Spectrum Instrumentation just rolled out a new Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) option for its popular 65xx series Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWGs).
This affordable upgrade lets engineers generate clean sinusoidal signals, precision reference sources, combined sine waves, waveform trains, frequency sweeps, and modulated signals, all in one compact instrument.
It completes the rollout of DDS across Spectrum’s entire AWG lineup, now offering more than 70 variants capable of multitone, multi-channel generation with bandwidths up to 3.9 GHz.
AWG Meets DDS in One Box
The 65xx series smartly combines traditional AWG operation with a high-performance DDS mode. In DDS mode, each channel can produce up to 16 individual sine tones, with frequency, amplitude, and phase tweaks controlled via simple commands, changes happen in just 8 nanoseconds. No bulky data transfers or heavy waveform math required.
Everyday AWG Power
For standard test and measurement work, the 65xx delivers:
- Output rates from 40 MS/s to 125 MS/s
- 16-bit resolution and bandwidths up to 70 MHz
- 1 to 8 channels per card, scalable to 80 synchronized channels
- Available as PCIe cards (for PC integration) or LXI instruments (Ethernet control for lab/production)
Perfect for standalone setups or large automated test systems.
DDS Mode Unlocks Real-Time Agility
The new DDS option shines with frequency/amplitude slopes and flexible command sequencing, letting you adapt signals on the fly. Think network stimulation, filter/amplifier testing, or sensor calibration where you need to hunt resonances or correct for drift.
Link to the product video (5 min): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J77Jo5H53VM&feature=youtu.be
Real-World Examples:
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Example 1: Sine wave sweep to drive a vibration shaker Example 1: A slow sweep from 20 Hz to 20 kHz to drive vibration shakers, spotting mechanical resonance in automotive/aerospace parts. Run up to 16 parallel sweeps to slash test times.
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Example 2: Simulating a three-phase power fault (line-to-ground on phase A) with exponentially decaying current to test circuit fault detection in voltage/current transducers.
Easy Software and Lifetime Support
Everything runs on Spectrum’s unified software toolkit, Windows/Linux compatible, with APIs for Python, MATLAB, C++, LabVIEW, and a simple DDS CONTROL GUI for no-code operation.
Plus, you get lifetime technical support straight from their engineers, along with free software/firmware updates.
To Know More: CLICK HERE
