Ordering Information
291
292
294
281
282
284
1 Channel 100 MS/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator and Waveform Manager Plus Software.
Compact Flash Memory Card and USB Card Reader/Writer
2 Channel, 100 MS/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator and Waveform Manager Plus Software.
Compact Flash Memory Card and USB Card Reader/Writer
4 Channel, 100 MS/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator and Waveform Manager Plus Software.
Compact Flash Memory Card and USB Card Reader/Writer
1 Channel 40 MS/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator and Waveform Manager Plus Software
2 Channel, 40 MS/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator and Waveform Manager Plus Software
4 Channel, 40 MS/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator and Waveform Manager Plus Software
Fluke 280 and 290 Series Single and
Multi-Channel Universal ARB Generators
Additional included accessories (290 Series)
IEC Mains Lead
RS-232 Lead
Manual
IEC Mains Lead
RS-232 Lead
Manual
Additional included accessories (280 Series)
Options and accessories
19-inch rack mounting kit for one multi-channel generator
19-inch rack mounting kit for one or two single- channel generators
291
Fluke.
Keeping your world
up and running.
®
Fluke Corporation
PO Box 9090, Everett, WA U.S.A. 98206
Fluke Europe B.V.
PO Box 1186, 5602 BD
Eindhoven, The Netherlands
For more information call:
In the U.S.A. (800) 443-5853 or
Fax (425) 446-5116
In Europe/M-East/Africa +31 (0) 40 2675 200 or
Fax +31 (0) 40 2675 222
In Canada (800)-36-FLUKE or
Fax (905) 890-6866
From other countries +1 (425) 446-5500 or
Fax +1 (425) 446-5116
Web access: http://www.fluke.com
©2008 Fluke Corporation. Specifications subject
to change without notice. Printed in U.S.A.
1/2008 3105848 B-EN-N Rev A
Pub_ID: 11328-eng, rev 01
•
One, two or four independent
or inter-linked channels
1 M words per channel
•
40 MS/s or 100 MS/s, up to
•
Function generator and pulse
generator capabilities
281
294
Universal waveform generators offering
superior performance and excellent value
The Fluke 280 Series and
290 Series Waveform
Generators combine a
true variable clock
arbitrary waveform
generator with a high
performance DDS func-
tion generator and pulse
generator in a single
instrument.
Wide model range
The Fluke 280 Series and
290 Series comprise of six models:
•
281
40 MS/s single-channel
waveform generator in 3U half
rack size case.
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282
40 MS/s two-channel
waveform generator in 3U case.
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284
40 MS/s four-channel
waveform generator in 3U case.
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291
100 MS/s single-channel
waveform generator in 3U half
rack size case.
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292
100 MS/s two-channel
waveform generator in 3U case.
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294
100 MS/s four-channel
waveform generator in 3U case.
On multi-channel units, each
channel can be operated fully
independently, or multiple chan-
nels can be linked using simple
or complex relationships.
the clock jitter associated with
DDS arbitrary generators and
permits waveform linking,
looping and sequencing.
Waveforms may be defined
with up to 4096 vertical points
and from 8 M to 1 M horizontal
points (4 K to 64 K points on
280 Series units).
Arbitrary waveforms may be
replayed at a specified waveform
frequency, period or sample clock
rate. An external sample clock
can also be used on 290 Series
units allowing seamless on the
fly changes to output frequency.
The 290 series waveform
storage is on removable Compact
Flash cards, making waveform
management easy and effectively
unlimited.
