227:. RF and microwave signal generators normally have similar features and capabilities, but are differentiated by frequency range. RF signal generators typically range from a few kHz to 6 GHz, while microwave signal generators cover a much wider frequency range, from less than 1 MHz to at least 20 GHz. Some models go as high as 70 GHz with a direct coaxial output, and up to hundreds of GHz when used with external waveguide multiplier modules. RF and microwave signal generators can be classified further as analog or vector signal generators.
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393:, which place a great deal of importance on robustness and information security, typically use very proprietary methods. To test these types of communication systems, users will often create their own custom waveforms and download them into the vector signal generator to create the desired test signal.
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range, accuracy, and output level. Unlike a function generator that produces a small set of specific waveforms, an AWG allows the user to specify a source waveform in a variety of different ways. An AWG is generally more expensive than a function generator and often has less bandwidth. An AWG is used
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to vary the signal’s output power. Depending on the manufacturer and model, output powers can range from −135 to +30 dBm. A wide range of output power is desirable, since different applications require different amounts of signal power. For example, if a signal has to travel through a very long
53:
A signal generator may be as simple as an oscillator with calibrated frequency and amplitude. More general-purpose signal generators allow control of all the characteristics of a signal. Modern general-purpose signal generators will have a microprocessor control and may also permit control from a
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RF signal generators are available as benchtop instruments, rackmount instruments, embeddable modules and in card-level formats. Mobile, field-testing and airborne applications benefit from lighter, battery-operated platforms. In automated and production testing, web-browser access, which allows
34:
devices that generates electrical signals with set properties of amplitude, frequency, and wave shape. These generated signals are used as a stimulus for electronic measurements, typically used in designing, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing electronic or electroacoustic devices, though it
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signal as part of the output. Video signal generators are available for a wide variety of applications and for a wide variety of digital formats; many of these also include audio generation capability (as the audio track is an important part of any video or television program or motion picture).
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A video signal generator is a device which outputs predetermined video and/or television waveforms, and other signals used to stimulate faults in, or aid in parametric measurements of, television and video systems. There are several different types of video signal generators in widespread use.
340:
With the advent of digital communications systems, it is no longer possible to adequately test these systems with traditional analog signal generators. This has led to the development of the vector signal generator, which is also known as a digital signal generator. These signal generators are
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cable out to an antenna, a high output signal may be needed to overcome the losses through the cable and still have sufficient power at the antenna. But when testing receiver sensitivity, a low signal level is required to see how the receiver behaves under low signal-to-noise conditions.
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to 20 kHz). Sophisticated pitch generators will also include sweep generators (a function which varies the output frequency over a range, in order to make frequency-domain measurements), multipitch generators (which output several pitches simultaneously, and are used to check for
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RF signal generators are characterized by their frequency bands, power capabilities (−100 to +25 dBc), single side band phase noise at various carrier frequencies, spurs and harmonics, frequency and amplitude switching speeds and modulation capabilities.
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403 was the first commercial signal generator ever marketed. It supported a frequency range of 500 Hz to 1.5 MHz. Also, in April 1929, the first commercial frequency standard was marketed by
General Radio with a frequency of 50 KHz.
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Analog signal generators based on a sine-wave oscillator were common before the inception of digital electronics, and are still used. There was a sharp distinction in purpose and design of radio-frequency and audio-frequency signal generators.
256:
radio frequency signals of defined, adjustable, amplitude and frequency. Many models offer various types of analog modulation, either as standard equipment or as an optional capability to the base unit. This could include
520:
can be used to generate arbitrary waveforms on a general-purpose computer and output the waveform via an output interface. Such programs may be provided commercially or be freeware. Simple systems use a standard computer
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365:. In addition, since modern commercial digital communication systems are almost all based on well-defined industry standards, many vector signal generators can generate signals based on these standards. Examples include
419:. It is different from a "pulse/pattern generator", which refers to signal generators able to generate logic pulses with different analog characteristics (such as pulse rise/fall time, high level length, ...).
