Class Outline: Day 3

Topic Outline:

Introduction to IG-XL Signals

DCVI Source/ Capture
Introduction to the BBAC Instrument

Programming the BBAC

BBAC Source
BBAC Capture
BBAC Pattern
BBAC Programming in VBT

Debugging the BBAC

BBAC Source
BBAC Capture

/
IG-XL Signals

What are IG-XL Signals?

Signals are software entities representing mixed signal test stimulus,

response, setup, and control.

A single Signal is a combination of instrument timing information and

instrument signal path/setup information.

Source Signals:
Abstract information about
the desired signal at the
DIB/device (shape, amplitude)
Constraints on the instrument
allowing you to refine how the
signal should be produced
Instrument register and
sample loading control and
Start/Stop control.

Capture Signal:
Constraints on the instrument
allowing you to refine how the
signal should be captured
Instrument register loading
control and (analog) Trigger
control
Placeholder for captured data
(DSPWave)

IG-XL Signals Concept

IG-XL Code
' Set up source signal
With thehdw.DCVI.Pins("in")
.Source.Signals.Add ("SrcSig")
With .Source.Signals("SrcSig")
.WaveDefinitionName = Ramp*
.Amplitude = 45
.SampleRate = 100000
.Samplesize = 64
.Range = 50
.Mode = tlDCVIModeVoltage

Software
Registers

Hardware
DCVI Instrument Board
Source Mem

Voltage to in

45V

SrcSig

.LoadSettings

D
U
T

64 Samples

Current from in

.LoadSettings

Channel 1
.Capture.Signals.Add(CapSig)
With .Capture.Signals(CapSig)
.SampleRate = 10000
.Samplesize = 50
.Mode = tlDCVIMeterCurrent
.Range = 1
.LoadSettings

Capture Mem

CapSig

.LoadSettings
50 Samples
Measure Current

End With
thehdw.DCVI.Pins("in").Source.Signals("SrcSig").Start
thehdw.DCVI.Pins("in").Capture.Signals(CapSig").Trigger

*Assumes wave Ramp has been defined

/
DCVI Source/Capture

Waveform Sourcing/Capturing

DCVI Source Memory

Is used to create waveforms, such as ramps and pulses.
DC30/75/90 has 2.5K samples, with max sample rate of 1MHz

DCVI Capture Memory

DC30/75 can capture up to 512 samples, with max sample rate of 100kHz
DC90 can capture up to 4K samples, with max sample rate of 793kHz

DCVI Source/Capture Object Model

TheHdw.DCVI (PinName).

Source .

Capture .
SampleRate =

SampleRate =
SampleSize =

Signals (InPin) .

SampleSize =

IsCaptureDone

StopOnModeAlarm

ExtraSamples =
Signals (OutPin) .

DCVI Signals in Intellisense

TheHdw.DCVI(Ch1AH).Source.Signals.Add (SrcSig)
TheHdw.DCVI(Ch1AH).Source.Signals(SrcSig).

These parameters
are specific to DCVI

DCVI Source

TheHdw.DCVI(Ch1AH).Capture.Signals.Add (CapSig)
TheHdw.DCVI(Ch1AH).Capture.Signals(CapSig).

These parameters
are specific to DCVI

DCVI Capture
8

Creating Waveforms for Source and Capture

Waveforms are created using Signals programming:
1. First, create the wave
samples (see next slide).

2. Create the signal using

the .Add method.
3. Define the signal : For
source signals, apply the
waveshape.
For both source and
capture signals, apply
settings. These are
constraints on the
instrument allowing you
to refine how the signal
should be handled.
4. Load the signal, in the
program at point of
Signal usage perform
.LoadSettings if not
loading some other way.

3a
3b

2
3b

Create/Apply Wave Shape:Wave Definitions Sheet

Wave Definitions sheet must be inserted into a workbook.
Wave Definitions sheet stores specific details of the waves you create.
Note that it does not store sampling properties! Waveshapes not
waveforms - no timing.

