Precision and performance are paramount in high frequency data acquisition. The ADQ35-WB 12-bit digitizer from Teledyne SP Devices stands out as a versatile and powerful solution designed to meet the demanding needs of various applications, from radar systems to scientific instruments. The ADQ35-WB is a high performance data acquisition module that offers dual-channel and single-channel configurations. With a sampling rate of up to 10 GSPS in single-channel mode and 5 GSPS per channel in dual-channel mode, it provides exceptional flexibility for different use cases. Table 1 shows some of the typical performance characteristics, along with the dynamic performance in dual-channel mode at 5 GSPS per channel.
One of its standout features is the 9 GHz of usable analog bandwidth, which makes this device ideal for capturing high frequency signals with great accuracy. Equipped with 12-bit vertical resolution, the ADQ35-WB ensures high precision in data acquisition, allowing for detailed and accurate signal representation. This level of resolution is crucial for applications that require fine-grain data analysis and interpretation. Figure 1 shows typical two-tone fast Fourier transform (FFT) performance at 5.9 GHz. Additionally, the digitizer comes with 8 GB of onboard memory, providing ample storage for large datasets and enabling efficient data processing. The digitizer also supports peer-to-peer streaming at speeds of up to 14 Gbyte/s, facilitating rapid data transfer to GPUs, CPUs or SSDs. This high speed streaming capability ensures that data can be processed and analyzed without bottlenecks, making the ADQ35-WB suitable for time-sensitive applications.
Figure 1 FFT typical two-tone performance at 5.9 GHz.
Figure 2 Frequency response on a linear scale.
At the heart of the ADQ35-WB is the open onboard AMD Kintex UltraScale KU115 field-programmable gate array (FPGA). This powerful FPGA offers extensive resources for custom real-time digital signal processing (DSP), allowing users to implement tailored algorithms and processing techniques directly on the hardware. This capability is particularly beneficial for applications that require real-time data analysis and decision-making.
One of the challenges in high frequency data acquisition is dealing with analog imperfections such as temperature-dependent baseline drift and noise. The ADQ35-WB addresses these issues through advanced error correction and performance enhancement techniques. By addressing analog imperfections and providing extensive customization options, the ADQ35-WB ensures that you can capture and analyze data with the highest level of accuracy. By leveraging FPGA-based real-time DSP, the digitizer can correct for baseline drift and improve the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in cleaner and more accurate data. With these techniques, the ADQ35-WB can achieve the frequency response shown in Figure 2, where 0 dB is the nominal input voltage range of 1.4 Vpp.
The ADQ35-WB is designed for easy integration into existing systems. Its PCIe form factor ensures compatibility with standard PC interfaces, while the included Digitizer Studio software provides a user-friendly platform for control and configuration. This software simplifies the setup process and allows users to configure the digitizer to meet their specific needs quickly. Its ease of integration and user-friendly software further enhance its appeal, making it a valuable addition to any data acquisition system.
Teledyne SP Devices offers several firmware options to enhance the functionality of the ADQ35-WB. The default data acquisition firmware (FWDAQ) is always included, providing a solid foundation for standard data acquisition tasks. For more specialized needs, optional firmware such as waveform averaging (FWATD) and pulse detection (FWPD) can be added. Additionally, the DEVDAQ FPGA development kit allows users to create custom firmware tailored to their specific requirements.
The ADQ35-WB is designed to excel in a wide range of applications. In radar systems, its high sampling rate and bandwidth enable precise detection and analysis of fast-moving targets. For scientific instruments, the digitizer’s high-resolution and real-time processing capabilities are essential for capturing and analyzing complex signals. Other applications include scanning acoustic microscopy, LiDAR, particle physics and time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
In summary, the ADQ35-WB 12-bit digitizer from Teledyne SP Devices is a powerful and versatile tool for high frequency data acquisition. Its combination of high sampling rates, wide analog bandwidth and advanced DSP capabilities makes it ideal for a variety of applications. Whether you are working in radar, scientific research or any other field that requires precise and reliable data acquisition, the ADQ35-WB offers the performance and flexibility you need to achieve your goals. Explore the capabilities of the ADQ35-WB and unlock new possibilities in your high frequency data acquisition projects.
Teledyne SP Devices
Linköping, Sweden
www.spdevices.com/en-us