High-Speed, Real-Time Signal Technologies for
Advanced RADAR, SIGINT & Imaging Systems
Your Turnkey System Provider
Delivering advanced system solutions since 1988, Signatec is a leading designer
and manufacturer of high-speed, PC-based data acquisition, FPGA digital signal
processing, continuous signal data recording and arbitrary signal generation
systems. Signatec differentiates itself by being one of the only single-source
suppliers that works with its customers to build affordable, real-time signal
technology systems for advanced radar, SIGINT, ultrasound, imaging and other
high-speed communications systems.
High-Speed Data Acquisition (DAQ) and Signal Data Recording
Signatec’s high-speed digitizers maximize the quality of captured wideband
signals, in terms of signal-to-noise ratio and spurious-free dynamic range, over a
very wide frequency bandwidth. What separates Signatec’s digitizers from any
other similar product in the industry is the ability to acquire and transfer data
simultaneously with no breaks in the analog record at sustained high-speed data
rates. Signatec systems can continuously record up to 2.8 GigaSamples per
second (GSPS) of data through the PC to drive storage.
Signatec’s high-speed digitizers are also designed with a master-slave operation
feature that allows for connecting multiple digitizers to create a simultaneous
multi-channel acquisition system. In master-slave operation, the master board
drives the clock and trigger signals for the slave boards so that data on the slave
boards align sample-for-sample with the data on the master board.
A SYNC1500-6 board can be added to provide clock, trigger and synchronization
signals for up to six data acquisition boards, either within a single chassis or
across multiple chassis, further expanding possible scaled rates and capacities.
Signatec’s digitizers are also capable of being operated remotely through a
standard TCP/IP network connection.
Programmable FPGA Digitizers for In-Line DSP
Signatec’s advanced digitizers now offer powerful, on-board FPGA processing
capabilities for turnkey, real-time application solutions. Signatec’s programmable
FPGA digitizers allow customers to implement their own custom in-line signal
processing with optional onboard FPGAs. Standard interfaces and examples are
provided to simplify this task in the available Signatec firmware development kits
for custom programming by the user. Or customers can simply choose to take
advantage of Signatec’s embedded real-time DSP capabilities for FFT, FIR
filtering and DDC processing logic packages provided with our FPGA digitizers at
no additional cost.
Arbitrary Signal Waveform Generator (DAC)
Signatec’s PXDAC4800 is a very high speed, four channel Digital to Analog
Conversion (DAC) board which may be used as an arbitrary waveform generator,
a waveform playback device or for generating multiple communication frequency
bands. Each DAC can output data at a maximum real rate of 1.2 GSPS at 14-bit
for two channels or at 8-bit for four channels, or 600 MSPS at 14-bit for four
channels. Each output signal has a bandwidth of up to 400 MHz for AC-Coupled
configuration or up to 590 MHz for DC-Coupled configuration. Output waveforms
may be “per-trigger” or “continuously looped” from the on-board 1 Gigabyte
memory. The DACs can also be provided with a continuous data stream via the
PCI Express bus. The 900 Megabytes per second bus rate allows for providing
up to 112.5 MSPS addressable bandwidth at full 14-bit resolution for each of the
four analog outputs.
DynamicSignals LLC • 900 North State Street • Lockport, Illinois 60441-2200 USA • Tel: 815-838-0005 • Fax: 815-838-4424 • sales@signatec.com
SIG-Series Recording Solutions with Real-Time DSP and Signal Generation Options
SIG-Series systems include real-time DSP and signal generation
options with data acquisition recorders for a complete solution
that combines performance features of oscilloscopes, spectrum
analyzers and signal generators. SIG-Series systems feature
capabilities to record and/or generate Terabytes of continuous,
high-resolution signal data using turnkey analysis software with
embedded or parallel real-time digital signal processing options.
SIG-Series systems come complete with GUI-based software for
performing all system settings, viewing digital data (either
captured or generated), performing signal recordings and
playbacks as well as the option for viewing data in either time
domain or frequency domain.
Signatec’s scalable real-time data acquisition, recording, signal
processing and signal generation playback systems can be
configured to meet the most demanding applications. This
effective real-time system creation from otherwise non-real-time
performance components is the real brilliance behind Signatec’s
engineered system solutions and is what separates Signatec’s
systems from other commercially available options.
SIGINT Example Application
SIGINT systems require vast amounts of real-time processing capability, and aerospace and defense communities demand high quality, efficiency
and affordability from COTS systems. Signatec’s systems form the backbone of many advanced SIGINT systems architectures, providing highperformance subcomponents for the most challenging applications behind the antenna.
Signatec can also develop custom solutions. So, if we don’t already have it, we can build a solution with you!
