Product Details

The NI PCI-5401 is a PCI-bus function and arbitrary waveform generator card built with direct digital synthesis DDS technology, designed for stable analog signal output and stimulus-response automated test applications. It features a single analog output channel with 12-bit DAC resolution, capable of generating sine waves up to 16 MHz, square waves, triangular waves, ramp signals and custom arbitrary waveforms. The onboard waveform memory can store up to 16384 waveform samples, and the instruction FIFO supports up to 512 frequency steps for sequential frequency sweeping and multi-step signal sequence output. It carries built-in analog filter correction, which compensates the frequency response curve of the low-pass filter to achieve flat amplitude response within the passband and reduce measurement error during frequency sweep testing.

This waveform generator supports external reference clock locking, accepting 1 MHz or 5–20 MHz external clock input to synchronize its output frequency with other test instruments. The front panel is equipped with SMB connectors for analog output, reference clock input and sync output, together with a 50-pin digital connector for trigger and digital control signals. It provides adjustable output attenuation and programmable voltage amplitude, with configurable output impedance to match different test loads. It supports multiple trigger modes including software trigger, digital external trigger and burst trigger, which can produce gated signal output and single-shot waveform pulses. The RTSI bus interface allows synchronization with NI digitizers, DSA cards and other measurement hardware to build integrated stimulus and acquisition test systems. The standard PCI form factor fits industrial PC chassis and can be easily integrated into existing automated test benches.

This function arbitrary waveform generator card is widely used in circuit component characterization, sensor excitation testing, filter frequency response calibration, educational laboratory signal generation, electronic product noise injection testing and aerospace component stimulus verification. It is driven by the NI-FGEN driver, compatible with LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and C/C++ programming environments, supporting waveform editing, frequency sweep, amplitude modulation and automated sequence control. As a legacy waveform generation hardware, the PCI-5401 is mainly used for maintenance and replacement of old automated test platforms. It can deliver stable, repeatable analog stimulus signals, preserve mature test scripts and avoid the high cost of rebuilding the whole test system. Its operating temperature range is 0°C to 55°C, supporting long-term continuous operation for laboratory and light industrial test tasks.