Features
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1, 2 or 4 waveform channels,
independent or linked
40 MS/s or 100 MS/s 12-bit arbitrary
waveform capability using true
variable clock architecture
64 K or 1 M point waveform memory
per channel
16 MHz or 50 MHz function
generators using direct digital
synthesis (DDS)
Multiple standard waveforms includ-
ing sine, square, triangle, haversine,
ramp, pulse and sin(x)/x
Pulse train pattern generation for up
to 10 pulses
Complex waveform sequencing and
looping capability using up to 1024
waveform segments
Wide range sweep, AM, tone
switching, signal summing
Inter-channel triggering, summing
and phase control
Multiple generators can be easily
phase locked
External ARB clock input
(290 Series only)
Waveform creation/editing tools built
in; sophisticated external Windows
based software included
Built-in trigger generator, gated and
triggered burst modes
Tone switching facilitates precision
DTMF generation
Unlimited waveform storage using CF
memory cards (290 Series only)
GPIB (IEEE-488.2), RS-232 and USB
interfaces (280 Series units have
GPIB and RS-232 only)
40 MS/s or 100 MS/s
one, two or four channels
Waveform creation
and editing
Waveform creation and editing
features are incorporated within
the instrument. These include
waveform insert, point edit,
line draw, amplitude adjust and
invert.
A wide range of standard
waveforms are available for
insertion within an arbitrary
waveform. Sections of existing
arbitrary waveforms can also
be inserted. For more sophis-
ticated waveform creation and
editing, Waveform Manager
Plus software for the Windows
®
operating system is provided.
Waveforms created on a PC
can be downloaded to the
instrument via the digital inter-
faces (or memory card where
fitted).
have a USB interface. These can
be used for loading arbitrary
waveforms and for remote
control of all the instrument
functions.
Waveform sequencing
The variable clock architec-
ture of the 280 and 290 Series
enables waveforms to be
sequenced. Up to 1024 arbitrary
waveforms may be linked in a
sequence (16 waveforms on 280
Series). Each waveform can have
a loop count of up to 32,768 and
the whole sequence can be run
continuously or repeated more
than a million times.
For multi-channel models,
waveforms on different channels
can be ‘daisy chained’ and
looped. By summing the channel
outputs, multiple segments from
multiple channels can be used
to create highly complex wave-
forms.
Pulse generator
Function generator
Waveform sequencing
Each channel can operate as a
full DDS function generator. High
quality sine, cosine, haversine,
havercosine and square waves
are available between 1 mHz and
16 MHz (280 Series) or up to 50
MHz (290 Series). Triangle, ramp
and sine(x)/x waveforms are
available from 0.1 mHz up to
500 kHz.
Pulse generator
Each channel can generate not
just pulses, but also complex
pulse trains. A pattern of up to
10 pulses can be quickly defined,
with each pulse having its own
amplitude, width and delay.
The whole pulse train pattern
can then be replayed at a user
defined repetition rate. Where
variable rise time pulses are
required, the full arbitrary
function can be used.
Memory card storage
Fluke 290 Series units incorpo-
rate a CompactFlash memory
card, giving effectively unlim-
ited storage for waveforms and
setups. Waveform data can be
transferred directly from a PC to
the memory card using the USB
card reader/writer supplied.
A true arbitrary generator
The 280 and 290 Series are
highly sophisticated 12-bit
arbitrary waveform generators
capable of recreating virtually
any waveform. True variable
clock architecture is used with
clock speeds between 0.1 Hz and
100 MHz (40 MHz on 280 Series
units). This architecture avoids
Wide range sweep
All waveforms can be swept
over their full frequency range
at a rate variable between milli-
seconds and minutes. Sweep
can be linear or logarithmic,
single or continuous. Single
sweeps can be triggered from
the front panel, the trigger input,
or the digital interfaces. Multiple
channels can be swept simulta-
neously.
GPIB, RS-232, USB
The 280 and 290 Series
incorporate both RS-232 and
GPIB (IEEE-488) interfaces as
standard. 290 Series units also
2
Fluke 280 and 290 Series
Waveform Manager Plus software
Amplitude modulation
Amplitude modulation and
suppressed carrier modulation
are available for all waveforms.
Any channel can be used to
modulate another channel.