10

Create/Apply Wave Shape:Wave Definitions Sheet

You can create a wave from a set of predefined primitives:
DC

Constant voltage level

Ramp

Create a ramp shape waveform

Excel
Range

Get samples from an Excel

Range in the workbook

Sine

Create a simple sine wave

Multitone
Lab

Create multitone waveform

samples

Staircase

Create a step staircase set of

samples

Pulse

Create a step pulse

waveform

VBT

Call a user written VBT routine to

generate samples

Each primitive has a set of options, such as period and amplitude.

A wave definition can also incorporate other wave definitions, such as

Ramp_Up which combines DCSrc and PenId_Ramp.
11

Create Wave Shape: WaveDesigner Tool Method

WaveDesigner Teradyne tool to build waveshapes
Wave Shape is applied through the Wave Definitions Sheet
Covered in Mixed Signal Programming class

12

DCVI Debug Display Source/Capture Controls

Source/capture controls
in DCVI Debug Display

13

DCVI Source Signals

TheHdw.DCVI ("InPin") .Source.Signals.Add (SineWave10Hz_phase)

TheHdw.DCVI (InPin) .Source.Signals (SineWave10Hz_phase) .Start

TheHdw.DCVI ("InPin") .Source.Signals.Stop
TheHdw.DCVI("InPin ").Source.Signals.Add (" SineWave10Hz_phase ")
With TheHdw.DCVI(" InPin ").Source.Signals(" SineWave10Hz_phase ")
.WaveDefinitionName = "PenId_Ramp"
.Mode = tlDCVIModeCurrent
.Bandwidth = 5000
.SampleRate = 5.13
.SampleSize = 19
.LoadSettings
End With

or Start using Microcode in pattern file

Note: No quotation marks are required in the
pattern file. In fact, you will get a pattern compile
error or not be able to load the pattern file at all.

14

DCVI Capture Signals

TheHdw.DCVI (OutPin) .Capture.Signals.Add "OutCap"

TheHdw.DCVI (OutPin) .capture.Signals (OutCap") .Trigger

.SampleRate = 800
.SampleSize = 512

.ExtraSamples =10

15

Benefits of Source Memory

By controlling the waveform samples and sample rate, you can precisely
control the voltage or current input into a device.

Waveforms can be built quickly and easily to perform many tests in one
waveform burst.
Thresholds can be found by ramping up either current or voltage and
monitoring output of the device.

Ability to source a waveform is useful during debug. You can send in a

variety of inputs to characterize device response for critical tests.

16

Benefits of Capture Memory

Can be used as an internal scope to verify output or input for a device
pin

Can be used to record device response to particular inputs

For example, you can capture on the input pin and on a status pin
simultaneously to find exact trip point of a threshold.

Can be used during debug to determine required settling time of device

to minimize test time

In this current limit test, we can use the

capture to determine how much time we
need to wait before strobing the meter. This
helps minimize test time by removing
unnecessary wait times.

Strobe

17

/
BBAC

What Is the BBAC?

The BBAC instrument board contains 2 independent
differential AWG sources and 2 differential digitizers.
The BBAC Source is a high-performance instrument that
can generate differential, low-noise, low-distortion
waveforms with frequency components up to 15MHz.
The BBAC Capture is a high-accuracy, low-noise, lowdistortion instrument that can acquire differential waveforms
with frequency components up to 15MHz.
NOTE:
To achieve full ESSD performance & functionality IG-XL V5.00.10 or higher is required.

19

BBAC Board Block Diagram

Pattern
Generator

Psets

Parameter
Sets Memory

uCode

DGS
PPMU
PPMU
PPMU

4Meg SMEM

SOURCE

Offset

Level

Support
Board

High BW DataPort

PPMU
PPMU

1 Meg CMEM

CAPTURE

Offset

Range

DIB
Access
POS
NEG
REF
DGS
DIB
Access
POS
NEG
DGS

PPMU
PPMU
PPMU

4Meg SMEM

SOURCE

Offset

Level

DIB
Access
POS
NEG
REF
DGS

PPMU
PPMU

1 Meg CMEM

CAPTURE

Offset

Range

DIB
Access
POS
NEG

20

BBAC Board Block Diagram

This block diagram shows the
connectivity of one source and
one capture in more detail.
Not shown in this diagram is
the internal analog loopback
connection that is available
between source 1/capture 1
and source 2/capture 2 .

