Advanced Waveform Generator For Integrated Phased Array Testing
Authors: David S. Fooshe, Kim Hassett, William Heruska, John Butler, Patrick Fullerton
This paper will discuss a highly customizable and integrated waveform generator (WFG) subsystem used to coordinate timing and command sequences between a phased array antenna and the measurement system during antenna testing. The WFG subsystem is an automated digital pattern generator that orchestrates the command and triggering interface between an NSI measurement system and a phased array beam steering computer. The WFG subsystem is controlled directly by the NSI 2000 software and allows the test designer to select and generate a sequence of up to sixteen unique synchronized timing waveforms. Test scenarios, results and data for the WFG subsystem will be presented along with plots showing the key timing characteristics of the system.