Agilent Technologies has introduced the 33500B series of waveform generators in one- and two-channel models. They generate waveforms up to 30 MHz and incorporate exclusive Trueform signal generation technology.
Trueform enables these models to offer enhanced capabilities for generating a full range of signals for the most demanding measurements required when designing electronic devices.
The instruments provide amongst the lowest jitter and lowest total harmonic distortion in their class, giving engineers the ability to generate the exact signals they need.
With better jitter performance, engineers can place edges more accurately, helping them reduce timing errors in their circuit designs. With total harmonic distortion less than 0,04% and non-harmonic spurs less than 75 dBc, the 33500B series offers clean signals that do not introduce noise, enabling users to get more accurate results.
The signal generators’ 8,4 ns rise and fall times and low jitter allow engineers to set trigger points more accurately as well. Their 16 bits of resolution allow engineers to make output changes down to 1 μV, giving them the ability to test today’s low-voltage circuits and designs.
Engineers can take advantage of easy software upgrades to expand the instruments’ capabilities when they need to increase bandwidth and add true point-by-point arbitrary waveforms and deeper waveform memory.
In addition to point-by-point arbitrary waveforms, the 33500B series offers waveform summing and combining capability, allowing engineers to add noise to signals for margin and distortion testing using only a single channel. On a two-channel model, engineers can sum and combine up to four signals.
Variable-bandwidth noise allows engineers to adjust the bandwidth of the built-in noise generator to control the frequency content of their signals while waveform sequencing allows them to create multiple configured waveforms with several common segments. Users can also build long, complex waveforms using minimal instrument memory.
With pseudo-random binary sequence pattern generation, users can test digital serial buses by streaming standard PRBS patterns – like PN7 and PN19 – without the need for a separate pulse generator.
An optional baseband IQ player enables wireless communication engineers to economically play IQ signals without the need for an expensive signal generator. The IQ player provides the ability to make adjustments to the signal, including amplitude gain, channel offset and channel skew as needed for a more accurate representation.
More about Trueform technology
Over the past two decades, direct digital synthesis has been the waveform generation technology of choice in function generators and economical arbitrary waveform generators. Waveform generators built with DDS offer good frequency resolution, convenient custom waveforms and a low price.
However, DDS has intrinsic limitations as well. Engineers with exacting requirements have had to either work around the compromised performance or spend up to 10 times more for a high-end, point-by-point waveform generator.
Trueform technology offers a new alternative that blends the best of DDS and point-by-point architectures, giving engineers the benefits of both without the limitations of either, according to Gary Whitman, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s system products division, who adds that the technology uses an exclusive digital sampling technique that delivers high performance at the same low price customers expect with DDS.
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