Efficient alternative to multiple instruments
August 2001
Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Fluke has announced the availability of its 39A universal waveform generator, which replaces the popular Model 39 and provides greater capability at no additional cost. This high-performance generator combines seven separate generators - an arbitrary waveform generator (arb), a function generator, pulse/pulse-train generator, sweep generator, trigger generator, tone generator and AM modulation source - into one unit.
Unlike other direct digital synthesis (DDS)-based generators, the 39A features a true variable clock architecture. This character obviates many problems associated with DDS architecture such as jitter, phase coherence and accuracy, as well as repeatability of small signal details.
"Our customers want more functions and flexibility without having to pay more," says Kevin Preston, Fluke Division Manager at Spescom MeasureGraph, a local distributor of Fluke products. "The 39A is simply the best value universal function generator on the market."
The 39A is a powerful 12 bit arbitrary waveform generator with 65 536 points of waveform memory and clock speeds up to 40 MS/s. Up to both 100 waveforms and nine complete instrument configurations can be stored in nonvolatile memory. In addition, waveforms can be created and modified from the unit's front panel or can be downloaded over its RS232 and GPIB interfaces with the Fluke waveForm DSP2 software. For complex applications, multiple waveforms can be linked together in a sequence.
With 12 standard functions built-in, the 39A is an excellent function generator capable of generating square waves and sine waves to 16 MHz. This results in considerable versatility in one simple, low-cost unit.
Single pulses and complex pulse trains are generated with programmable period, width, delay and amplitude. Pulse trains containing up to ten independently programmed pulses offer a powerful capability not found in standard pulse generators. The 39A also features a wide range of operating modes including: continuous, triggered burst, gated, frequency sweep; tone generation; external amplitude modulation and external signal summing modes.
The 39A comes standard with GPIB and RS232 interfaces plus an RS232 cable. All functions are programmable from the unit's front panel or by remote operation. Multiple units may be phase-locked for multichannel applications and the phase angle is programmable between units.
Spescom MeasureGraph
(011) 266 1500
[email protected]
www.spescom.com
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