Digitally programmable signal generator and method

Patent · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:867181

Priatko, Gordon J ^[1]; Kaskey, Jeffrey A ^[2]

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1. Oakland, CA
2. San Leandro, CA

A digitally programmable waveform generator for generating completely arbitrary digital or analog waveforms from very low frequencies to frequencies in the gigasample per second range. A memory array with multiple parallel outputs is addressed; then the parallel output data is latched into buffer storage from which it is serially multiplexed out at a data rate many times faster than the access time of the memory array itself. While data is being multiplexed out serially, the memory array is accessed with the next required address and presents its data to the buffer storage before the serial multiplexing of the last group of data is completed, allowing this new data to then be latched into the buffer storage for smooth continuous serial data output. In a preferred implementation, a plurality of these serial data outputs are paralleled to form the input to a digital to analog converter, providing a programmable analog output.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4881190
• OSTI ID: 867181
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

digitally
programmable
signal
generator
method
waveform
generating
completely
arbitrary
digital
analog
waveforms
frequencies
gigasample
range
memory
array
multiple
parallel
outputs
addressed
output
data
latched
buffer
storage
serially
multiplexed
rate
times
faster
access
time
accessed
required
address
serial
multiplexing
completed
allowing
smooth
continuous
preferred
implementation
plurality
paralleled
form
input
converter
providing
memory array
data output
output data
signal generator
waveform generator
serial data
times faster
parallel output
multiple parallel
analog output
data rate
digitally programmable
analog converter
programmable waveform
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