NOTE:
Performance of the instrument to ESSD specifications limits the instrument connectivity
to a subset of legal combinations.

21

BBAC Source Characteristics

These are not official specifications and are subject to change. See ESSD for actual specifications.

Frequency Range (Bandwidth)

DC 15MHz

Programmable User Sample Rate Range

5Ksps 1Gsps

Waveform Memory Depth

4 Msample (500 single segments)

DC Offset - Common Mode

+5.0V, -2.5V

Maximum AC

2.56 Vpk single-ended, pos/neg - ground

5.12 Vpk differential, pos neg

Peak Output Voltage (DC + AC)

+6.0Vpk, -5.0Vpk

Output Impedance

50W 0.4W

Output Current Compliance Limit

> 52 mA

22

BBAC Capture Characteristics

These are not official specifications and are subject to change. See ESSD for actual specifications.

Frequency Range

DC 15MHz

Programmable User Sample Rate Range

5Ksps 50Msps

Waveform Memory Depth

1 Msample

Capture Pass Band (up to 15MHz)

0 3/4 * Fs/2

Capture Stop Band

5/4 * Fs/2

DC Offset (Baseline Removal)

6.0Vdc, pos/neg or both

Maximum AC10.24 Vpk

Input Impedance

> 9.8 MW (nominal)

AC Coupling
Maximum DC Input
LF cutoff, precharge OFF

30 Vdc (typical)
< 140Hz (typical)

23

BBAC Programming
Developing a Test Program:

Worksheet Block Diagram

Example Device
Pin Map and Channel Map
Signal Shape Definition (WaveDesigner)
Instrument Timing Solution (Mixed Signal Workshop or Manual)
Programming Source and Capture in VBT

Pattern Control

PSets

24

Mixed-Signal Basic Test Program

Worksheets Block Diagram
Home

1
Pin Map

7
Specification Sheets

Mixed-Signal
Calls

Global
Specs

DUT pin: name, type

2
Visual Basic
Interpose
Functions

Channel Map
Tester
channel

AC Specs

Pin
name

Procedures

User defined
procedures
via PDE tool

Returns

Pin Levels

0 Microcode

Wave
Definitions

Wave
Designer
Tool

DC Specs

Pattern

6a

ASCII
file
Calls
Returns

6b

Calls

Mixed-Signal
Workshop
Tool

1
2
3

Pattern Tools

Mixed-Signal
Timing

Editor
Debugger

Time Sets
Returns

9
Visual Basic
Interpose
Functions

Invoke TDE
for Hardware Displays

Test
Instances

Order
Tests

10
Flow
Table
Opcode (sequencing)

Default
Worksheets

Programming Sequence:
1 to 6

8 to 10

Additional
Worksheets

Worksheets
and PDE

Pattern
Tools

Worksheets
and PDE

25

Example Device
This example device, a differential CODEC, will be used to highlight the use of
the BBAC source and capture.
Shown below is an example of the recommended connections for this device:

BBAC SRC REF

BBAC SRC POS

BBAC SRC NEG

BBAC CAP POS

BBAC CAP NEG

Differential CODEC (with Internal Digital Loopback)

26

Pin Map Worksheet

Note: The device pins that will be connected to the

BBAC Source and Capture pins are typically
defined as type Analog.

27

Channel Map Worksheet

(Signal View Mode)

Note: Since the Source Reference pin is

connected directly to ground, it is not called out in
the Channel Map.

BBAC SRC REF

BBAC SRC POS
BBAC SRC NEG
BBAC CAP POS
BBAC CAP NEG

28

Channel Map Worksheet

(Pogo View Mode)

Note: Pogo View Mode is helpful for debug as it

provides the DIB Pogo reference.

