Since its release, the 6 GHz vector signal generator - VSG60A - from Signal Hound has been getting some great traction. Customers adopted the device as soon as it was launched and according to Signal Hound there was no ‘uphill climb’ sales rate that most products experience i.e. sales start to increase only when marketing takes effect. The generator has been a solid seller for Signal Hound from day one.
While a large part of the VSG’s success is due to the high number of preprogrammed modulation types and impairments that can be configured and controlled by the software, this success can also be attributed to its well-documented API – providing application developers with the ability to continuously stream I/Q data to the signal generator at arbitrary sample rates up the 51.2 MSPS, among other things. The possibilities opened by the API of Signal Hound devices are a big draw to their products, and the VSG60A is no different.
However, until recently the VSG60A’s API only ran on Microsoft’s Windows operating system. This is no longer the case. Signal Hound has introduced Version 1.0.3 of the VSG API that now provides support for 64-bit Linux systems and is bundled in their SDK, which is available as a free download. The SDK download includes a manual with instructions, best practices, and a complete function listing so you can get up and running with your own projects. The API functions identically to the Windows version, so if you’re familiar with the VSG60A’s code samples and documentation you’re already ahead in getting started with your new Linux application.
To get started, download the SDK and open the README.txt file in signal_hound_sdk >device_apis > vsg60_series > linux.
