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Play a big ARB waveform file in the generator N5182A

Question asked by antoine on Jun 11, 2013
Latest reply on Aug 30, 2013 by vcherian

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Hello everybody,

I wrote under Matlab a GPS code that I would like to generate with the Agilent Generator N5182A.
To do that, I did as it is explained in the "Programming Guide" and then when my file is generated (ARB format), I download it into the Internal Memory of the generator thanks to a USB key.

However, I have a few questions because I don't succeed to play my waveform.

First of all, a GPS code is something long (818400 chips and 2000 samples per chips) thus at the end, my final ARB file is 300mb.
Thus, I would like to know if it is possible to play this kind of file from the generator? Because to play it I have to download it on the BBG memory but if the file is too big it doesn't work...

If it is not possible, do you think it is possible to play it directly from the internal memory or from an external hard disk storage (or from a usb key) ?

Thanks a lot for your help and have a nice day!

Antoine

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tabbott

Jun 12, 2013 9:03 AM

Hi Antoine -

I suspect that you are running out of ARB waveform playback memory. This is what we refer to as volatile memory and the waveform can only be played from this memory.

A N5182A without option 019 comes with 8Msa of playback memory. With the option 019 you would get 64Msa of playback memory. I am not sure which option you have, but since you waveform exceeds 64Msa it doesn’t matter. Your waveform is too large to fit into playback memory and thus cannot play out.

The N5172B or the N5182B offer larger playback memory 512Msa and 1024Msa respectively. Please check out these products to see if they are a better fit.

N5172B http://www.home.agilent.com/en/pd-2115739-pn-N5172B/exg-x-series-rf-vector-signal-generator?cc=US&lc=eng

N5182B http://www.home.agilent.com/en/pd-2115999-pn-N5182B/mxg-x-series-rf-vector-signal-generator?cc=US&lc=eng

Regards -

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antoine Jun 17, 2013 1:27 AM

Good Morning,

thanks for the answer but unfortunately I have to work with the N5182A. Nevertheless, I can work with smaller segments thus to load the waveform it is ok.

Now, what I want to do, it is to generate a BPSK signal written in Matlab. Thus my new idea would be to write this BPSK signal directly in the ARB format (in baseband) and then I apply the carrier directly in the generator.

Do you think this is the correct way to think?

Thanks and have a nice day,

Antoine

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tabbott

@ antoine on Jul 10, 2013 8:43 AM

Hi Antoine -

Yes, this is exactly the way to do it:

1) Create the N5182A compatible BPSK modulated I/Q waveform file in Matlab
2) Download it into the waveform memory of the N5182A
3) Select the BPSK waveform to playback in the internal ARB
4) Set the N5182A carrier and power as desired

Regards -

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vcherian @ antoine on Aug 30, 2013 9:47 AM

You could download the waveform as many smaller waveforms (each using as much as possible/waveform) and then create a sequence of the individual smaller waveforms, provided your 5172A allows you to sequence waveforms.

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4 Replies

tabbott Jun 12, 2013 9:03 AM
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Hi Antoine -

I suspect that you are running out of ARB waveform playback memory. This is what we refer to as volatile memory and the waveform can only be played from this memory.

A N5182A without option 019 comes with 8Msa of playback memory. With the option 019 you would get 64Msa of playback memory. I am not sure which option you have, but since you waveform exceeds 64Msa it doesn’t matter. Your waveform is too large to fit into playback memory and thus cannot play out.

The N5172B or the N5182B offer larger playback memory 512Msa and 1024Msa respectively. Please check out these products to see if they are a better fit.

N5172B http://www.home.agilent.com/en/pd-2115739-pn-N5172B/exg-x-series-rf-vector-signal-generator?cc=US&lc=eng

N5182B http://www.home.agilent.com/en/pd-2115999-pn-N5182B/mxg-x-series-rf-vector-signal-generator?cc=US&lc=eng

Regards -
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antoine Jun 17, 2013 1:27 AM
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Good Morning,

thanks for the answer but unfortunately I have to work with the N5182A. Nevertheless, I can work with smaller segments thus to load the waveform it is ok.

Now, what I want to do, it is to generate a BPSK signal written in Matlab. Thus my new idea would be to write this BPSK signal directly in the ARB format (in baseband) and then I apply the carrier directly in the generator.

Do you think this is the correct way to think?

Thanks and have a nice day,

Antoine
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- tabbott @ antoine on Jul 10, 2013 8:43 AM
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  Hi Antoine -
  
  Yes, this is exactly the way to do it:
  
  1) Create the N5182A compatible BPSK modulated I/Q waveform file in Matlab
  2) Download it into the waveform memory of the N5182A
  3) Select the BPSK waveform to playback in the internal ARB
  4) Set the N5182A carrier and power as desired
  
  Regards -
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- vcherian @ antoine on Aug 30, 2013 9:47 AM
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  You could download the waveform as many smaller waveforms (each using as much as possible/waveform) and then create a sequence of the individual smaller waveforms, provided your 5172A allows you to sequence waveforms.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
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Play a big ARB waveform file in the generator N5182A

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