This tutorial recommends tips and techniques for using National Instruments high-speed digitizers to build the most effective data sampling system possible. In this tutorial, learn fundamental information about the underlying theory of sampling with a high-speed digitizer and various methods to optimize the performance of your data sampling.
1. Digitizer Fundamentals
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Bandwidth, Sample Rate, and Nyquist Theorem
The two major components in a high-speed digitizer's analog front end are the analog input path and the analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The signals that you can capture with a digitizer are primarily determined by the bandwidth of the analog input path and the sample rate at which the ADC samples the conditioned (amplified, filtered, coupled, and so on) waveform and converts the signal to digital values.
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Resolution
The resolution of a n-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) is a function of how many parts the maximum voltage signal can be divided into. With a higher resolution digitizer, you can capture smaller voltages. For example, with an 8-bit digitizer, you can capture differences of only 39 mV with a 10 V input range. By contrast, a 14-bit digitizer can resolve voltage differences as small as 610 µV using the same input range.
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Record Length, Vertical Range and Offset, Input Coupling, and Probing
This tutorial discusses how onboard memory, input range, signal coupling, and probing affect the measurements you take.
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Frequency Domain Measurement Fundamentals
This tutorial discusses how characteristics of a digitizer including flatness, spurious free dynamic range (SFDR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), total harmonic distortion (THD), and SINAD will affect your measurements.
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FFT Analysis
Understand how a time-domain signal can be represented in the frequency domain, which can provide more information about a signal and make certain characteristics easier to visualize. The Fourier transform converts a time domain representation of a signal into a frequency domain representation.
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Video Signal Measurement and Generation Fundamentals
This tutorial describes the basics of video signal measurement and generation by explaining the theory and giving practical examples. Topics discussed, include parts of the video signal, different video formats, and color coding.
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Triggering with Digitizers
A trigger is an external stimulus that initiates one or more instrument functions. Trigger stimuli include digital edges, software functions, and analog levels. This tutorial describes different trigger types that can be used with NI digitizers.
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2. User Applications Using Digitizers
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3. Example Programs
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4. Resources
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5. References
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