A scalable, fast and multichannel arbitrary waveform generator

This article reports on the development of a multichannel arbitrary waveform generator (MAWG) that si-multaneously generates arbitrary voltage waveforms on 24 independent channels with a dynamic update rate of up to 25 Msps. A real-time execution of a single waveform and/or sequence of multiple waveforms in succession, with a user programmable arbitrary sequence order is provided under the control of a stand-alone sequencer circuit implemented using an FPGA. The device is operated using an internal clock and can be synced to other devices by means of transistortransistor logic (TTL) pulses. The device can provide up to 24 independent voltages in the range of up to ± 9 V with a dynamic update-rate of up to 25 Msps and a power consumption of less than 35 W. Every channel can be programmed for 16 independent arbitrary waveforms that can be accessed during run time with a minimum switching delay of 160 ns. The device has a low-noise of 250 µVrms and provides a stable long-term operation with a drift rate below 10µV/min and a maximum deviation less than ± 300 µVpp over a period of two hours. I