The Keysight (Agilent) 33521B is a 30 MHz single-channel arbitrary function generator utilizing Trueform signal generation technology. It offers superior signal fidelity with extremely low jitter and low total harmonic distortion compared to traditional DDS-based generators. Standard interfaces include USB, LAN (LXI-C), and GPIB, with extensive arbitrary waveform sequencing and flexible modulation options.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | USB 2.0 (USB-TMC488), LAN (10/100Base-T Ethernet, LXI Class C), GPIB (optional) |
| Display | 4.3" Color TFT WQVGA (480x272) with LED backlight |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60 Hz; 100 V to 120 V AC, 400 Hz (max. 45 W) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 261.2 mm × 103.8 mm × 303.2 mm (with bumpers and handle); 212.8 mm × 88.3 mm × 272.3 mm (without bumpers and handle) |
| Weight | 3.4 kg |
Waveform and Output Channels
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| 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 |
| Channel-to-Chassis Isolation | Connector shells for channel output, Sync, and Mod In are connected together but isolated from chassis |
| Maximum Allowable Voltage on Isolation | ±42 Vpk |
Frequency Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument Bandwidth | 30 MHz |
| Sine Frequency Range | Up to 30 MHz |
| Pulse Frequency Range | Up to 30 MHz |
| Arbitrary Waveform Sample Rate | 1 μSa/s to 250 MSa/s |
| Arbitrary Waveform Sample Rate Resolution | 1 μSa/s |
Amplitude and Voltage Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Range (into 50 Ω) | 1 mVpp to 10 Vpp |
| Amplitude Range (into Open Circuit) | 2 mVpp to 20 Vpp |
| Vertical Resolution | 16 bits |
| Amplitude Resolution | 0.1 mVpp, 0.1 mVrms, or 4 digits |
Waveform Purity and Distortion
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sine Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) | < 0.04% |
| Sine Non-Harmonic Spurious Responses | < -75 dBc |
| Pulse Rise and Fall Time | 8.4 ns |
| Arbitrary Filter Bandwidth (Filter Off) | 40 MHz (nominal) |
| Arbitrary Filter Bandwidth (Normal Filter On) | 0.27 × (Sample Rate) (nominal) |
| Arbitrary Filter Bandwidth (Step Filter On) | 0.13 × (Sample Rate) (nominal) |
| Arbitrary Rise and Fall Time | 0.35 / Bandwidth (10 ns min) with Normal or Step filter On |
Arbitrary Waveform Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard Waveform Memory | 1 MSa per channel |
| Optional Waveform Memory | 16 MSa per channel (Option MEM) |
| Waveform Length | 8 Sa to 1 MSa per channel (16 MSa with Option MEM) in increments of 1 sample |
| Minimum Segment Length | 8 Sa |
| Segment Length Increment | 1 sample |
| Waveform Sequencing Operation | Individual arbitrary waveforms (segments) can be combined into user-defined lists (sequences) to form longer, more complex waveforms |
| Preloaded Sequences Capacity | Up to 32 sequences totaling up to 1,024 segments preloaded into volatile memory |
| Sequence Length | 1 to 512 steps |
| 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) |
| PRBS Pattern Generation | PN7, PN9, PN11, PN15, PN23 |
| Variable-Bandwidth Noise | Adjustable bandwidth built-in noise generator |
Sync and Marker Output
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sync Connector | Front-panel BNC, chassis-referenced |
| Sync Functions | Sync, sweep marker, burst marker, or arbitrary waveform marker |
| Sync Polarity | Normal or inverted |
| Sync Output Voltage (into Open Circuit) | 3.3 Vpp (nominal) |
| Sync Output Voltage (into 50 Ω) | 1.65 Vpp (nominal) |
| Sync Output Impedance | 50 Ω (nominal) |
| Sync Minimum Pulse Width | 16 ns (nominal) |
External Trigger and Gate
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| External Trigger Connector | Rear-panel BNC, chassis-referenced |
| External Trigger Function | Input or output |
| External Trigger Polarity | Positive or negative slope |
| External Trigger Input Voltage Level | Threshold: 1.5 V (nominal) |
| External Trigger Output Voltage Level (into Open Circuit) | 3.3 Vpp (nominal) |
| External Trigger Output Voltage Level (into 50 Ω) | 1.65 Vpp (nominal) |
| External Trigger Input Impedance | 10 kΩ (nominal), DC-coupled |
| External Trigger Output Impedance | 50 Ω (nominal) |
| External Trigger Fanout | ≤4 total 33500B Series waveform generators |
Modulation Input
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Modulation Input Connector | Rear-panel BNC, isolated |
| Modulation Input Voltage Level | ±5 V or ±10 V full scale |
| Modulation Input Impedance | 5 kΩ (nominal) |
| Modulation Input Bandwidth | 0 Hz to 100 kHz (-3 dB, typical) |
System, Connectivity, and Control
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| LXI Compliance | LXI Class C (rev 1.3) |
| Ethernet Protocol | Sockets & VXI-11 protocol |
| USB Protocol | USB-TMC488 protocol (USB 2.0) |
