channels
The 396 is a single channel arbitrary waveform generator.
The 397 is a dual-channel waveform generator. Although the two channels share a single
sample clock source, each channel can be controlled separately to generate different
waveform, amplitude and waveforms sequence. Having a single sample clock source is
an advantage in a dual-channel configuration because it allows tight control over inter-
channel synchronization and leading edge start phase where the initial skew between the
two channels is just a few nanoseconds.
Output Functions
The Instrument is completely digital. There are no analog functions resident in its
hardware circuits. Data has to be downloaded to the Instrument for it to start generating
waveforms. The Instrument can generate a few standard functions such as sine wave,
triangular wave and square wave. Each time that a standard function is required, the
Instrument calculates its coordinates and places them in the waveform memory.
Therefore, every time a standard function is selected, minimal time is required for the
controller to compute the function and load its data to the waveform memory.
Frequency
Waveform frequency is programmed with 7 digits on the 396 and 9 digits on the 397.
Frequency accuracy of the output waveform is determined by the clock reference. The
internal reference oscillator provides 1 ppm accuracy and stability over time and
temperature. If higher accuracy and/or stability are required, you may connect an external
frequency reference to the rear-panel reference input connector.