Additional Information
When to Create an Instrument Driver FPGA ExtensionFor the majority of use cases, NI recommends using the pre-compiled reference FPGA image provided with NI-RFSA, NI-RFSG, and NI-RFmx. Modifying the reference FPGA image is only recommended for use cases requiring functionality not realizable with the following methods:
- Acquiring IQ records and generating IQ waveforms using NI-RFSA, NI-RFSG, or NI-RFmx with or without data processing on the host controller. Please see the VST Specifications documents for achievable data rates.
- Streaming and processing IQ data using an NI FlexRIO FPGA Module and Peer-to-Peer streaming. Please see the VST Specifications documents for achievable data rates. This is the recommended option where FPGA IP is required. Though, a limitation here may be in the latency for some applications.
- Using pre-compiled instrument driver FPGA extension examples for the VSTs. Available examples include streaming (RF and high-speed digital), power servo, RTSA, etc.
Customizing the FPGA using Instrument Driver FPGA Extensions requires an advanced level of knowledge of NI FPGAs and years of experience programming in LabVIEW FPGA. Recommended minimum training and necessary topics to cover before requesting and/or programming the VST FPGA:
Directions to add custom code along with the instrument driver code are explained in the document provided after the request is accepted.