Alternatively, all channels can
be modulated simultaneously via
the modulation input.
Multi-channel phase
locking
Any number of channels can
be phase locked with offsets
defined to a resolution of
0.1° (or 360°/waveform points
for arbitrary waveforms). For
applications requiring more than
four channels, multiple genera-
tors can be phase locked.
290 Series models can be phase
locked to an external clock and
offer phase continuous
frequency changes.
All models, including the
281 and 291, have the facility
for phase synchonising to
another similar generator.
Advanced waveform creation,
editing and management
software included with all
280 and 290 Series generators
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Amplitude modulation
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Built-in trigger generator
All waveforms are available as
a triggered burst whereby each
trigger edge will produce one
burst of the carrier. Start and
stop phase is fully variable. Both
triggered and gated modes can
be operated from the internal
trigger generator, from an
adjacent channel, an external
source or a key press or remote
command. The trigger generator
signal is available as a separate
output if required.
Multi-channel summing
Waveform summing sums the
waveform from any channel into
the next channel. Alternatively
any number of channels can
be summed with an external
signal. This permits complex
modulations, such as noise
superimposition, to be created.
Tone switching
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Full waveform building tools includ-
ing standard waveforms, mathematical
expressions, and freehand drawing
Full waveform building tools includ-
ing standard waveforms, mathematical
expressions, and freehand drawing
Operates under Windows 95, 98,
Millennium, NT, 2000 and XP
Supports vertical resolutions up
to 16 bits (65536 points)
Supports horizontal resolutions
to over one million points
Provides waveform import and
export via clipboard functions
Directly supports waveform
upload from some Tektronix DSOs
Supports download and upload
via RS-232, GPIB and USB
Expression editor functions
The following mathematical operators
are available within the expression
editor: add, subtract, multiply, divide, xn,
sin, cos, arcsin, arccos, abs, log10, loge,
en, square root, floor, ceiling, random,
pulse, in conjunction with constants and
waveforms.
The expressions used for each section
of a waveform are retained and can be
displayed in a drop-down window.
Tone switching
The Fluke 280 and 290 Series
can provide triggered switching
between up to 16 frequencies of
standard or arbitrary waveforms.
Tone switching modes can be
gated, triggered or FSK using
any trigger source. By summing
two channels together, it is pos-
sible to generate precise DTMF
test signals.
Waveform building tools
Toolkit
Multi-channel phase locking
Inter-channel triggering
and modulation
Because any channel can be
triggered by the previous or next
channel, waveforms on different
channels can be “daisy chained”
and looped. By summing the
channel outputs, many segments
from different channels can
be used to generate the final
waveform. A channel can be
used to AM modulate or SCM
modulate another channel.
Fast and easy to use
All of the main information is
clearly displayed on a backlit
80 character LCD. Eight soft keys
enable fast data editing. Param-
eters can be entered directly
from the numeric keypad or
changed with the spin wheel.
On the 2 and 4 channel models,
a Copy Channel key enables
similar setups to be created
across multiple channels with
ease.
4
Fluke 280 and 290 Series
Waveforms can be built in any number
of sections using any combination of
the following: standard waveforms,
mathematical expressions, drawn
waveforms, uploaded waveforms,
imported waveforms (using clipboard),
existing stored waveforms.
Waveform section limits can be defined
via moveable cursors, which can be
dragged or positioned numerically.
Expression libraries
The mathematical expressions used
for waveform creation can be stored in
libraries. A default library is created for
each project that includes a number of
useful examples, including waveshapes
and modulations.
Multi-channel summing
Standard waveforms
The following waveforms are available
directly from the Waveforms dialogue
box: Sine, square, triangle, pulse, ramp,
sinc [sin(x)/x], gaussian, exponent, noise.
The mathematical expression for any
standard waveform can be examined by
opening the expression editor window.
Waveform drawing
functions
Waveforms can be created or edited
using freehand drawing and/or
point-to-point line drawing.