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can be measured using a very-low-distortion audio generator as the signal source, with appropriate equipment to measure output distortion harmonic-by-harmonic with a
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personal computer. Signal generators may be free-standing self-contained instruments, or may be incorporated into more complex automatic test systems.
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A digital pattern generator is used as stimulus source for digital integrated circuits and embedded systems - for functional validation and testing.
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signal generators are used for testing components, receivers and test systems in a wide variety of applications including cellular communications,
38:
There are many different types of signal generators with different purposes and applications and at varying levels of expense. These types include
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and other non-linear effects), and tone bursts (used to measure response to transients). Pitch generators are typically used in conjunction with
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An arbitrary waveform generator (AWG or ARB) is a sophisticated signal generator that generates arbitrary waveforms within published limits of
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signals appropriate for television, including horizontal and vertical sync pulses (in analog) or sync words (in digital). Generators of
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In addition to the above general-purpose devices, there are several classes of signal generators designed for specific applications.
471:, when measuring the acoustics of a room or a sound reproduction system, and/or with oscilloscopes or specialized audio analyzers.
685:
Capacitor Sounds 1 - Low
Distortion (sub 1PPM ) 1 kHz Test Oscillator, C Bateman, Electronics World July 2002, expanded March 2003
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produces logic signals—that is, logical 1s and 0s in the form of conventional voltage levels. The usual voltage standards are
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in 1939. Applications include checking frequency response of audio equipment, and many uses in the electronic laboratory.
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Audio-frequency signal generators generate signals in the audio-frequency range and above. An early example was the
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is used for a device that generates audio signals for music, or that uses slightly more intricate methods.
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486:. Such generators may include special signals to stimulate various digital effects and problems, such as
324:. A distortion of 0.0001% can be achieved by an audio signal generator with a relatively simple circuit.
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as output device, limiting the accuracy of the output waveform and limiting frequency to lie within the
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A pitch generator and a probe for locating a specific pair of wires amongst many, for example in a
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multi-source control, and faster frequency switching speeds improve test times and throughput.
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capable of generating digitally-modulated radio signals that may use any of a large number of
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applications. Pitch generators typically include sine waves over the human hearing range (20
50:, and frequency generators. In general, no device is suitable for all possible applications.
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Regardless of the specific type, the output of a video generator will generally contain
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149:(AWGs). If the oscillator operates above the human hearing range (>20
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19:"Tone generator" redirects here. For an electronic musical instrument, see
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125:, or DAC, to produce an analog output.) The most common waveform is a
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A pitch generator is a type of signal generator optimized for use in
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626:"The Standard-Signal Method of Measuring Receiver Characteristics"
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domain, producing output in various digital audio formats such as
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Function
Generator & Arbitrary Waveform Generator Guidebook
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RF signal generators are required for servicing and setting up
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366:
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219:, audio and video broadcasting, satellite communications,
42:, RF and microwave signal generators, pitch generators,
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A logic signal generator or data pattern generator or
389:. In contrast, military communication systems such as
169:(PM) as well as a second oscillator that provides an
687:. Description, measurements, circuit, and PCB layout
939:
883:
757:
145:waveform oscillators are commonly available as are
16:
Electronic devices that generate electronic signals
658:"A History of the General Radio Company 1915-1965"
589:, used to find an individual telephone cable pairs
498:; they also often provide ways to manipulate the
289:, and are used for professional RF applications.
153:), the generator will often include some sort of
583:, for generating digital (logic) type of signals
305:audio oscillator, the first product sold by the
751:Electrical and electronic measuring equipment
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705:Understanding signal generator specifications
101:is a device which produces simple repetitive
8:
192:in higher-end design and test applications.
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113:that is capable of creating a repetitive
642:from the original on December 18, 2018.
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674:from the original on December 18, 2018.
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502:associated with digital audio formats.
121:to synthesize waveforms, followed by a
474:Many pitch generators operate in the
446:Pitch generators and audio generators
7:
644:Experimenter - Issue Vol. IV, No. 10
577:, 1950s hardware still in use today.