DynamicSignals LLC • 900 North State Street • Lockport, Illinois 60441-2200 USA • Tel: 815-838-0005 • Fax: 815-838-4424 • sales@signatec.com
DR-Series Recording Solutions
With ever-increasing performance features, PC workstations and server-class computer systems can serve as
affordable, real-time recording systems. Signatec leverages the latest COTS computer components and engineers
best-of-class waveform digitizers to stream data continuously to drive storage systems without any break in the
analog record, and for a fraction of the cost of proprietary recording systems.
Multiple data acquisition boards can be
integrated within a system, or across
systems, to create synchronized, multichannel acquisition systems with
accommodations for large-bandwidth and
high-resolution applications, along with an
extremely large memory capacity.
Signatec’s DR2800 signal recording system
was created for developers of advanced
SIGINT, radar and medical imaging
applications. These systems continuously
record up to 2.8 GigaSamples per second of
data through the PC to drive storage without
any break in the analog record.
DR2800 System Configurations
Max. Sampling Rate
A/D Resolution
Max. # of Channels
DSP Options
Playback Options
RAID Size (TB)
1,400 MSPS
700 MSPS
350 MSPS
350 MSPS
8-bit
8-bit
8-bit
14-bit
2
4
8
4
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
24.0 to 144.0
24.0 to 144.0
24.0 to 144.0
24.0 to 144.0
233 MSPS
233 MSPS
175 MSPS
175 MSPS
8-bit
14-bit
8-bit
14-bit
12
6
16
8
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
24.0 to 144.0
24.0 to 144.0
24.0 to 144.0
24.0 to 144.0
DR1400 System Configurations
Max. Sampling Rate
A/D Resolution
Max. # of Channels
DSP Options
Playback Options
RAID Size (TB)
1,400 MSPS
700 MSPS
350 MSPS
350 MSPS
233 MSPS
233 MSPS
175 MSPS
175 MSPS
116 MSPS
116 MSPS
87 MSPS
87 MSPS
70 MSPS
70 MSPS
8-bit
8-bit
8-bit
14-bit
8-bit
14-bit
8-bit
14-bit
8-bit
14-bit
8-bit
14-bit
8-bit
14-bit
1
2
4
2
6
3
8
4
12
6
16
8
20
10
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
12.0 to 72.0
DynamicSignals LLC • 900 North State Street • Lockport, Illinois 60441-2200 USA • Tel: 815-838-0005 • Fax: 815-838-4424 • sales@signatec.com
Solid State Based Recording Solutions
Signatec’s solid state recording systems utilize high-performance
enterprise class solid state drives that maximize performance, reliability
and lifetime duration. These solid state-based systems are designed for
applications that require high-performance while minimizing power
consumption and maximizing reliability in extreme environments.
The typical operating power average for solid state drives is 2.0 Watts
versus the 8.2 - 12.2 Watts range for traditional SATA/SAS hard drives. In
addition, the NAND flash-based architecture of solid state drives versus the
spinning platters and mechanical heads architecture of traditional hard
drives make solid state drives much more reliable, as they are not prone to
mechanical failures and can operate in more extreme environments in
terms of shock, temperature and operating altitudes. Solid state drives,
with their NAND flash-based architecture, are also capable of sustaining
much faster data rates per drive than traditional hard drives, thus providing
the capability of sustaining high-speed recordings while utilizing fewer
drives.
Mobile System Solutions
Signatec’s EC14150 is the first digitizer for laptop-based systems. The
EC14150 is a dual-channel waveform capture board that provides a
remarkable combination of 150 MHz high speed and 14-bit high resolution
sampling along with a very large memory capacity, all in a very compact,
low power ExpressCard 54mm form factor.
At 4.0 to 4.5 Watts, the EC14150 represents one of the lowest power
consuming digitizer cards ever created for its class. The AC-coupled
version (EC14150A) allows for signal frequencies up to 200 MHz to be
accurately captured either in baseband or in higher order Nyquist zones
using under-sampling techniques. The DC-coupled version (EC14150D)
allows for signal frequencies from DC to 75 MHz to be accurately captured.
The EC14150 card is capable of sustaining 85 MegaSamples per second
transfers over the ExpressCard/54 bus interface.
Signatec also provides portable systems capable of accommodating full
length boards in addition to a high-speed integrated data storage system.
These portable systems are available with standard or ruggedized chassis
options in a variety of configurations and are designed to maximize the
operational performance of Signatec products for demanding mobile
applications.
Custom Development Services
Signatec offers comprehensive engineering design and development
services to meet custom requirements for high-speed data acquisition, realtime digital signal processing, high-speed signal generation and
performance-based system applications. Design services allow customers
to utilize our highly skilled engineers with their expertise in high-speed
signal technology design to implement custom application project
requirements. Costs for design services vary, depending on the scope and
nature of each project, as well as customer requirements. Contact us to
discuss specific requirements for scheduling a design project tailored for
your application.