Digital modulation
Inter-channel modulation and
summing allows the simulation
of various telecom digital modu-
lation systems.
Digital modulation
Smoothing
Waveforms can be smoothed using a
running average filter. Start and end
points can be specified as well as the
number of points to average.
Single and Multi-Channel Universal ARB Generators
5
Technical specifications
Waveform
editing/conversion
Toolkit
All of the waveform building tools previ-
ously mentioned can be used to edit
existing waveforms. In addition, wave-
forms can be manipulated directly using
the following functions:
Waveform import uses the “Text”
clipboard format (i.e. numeric lists). This
enables waveforms to be imported from
spreadsheets such as Excel
®
software
and from mathematical programs such
as MathCad. Values are automatically
normalised and re-scaled.
Waveform export creates multiple
clipboard formats of Text (normalised
numeric values between ± 1), Bitmap (as
per on-screen display) and Picture (meta-
file retaining waveform vector properties).
Pictures or bitmaps can be pasted into
programs such as Word for documenta-
tion purposes.
Variable-clock ARB
architecture
Direct replay for jitter-free
waveforms
All Fluke 280 and 290 Series units
generate arbitrary waveforms using a
variable clock architecture rather than
DDS. This ensures that every point in the
waveform is replayed exactly as it was
defined, the rate of replay being set by
the clock frequency.
By contrast, a DDS arbitrary generator
uses a fixed clock frequency and varies
the replay rate by duplicating or omit-
ting waveform points. Unless there is
an integer relationship between the
desired replay rate, clock frequency and
waveform length, each “cycle” of the
waveform will differ from the previous
one, resulting in jitter.
Fluke 290 Series: the
next step forward
The design of the new Fluke 290 Series
generators is based upon extensive
experience of actual user requirements.
So in addition to raising the maximum
clock speed from 40 MHz to 100 MHz,
a number of other important features
have been added that meet the needs of
particular groups of customers.
Resize waveform
Allows a waveform to be resized
horizontally to any length between
4 K to 64 K for 280 and 8 M to1 M for
290. Note: The vertical resolution of a
waveform is automatically adjusted when
it is downloaded to the generator. Thus
an 8-bit waveform from a DSO will be
expanded to 12 bits if it is downloaded to
a 12-bit generator (and vice versa)
1 M word waveform memory
Some users require very long arbitrary
waveforms. 290 Series units incorporate
1,048,576 words of waveform memory
per channel. Thus, even long and com-
plex waveforms that have no repetitive
elements can be accommodated.
Compact Flash memory card storage
provides effectively unlimited storage for
waveforms. Greater sequencing capa-
bility (up to 1024 segments) gives even
more flexibility in waveform reconstruc-
tion.
Display area and printing
Multiple waveform windows can be open
simultaneously. Each window is fully
scaleable. Variable zoom is provided with
panning from a “navigator” sub-window.
Waveform section limits can be
defined via moveable cursors that can
be dragged or positioned numerically.
Waveforms can be printed with
automatic annotation and scaling.
Waveform mathematics
The Waveforms Maths function allows
waveforms to be combined and manipu-
lated independently of the expression
editor. Waveforms can be scaled, offset,
added, subtracted or multiplied using
dialogue boxes. Waveforms can also be
combined and manipulated within the
expression editor, giving access to the full
range of mathematical functions.
Sequencing for increased
waveform length
Variable clock architecture also allows
sequencing and looping. The 64K words
of waveform memory per channel pro-
vided in Fluke 280 Series units can be
used to create arbitrary waveforms with
many more than 65536 points.
Many real-world waveforms include
repetitive elements. By using a seg-
ment of the memory to recreate each
repeating element, the waveform can be
constructed by a “sequence” in which
the individual elements are replayed
in a defined order and with a defined
number of repetitions (loop count). In this
way waveforms can be created with a
much greater number of points than the
waveform memory size.
