04 | Keysight | M9260A PXIe Audio Analyzer Module – Data Sheet
High-speed production testing
In high-throughput production testing, speed is critical. The M9260A PXIe audio analyzer module is designed to optimize
testing speed in two ways: fast signal generation and fast signal analysis. Figure 1 illustrates the blocks within the M9260A
that define its unique high-throughput capability.
Fast audio signal generation
There are two ways for a signal to be generated by the M9260A. The first method is to have the test signal created via the
PC software and then loaded to the M9260A arbitrary waveform buffer. The M9260A PXI module then generates the test
signal according to the arbitrary waveform description, to the Device Under Test (DUT).
Large 1-million-sample arbitrary waveform buffer
Traditional digitizers typically come with relatively small arbitrary waveform buffers that can only house a maximum of 1K to
2K samples. For complex test signals that exceed this capacity, usually several hundred thousand samples, the signal needs
to be first ‘chopped’ up into multiple pieces, and then sequentially sent to the PXIe module. The total processing time can
be significantly reduced with the M9260A PXIe audio analyzer module, as it comes with a large 1-million-sample arbitrary
waveform buffer. This means you can transmit any waveform of up to 1 million samples, to the M9260A module once,
without having to face buffer and speed limitations that are common with traditional digitizers.
Built-in waveforms
In addition to the large arbitrary waveform buffer, Figure 1 also shows that the M9260A PXIe audio analyzer module comes
with built-in waveforms that speed up the signal generation process further. Commonly used waveforms that are built into
the M9260A include the sinewave, dual-sinewave, variable-phase sinewave, DC, Gaussian noise, rectangular noise and
pink noise. Having these waveforms built in means you do not need to generate the test signal with a PC software. All you
need to do is send a software command to the PXIe module and indicate which of the built-in waveforms you would like to
generate. The PXIe module then sends the signal almost immediately to the DUT, reducing significant signal generation time.
Fast audio signal analysis
For signal measurement, the M9260A receives the incoming test signal from the DUT, after which the signal goes through
signal conditioning and the analog-to-digital converter before it is sent to the input buffer where the signal ‘waits’ to be
streamed back to the PC for analysis.
Large 1-million-sample input buffer
As with its large arbitrary waveform buffer for signal generation, the M9260A PXIe audio analyzer has a large 1-million-sam-
ple input buffer, which means a virtually ‘limitless’ memory for acquisition and seamless streaming to PC. This is unlike
traditional digitizers that typically provide a smaller 1K input buffer size that limits the signal measurement capability to just
1 thousand samples at any one time. With the M9260A module, you can achieve fast audio signal acquisition and analysis
for high-speed production testing.
PXI chassis
Built-in
waveform
M9260A
Arbitrary
waveform
buffer
Waveform
generation
Device
Under Test
(DUT)
Input
Data
buffer
acquisition
PC with test
software
Figure 1. M9260A PXIe audio analyzer signal generation and acquisition building blocks
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