Spectrum Instrumentation 65xx series AWGs with DDS

Spectrum Instrumentation has introduced a direct digital synthesis (DDS) option for its 65xx series arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs), providing a more technically economical solution for generating sinusoidal signals, finely tuneable reference sources, combined sine waves, waveform trains, frequency sweeps and modulated signals.

Combining traditional AWG operation with a DDS mode in a single instrument, the 65xx series delivers greater performance. In DDS mode, each channel can generate up to 16 individual sine wave tones, with frequency, amplitude and phase controlled through simple commands that allow parameter changes with just 8 ns spacing. This approach enables the fast creation of multitone and modulated signals without large data transfers or complex waveform calculations.

Designed for everyday test and measurement applications, the 65xx series offers a compact, general-purpose platform with output rates from 40–125 MS/s, 16-bit resolution and bandwidths up to 70 MHz. Individual cards provide 1 to 8 channels, while complete systems can scale to 80 fully synchronised channels, making the series suitable for both standalone use and larger automated test systems.

With the DDS option, advanced features such as frequency and amplitude slopes, along with flexible command sequencing, allow engineers to adapt signals in real time. These capabilities are particularly valuable in applications that require agile frequency sources to help identify resonant frequencies or compensate for system drift, like in network stimulation, automated testing of filters and amplifiers, or the operation of medical and industrial sensors.