The Tektronix AFG3251 is a single-channel 240 MHz Arbitrary/Function Generator from the AFG3000 series. Featuring a 2 GS/s sampling rate, 14-bit vertical resolution, and a 128 kpoint arbitrary memory depth, it provides high performance, versatility, and precise signal generation. It incorporates a highly stable timebase with a drift of only ±1 ppm per year, a 5.6-inch color TFT display, and versatile interface options including USB, LAN, and GPIB.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | USB, LAN, GPIB |
| Display | 5.6 in. Color TFT LCD, 320 × 240 pixels |
| Warm-up Time | 20 minutes |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100 V to 240 V AC, 47 Hz to 63 Hz / 115 V AC, 360 Hz to 440 Hz, power consumption < 120 W |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +50 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 329.5 mm × 156.3 mm × 168.0 mm |
| Weight | 4.5 kg |
Channels and Configuration
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Output Connector Type | BNC |
Frequency Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sine Wave Frequency Range | 1 µHz to 240 MHz |
| Square Wave Frequency Range | 1 µHz to 120 MHz |
| Pulse Wave Frequency Range | 1 mHz to 120 MHz |
| Ramp Wave Frequency Range | 1 µHz to 2.4 MHz |
| Arbitrary Waveform Frequency Range | 1 mHz to 120 MHz |
| Noise Bandwidth | 240 MHz |
| Frequency Resolution | 1 µHz or 12 digits |
| Frequency Accuracy | ±1 ppm of setting |
| Long-term Aging Rate | ±1 ppm per year |
Arbitrary Waveform Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Waveform Memory Depth | 128,000 points |
| Vertical Resolution | 14 bits |
| Sampling Rate | 2 GS/s |
| Minimum Segment Length | 2 points |
| Non-volatile Memory Capacity | 4 waveforms |
Amplitude and Output Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Range into 50 Ohms | 50 mVp-p to 5 Vp-p (≤ 200 MHz), 50 mVp-p to 4 Vp-p (> 200 MHz) |
| Amplitude Range into Open Circuit | 100 mVp-p to 10 Vp-p (≤ 200 MHz), 100 mVp-p to 8 Vp-p (> 200 MHz) |
| Amplitude Resolution | 0.1 mVp-p, 0.1 mVrms, 1 mV, 0.1 dBm or 4 digits |
| Amplitude Accuracy | ±(1% of setting + 1 mV) at 1 kHz, 1 Vp-p, 50 Ohms load |
| DC Offset Range | ±2.5 Vpk (into 50 Ohms, ≤ 200 MHz), ±2 Vpk (into 50 Ohms, > 200 MHz) |
| DC Offset Resolution | 1 mV |
| DC Offset Accuracy | ±(1% of |setting| + 2 mV + 0.5% of amplitude (Vp-p)) |
| Output Impedance | 50 Ohms |
| Output Protection | Short-circuit protected |
| Amplitude Flatness | ±0.15 dB (≤ 5 MHz), ±0.3 dB (> 5 MHz to 100 MHz), ±0.5 dB (> 100 MHz to 200 MHz), ±1.0 dB (> 200 MHz to 240 MHz) |
Signal Purity and Waveform Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sine Wave Harmonic Distortion | <-40 dBc (10 MHz to 100 MHz, 1 Vp-p) |
| Square Wave Rise/Fall Time | ≤ 2.5 ns |
| Square Wave Overshoot | < 5% |
| Pulse Width Range | 4.0 ns to 999.9 s |
| Pulse Width Resolution | 10 ps or 5 digits |
| Pulse Duty Cycle Range | 0.001% to 99.999% (limitations of min pulse width apply) |
| Pulse Edge Time Range | 2.5 ns to 625 s |
| Pulse Jitter (RMS) | < 100 ps (typical 30 ps) |
| Ramp Wave Linearity | ≤ 0.1% of peak output at 1 kHz |
| Ramp Wave Symmetry Range | 0.0% to 100.0% |
Modulation, Sweep, and Burst
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Modulation Types | AM, FM, PM, FSK, PWM |
| AM Modulation Depth Range | 0.0% to 120.0% |
| FM Frequency Deviation Range | 1 µHz to 120 MHz |
| PM Phase Deviation Range | 0.0° to 180.0° |
| FSK Keying Rate Range | 2 mHz to 1 MHz |
| PWM Duty Cycle Deviation Range | 0.0% to 50.0% of pulse period |
| Internal Modulation Source Frequency | 2 mHz to 50.00 kHz |
| External Modulation Input Impedance | 10 kOhms |
| External Modulation Sensitivity | ±1 V for full scale modulation |
| Sweep Type | Linear, Logarithmic |
| Sweep Time Range | 1 ms to 300 s |
| Sweep Trigger Source | Internal, External, Manual |