DDS arbitrary generators cannot do
this and the effective waveform length
is limited to the actual waveform
memory size.
External ARB clock input
Some applications require that the
arbitrary waveform is clocked in direct
synchronism with an external signal.
Fluke 290 Series units incorporate an
external ARB clock input that can be
used to clock any number of channels at
any rate from dc up to 50 MHz.
It should be noted that DDS arbitrary
generators have no such capability.
Management and
utilities
Projects
To maintain good housekeeping, wave-
forms can be organized into “projects”
with separate directory structures. Each
project maintains its own library of
expressions. Waveforms and expressions
can be imported and exported from other
projects.
Input/output functions
File formats
Waveforms can be read from and saved
as any of the following formats: WFM
(binary), NRM (normalised data in ASCII),
WAV (WaveCAD), ASC (WaveCAD), DSF
(Tektronix DSO).
Instrument setup
The instrument setup screen enables
options for the waveform generator to
be set from the program. Examples of set-
table options are output amplitude, clock
frequency and trigger source.
Waveform download/upload
Waveforms can be downloaded/uploaded
to/from Fluke arbitrary generators (or
certain Tektronix DSOs) using either an
RS-232 or GPIB (IEEE-488) interface or,
for the 290 Series, a USB interface.
Help
Full on-screen Help is available with a
hyperlinked contents table.
Clipboard functions
Waveforms can be imported to the
program and exported from the program
6
Fluke 280 and 290 Series
using the Windows
®
Clipboard.
Single and Multi-Channel Universal ARB Generators
7
System clock architecture
All Fluke 290 Series units incorpo-
rate a separate clock generator for
each channel, allowing completely
independent operation.
On the Fluke 282 and Fluke
284, channel synchronization is
achieved by defining one channel
as the master channel and driving
the other channel(s) from its clock.
The Fluke 292 and 294 provide
a further option by incorporating
an additional independent system
clock generator. The system clock
creates an internal version of the
external ARB clock signal and can
generate frequencies between 0.1
Hz and 50 MHz.
When the system clock (or
external ARB clock) is used to drive
multiple channels, phase skew is
significantly reduced and frequency
changes can be made without any
discontinuities.
The system clock output is also
available on the rear panel to drive
external circuitry or the external
ARB input of another generator
when more than four channels are
required.
Arbitrary waveforms
Waveform parameters
280 Series
Waveform memory
Waveform length
Vertical resolution
Sample
clock rate
Clock resolution
Clock accuracy
Clock temp. stability
Waveform storage
290 Series
64k points/ch
1M points/ch
4 to 65,536 points
8 to 1,048,576 points
12 bits (4096 levels)
0.1 Hz to 40 MHz
0.1 Hz to 100 MHz (1)
4 digits
8 digits
< 10 ppm for 1 year (± 1 digit of setting)
Typically < 1 ppm/ °C
256K Words
CF Memory Cards
Non-volatile RAM
(32 MB to 1 GB size)
Max. waveforms
100
500 per card
Note 1:
290 Series generators can also use an external sample clock, dc to 50 MHz.
Standard waveforms
Sine, square, triangle, dc, positive ramp, negative ramp, sin(x)/x,
pulse, pulse train, cosine, haversine and havercosine.
Triangle
280 Series
Frequency
range
Frequency
resolution
Linearity
error
0.1 mHz to 100 kHz
0.1 mHz or 7 digits
< 0.1 % to 30 kHz
290 Series
0.1 mHz to 500 kHz
0.1 mHz or 10 digits
All waveforms
280 Series
Frequency accuracy
Temp. stability
Output level
< 10 ppm for 1 year
Typically < 1 ppm/ °C
2.5 mV to 10 V pp into 50
Ω
(5 mV to 20 V pp e.m.f.)
