CompuScope SDK Manua.. - Egmont Instruments

Appendix D: CompuGenCardsWhile this manual concerns only CompuScope cards, Gage also manufactures CompuGen ArbitraryWaveform Generator cards. CompuGen cards can be used in conjunction with CompuScope cards in someapplications. For instance, signals captured by a CompuScope cards can be played back on a CompuGencard. Basic CompuGen concepts are described below.Digital to Analog ConversionDigital to Analog (D/A) conversion is the process by which an analog signal is generated based on an n-bitdigital word or series of words.90A4BAA787DigitalPatternBAA490A78744C296364366DiscreteAnalog Signal(Theoretical)56F4D9D/AOutputFilteredOutputD/A conversion converts a discrete digital signal into a continuous analog signal.Vertical ResolutionThe number of bits with which a D/A system can specify the amplitude of the analog signal is its verticalresolution. For instance, the CompuGen 1100 has 12 bits if vertical resolution.D/A Conversion RateIn any practical D/A system, conversion is controlled by a clock. The frequency of this clock is called theConversion Rate and is measured in Mega Samples per Second (MS/s).CompuScope SDK Manual Appendix D Page 75