BBAC SRC REF

BBAC SRC POS
BBAC SRC NEG
BBAC CAP POS
BBAC CAP NEG

29

Wave Definitions Worksheet

Note:
The BBAC Source AWG capability allows the instrument to generate a
wide variety of waveforms. Typically, these waveforms are defined on
the Wave Definitions sheet using the available primitive types.

30

WaveDesigner Tool

Tip: The WaveDesigner tool can be useful for viewing the waveform that will
result when timing and amplitude parameters are applied.
31

Mixed Signal Workshop Tool

Capture Sample Rate

Source Frequency

Expected Capture Frequency

Capture Sample Size

Tip: The Mixed Signal Workshop Tool generates source timing solutions that
meet the required sample rate and sample size conditions for the desired signal.
Tip: If the capture sampling parameters have been programmed to specify the
expected capture frequency, the BBAC Source Solver can be used to generate
the source sample rate and sample size parameters to achieve this frequency.

32

Mixed Signal Workshop Tool

Solving the Coherency Equation for the Source, ...

1.

2.

3.

Specify the Target

Source Frequency
(FR) and
constraints for N
and M
Click Show
Choices to
generate a
sortable list of
solutions
If no suitable
solutions are
found, modify the
inputs and try
again

Target Source
Frequency

Source Frequency

33

BBAC Setup in VBT

1. Set up the Source

2. Set up the Capture
3. Sourcing and Triggering
4. Stop and Disconnect
5. Data Analysis & Limits

34

1- Set Up the Source

Connect the Source Pos and Neg outputs to the DUT (typically differential output is optimal for the
BBAC)

Connect the Source reference to Channel Card Ground (only for the purpose of this lab. Typically,
connect to DIB ground or suitable analog reference/ground)

Create a name for the signal to be sourced

Set the source mixed signal timing parameters (Fs, N, M)

Load values determined in the Mixed Signal Workshop (see previous slide)

Specify the connection type (single-ended or differential)

Set the amplitude of the signal

Set the Offset of the signal (if applicable)

Load source settings

35

2- Set Up the Capture

Connect the capture Pos and Neg inputs to the DUT

BBAC Capture is ALWAYS differential

Create a name for the signal to be captured

Set the capture mixed signal timing parameters (Fs, N)

Load values determined in the Mixed Signal Workshop (see previous

slide)

Specify Coupling or Set the Offset of the signal (if applicable)

A primary use for AC coupling or DC offset removal is to get better

dynamic range of the converters when a capture with differential offset is
expected. This might occur when capturing a single-ended device output

Load capture settings

36

VBT Example
Source and Capture
Setup
A)

A
B

VBT Function
Prototype
C

B)

Local variable
declarations

C)

Connect BBAC
Source

D)

Set up BBAC Source

instrument and
signal

E)

Connect BBAC
Capture

F)

Set up BBAC
Capture instrument
and signal

37

3- Sourcing & Triggering

Start the source instrument through VBT

Trigger the capture instrument through VBT

4- Stop & Disconnect

Stop: Write a Stop to the hardware, and stop sourcing Signal.

Disconnect: Disconnect the BBAC Source and Capture connections

from DUT

38

VBT Example -- Cont

Start and Trigger, Stop and Disconnect
A) Start the source signal and wait for it to settle out
B) Trigger the capture signal and wait for the capture to
complete
C) Stop the source signal
D) Disconnect the BBAC Source and Capture

C
D

39

5- Data Analysis
At the end of the capture sequence the capture data must be bound to a local
DSPWave object so it can be passed to a DSP function for analysis. Typical
values calculated are THD, SNR.