Ramps and sin(x)/x
280 Series
Frequency
range
Frequency
resolution
Linearity
error
0.1 mHz to 100 kHz
0.1 mHz or 7 digits
< 0.1 % to 30 kHz
290 Series
0.1 mHz to 500 kHz
0.1 mHz or 10 digits
Sine, cosine, haversine, havercosine
Frequency range
Freq. resolution
Harmonic distortion
280 Series
0.1 mHz to 16 MHz
0.1 mHz or 7 digits
< 0.1 % THD to 100 kHz;
< –65dBc to 20 kHz,
< –50dBc to 300 kHz,
< -35dBc to 10 MHz
< -30 dBc to 16 MHz
< –65 dBc to 1 MHz,
< –65 dBc + 6 dB/octave
1 MHz to 16 MHz
290 Series
0.1 mHz to 40 MHz
0.1 mHz or 10 digits
< 0.15 % THD to 100 kHz;
< -60 dBc to 20 kHz,
< -50 dBc to 1 MHz,
< -40 dBc to 10 MHz,
< -30 dBc to 40 MHz
< -60 dBc to 1 MHz,
< -60 dBc + 6 dB/octave
1 MHz to 40 MHz
Waveform creation and editing
All Models
Internal
Basic arbitrary waveform creation and editing tools are built
into the instrument. Arbitrary waveforms can be built-up using
insertion of standard waveforms between points, point by point
value setting, and straight line drawing between points.
All Fluke 280 and 290 series units are supplied with Wave-
form Manager Plus software for Windows which provides full
waveform creation, editing and management. Waveforms are
transferred using the digital interfaces or memory card.
Noise function (290 Series only)
Digital noise generated by a 35-bit linear
feedback register clocked at 100 MHz. User’s
external filter defines bandwidth and response.
Nonharmonic spurii
External
Square
280 Series
Frequency range
Freq. resolution
Freq. accuracy
Rise and fall times
1 mHz to 16 MHz
1 mHz or 4 digits
± 1 digit of setting
< 25ns
< 8ns
290 Series
1 mHz to 50 MHz
1 mHz or 8 digits
Sequence
A number of waveforms can be linked and played as a
sequence. Each waveform can have a loop count of up
to 32,768. A sequence of waveforms can be looped up to
1,048,575 times or run continuously.
280 Series
Max. waveforms in a
sequence
16
290 Series
1024
Pulse and pulse train
280 Series
Period range
Period resolution
Period accuracy
Delay range
Delay resolution
Width range
Width resolution
Rise and fall times
100 ns to 100 s
4 digits
± 1 digit of setting
-99.99s to + 99.99s
0.002 % of period
(25 ns minimum)
25 ns to + 99.99 s
0·002 % of period
(25 ns minimum)
< 25 ns
290 Series
40 ns to 100 s
8 digits
Auxiliary sinewave output
The output of the master clock
generator is also available as a
fixed level sinewave. When not
being used as the master for
channel synchronization, this can
be used as another independent
variable frequency generator over
the range 0.1 Hz to 50 MHz,
providing the equivalent of three
or five channel outputs.
Specifications apply between
18 °C to 28 °C after 30 minutes
warm up, at maximum output
into 50
Ω.
Output filter
The output filter type is selectable. This can be used to optimize
a particular waveshape.
280 Series
Filter choice
16 MHz elliptic, 10 MHz
elliptic, 10 MHz Bessel
or none
290 Series
40 MHz elliptic, 20
MHz Bessel or none
0.001 % of period
(10 ns minimum)
10 ns to + 99.99 s
0.001 % of period
(10 ns minimum)
< 8 ns
Note that the pulse width and absolute value of the delay may
not exceed the pulse period at any time. Pulse trains of up to
10 pulses may be specified, each pulse having independently
defined width, delay and level. The baseline voltage is sepa-
rately defined and the sequence repetition rate is set by the
pulse train period.
8
Fluke 280 and 290 Series
Single and Multi-Channel Universal ARB Generators
9