Tektronix Signal, Arbitrary Waveform, and Pattern Generators

Tektronix separates lower‑frequency, DDS/function generators (AFG/AFG3xxx and AFG2xxx models) from arbitrary waveform generators (AWG family) and from digital/pattern‑generator platforms (DG and DTG families, plus modular mainframes). The AFG3000 series (examples: AFG3252, AFG3251, AFG3102, AFG3101, AFG3102C) targets bench function and arbitrary use with 1 GS/s to 2 GS/s sampling and 14‑bit vertical resolution for precise standard and user waveforms. The AWG product lines span legacy and high‑end instruments: compact/legacy AWG2000/500/600 series for lower sampling rates and multiple channels, midrange AWG5000/AWG705x/AWG710x for multi‑GS/s operation and large memory, and high‑end AWG70000/AWG7000 family members for tens of GS/s and multi‑GHz analog bandwidth (example: AWG70002A). Digital and pattern capability is provided by DG-series instruments for fixed channel counts and DTG/TG/HFS modular platforms when slot‑based expansion, fine delay resolution, or aggregate channel counts are needed (examples: DG2020, DG2040, DTG5274, DTG5078, HFS9009).

Range breadth: Tektronix models cover low‑frequency function generators with high vertical resolution up to laboratory AWGs with very high sample rates and deep memory. For example, AFG2021 and AFG3021C are single‑ or dual‑channel DDS/function instruments with 250 MS/s to 1 GS/s sampling at 14‑bit resolution, while AWG70002A delivers up to 25 GS/s with multi‑GHz analog bandwidth and large waveform stores.

Modular and multi‑channel options: Pattern and timing needs are addressed by modular mainframes and slot cards that provide high aggregate channel counts and fine timing control. The DTG5274 mainframe specifies a maximum data rate of 2.7 Gb/s and fine delay resolution, while smaller DG-series units provide fixed, bench‑oriented pattern generation (DG2020 up to 200 Mb/s; DG2040 up to 1.1 Gb/s).

Choose first by the signal bandwidth and timing resolution you need. If your signals are RF or high‑speed serial, sample rate and analog bandwidth determine fidelity: look at AWG70002A (up to 25 GS/s, 13.5 GHz analog bandwidth) or AWG7102/AWG7122C/AWG7051/AWG7052 family members for multi‑GS/s operation. For baseband, audio, or low‑frequency stimuli, AFG and lower‑rate AWG models (AFG3021B/AFG3021C, AFG3252, AWG2041/AWG2040) provide high vertical resolution at lower sampling rates.

Choose by channel count and synchronization. Multi‑channel AWGs such as the AWG5208 provide 8 channels with 16‑bit resolution where matched multi‑channel outputs matter. If you need a mix of high channel count and flexible timing/data formats, consider DG/DTG modular platforms — DG2020 supports up to 36 data channels (pod architecture) and DTG5078 supports many slots and up to 64 or more channels in a single mainframe configuration.

Choose by memory and sequence capability. Long, complex waveforms and sequence branching require deep memory and sequencing: AWG7000/AWG70000A series models list multi‑Mpoint and multi‑Gsample memory options (for example, AWG70002A standard and extended memory sizes). For long pattern vectors and per‑channel vector depth, look to DG and TLA generator modules that list vector memory per channel (for example, TLA7PG2 vectors per channel).