Site 0

Site 1

Site 2

DUT

DUT

DUT

Site 3

The DSPWave node of the capture signal is a multisite object, containing one
DSPWave per site.
DSP Wave Object

DU
T

Capture_WV
Site 0
Site 1
Site 2
Site 3
40

VBT Example -- Cont

DSP analysis and Limits

A) Bind the capture wave to a local DSPWave
B) Invoke embedded DSP using the rundsp node
C) Test the results of the DSP analysis against limits specified in
the flow table
A
B

41

BBAC Pattern Control

42

BBAC Pattern control

Instead of controlling the source and capture instruments in VBT, instruments can
be controlled in a digital pattern using mixed signal microcodes.
Mixed signal instruments must be added to the pattern, then mixed signal
microcode can be added to control the BBAC instrument.
This allows much more precise control over the starting of sources and the
triggering of captures.

43

BBAC Pattern control

Signals for all of the Start and Trigger labels must be defined in VBT before pattern burst.
If blank start or trigger labels are used, the default signal must be specified.

BBAC source and capture connections cannot be controlled by the pattern.

Typically, connections are made before pattern start.

VBT is used to set up the source and capture instrument parameters.

This assumes that PSets are not being used.

By adding the following lines of code we can load and run the pattern.

Note: At the beginning of any program that uses a pattern, you must apply levels and timing for the HSD
thehdw.Digital.ApplyLevelsTiming True, False, True
44

BBAC Source Microcodes

START

<SignalName>

Start sourcing the named signal immediately and repeat

indefinitely.

START1

<SignalName>

Start sourcing the named signal immediately but do not

repeat it.

STARTE

<SignalName>

Start sourcing the named signal at the end of the currently

running segment and repeat it indefinitely.

START1E <SignalName>

Start sourcing the named signal at the end of the currently

running segment but do not repeat it.

STOP

Stop sourcing any continuously running (only if started with

START or STARTE) segment immediately. On a STOP, the
BBAC Source jumps to the last sample in the segment and
continuously sources the value.

RESYNC

Forces the source channel clock into phase alignment with

the High Speed Digital T0 clock

PSET

<PSetName>

Change the setup parameters to those specified by the

named Parameter Set.

NOTE: Refer to the ESSD for microcode spacing requirements

45

BBAC Capture Microcodes

TRIG

<SignalName>

Start capturing to CMEM under the label <SignalName>

Forces the capture channel clock into phase alignment with the
High Speed Digital T0 clock

RESYNC
<PSetName>

Change the setup parameters to those specified by the named

Parameter Set.

ENABLE_INST_COND

Enables the instrument condition bit to drive the condition bus.

DISABLE_INST_COND

Disables the instrument condition bit to drive the condition bus.

ENABLE_ALARM

Enables the alarm window for Capture alarms. Alarm conditions

that exist after this opcode are reported.

DISABLE_ALARM

Disables the alarm window for Capture alarms. Alarm

conditions that exist after this opcode are reported.

PSET

NOTE: Refer to the ESSD for microcode spacing requirements

46

TDE: BBAC Source Debug Display

Connections:
Control instrument
connections from the debug
display by clicking the
relays.
Note that the connections
for the BBAC are specified
by selecting a connection
path rather than by
controlling individual relays.
Setup:
Set up the source by
specifying parameters, by
selecting a Signal and using
Load Settings, or by
selecting a PSet and clicking
Apply.
Control:
A signal can be started or
stopped.

47

TDE: BBAC Capture Debug Display

Connections:
Control instrument
connections from the debug
display by clicking the
relays.
Note that the connections
for the BBAC are specified
by selecting a connection
path rather than by
controlling individual relays.
Setup:
Set up the source by
specifying parameters, by
selecting a Signal and using
Load Settings, or by
selecting a PSet and
clicking Apply.

48

TDE: BBAC Capture Debug Display

Control:
Initiate a trigger from the
debug display using the
Trigger button. This data
bypasses the DSP and is
sent directly to the host
computer.
If data has been captured
into a signal using a pattern
or Programmed I/O trigger
and has not been processed
by the DSP, then when that
signal is selected from the
Signals dropdown an * will
appear next to the signal
name. Clicking the View
button allows you to view
the capture data.

49