The Tektronix AWG5208 is an 8-channel Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) engineered for high-fidelity RF and experimental signal generation. Combining a 16-bit vertical resolution, a native sample rate up to 5 GS/s (interpolated to 10 GS/s), and a deep 2 GSamples/channel memory, the AWG5208 is optimized for advanced applications like quantum computing research, electronic warfare, and radar simulation.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.5-inch color TFT touchscreen, 1024 x 768 XGA |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +50 |
Channel Configuration & Core Architecture
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 8 |
| DAC Resolution | 16 bits |
| Maximum Sample Rate | 2.5 GS/s (5 GS/s with 2x interpolation) |
| Run Modes | Continuous, Triggered, Triggered Continuous, Gated, Sequence |
| Signal Outputs | Differential or Single-ended |
| Output Coupling | DC-coupled (standard), AC-coupled (with Option AC) |
Arbitrary Waveform Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Waveform Memory Depth | 2 GS/channel |
| Minimum Segment Length | 240 samples |
| Waveform Granularity | 1 sample |
| Vertical Resolution | 16 bits |
| Sample Rate Range | 10 MS/s to 2.5 GS/s |
| Analog Bandwidth | 2 GHz (typical, direct path) |
| Rise/Fall Time | <110 ps (direct output, 20% to 80%) |
Standard Waveform Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard Waveform Shapes | Sine, Square, Pulse, Ramp, Triangle, Noise, DC |
Output Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Output Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Direct Path Amplitude Range (Single-Ended) | 100 mVp-p to 750 mVp-p into 50 Ω |
| Direct Path Amplitude Range (Differential) | 200 mVp-p to 1.5 Vp-p into 50 Ω |
| Output Protection | Short-circuit protected |
Sequencing & Modulation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Loop Count | 1 to 1,048,576 or infinite |
| Sequence Advance Modes | Auto, Triggered, Gated |
Trigger & Synchronization
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Trigger Sources | Internal, External |
| External Trigger Threshold Range | -5.0 V to +5.0 V |
| External Reference Input Frequency | 10 MHz, 100 MHz, or 1 GHz (selectable) |
| Internal Reference Frequency Accuracy | ±1 ppm (initial accuracy) |
| Internal Reference Aging Rate | ±1 ppm/year |
| Marker Outputs per Channel | 4 |
| Marker Output Amplitude | -1.0 V to +1.75 V into 50 Ω |
System Connectivity & Control
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Front Panel Controls | Touchscreen, power button |
| Display Size | 6.5 inches |
| Display Resolution | 1024 x 768 pixels |
| LXI Compliance | LXI Class C compatible |
Power & Environmental Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AC Input Voltage Range | 100 V AC to 240 V AC |
| AC Input Frequency Range | 50 Hz to 60 Hz |
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 °C to +50 °C |
| Storage Temperature Range | -20 °C to +60 °C |
| Operating Humidity Range | 5% to 90% RH (at or below +30 °C) |
| Operating Altitude | Up to 3,000 m (10,000 ft) |
Physical Characteristics & Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Form Factor | Benchtop or 3U rackmount |
| Recommended Calibration Cycle | 1 year |
System Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 Enterprise IoT 64-bit |
| Storage Capacity | 512 GB removable PCIe Gen3 x4 NVMe SSD |
Channel-to-Channel Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Skew Calibration Range | ±2 ns |
| Skew Calibration Resolution | 250 fs |
Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| USB Ports | 2x USB 2.0 (front), 4x USB 3.0 (rear), 1x USB 3.0 Device (rear) |
| Video Outputs | 1x DVI-D, 1x DisplayPort |
| GPIB Interface | Supported via TEK-USB-488 adapter |
Clock System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Reference Output Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Reference Output Amplitude | 1.2 Vp-p into 50 Ω |
Waveform Generation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Digital Up-Converter Option | Enables baseband and IQ generation (Option DUC) |
| Digital Pattern Output Option | 32-bit digital pattern output (Option 32DIG) |
Markers
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Marker Source Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Marker Output Rise/Fall Time | < 150 ps (20% to 80%) |
Clock & Reference
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| External Reference Input Amplitude | 0.2 Vp-p to 3.0 Vp-p |
| External Reference Input Impedance | 50 Ω (AC coupled) |
Technology
Arbitrary Waveform Generator
Applications
RF signal generation, quantum computing, electronic warfare simulation, and high-speed digital testing