Chapter 3 - Signal Generation

Abstract

This chapter reviews the theory of signal generation. Usually, the source instrumentation on a mixed signal tester is destined to be able to apply analog data in both the analog form and digital form. The signal source device presents input signals in both the analog and the digital form at the same time. If the stimulus waveform is in digital form, the signal source drives the digital pin drivers. The level, format, and the timing parameters are the same as for a digital test. This chapter also describes that the digital signal source instrumentation renders analog information in digital form to the device input. The digital signal sequence is programmed into a series of vectors. In addition, the ratio of the signal frequency controls the number of cycles effectively in the sample set, and at the same time, also controls the number of samples per cycle. The ultimate purpose of the reconstruction filter is to remove the effects of the sample clock and the digital-to-analog converter (DAC) step rate.