The Keysight (formerly Agilent) 33521A is a 30 MHz, 1-channel Function / Arbitrary Waveform Generator from the 33500 Series. Powered by Keysight's exclusive Trueform technology, the 33521A delivers exceptional signal integrity with up to 10x lower jitter and 5x lower harmonic distortion compared to traditional DDS generators, alongside true point-by-point arbitrary waveforms.

Specifications

General

ParameterValue
InterfacesUSB 2.0 Host, USB 2.0 Device, LAN (10/100 Base-T, LXI Class C) standard; GPIB (IEEE-488.2) optional
Display4.3-inch color TFT WQVGA (480 × 272) LCD with LED backlight

Physical

ParameterValue
Power Supply100 V to 240 V (±10%) at 50/60 Hz; 100 V to 120 V (±10%) at 400 Hz; 150 VA maximum
Operating Temperature0 °C to 55 °C
Dimensions (W×H×D)261.2 mm × 103.8 mm × 303.2 mm (with bumpers and handle)
Weight3.4

Waveform Generation & Frequency Specifications

ParameterValue
Number of Channels1
Maximum Frequency30 MHz
Waveform ShapesSine, Square, Ramp, Pulse, Triangle, Gaussian Noise, PRBS, DC, Arbitrary
Frequency Resolution1 µHz
Standard Timebase Stability±1 ppm (TCXO)
Optional Timebase Stability±0.1 ppm (OCXO)

Standard Waveform Characteristics

ParameterValue
Sine Wave Frequency Range1 µHz to 30 MHz
Sine Wave Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)< 0.04% (at 1 kHz, 1 Vpp)
Sine Wave Phase Noise-125 dBc/Hz (typical at 10 MHz, 10 kHz offset)
Square Wave Frequency Range1 µHz to 30 MHz
Square Wave Rise/Fall Time< 8.4 ns
Square Wave Duty Cycle Range0.01% to 99.99% (frequency dependent)
Ramp & Triangle Frequency Range1 µHz to 800 kHz
Ramp Linearity< 0.05%
Pulse Frequency Range1 µHz to 30 MHz
Pulse Width Range16 ns minimum
Pulse Edge Transition Time8.4 ns to 1 µs, independently variable
Noise TypeGaussian
Noise Bandwidth30 MHz

Arbitrary Waveform Capabilities

ParameterValue
Arbitrary Waveform Sampling Rate250 MSa/s
Amplitude Resolution (Vertical)16-bit
Standard Waveform Memory1 MSa
Optional Waveform Memory16 MSa
Arbitrary Waveform Jitter< 40 ps rms
Filter TypesNormal (brickwall), Step, Off

Output Characteristics

ParameterValue
Amplitude Range into 50 Ω1 mVpp to 10 Vpp
Amplitude Range into Open Circuit2 mVpp to 20 Vpp
Amplitude Accuracy± (1% of setting + 1 mVpp) at 1 kHz, 50 Ω load
Output Impedance50 Ω
DC Offset Range± 5 V into 50 Ω, ± 10 V into open circuit

Modulation, Sweep, and Burst

ParameterValue
Modulation TypesAM, FM, PM, FSK, BPSK, PWM, Sum (carrier + noise)
Internal Modulation Source Frequency Range1 µHz to 1 MHz
Sweep TypeLinear, Logarithmic, List
Sweep Time1 ms to 250,000 s
Sweep Trigger SourcesInternal, External, Manual, Bus
Burst TypeN-Cycle, Gated
Burst Count Range1 to 100,000,000 cycles, or infinite

Inputs & Outputs

ParameterValue
Front Panel ConnectorsMain Output, Sync Out (BNC)
Rear Panel ConnectorsExternal Trigger/Gate Input, External Reference In, External Reference Out (BNC)
External Trigger Input LevelTTL compatible
10 MHz Reference Input Frequency10 MHz  20 ppm
10 MHz Reference Input Level100 mVpp to 5 Vpp
10 MHz Reference Output Level632 mVpp (0 dBm) into 50 Ω

System, Software & Connectivity

ParameterValue
Programming Language SupportSCPI-1999, IEEE-488.2
Instrument State Storage CapacityStored as files in non-volatile flash (64 MB) or USB

Power, Environmental & Physical

ParameterValue
Storage Temperature Range-30 °C to 70 °C
Operating Humidity Range5% to 80% RH (non-condensing)
Operating AltitudeUp to 3,000 meters
Warm-up Time1 hour
Dimensions without Bumpers and Handle212.8 mm W × 88.3 mm H × 272.3 mm D
Safety Compliance StandardsUL 61010-1, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1, EN 61010-1
EMC Compliance StandardsEN 61326-1, ICES-001, AS/NZS CISPR 11

Power & Electrical

ParameterValue
Power Consumption< 45 VA

Modulation Inputs

ParameterValue
External Modulation Input Impedance10 kΩ
External Modulation Input Range±5 V full scale
External Modulation Input BandwidthDC to 80 kHz

Sync Output

ParameterValue
Sync Output Level3.3 V LVTTL compatible
Sync Output Impedance50 Ω nominal

Trigger Inputs & Outputs

ParameterValue
External Trigger Input Impedance10 kΩ nominal, DC-coupled
External Trigger Latency< 135 ns (typical) standard, < 220 ns (typical) arbitrary
External Trigger Jitter< 2.5 ns (rms)
External Trigger Output Level3.3 V LVTTL compatible
External Trigger Output Impedance50 Ω nominal

System & Interfaces

ParameterValue
LXI ComplianceLXI Class C (LXI Core 2011)
GPIB ConnectivityOptional (Option GPB)
Non-volatile File Storage Memory64 MB standard

Signal Characteristics

ParameterValue
Sine Wave Non-Harmonic Spurious Response<-75 dBc (DC to 10 MHz), <-70 dBc (> 10 MHz to 30 MHz)
Square Wave Overshoot< 4% (typical)
Pulse Overshoot< 4% (typical)

Electrical Safety

ParameterValue
Float Voltage (Isolation)Up to ±42 Vpk relative to earth ground
Output ProtectionShort-circuit protected, automatic overload shutdown

Environmental

ParameterValue
Acoustic Noise< 35 dBA typical (at 30 °C)

Phase Characteristics

ParameterValue
Phase Offset Range-360° to +360°
Phase Offset Resolution0.01°

Modulation

ParameterValue
AM Modulation Depth0.0% to 120.0%
FM Deviation Range1 mHz to 15 MHz
PM Deviation Range0° to 360°

PRBS Generator

ParameterValue
PRBS PolynomialsNot supported
PRBS Bit Rate RangeNot supported

Power

ParameterValue
Power Line Frequency50/60 Hz (100 to 240 V), 400 Hz (100 to 120 V)

Technology

Trueform Waveform Generation Technology

Applications

Electronic Test and Measurement, Design and Debug, Sensor Simulation, Device Characterization