Use these best practices to synchronize multiple chassis.

  • Length-match external cables used to route signals like start trigger and sample clock between chassis. Length-matching prevents signal skew between trigger and clock.
  • Configure the generation and measurement cable ends to function at the same sample clock rate.
    Note TestScale modules do not divide down external sample clock signals. You must provide the actual sample rate input for correct timing details in the measurement results.

For multi-chassis synchronization of digital signals that involves data generation in a T1 chassis and data measurement in a T2 chassis with a shared clock signal, setup time and hold time violations might produce incorrect data measurements. Take the following steps to add an offset equivalent to half of the sampling time period at the end of the measurement that prevents setup time and hold time violations.

  • For the signal measurement system, select Falling Edge as the Active Edge parameter in Timing settings.
  • For the signal generation system, select Rising Edge as the Active Edge parameter in Timing settings.

Refer to the Related Information section for more information about synchronization at ni.com.