| Programming Language | SCPI-1999, IEEE-488.2; Agilent 33210A / 33220A compatible |
| Web User Interface | Remote operation and monitoring via web browser |
| Real-Time Clock / Calendar | Set and read - year, month, day, hour, minute, second |
| Real-Time Clock Battery | CR-2032 coin-type, replaceable, >5 year life (typical) |
Frequency and Timebase
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Square Wave Frequency Range | 1 µHz to 30 MHz |
| Ramp/Triangle Frequency Range | 1 µHz to 200 kHz |
| PRBS Bit Rate Range | 1 mbps to 50 Mbps |
| Frequency Resolution | 1 µHz |
| Standard Timebase Frequency Accuracy | ±1 ppm of setting ±15 pHz (after 1 year, 0 °C to 55 °C) |
| Optional Timebase (Option OCX) Accuracy | ±0.1 ppm of setting ±15 pHz (after 1 year) |
| Standard Timebase Aging Rate | ±1 ppm per year |
| Optional Timebase Aging Rate | ±0.1 ppm per year |
Jitter
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Square and Pulse Jitter (Typical) | < 40 ps RMS |
| Arbitrary Waveform Jitter (Typical) | < 40 ps RMS |
Amplitude & DC Offset
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| DC Offset Range (into 50 Ω) | ±5 V pk AC+DC (limited by amplitude setting) |
| DC Offset Range (into Open Circuit) | ±10 V pk AC+DC (limited by amplitude setting) |
| Amplitude Accuracy (at 1 kHz) | ±(1% of setting + 1 mVpp) into 50 Ω |
| Output Impedance Selection | 50 Ω (typical), Open Circuit, or Custom (1 Ω to 10 kΩ) |
Phase Control
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Phase Adjustment Range | -360° to +360° |
| Phase Resolution | 0.001° |
Sweep
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sweep Types | Linear, Logarithmic, List |
| Sweep Time Range | 1 ms to 250,000 s |
| Sweep Trigger Sources | Internal, External, Manual, Bus |
Burst
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Burst Types | Counted (1 to 1,000,000 cycles, or Infinite), Gated |
| Burst Start Phase Range | -360° to +360° |
External Reference Clock Input
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| External Reference Input Level Range | 100 mVpp to 5 Vpp |
| External Reference Input Impedance | 1 kΩ (typical), AC-coupled |
External Reference Clock Output
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| External Reference Output Frequency | 10 MHz |
| External Reference Output Level | 0 dBm (nominal) into 50 Ω |
| External Reference Output Impedance | 50 Ω (typical), AC-coupled |
Storage and Memory
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Non-Volatile Internal Storage Capacity | 970 MB |
| Front Panel USB Port Type | USB Host (Type A) |
Environmental and Standards
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 °C to +70 °C |
| Operating Altitude | Up to 3,000 meters |
| Safety Compliance Standards | EN 61010-1, UL 61010-1, CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 |
| EMC Compliance Standards | EN 61326-1, ICES-001, AS/NZS CISPR 11 |
| Warm-up Time | 1 hour |
Pulse Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pulse Width Minimum | 16 ns |
| Pulse Width Resolution | 100 ps or 11 digits |
| Pulse Duty Cycle Range | 0.01% to 99.99% |
| Pulse Overshoot (Typical) | < 4% |
Square Wave Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Square Wave Duty Cycle Range | 0.01% to 99.99% (subject to minimum width limits) |
Ramp Wave Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Ramp Symmetry Range | 0.0% to 100.0% |
| Ramp Symmetry Resolution | 0.1% |
Phase Noise
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Phase Noise | -115 dBc/Hz @ 10 MHz carrier, 10 kHz offset (typical) |
Amplitude Flatness
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Flatness (< 5 MHz) | ±0.1 dB (relative to 1 kHz, 1 Vpp, 50 Ω) |
| Amplitude Flatness (5 to 30 MHz) | ±0.15 dB (relative to 1 kHz, 1 Vpp, 50 Ω) |
Internal Trigger
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Trigger Period Range | 250 ns to 8000 s |
| Internal Trigger Period Resolution | 4 ns |
| Internal Trigger Jitter (Typical) | < 200 ps |
Modulation Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AM Modulation Depth Range | 0.0% to 120.0% |
| FM Maximum Deviation | 15 MHz |
| PM Phase Deviation Range | 0° to 360° |
| FSK Key Rate Range | 2 mHz to 1 MHz |
| BPSK Key Rate Range | 2 mHz to 1 MHz |
| PWM Duty Cycle Deviation Range | 0% to 50% |
PRBS Generation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| PRBS Polynomials | 2^7-1, 2^9-1, 2^11-1, 2^15-1, 2^20-1, 2^23-1 |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Humidity | 5% to 80% RH (non-condensing) |
| Acoustic Noise (Nominal) | < 35 dBA |
| Vibration and Shock Compliance | MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 3 |
| Pollution Degree | Pollution Degree 2 |
| Overvoltage Category | Overvoltage Category II |
Technology
Trueform Signal Generation Technology
Applications
Electronic test and measurement, signal simulation, and education