196:RF and microwave signal generators
35:often has artistic uses as well.
14:
426:Special purpose signal generators
71:General-purpose signal generators
1:
624:Burke, Charles (March 1930).
607:"What is a Signal Generator?"
252:RF signal generators produce
239:An analog RF signal generator
147:arbitrary waveform generators
44:arbitrary waveform generators
947:Arbitrary waveform generator
850:Transformer ratio arm bridge
183:Arbitrary waveform generator
177:Arbitrary waveform generator
575:AN/URM-25D signal generator
123:digital-to-analog converter
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710:Types of signal generators
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465:intermodulation distortion
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180:
117:. (Modern devices may use
105:. Such devices contain an
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48:digital pattern generators
18:
998:Electronic test equipment
952:Digital pattern generator
845:Time-to-digital converter
840:Time-domain reflectometer
656:Thiessen, Arthur (1965).
581:Digital pattern generator
409:digital pattern generator
403:Digital pattern generator
397:Digital pattern generator
336:A vector signal generator
322:total harmonic distortion
273:. A common feature is an
119:digital signal processing
231:Analog signal generators
552:video signals (such as
328:Vector signal generator
307:Hewlett-Packard Company
87:LSG-15 signal generator
972:Video-signal generator
560:) will also include a
539:Video signal generator
533:Video signal generator
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800:Microwave power meter
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267:ΦM (phase modulation)
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173:modulation waveform.
107:electronic oscillator
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30:is one of a class of
993:Laboratory equipment
825:Peak programme meter
201:RF (radio frequency)
163:frequency modulation
159:amplitude modulation
587:Inductive amplifier
387:WiMAX (IEEE 802.16)
383:Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)
40:function generators
957:Function generator
469:sound level meters
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343:digital modulation
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225:electronic warfare
99:function generator
93:Function generator
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85:Leader Instruments
76:Function generator
62:In June 1928, the
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916:Spectrum analyzer
855:Transistor tester
785:Frequency counter
780:Electricity meter
770:Capacitance meter
518:Computer programs
513:Computer programs
157:function such as
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967:Signal generator
921:Waveform monitor
901:Network analyzer
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790:Galvanometer
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21:Sound module
926:Vectorscope
860:Tube tester
830:Psophometer
810:Megohmmeter
507:synthesizer
436:punch block
987:Categories
940:Generation
931:Videoscope
820:Peak meter
805:Multimeter
594:References
562:colorburst
523:sound card
496:bit errors
314:distortion
312:Equipment
275:attenuator
155:modulation
143:triangular
32:electronic
870:Voltmeter
865:Wattmeter
795:LCR meter
611:Tektronix
550:composite
505:The term
456:acoustics
205:microwave
189:frequency
165:(FM), or
127:sine wave
103:waveforms
884:Analysis
875:VU meter
815:Ohmmeter
758:Metering
669:Archived
637:Archived
569:See also
500:metadata
488:clipping
375:CDMA2000
133:, step (
131:sawtooth
115:waveform
835:Q meter
765:Ammeter
476:digital
111:circuit
58:History
529:band.
492:jitter
417:LVCMOS
385:, and
361:, and
303:HP200A
161:(AM),
141:, and
139:square
129:, but
672:(PDF)
661:(PDF)
640:(PDF)
629:(PDF)
484:SPDIF
482:, or
452:audio
413:LVTTL
221:radar
213:WiMAX
135:pulse
556:and
554:NTSC
480:AES3
454:and
415:and
391:JTRS
363:OFDM
359:BPSK
351:QPSK
269:and
223:and
209:WiFi
203:and
109:, a
558:PAL
379:LTE
367:GSM
355:FSK
347:QAM
217:GPS
151:kHz
137:),
989::
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460:Hz
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297:AF
265:,
263:FM
261:,
259:AM
248:RF
215:,
211:,
97:A
46:,
26:A
743:e
736:t
729:v
613:.
438:.
23:.
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