The source unit can output configurable voltage pulses or current pulses.

Pulsing in Single Point Source Mode

In Single Point source mode, the source unit generates a single pulse, then returns to the pulse bias level.

Figure 2. Single Pulse Cycle


The following steps illustrate the typical operation of the source unit for each pulse when you initiate a pulse output function.

  1. To enable pulsing, set NI-DCPower Output Function to Pulse Voltage or Pulse Current.
  2. (Optional) In Sequence source mode, if this is not the first step in a sequence, the source unit emits a Ready For Pulse Trigger event and waits for a Pulse trigger.
  3. After receiving the Pulse Trigger, the source unit applies the pulse level configuration. In Sequence mode, this is the next pulse level in the array.
  4. After waiting the time specified by the source delay, the source unit generates a Source Complete event. In Sequence mode, if you specify source delay on a per-step basis then this time is optionally the next source delay in the array.
  5. (Optional) To specify that the measure unit now takes a measurement and stores it in a buffer on the device, set NI-DCPower Measure When to Automatically After Source Complete.
  6. After waiting the remainder of the pulse on time, the source unit applies the pulse bias configuration.
  7. After waiting the pulse bias delay, the source unit emits a Pulse Complete event.
  8. The source unit waits the remainder of the pulse off time.
  9. At commit, the bias settings are applied to the output.

Pulsing in Sequence Source Mode

In Sequence source mode, the source unit applies a list of pulse levels in succession while still maintaining the specified duty cycle by applying the specified Pulse On and Pulse Off times. The following figure illustrates a sequence consisting of two pulses. The sequence is repeated twice.

Figure 3. Sequence with Two Pulses


Note Timing properties for pulses, such as pulse on time, pulse off time, and pulse bias delay, must be constant for all steps in the sequence.

Pulsing in an Advanced Sequence

Pulsing in an advanced sequence differs from pulsing in sequence source mode because you can reconfigure all pulse-related properties per step in an advanced sequence.

Pulse Source Model

Table 3. Properties Applied for Each Pulse Output Function
Pulse Voltage Pulse Current
Pulse Voltage Level Pulse Current Level
Pulse Bias Voltage Level Pulse Bias Current Level
Pulse Voltage Level Range Pulse Current Level Range
Pulse Current Limit1 Pulse Voltage Limit1
Pulse Current Limit High2 Pulse Voltage Limit High2
Pulse Current Limit Low2 Pulse Voltage Limit Low2
Pulse Bias Current Limit1 Pulse Bias Voltage Limit1
Pulse Bias Current Limit High2 Pulse Bias Voltage Limit High2
Pulse Bias Current Limit Low2 Pulse Bias Voltage Limit Low2
Pulse Current Limit Range Pulse Voltage Limit Range

1Applied when NI-DCPower Compliance Limit Symmetry is set to Symmetric.

2Applied when NI-DCPower Compliance Limit Symmetry is set to Asymmetric.

The following properties are applied for both pulse output functions:

  • Source Delay
  • Pulse Bias Delay
  • Pulse On Time
  • Pulse Off Time

Support for Pulsing

The following devices do not support pulsing.

  • PXI-4110
  • PXIe-4112/4113
  • PXI-4130
  • PXI-4132
  • PXIe-4140/4141/4142/4143/4144/4145
  • PXIe-4154
  • PXIe-4162/4163