MEASUREMENT TIPS

Volume 6, Number 1 Synchronizing

Multiple Function
Generators
to Produce
Phase-Related
Signals

Snapshot: Evaluating SRS designs

using differential signals
A design engineer for an automotive company was evaluating the performance of a
Function/arbitrary waveform
generators are useful for creating standard design for a supplemental restraint system (SRS) using an Agilent 33210A function/
or complex waveforms that allow you to test arbitrary waveform generator to inject known signals into a prototype circuit board and
the performance of a design using a known capture the response signal from several key points in the design. One portion of the
good signal. When your application requires
design used differential pressure transducers to measure the airflow in the car’s body
multiple signals, referencing the time bases in
multiple function generators to each other or panel to indicate a crash event and the engineer required
r
a master time base allows you to synchronize two signals to evaluate the pressure transducers.
the signals to eliminate drift and maintain the The designer borrowed another Agilent 33210A
phase relationships required for differential function/arbitrary waveform generator and
signals, bi-phase clocks, I/Q modulation, and
connected the external time base reference
other multi-channel applications. Using instru-
ments such as the Agilent 33210A, 33220A with the generator on the test bench to create
and 33250A function/arbitrary waveform a synchronized differential signal and quickly
generators with an external time base refer- completed the evaluation of the design. When thee
ence allows you to synchronize the time bases
test was complete, the engineer returned the secoond
in multiple function generators to produce
generator to the lab’s instrument pool so it could be used by others
others.
phase-related signals.
 Connecting to the Synchronizing
master time base continuous signals
The first step in synchronizing multiple func- When all the function generators’ time
tion generators is to determine which time bases are synchronized, the signals from the
base will be used as the primary time base generators will not drift relative to the master
(also called the master time base). If you are time base, and therefore will not drift relative
connecting two or three function generators to each other. For each function generator,
on a bench, the master time base could be a variety of routing methods. Two of configure the output for the desired waveform
the time base output from one of the genera- the most popular configurations are shape, frequency, and voltage.
tors. For systems, you may have a system the star and daisy chain (see Figure 1).
time base signal provided by a precision The output of the function generators will
oscillator, counter, or a house standard. The star method uses a single time base have a random phase relationship at first.
(the master) and distributes the signal to Many of today’s function generators, such as
the other generators in the system. Using the Agilent 33210A, 33220A and 33250A,
MEASUREMENT TIP connections of the same length minimizes will allow you to adjust the phase offset in
the skew between the master time base “real time” from the front panel. If your func-
Use the most accurate time base as your and the time bases in the function genera- tion generator uses a menu structure, look for
master time base for the best results. tors. When you use the star method, check the phase adjust under an “output” or “setup”
that your master time base can deliver a menu. (You can find the “output setup” menu
Other time bases in the system that are
clean signal that meets the input voltage for the 33210A, 33220A, and 33250A by
not as precise will synchronize to the requirements of the function generator. pressing the Utility key.)
master time base for better accuracy.
The daisy chain configuration uses a For the best accuracy when synchronizing mul-
single time base (the master) to provide tiple channels, use a counter or an oscilloscope
When you connect the time base of one the input time base signal to the next to measure the phase difference between
generator (slave) to another generator function generator in the system, which in the channels. Then use the phase adjustment
or system time base (master), the master turn provides a signal to the next succes- feature in the function generator to “bump”
signal is routed to the time base input sive function generator and so forth until or “hop” the output waveform to align the
on the slave. If you need to synchronize all the function generators are connected. waveforms. For example, if the output of your
more generators, you can choose from When you use a large number of function function generator is 90° ahead of the signal
generators, the daisy chain configuration from your primary function generator, you
provides a simpler method of connecting would enter -90° to cause a one-time shift or
the time bases. However, the clock skew “bump” in the signal and align the two genera-
will increase with every subsequent func- tors (see Figure 2). If you are using more than
tion generator you add to the chain. two function generators, repeat this process
until all the signals are aligned.

0° 90° 180° 270° 0° 90°

0° 90° 180° 270° 0° 90°
Daisy-chain A.

