PicoSource AS108 Software
PicoSynth 2 Software
The PicoSynth 2 software provides a clean, efficient, touchscreen-compatible user interface for direct and convenient access to synthesis parameters. These can be entered manually, scrolled, or stepped by a configurable increment value, in a selectable unit of measurement such as dBm, mW, V RMS, V pk-pk, degrees, or radians. Its flexibility matches or exceeds that of the traditional control panel of a benchtop synthesiser.
The controls are organised into three independent parameter tabs, each holding separate settings for convenient mode switching:
- Carrier wave and basic modulations
- Sweep or hopping of parameters
- Arbitrary list of parameters
Carrier Wave and Basic Modulations
Set the carrier wave frequency, level, and phase using typed values, scrolled digits, or by stepping by an increment of your choice, then enable the output. When required, add frequency (FM), phase (ØM or PM), or amplitude (AM) modulation using internal sine modulation synthesis or an external DC-coupled source connected to the front-panel BNC interface. Modulations are derived from digital IQ modulation, and the external trigger output (rear-panel BNC) is synchronised with the internal modulation source.
Sweep or Hop Parameters
Set up sweeps and hops between two parameter values: start of sweep and end of sweep (stop). Either can be the higher value. Set the number of points in a sweep (between 2 and 10,001 points). The dwell time then defines how long each point in the sweep will be output. PicoSynth calculates and displays the duration of the entire sweep and the linear step size between each point. A bidirectional sweep moves from the start to stop and back to start in a single cycle. A hop is a simplified version of a sweep with only two parameter values that alternate.
The AS108 can sweep or hop the frequency, level, or phase parameter. It can also sweep or hop two parameters simultaneously: frequency and level, or phase and level. This allows, for example, a simple linear flatness or loss-compensating profile to be applied to a sweep or hop, such as increasing output level as frequency increases. The example shown applies a 5 dBm increase in level as the frequency sweeps from 1 GHz to 2 GHz. Sweeps and hops can be synchronised to external events and instruments using the external trigger input and output (rear-panel BNCs) or software trigger. Triggering can occur at the start of a sweep or at each new point in the sweep. This synchronisation flexibility is particularly valuable for high-speed system sequencing, such as in high-speed testing.
Arbitrary Parameter List
Import a parameter list file to generate an arbitrary sequence of frequency/level or phase/level points. The file is in a straightforward comma-separated values (CSV) format, which can be created using any text editor or exported from a spreadsheet program.
PicoSynth 2 displays a summary of the file contents to help verify the correct file has been selected. You can program the dwell time (time between points) and trigger mode.
Save, Recall, and Other Settings
Parameter step increment values, along with saving and recalling user settings, are found under the Settings tab.
You can also save a modified or custom power-up setting to the device, allowing the signal source to power up in a known state without requiring further connection or control via USB.