The Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent) 33512B is a 2-channel, 20 MHz Waveform Generator featuring Trueform signal generation technology. Trueform technology combines the advantages of Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) and point-by-point architectures to offer lower jitter, lower harmonic distortion, and cleaner signals compared to traditional DDS instruments. This model has a high-resolution 4.3" color TFT display, provides 16-bit vertical resolution, a 160 MSa/s sampling rate, and 1 MSa/channel standard memory which can be expanded to 16 MSa. Additionally, it offers comprehensive modulation, sweep, and burst capabilities, alongside advanced dual-channel coupling and waveform summing features.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | USB 2.0 (USB-TMC488 protocol), LAN (10/100Base-T Ethernet, LXI-C compliant), GPIB/IEEE-488.1, IEEE-488.2 |
| Display | 4.3" Color TFT WQVGA (480x272) with LED backlight |
| Warm-up Time | 1 hour |
| Calibration Cycle | 1 year or 2 years |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100 V to 240 V (±10%) at 50/60 Hz, 100 V to 120 V (±10%) at 400 Hz; < 45 W typical (< 75 VA) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 261.2 mm × 103.8 mm × 303.2 mm (with bumpers and handle) |
| Weight | 3.4 kg |
Waveform and Output Channels
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 2 |
| Bandwidth | 20 MHz |
| Standard Waveforms | Sine, square, ramp, pulse, triangle, Gaussian noise, PRBS (Pseudorandom Binary Sequence), DC |
| Built-in Arbitrary Waveforms | Cardiac, exponential fall, exponential rise, Gaussian pulse, Haversine, Lorentz, D-Lorentz, negative ramp, sinc |
| User-defined Arbitrary Waveforms | Up to 1 MSa (16 MSa with Option MEM) with multi-segment sequencing |
| Channel Isolation | Connector shells for channel output(s), Sync, and Mod In are isolated from the instrument's chassis; max ±42 Vpk |
Frequency Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pulse Frequency Range | Up to 20 MHz |
| Arbitrary Waveform Sample Rate | 160 MSa/s |
Amplitude and Voltage Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Range (into 50 Ohms) | 1 mVpp to 10 Vpp |
| Amplitude Range (into Open Circuit) | 2 mVpp to 20 Vpp |
Waveform Purity and Distortion
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sine Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) | < 0.04% |
| Pulse Rise/Fall Time | 8.4 ns |
Arbitrary Waveform Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Arbitrary Waveform Length | 8 Sa to 1 MSa per channel (16 MSa with Option MEM) in increments of 1 sample |
| Vertical Resolution | 16 bits |
| Arbitrary Waveform Filter-Off Bandwidth (-3 dB, nom) | 40 MHz |
| Arbitrary Waveform Normal-Filter-On Bandwidth (-3 dB, nom) | 0.27 x (Sample Rate) |
| Arbitrary Waveform Step-Filter-On Bandwidth (-3 dB, nom) | 0.13 x (Sample Rate) |
| Arbitrary Waveform Rise/Fall Time (Filter On) | 0.35 / Bandwidth (8 ns min) with "Normal" or "Step" filter On |
Waveform Sequencing
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Waveform Sequencing Preload Capacity | Up to 32 sequences totaling up to 1,024 segments in volatile memory |
| Sequence Segment Length | 8 Sa to 1 MSa per channel (16 MSa with Option MEM) in increments of 1 sample |
| Sequence Steps | 1 to 512 steps |
| Sequence Segment Repeat Count | 1 to 1,000,000, or infinite |
Modulation, Sweep, and Burst
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Modes | Continuous, modulate, frequency sweep, burst, output gate |
| Modulation Types | AM, FM, PM, FSK, BPSK, PWM, Sum (carrier + modulation) |
| Modulation Input Connector | Rear-panel BNC, isolated |
| Modulation Input Assignment | Channel 1, Channel 2, or both |
| Modulation Input Voltage Level | ±5 V full-scale |
| Modulation Input Impedance (nom) | 5 kΩ |
| Modulation Input Bandwidth (-3 dB, typ) | 0 Hz to 100 kHz |
Trigger and Synchronization
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sync/Marker Connector | Front-panel BNC, isolated from chassis |