270° 0° 90° 180° 270° 0° 90° 180° 270° 0° 90°

Star connection B.
(radiating)

FIGURE 1. Examples of how to connect FIGURE 2. A) Use the phase adjust to cause a
the time bases of multiple generators, using one-time shift or “bump” in the signal.
the star and daisy chain configurations. B) This “bump” aligns the output waveforms
across multiple generators.

2
 Synchronizing Hints for synchronizing
to an external event arbitrary waveforms
Most modern function generators allow the Synchronizing arbitrary waveforms, such
function generator to begin the output of as those used to provide IQ signals, is very
a signal upon receipt of an external trigger similar to synchronizing continuous signals.
signal. On the Agilent 33210A, 33220A, and A few hints to help get you started:
33250A function generators, you can use
• When adjusting the phase, the gen-
the external trigger with burst mode and set
MEASUREMENT TIP erator will consider the entire arbitrary
the burst count to “infinite” to initiate the
waveform to be 360°. Adjusting the
output of a continuous waveform. With this
phase by 90° will shift the arbitrary
On some function generators, such technique, the burst phase is used to set the
waveform a quarter of the way through
start phase for each waveform generator.
as the Agilent 33210A, 33220A, and the points. If your arbitrary waveform
33250A, you can set the phase reading consists of multiple cycles, adapt your
adjustments accordingly. For example,
to zero without making any changes MEASUREMENT TIP if your arbitrary waveform consists
to the output signal. This is especially of 2 sine waves and you want the
useful after you align the outputs Function generators with burst mode waveform shifted by 90° of one of the
of all the generators. Setting the phase offer an alternative means to align your sine waves, you need to adjust the
signal. Some function generators, such phase of the arbitrary waveform by 45°.
reading to zero allows you to then
directly set the new phase relationship. as the Agilent 33210A, 33220A, and • Phase relationships may be built into
33250A, allow you to enable a “trigger the arbitrary waveform. If the arbitrary
out” signal that produces a TTL pulse waveform includes the phase shift,
at the beginning of the burst. On the you will want to align the signals with
Once you have all the function generators
no additional phase offset to keep
aligned, you can use the phase adjust primary generator, set up an infinite
the desired phase relationship.
command again to set a discrete phase burst using the manual trigger source
offset. For example, if you have three • With complex arbitrary waveforms that
and enable the “trigger out” signal. Set
function generators and want to create are running continuously, it is often
a three-phase signal, you would “bump” up the other function generators for the
easier to use the sync signal to align the
the signal of one generator by 120° and infinite burst to begin with an external outputs rather than aligning the arbitrary
a second by 240°. trigger. Connect the time base output of waveforms themselves. The sync signal
the primary generator to the other gen- acts as a marker within the arbitrary
erators, and similarly connect the trigger waveform and can be used to align
out of the primary generator to the other the signals.
generators. When you press the trigger
key on the primary generator to start the
Summary
burst, it will produce an external trigger
signal that will begin the burst on all the Referencing the time bases of function
other generators as well. generators allows you to use multiple
channels and still maintain a phase
relationship between all the channels.
Also, by using the equipment you already
have and know how to use, you can
improve your efficiency. We have reviewed
different configurations of the master time
base and explored synchronizing multiple
signals with a precise phase relationship
and synchronizing to an external event
using an external trigger. We also showed
how a function generator with the right
features, such as Agilent’s 33210A,
33220A and 33250A, can simplify the task.

3
 www.agilent.com
For more information on Agilent Technologies’

FREE – Optional 10 MHz products, applications or services, please contact

your local Agilent office. The complete list is

External Time Base Input (Opt 001) available at:

www.agilent.com/find/contactus

Link multiple units to create

synchronous channels

Buy an Agilent 33210A or 33220A and receive the optional 10 MHz

external time base input (Option 001) for free – a $395/$495 value.
Be sure to mention promotion code 5.744 when you place your order.

Hurry, offer ends September 30, 2009

Get details at
www.agilent.com/find/FreeOpt001

FREE
1
Opt00 5
$49
$395/ ue
val Learn more about Agilent’s
function generator family at
www.agilent.com/find/functiongenerators

Product specifications and descriptions in this

document subject to change without notice.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2009

Printed in USA, March 9, 2009
5990-3467EN