The highest-performing D/A converter module for RF and IF waveform playback yet from Pentek, is the Cobalt 71670. The module delivers four independent analogue outputs each through its own digital upconverter and 16bit D/A with sampling rates to 1.25GHz. On-board, a Xilinx Virtex-6 FPGA contains factory-installed IP that provides turnkey waveform playback functionality for output signal bandwidths up to 250MHz. Users can also customise the module's operation by implementing IP in the FPGA. It is the first available from the company to provide four channels of digital up conversion in a single module instead of four. This helps engineers save costs and simplifies the design of synchronous beamforming radar and multichannel transceiver systems. Channel independence is achieved with two DAC3484 DAC3484 DACs from Texas Instruments. Each provides two digital upconverters and 16bit D/A channels with up to 16 times interpolation that can translate a quadrature (I+Q) signal to a user-selectable IF centre frequency. The internal clock generator supports a range of timing modes and operates from an on-board programmable VCXO or an external clock. A front-panel connector accepts a five or 10MHz reference clock to phase lock the internal programmable VCXO. The module also accepts a direct D/A sample clock input that can be up to 1.25GHz. For precision timing control in a multi-module design, a µSync timing bus uses current model logic signaling and includes clock, sync/reset, and gate/trigger signals that keep the operations of multiple modules sample-synchronised. Two modules can use the bus in a master/slave relationship to achieve eight-channel synchronisation. For higher channel counts, the 7192 Cobalt Synchronizer can drive numerous modules using a star configuration. The module complies with VITA 42.0 XMC, providing two gigabit serial connectors. The primary XMC connector supports four or eight PCIe Gen 2 with multiple DMA controllers for efficient transfers to and from the module. The secondary connector supports two four- or one eight-link with bit rates up to 3.125GHz.
