National Instruments 778538-03 PXI Digital Waveform Instrument

National Instruments 778538-03 is the part number for the PXI-6551 Digital Waveform Instrument that has 64 MBits of memory per channel. With an onboard memory that totals 256 MBytes for both acquisition and generation, this waveform instrument makes use of synchronization and memory core technology for its memory architecture.

This memory technology allows the onboard memory of the 778538-03 to be shared with both instructions and waveforms. Parameters including the maximum number of waveforms that can be stored in the memory and the number of script instructions that can be stored are all configurable and user-defined.

The waveform creation capabilities of the 778538-03 are suitable for a variety of test configurations. When in single waveform mode, the device is able to create a waveform a predetermined number of times, continuously, or just once. The scripted mode enables the instrument to produce either basic or complex waveform sequences depending on the needs of the test application. 

In terms of waveform generation, an important parameter to consider is the minimum generation waveform size. For the 778538-03, the sample rate is set to 50 MHz, and the samples depend on the specific waveform configuration. Single waveforms feature a sample rate size of 2 S, while this minimum is higher for continuous waveforms at a size of 16 S. Stepped sequences have a size of 64 samples, while burst sequences boast an impressive 256 samples.

The compact 778538-03 measures just 18.6 cm x 13.1 cm (7.32 in x 5.16 in), and weighs in at only 375 g (13.2 oz). The waveform instrument has optimal functionality in a temperature range between 0 and 55 °C.