4 BASIC CONCEPTS
4.1.3 Digital and analog GPIO, AquadB
The general purpose input/output (GPIO) interface contains analog-to-digital (ADC) as well as
digital-to-analog converters (DAC) to digitize external signals and output data, respectively. For
example, it can output signals from the Clock Generator, Signal Generator, Calculation System
and the Advanced Trigger module. On the other hand, external signals can be interfaced with the
PICOSCALE. Thus, the GPIO interface allows to synchronize external devices with the PICOSCALE
and vice versa.
In combination with the Signal Generator module or Stream Generator module, function genera-
tor and oscilloscope functionality can be realized. Please refer to section 7.4.1 for details.
4.1.4 Clock Generator
The Clock Generator module can provide up to two clocks with user defined frequency and phase.
Both clocks can be synchronized. Each clock generator may run in a direct mode or it may be
started and stopped by user defined trigger events. Each clock can be used in the GPIO interface
for both digital and analog processing. A detailed description of the Clock Generator module can
be found in section 7.5.1.
4.1.5 Signal Generator
In the Signal Generator module pre-defined shapes (sine, square, sawtooth) with user defined
amplitude, offset, phase and frequency can be configured that may then be used within the GPIO
interface. Furthermore, custom signal shapes can be uploaded to the module. A detailed descrip-
tion of the Signal Generator module can be found in section 7.5.2.
4.1.6 Calculation System
The Calculation System allows real-time processing of position data, GPIO data or environmental
data, for example. In total, three calculation systems can be configured and their output can either
be streamed or used in the GPIO interface. A detailed description can be found in section 7.5.3.
4.1.7 Counters
The Counter module allows to count either internal clocks (e.g., to use them as a timer) or trigger
events. This can be done either directly, or the counter can be started and stopped by triggers. In
total, two counters can be configured that may either be displayed in the Stream Monitor or they
may be used as source for trigger events. A detailed description of the counters is given in section
7.5.4.
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PicoScale User Manual
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