National Instruments Extends PXI to Microwave Frequencies with New Signal Generators up to 6.6 GHz.

AUSTIN, Texas -- National Instruments (Nasdaq:NATI) today announced seven new signal generators for applications from DC to microwave -- four for DC to high-frequency generation and three for RF and microwave frequencies. The new RF and microwave signal generators extend PXI to 6.6 GHz for continuous-wave (CW) sourcing, common tunable local oscillator (LO) and stimulus-response applications. In a single 3U PXI slot, the RF and microwave signal generators also offer the best phase noise and jitter of any NI source. In addition, the new arbitrary function generators have the highest analog output accuracy on the market for PXI and PCI. All seven generators use direct digital synthesis (DDS) for high-resolution frequency hopping or phase-continuous sweeping for characterization applications.

With the NI PXI-5652 6.6 GHz RF and microwave signal generator, the NI PXI-5651 3.3 GHz RF signal generator and the NI PXI-5650 1.3 GHz RF signal generator, engineers can easily set up sophisticated stimulus-response or tracking-generator applications using the NI PXI-5660 RF vector signal analyzer and the National Instruments LabVIEW graphical development environment. The new RF and microwave signal generators are also useful for continuous sinewave applications, including sweeping, as well as fixture and device characterization. They are ideal for clocking non-standard sample rates, such as WCDMA signals at baseband or intermediate frequency (IF). The versatile signal generators can perform analog and digital modulation through the onboard DDS circuit, which gives engineers frequency modulation (FM) and frequency-shift keying (FSK) for applications such as bit-error rate testing (BERT), antenna testing or even keyless entry. Amplitude modulation is also available through on-off keying (OOK).

The new NI 5406 40 MHz bandwidth and NI 5402 20 MHz bandwidth function generators for PCI and PXI can generate standard waveforms including sine, square and triangle waveforms. They also can generate repetitive arbitrary waveforms up to 16 KB in size for low-cost arbitrary waveform generation. They offer unparalleled analog performance and complex triggering, and can sweep from DC to 40 MHz with a .355 micro Hz frequency resolution. The function generators incorporate circuitry for sub-nanosecond module-to-module synchronization.

The signal generators are ideal for a variety of applications, including device characterization, telecommunications, military/aerospace and consumer electronics. They seamlessly combine with digitizers and digital waveform generator/analyzers for an integrated mixed-signal test solution. The new devices integrate with the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment, NI LabWindows/CVI for ANSI C development and NI TestStand test management software. The arbitrary function generators also work with NI SignalExpress interactive measurement software for design and test.

In August, NI will host the second annual RF and Wireless Communications Summit at NIWeek 2006. Jon Adams, vice chairman of the ZigBee Alliance and director of radio technology and strategy for Freescale Semiconductor, will give a presentation on ZigBee technology at the summit. For more information and to register for the RF and Wireless Communications Summit, readers can visit www.ni.com/niweek.

About NI Modular Instruments

NI offers essential technologies for test, which combine high-performance hardware, flexible software and innovative timing and synchronization technology for test and design applications. NI modular instruments offer accurate, high-throughput measurements from DC to 2.7 GHz. The product family includes:

--Digitizers/PC-based oscilloscopes (up to 24 bits, up to 250 MS/s)

--Signal generators (up to 16 bits, 200 MS/s)

--Digital waveform generator/analyzers (up to 400 Mb/s)

--RF signal generators and analyzers (up to 6.6 GHz)

--Digital multimeters (up to 7 1/2 digits, LCR)

--Programmable power supplies (up to 20 W, 16 bits)

--Dynamic signal analyzers (up to 24 bits, 500 kS/s)

--Switching (multiplexers, matrices, general purpose and RF)

About National Instruments

For 30 years, National Instruments (www.ni.com) has been a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation -- a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, PCI Express, USB and Ethernet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,800 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. For the past seven years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.

Pricing and Contact Information

NI PXI-565x signal generators priced from $2,999
NI 540x function generators priced from $2,300
Web: www.ni.com/modularinstruments

11500 N Mopac Expwy, Austin, Texas 78759-3504
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

CVI, LabVIEW, National Instruments, NI, ni.com, NI TestStand and SignalExpress are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.