Unlock the Full Potential of the Analog Discovery 3: Advanced External Clocking for Precision Synchronization Applications
The Analog Discovery 3 (AD3) from Digilent (a company under NI) is not just a “pocket electronics lab”, but also a powerful solution that overcomes these complex challenges through its Advanced External Clocking feature.
By default, the AD3 uses a highly accurate internal clock to sample signals. However, for specific applications, using an external clock source becomes a necessity:
- Multi-Device Synchronization: Synchronizing measurements from multiple AD3 units separated over long distances (up to hundreds of kilometers) with nanosecond accuracy, using a time reference from a GPS receiver.
- Equivalent Time Sampling: A clever technique to “work around” the ADC’s sampling limit by capturing repetitive signals (like radar pulses) at different phases in each cycle, then reconstructing them into a very high-resolution waveform.
- Distributed System Testing: Ensuring all sensors in a large system operate based on the same clock reference, eliminating timing uncertainty.
The AD3 achieves this by allowing an external clock source (10-50 MHz) to be input through the Trigger 1 connector, which is then used by the onboard PLL to generate synchronized clocks for the ADC and DAC, with very low jitter (<4 ps).
Digilent’s whitepaper highlights two key applications:
- GPS Synchronization: Two AD3 units at different locations, each receiving a clock reference from a GNSS receiver (like the uBlox ZED-F9T). This enables the measurement of correlated signals (seismic, communication) with time accuracy up to 2.5 ns, even over vast distances.
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR): The AD3 can perform equivalent time sampling on high-frequency radar pulses. Instead of needing fantastically fast ADCs, the AD3 captures the repeating pulses at slightly shifted clock phases, then reconstructs a single waveform with very high temporal resolution.
The true power of the AD3 lies in the WaveForms Software Development Kit (SDK). With a few lines of Python or C++ code, you can take full control:
# Python code example to enable External Clocking
from ctypes import *
dwf = cdll.LoadLibrary(“dwf.dll”) # Load library
# Set AD3 to use external clock from Trigger 1
dwf.FDwfParamSet(10, c_int(2))
This SDK unlocks all of the AD3’s capabilities for automation and integration into larger test systems.
As an official distributor for Digilent and National Instruments (NI) products, HaliaTech not only provides hardware like the Analog Discovery 3 but also offers comprehensive technical support:
- Free Consultation: Our engineering team helps understand your needs and recommends the best solutions.
- Product Demos: Showcasing the real capabilities of the AD3, including external clocking.
- Technical Support: Assisting with integration, SDK programming, and troubleshooting.
Make the AD3 the central solution for your high-precision measurement and synchronization projects.
Consult your advanced clocking and synchronization application needs with us! 📧 Email: sales@haliatech.com
📞 Sales Direct: +62 821-2357-6487 (WhatsApp Available)
☎️ Office: (021) 22178880
