Generators
15 subcategories
This page covers electronic signal, pulse, pattern, and arbitrary waveform generators used by engineers for transceiver design verification, component manufacturing, receiver testing, and radar evaluation. These instruments deliver precise, calibrated stimuli ranging from continuous-wave (CW) microwave carriers to complex, digitally modulated vector waveforms and nanosecond-scale pulses. Selecting the correct instrument requires analyzing critical requirements across frequency coverage, phase noise limits, modulation types, and switching speeds. This category includes high-performance RF vector signal generators, microwave analog generators, pulse pattern mainframes, and digital delay generators.
- Maximum Frequency Range
- Operational to 70 GHz (Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E8257D)
- Standard Phase Noise
- -146 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz carrier, 20 kHz offset (Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N5182B)
- Max RF Modulation Bandwidth
- Up to 2 GHz (Rohde & Schwarz SMW200A)
- AWG Vertical Resolution
- Up to 14 bits (Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) M8190A)
- Delay Resolution
- 5 ps (Stanford Research Systems DG535)
Subcategories
Classifying Signal Generators: Analog vs. Vector
Signal generators split into analog (CW/AM/FM/PM/pulse) and vector (I/Q modulated) architectures depending on the modulation requirements. Analog signal generators, such as the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E8257D or Rohde & Schwarz SMF100A, prioritize high spectral purity, low phase noise, and elevated output powers, making them ideal for local oscillator (LO) substitution or radar testing. Vector signal generators, like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E4438C and Rohde & Schwarz SMW200A, integrate internal baseband and digital I/Q generators. These support advanced digital standards, including 5G NR, LTE, and WLAN, with RF modulation bandwidths ranging from up to 160 MHz on the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E4438C up to 2 GHz on the Rohde & Schwarz SMW200A.
Key Specifications: Phase Noise, Output Power, and Speed
When comparing analog signal sources, spectral purity is dictated by Single Sideband (SSB) phase noise. For instance, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N5182B and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N5181B achieve a low phase noise of -146 dBc/Hz at a 1 GHz carrier with a 20 kHz offset. Output power limits dictate whether external amplifiers are needed to compensate for system losses; options can extend power, such as the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E8257D supporting over +30 dBm with Option 521. For automated testing, switching speed is critical: the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N5182A features list mode switching under 900 microseconds, which accelerates test throughput.
Pulse and Arbitrary Waveform Generators
Aside from RF carriers, pulse pattern generators and arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) create baseband signals, digital patterns, and precision timings. The Stanford Research Systems DG535 acts as a delay and pulse generator with 5 ps delay resolution and a wide delay range up to 1000 seconds. The modular Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 81130A mainframe handles pulse data up to 660 MHz (when paired with the Keysight 81132A module) with 64 kbit per-channel segmentable memory. For high-speed arbitrary signal creation, instruments like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) M8190A offer high sample rates up to 12 GSa/s with 12-bit resolution or 8 GSa/s with 14-bit resolution, enabling direct DAC bandwidth from DC to 5 GHz.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between an analog and a vector signal generator?
- Analog generators (like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N5183B) output continuous-wave signals with analog modulation like AM, FM, Phase, or Pulse. Vector generators (like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N5172B) feature an I/Q modulator to generate complex digitally modulated waveforms such as QAM, PSK, and standard cellular or wireless protocols.
- How does a pulse pattern generator differ from an arbitrary waveform generator?
- Pulse pattern generators, such as the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 81110A mainframe, are designed to generate high-speed logic pulses, clock signals, or digital patterns with strict timing control. Arbitrary waveform generators, like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 33622A, construct complex, arbitrary point-by-point voltage profiles using digital-to-analog converters (DACs).
- What is a noise source used for compared to a signal generator?
- A noise source, such as the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 346B, provides a broadband, calibrated white noise output with a specified Excess Noise Ratio (nominal 15.2 dB ENR) to measure receiver noise figure and gain, rather than generating specific single-frequency carrier signals.