The Keysight (Agilent) 81160A is a high-performance pulse, function, arbitrary, and noise generator designed for precise electronic stress testing. It features exceptionally low intrinsic jitter of 7 ps RMS, an ultra-fast 2.5 GSa/s sample rate, and up to 500 MHz sine wave output, making it highly versatile for benchtop characterization and advanced serial data testing. Offering single- or dual-channel coupled/uncoupled configurations with glitch-free parameter adjustments, the 81160A is ideal for high-speed digital and mixed-signal test applications.

Specifications

Timing and Channel Configurations

ParameterValue
Number of Channels1 or 2 channels (coupled/uncoupled)
Sine Waveform Frequency Range1 μHz to 500 MHz
Pulse Frequency Range1 μHz to 330 MHz
Frequency Resolution1 μHz

Pulse and Pattern Generation

ParameterValue
Pulse Width Range1.5 ns to (period - 1.5 ns)
Pattern Generator Bit RateUp to 330 Mbit/s (Option 330) or 660 Mbit/s (Option 660)

Standard Waveforms

ParameterValue
Supported Waveform TypesPulse, sine, square, ramp, noise, arbitrary
Square Wave Frequency Range1 μHz to 330 MHz
Square Wave Duty Cycle Range(Frequency/660 MHz) to 1 - (Frequency/660 MHz)
Square Wave Transition Time1.0 ns typical fixed (10% to 90%)
Noise Crest Factor3.1, 4.8, 6.0, 7.0 typical (Gaussian distribution)
Noise TypeDeterministic, triggerable

Arbitrary Waveform Specifications

ParameterValue
Arbitrary DAC Sample Rate2.5 GSa/s fixed
Arbitrary Vertical Resolution14 bits

Modulation, Sweep and Burst

ParameterValue
Supported Modulation TypesFM, AM, PM, PWM, FSK

Electrical Inputs and Outputs

ParameterValue
Output ConfigurationDifferential outputs
Output Amplitude (into 50 Ω)50 mVp-p to 5 Vp-p (50 Ω into 50 Ω)
Output Amplitude (into Open Circuit)100 mVp-p to 10 Vp-p (50 Ω into open)
Voltage Window (into 50 Ω)±5 V (50 Ω into 50 Ω)
Voltage Window (into Open Circuit)±10 V (50 Ω into open)
External Reference Output Frequency10 MHz

System, Control and Interfaces

ParameterValue
LXI ComplianceLXI Class C compliant
Command Emulation CompatibilityAgilent 81101A, 81104A, 81105A, 81110A, 81130A, 81150A

Triggering & Modulation

ParameterValue
External Trigger Input Impedance50 Ω or 10 kΩ (selectable)
External Trigger Input Threshold Range-10 V to +10 V

Sweep Characteristics

ParameterValue
Sweep TypeLinear or Logarithmic

General Specifications

ParameterValue
Warm-up Time30 minutes

Technology

Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) & Arbitrary Waveform Generation

Applications

Electronic Device Stress Testing, Serial Data Testing, Benchtop General Purpose Testing