| Burst Type | Triggered, Gated |
| Burst Count Range | 1 to 1,000,000 cycles, or Infinite |
| Burst Phase Range | -360.0° to +360.0° |
Inputs and Outputs (I/O)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Trigger Input Voltage Level | TTL compatible |
| Trigger Input Impedance | 10 kOhms |
| Trigger Output Voltage Level | TTL compatible into ≥ 50 Ohms |
| Trigger Output Impedance | 50 Ohms |
| External Reference Input Frequency Range | 10 MHz, ±10 kHz |
| External Reference Input Impedance | 1 kOhms |
| External Reference Output Frequency | 10 MHz |
| External Reference Output Level | 1.2 Vp-p into 50 Ohms (typical) |
System Connectivity and UI
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| GPIB Interface | Yes (IEEE-488.2) |
| LAN Interface | Yes (10Base-T/100Base-TX) |
| USB Host Port (Front) | USB 2.0 Host |
| USB Device Port (Rear) | USB 2.0 Device |
| Programming Language Support | SCPI-compatible |
Power and Mechanical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Benchtop |
| Shipping Weight | 5.9 kg |
Environmental and Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -30 °C to +70 °C |
| Operating Humidity Range | ≤ 80% R.H. (0 °C to 30 °C), ≤ 75% R.H. (30 °C to 40 °C), ≤ 45% R.H. (40 °C to 50 °C) |
| Operating Altitude Limit | Up to 3,000 m (10,000 ft) |
| Safety Certificates | UL 61010-1, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1, EN 61010-1, IEC 61010-1 |
| Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Compliance | EN 61326-1:2006, Class A |
Frequency
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Phase Adjustment Range | -180.00° to +180.00° |
| Phase Adjustment Resolution | 0.01° |
| Timebase Temperature Stability | ±1 ppm (0 °C to 50 °C) |
Memory
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument Setup Memory | 10 settings |
Sweep
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sweep Direction | Up / Down |
| Sweep Hold/Return Time Range | 0 ms to 300 s |
| Sweep Time Resolution | 1 ms or 4 digits |
| Sweep Time Accuracy | 0.4% |
Inputs & Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| External Adding Input Bandwidth | DC to 10 MHz (-3 dB) |
| External Adding Input Impedance | 50 Ω |
| External Adding Input Voltage Range | -1.0 V to +1.0 V |
| External Modulation Input Level | ±1 V full scale |
| Trigger Input Minimum Pulse Width | 100 ns |
| External Reference Input Amplitude Range | 100 mVp-p to 5 Vp-p |
Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Phase Noise | <-110 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset (10 MHz, 0 dBm) |
| Non-harmonic Spurious | <-60 dBc (10 Hz to 1 MHz), <-50 dBc (1 MHz to 240 MHz) at 1 Vp-p |
| Run Modes | Continuous, Modulation, Sweep, Burst |
Power
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 120 W (maximum) |
| Mains Frequency | 47 Hz to 63 Hz (100 V to 240 V), 360 Hz to 440 Hz (115 V) |
Waveforms
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Noise Type | White Gaussian Noise |
Display
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 320 × 240 pixels (QVGA) |
Sine Wave
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sine Wave Total Harmonic Distortion | < 0.2% (10 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 Vp-p) |
Arbitrary Waveform
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Arbitrary Waveform Minimum Edge Time | <= 2.5 ns |
| Arbitrary Waveform Jitter (RMS) | < 100 ps (typical) |
Trigger
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Trigger Period Range | 1.0 μs to 500.0 s |
| Internal Trigger Period Resolution | 10 ns or 5 digits |
| Trigger Delay Range | 0.0 ns to 85.000 s |
| Trigger Delay Resolution | 100 ps or 5 digits |
| Trigger Delay Jitter (RMS) | < 100 ps (typical) |
Technology
Arbitrary Function Generator (AFG)
Applications
Electronic test, signal simulation, sensor emulation, R&D, and education