Overview

PulseBlasterDDSTM is a general-purpose, intelligent, programmable, RF and TTL/CMOS pulse/pattern generator system (PCI or ISA board or a portable stand-alone system). The PulseBlasterDDSTM series of Intelligent Pulse Generation boards from SpinCore Technologies, Inc., couples SpinCore’s unique Intelligent Pulse Timing Processor core, dubbed PulseBlasterTM, with Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) technology for use in system control and radio-frequency (RF) pulse generation. The PulseBlasterTM processor, implemented in state-of-the-art programmable logic, provides all the necessary timing control signals required for overall system control and pulse synchronization. By adding DDS features, PulseBlasterDDSTM can now meet all the excitation/stimuli needs of demanding users. PulseBlasterDDSTM provides users the ability to control their systems through the generation of both digital control signals and fully synchronized excitation RF pulses from a small form factor PC board, providing users a compelling price/performance proposition unmatched by any other device on the market today.

Architecture

This figure presents the general architecture of the PulseBlasterDDS-III-100 system. The two major building blocks are the DDS Core and the Pulse Programming and Timing Processor Core (PP Core). The DDS Core contains a Numerically Controlled Oscillator (NCO) and has 16 programmable frequency registers that are under the pulse program control. Prior to gating, the DDS signal can be phase offset by one of 16 programmable phase registers for two independent output channels. The PP Core controls the timing of the gating pulses and provides the necessary control signals for frequency and phase registers. The DDS and PP cores have been integrated onto a single silicon chip. High performance DAC chips and high current output amplifiers complement the design.