238:. 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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404:, 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
64:
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
45:
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.
351:
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.
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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
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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
752:
376:. 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
430:. 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,
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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.
482:, when measuring the acoustics of a room or a sound reproduction system, and/or with oscilloscopes or specialized audio analyzers.
696:
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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497:. Such generators may include special signals to stimulate various digital effects and problems, such as
335:. 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
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Regardless of the specific type, the output of a video generator will generally contain
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160:(AWGs). If the oscillator operates above the human hearing range (>20
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30:"Tone generator" redirects here. For an electronic musical instrument, see
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136:, 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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637:"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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377:
357:
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230:, audio and video broadcasting, satellite communications,
53:, RF and microwave signal generators, pitch generators,
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A logic signal generator or data pattern generator or
400:. In contrast, military communication systems such as
180:(PM) as well as a second oscillator that provides an
698:. Description, measurements, circuit, and PCB layout
950:
894:
768:
156:waveform oscillators are commonly available as are
27:
Electronic devices that generate electronic signals
669:"A History of the General Radio Company 1915-1965"
600:, used to find an individual telephone cable pairs
509:; they also often provide ways to manipulate the
300:, and are used for professional RF applications.
164:), the generator will often include some sort of
594:, for generating digital (logic) type of signals
316:audio oscillator, the first product sold by the
762:Electrical and electronic measuring equipment
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716:Understanding signal generator specifications
112:is a device which produces simple repetitive
8:
203:in higher-end design and test applications.
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739:
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124:that is capable of creating a repetitive
653:from the original on December 18, 2018.
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685:from the original on December 18, 2018.
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513:associated with digital audio formats.
132:to synthesize waveforms, followed by a
485:Many pitch generators operate in the
457:Pitch generators and audio generators
7:
655:Experimenter - Issue Vol. IV, No. 10
588:, 1950s hardware still in use today.
207:RF and microwave signal generators
46:often has artistic uses as well.
25:
437:Special purpose signal generators
82:General-purpose signal generators
1:
635:Burke, Charles (March 1930).
618:"What is a Signal Generator?"
263:RF signal generators produce
250:An analog RF signal generator
158:arbitrary waveform generators
55:arbitrary waveform generators
958:Arbitrary waveform generator
861:Transformer ratio arm bridge
194:Arbitrary waveform generator
188:Arbitrary waveform generator
586:AN/URM-25D signal generator
134:digital-to-analog converter
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721:Types of signal generators
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476:intermodulation distortion
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128:. (Modern devices may use
116:. Such devices contain an
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59:digital pattern generators
29:
1009:Electronic test equipment
963:Digital pattern generator
856:Time-to-digital converter
851:Time-domain reflectometer
667:Thiessen, Arthur (1965).
592:Digital pattern generator
420:digital pattern generator
414:Digital pattern generator
408:Digital pattern generator
347:A vector signal generator
333:total harmonic distortion
284:. A common feature is an
130:digital signal processing
242:Analog signal generators
563:video signals (such as
339:Vector signal generator
318:Hewlett-Packard Company
98:LSG-15 signal generator
983:Video-signal generator
571:) will also include a
550:Video signal generator
544:Video signal generator
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811:Microwave power meter
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278:ΦM (phase modulation)
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184:modulation waveform.
118:electronic oscillator
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41:is one of a class of
1004:Laboratory equipment
836:Peak programme meter
212:RF (radio frequency)
174:frequency modulation
170:amplitude modulation
598:Inductive amplifier
398:WiMAX (IEEE 802.16)
394:Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11)
51:function generators
968:Function generator
480:sound level meters
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354:digital modulation
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236:electronic warfare
110:function generator
104:Function generator
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96:Leader Instruments
87:Function generator
73:In June 1928, the
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927:Spectrum analyzer
866:Transistor tester
796:Frequency counter
791:Electricity meter
781:Capacitance meter
529:Computer programs
524:Computer programs
168:function such as
16:(Redirected from
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978:Signal generator
932:Waveform monitor
912:Network analyzer
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39:signal generator
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917:Oscilloscope
902:Bus analyzer
801:Galvanometer
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38:
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32:Sound module
937:Vectorscope
871:Tube tester
841:Psophometer
821:Megohmmeter
518:synthesizer
447:punch block
998:Categories
951:Generation
942:Videoscope
831:Peak meter
816:Multimeter
605:References
573:colorburst
534:sound card
507:bit errors
325:distortion
323:Equipment
286:attenuator
166:modulation
154:triangular
43:electronic
881:Voltmeter
876:Wattmeter
806:LCR meter
622:Tektronix
561:composite
516:The term
467:acoustics
216:microwave
200:frequency
176:(FM), or
138:sine wave
114:waveforms
895:Analysis
886:VU meter
826:Ohmmeter
769:Metering
680:Archived
648:Archived
580:See also
511:metadata
499:clipping
386:CDMA2000
144:, step (
142:sawtooth
126:waveform
846:Q meter
776:Ammeter
487:digital
122:circuit
69:History
540:band.
503:jitter
428:LVCMOS
396:, and
372:, and
314:HP200A
172:(AM),
152:, and
150:square
140:, but
683:(PDF)
672:(PDF)
651:(PDF)
640:(PDF)
495:SPDIF
493:, or
463:audio
424:LVTTL
232:radar
224:WiMAX
146:pulse
567:and
565:NTSC
491:AES3
465:and
426:and
402:JTRS
374:OFDM
370:BPSK
362:QPSK
280:and
234:and
220:WiFi
214:and
120:, a
569:PAL
390:LTE
378:GSM
366:FSK
358:QAM
228:GPS
162:kHz
148:),
1000::
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471:Hz
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308:AF
276:,
274:FM
272:,
270:AM
259:RF
226:,
222:,
108:A
57:,
37:A
754:e
747:t
740:v
624:.
449:.
34:.
20:)
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