| Sync/Marker Functions | Sync, sweep marker, burst marker, or arbitrary waveform marker |
| Sync/Marker Assignment | Channel 1 or Channel 2 |
| Sync/Marker Polarity | Normal or inverted |
| Sync/Marker Voltage Level (nom) | 3 Vpp into open circuit, 1.5 Vpp into 50 Ω |
| Sync/Marker Output Impedance (nom) | 50 Ω |
| Sync/Marker Minimum Pulse Width (nom) | 16 ns |
| External Trigger Connector | Rear-panel BNC, chassis-referenced |
| External Trigger Function | Input or output |
| External Trigger Assignment (as Input) | Channel 1, channel 2, or both |
| External Trigger Assignment (as Output) | Channel 1 or channel 2 |
| External Trigger Polarity | Positive or negative slope |
| External Trigger Input Level (nom) | 0 V to 0.4 V for low, >2.3 V for high, 3.5 V maximum |
| External Trigger Output Level (nom) | 3 Vpp into open circuit, 1.5 Vpp into 50 Ω |
| External Trigger Input Impedance (nom) | 10 kΩ, DC-coupled |
| External Trigger Output Impedance (nom) | 50 Ω |
| External Trigger Fanout | ≤4 Agilent 33500B Series waveform generators |
System, Connectivity, and Control
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Programming Language | SCPI-1999, IEEE-488.2; Agilent 33210A / 33220A compatible |
| Web Browser Control | Remote operation and monitoring via Web user interface |
| Real-Time Clock/Calendar battery | CR-2032 coin-type, replaceable, >5 year life (typ) |
Unique Instrument Features
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Waveform Summing and Combining | Add noise to signals using a single channel. Sum/combine up to 4 signals on 2-channel models |
| Variable-Bandwidth Noise | Adjustable bandwidth of the built-in noise generator |
| Dual-Channel Coupling | Frequency/amplitude coupling, equal/inverted, configurable start phase and phase shift |
Frequency
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sine Frequency Range | 1 µHz to 20 MHz |
| Square Frequency Range | 1 µHz to 20 MHz |
| Ramp Frequency Range | 1 µHz to 200 kHz |
| Triangle Frequency Range | 1 µHz to 200 kHz |
| Frequency Resolution | 1 µHz |
| Frequency Stability (Standard) | ±1 ppm of setting ±15 pHz (0 °C to 55 °C) |
| Frequency Stability (Option OCX) | ±0.1 ppm of setting ±15 pHz (0 °C to 55 °C) |
| Frequency Aging (Standard) | ±1 ppm per year |
| Frequency Aging (Option OCX) | ±0.1 ppm per year |
Amplitude & Offset
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Accuracy | ±(1% of setting + 1 mVpp) at 1 kHz, into 50 Ω |
| Offset Range (into 50 Ω) | ±5 V |
| Offset Range (into Open Circuit) | ±10 V |
| Output Impedance | 50 Ω (nominal) |
Square & Pulse
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Square Jitter | < 40 ps |
| Square Duty Cycle | 0.01% to 99.99% (limitations apply) |
| Pulse Jitter | < 40 ps |
Environmental & Standards
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature | -30 °C to 70 °C |
| Operating Altitude | Up to 3,000 m (9,840 ft) |
| Safety Compliance | EN 61010-1, UL 61010-1, CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 |
| EMC Compliance | EN 61326-1, ICES-001, AS/NZS CISPR 11 |
Dual-Channel Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Channel-to-Channel Phase Offset Range | -360° to +360° |
| Channel-to-Channel Phase Offset Resolution | 0.001° |
Amplitude
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Flatness (< 5 MHz) | ±0.1 dB (relative to 1 kHz, 50 Ω load) |
| Amplitude Flatness (5 MHz to 20 MHz) | ±0.15 dB (relative to 1 kHz, 50 Ω load) |
Pulse
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pulse Width Range | 16 ns to 1,000,000 s |
| Pulse Duty Cycle Range | 0.01% to 99.99% (subject to width limits) |
Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Floating Voltage | ±42 Vpk to earth |
Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| LXI Compliance | LXI Core 2011 Device |
Technology
Trueform Signal Generation Technology
Applications
Electronic testing, waveform generation, circuit characterization, and differential signaling
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