DynamicSignals LLC • 900 North State Street • Lockport, Illinois 60441-2200 USA • Tel: 815-838-0005 • Fax: 815-838-4424 • sales@signatec.com
HIGH-SPEED DATA ACQUISITION DIGITIZERS
PX1500-4
PX1500-2
PX14400A
PX14400D
PX14400D2
EC14150A / EC14150D
3,000 / 1,500 MHz
8-bit
2/4
3,000 / 1,500 MHz
8-bit
1/2
400 MHz
14-bit
2
400 MHz
14-bit
2
400 MHz
14-bit
2
150 MHz
14-bit
2
DC
DC
DC - 200 MHz
DC - 248 MHz
AC or DC
AC: 200 KHz - 200 MHz
DC: DC - 75 MHz
Digitizer
Features
Sample Rate:
A/D Resolution:
# of Channels:
Input Coupling:
Bandwidth:
AC or DC
AC or DC
AC
AC-A: 1 MHz - 1 GHz AC-A: 1 MHz - 1 GHz AC-A: 100 KHz - 200 MHz
AC-X: 5 MHz - 2 GHz AC-X: 5 MHz - 2 GHz AC-X: 500 KHz - 400 MHz
DC: DC - 1GHz
DC: DC - 1GHz
Input Ranges:
Onboard RAM:
PC I/O Interface:
Max. PC I/O Rate:
Remote Operation:
FPGA DSP Option:
AC-A: 500mV
AC-X: 700mV
DC: 500mV
AC-A: 500mV
AC-X: 700mV
DC: 500mV
AC-A: 220mV - 3.5V
AC-X: 1.1V
400mV, 1.2V
200mV, 333mV,
600mV, 1V, 1.6V,
3.0V
AC: 220mV - 6.3V
DC: 250mV, 500mV, 1V,
2V
2 GB
PCI Express x8
1.4 GSPS
Yes
Virtex-5 SX95T
1 GB
PCI Express x8
1.4 GSPS
Yes
No
1 GB (SP) or 512 MB (DR)
PCI Express x8
700 MSPS
Yes
Virtex-5 SX50T/95T
1 GB (SP) or 512 MB
PCI Express x8
700 MSPS
Yes
Virtex-5 SX50T/95T
1 GB (SP) or 512 MB
PCI Express x8
700 MSPS
Yes
Virtex-5 SX50T/95T
512 MB
ExpressCard 54
85 MSPS
No
No
REAL-TIME EMBEDDED FPGA DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING
PX1500-4-SP95
PX14400-SP95/SP50
FPGA Type:
Virtex-5 SX95T
Virtex-5 SX95T / SX50T
Logic Cells:
Block RAM (kbits):
DSP Slices:
Onboard RAM for DSP:
PC I/O Interface:
Max. PC I/O Rate:
Remote Operation:
94,208
8,784
640
1 GB
PCI Express x8
1.4 GSPS
Yes
94,208 / 52,224
8,784 / 4,752
640 / 288
512 MB
PCI Express x8
700 MSPS
Yes
FPGA DSP
Features
HIGH-SPEED SIGNAL GENERATION
SOFTWARE
COMPLETE SYSTEMS
PXDAC4800
Arbitrary DAC
Features
Output Rate:
1,200 MSPS
Output Resolution:
14-bit / 8-bit
DAC Outputs:
4 AC or DC
Bandwidth:
< 2MHz - 590 MHz
Output Range:
400mV - 1470mV
DAC Type:
Onboard RAM:
AD9736
1 GB
PC I/O Interface:
PCI Express x8
Max. PC I/O Rate:
450 MSPS / 900 MSPS
 Digitizer & Playback Scope Applications with
Provided Source Code for Complete
Operation of Signatec Products
 Application Programming Interface (API) with
Complete Library of Functions for Developing
User Specific Applications
 FPGA Development Kits for Fixed DSP
Capabilities or for Custom Programming
 Windows & Linux 32/64-bit Drivers
 Source Code Project Examples
 LabVIEW Interface Support
 Data Recorders with 250 MB/s, 500 MB/s,
800 MB/s, 1,000 MB/s, 1,400 MB/s, and
2,800 MB/s Recording Rate Options
 Synchronized Multi-Channel Acquisition Systems
with Linked Digitizers Across Multiple Systems
 Generate Continuous, High-Resolution Signal Data
with Real-Time Embedded DSP Options
 Operate Remotely through TCP/IP Network
 Desktop, Rackmount, & Portable Form Factors
 Customized Development for Tailored Applications
Catalog Revision 2.06 - 03/07/2014
DynamicSignals LLC • 900 North State Street • Lockport, Illinois 60441-2200 USA • Tel: 815-838-0005 • Fax: 815-838-4424 • sales@signatec.com