Multi-Emitter Generation Software supports real-time synthesis and generation of arbitrary I/Q signals using compatible NI PXI modules.

Multi-Emitter Generation Software is application software that includes APIs to help you operate compatible PXI Vector Signal Transceivers (VSTs) and PXI FlexRIO coprocessor modules for real-time, high-throughput I/Q signal generation. Use Multi-Emitter Generation Software to stream common signal parameters and I/Q waveforms from external files or simulation software to multiple parallel digital signal cores. This enables synthesis of high density and complex electromagnetic environments.

Multi-Emitter Generation Software is built on a gRPC server architecture. Configure and control the gRPC server architecture through the provided graphical user interface and/or your own custom application built using the provided gRPC APIs in a gRPC-supported coding language.

The gRPC architecture allows the Multi-Emitter Generation Application (server) to run on the PXI controller while the user interface (client) can run either on the same controller or a remote computer.

The Multi-Emitter Generation Software consists of the following:

  • Multi-Emitter Generation InstrumentStudio Plugin—Provides a user interface implementation of the gRPC APIs:
    • Multi-Emitter Generation Application Control
    • Multi-Emitter Generation System Configuration Utility
    • User Waveform File Manager
  • Multi-Emitter Generation Application—Applies configuration to hardware and controls signal generation.
  • gRPC Protocol Buffer files—Expose optional gRPC APIs for using Multi-Emitter Generation Application:
    • multi_emitter_generation.proto
    • user_waveform_file_manager.proto

    The protocol buffer files are installed in the following directory: <Program Files>\National Instruments\NI MEG\Application\Protofiles.

    • Figure 1. Multi-Emitter Generation Software


    The Multi-Emitter Generation Software features two entry points to interact with the system:

    • InstrumentStudio panel
    • gRPC API

    The Multi-Emitter Generation Software package installation provides:

    • Multi-Emitter Generation Application (gRPC server)
    • Multi-Emitter Generation InstrumentStudio Plugin (gRPC client)
    • Multi-Emitter Generation personality file for PXIe-7903
    • Instrument Controller System Component (ICsc)
    • RF System Compensation InstrumentStudio Plugin

    Multi-Emitter Generation Application

    The Multi-Emitter Generation (MEG) Application executes on the PXI controller and applies configurations and operates the hardware in the MEG system.

    The application has a gRPC interface to support development of a client application to control the Multi-Emitter Generation Application.

    Note The user must have at least one valid Multi-Emitter Generation Software license to start the Multi-Emitter Generation Application. Ensure the Volume License Server is running, and a license is present and available. Refer to Activating Multi-Emitter Generation Software.

    Instrument Controller System Component (ICsc)

    The Instrument Controller System Component (ICsc) is responsible for configuring and controlling the PXIe-5842 VSTs in a single PXI controller domain across one or more PXI chassis.

    ICsc.exe is installed on the PXI controller in the chassis with the VSTs.