Signal generators
The Signal Generators category includes instruments designed to produce electrical, RF or microwave signals controlled for frequency, amplitude and modulation. They are a fundamental building block in test chains for validating, characterising and fine-tuning electronic systems.
In electronics and RF, generators are used to simulate real operating conditions: sinusoidal, modulated (AM, FM, PM, I/Q), pulse or arbitrary signals. In R&D, they are used to test the frequency response, sensitivity, linearity and robustness of receivers, amplifiers, filters or converters. In production, they ensure test repeatability and automate test benches for batch control.
In EMC and immunity tests, signal generators are combined with RF amplifiers, antennas or injectors to reproduce electromagnetic disturbances in compliance with EN 61000, CISPR or DO-160 standards. LAN, USB or GPIB interfaces make them easy to integrate into software-controlled environments, with synchronisation and traceability of measurements.
Used in telecoms, aeronautics, the automotive industry, defence and research, signal generators make it possible to control test conditions and improve the reliability of the functional analysis of complex systems.
MH680A1
ANRITSU
MH680A tracking generator for measuring frequency characteristics from 10 kHz to 2 GHz.
TG1010
THURLBY THANDAR INSTRUMENTS
0.1 mHz to 10 MHz signal generator, GP-IB & RS-232 programmable.
8657A
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
High-performance signal generator with AM and FM modulation.
NSG-3040
TESEQ SCHAFFNER
Multifunction generator to simulate electromagnetic interference.
HM8150
ROHDE & SCHWARZ
Arbitrary signal generator, 10 mHz to 12.5 MHz, optional RS-232 and USB PC interface.
8161A
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
Pulse generator with 1.3 ns rise time and 20 Vpp output.
DS360
STANFORD RESEARCH SYSTEMS
Low distortion audio generator, 10 µHz to 200 KHz, IEEE & RS-232 controllable.
TG1010A
THURLBY THANDAR INSTRUMENTS
Signal generator from 0.1 MHz to 10 MHz, programmable via GP-IB and RS-232.
TG2000
THURLBY THANDAR INSTRUMENTS
20 MHz function generator, programmable via RS-232 or USB.
TG330
THURLBY THANDAR INSTRUMENTS
Economical 3 MHz function generator with 120 MHz counter.
TG5012A
THURLBY THANDAR INSTRUMENTS
Dual-channel 50 MHz pulse generator, programmable via USB and LAN.
AMU200A
ROHDE & SCHWARZ
Baseband signal generator and fading simulator with GP-IB and LAN control.
E8663D
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
3.2 or 9 GHz RF signal generator, LAN & GP-IB interfaces.
N5172B/506
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
EXG X-Series 9 KHz to 6 GHz RF vector signal generator.
WAVESTATION-2012
TELEDYNE LECROY
2-channel 10MHz arbitrary signal generator with TFT display.
WAVESTATION-2022
TELEDYNE LECROY
2-channel 25MHz arbitrary signal generator with TFT display.
WAVESTATION-2052
TELEDYNE LECROY
Function generator + arbitrary, 2 channels, 50MHz, basic and arbitrary signals.
VP-8194D
PACIFIC POWER SOURCE
100 kHz to 140 MHz signal generator, low-distortion AM/FM stereo modulations.
concrete questions about Signal generators
01
1. Why might a “clean” generator output signal pose a problem in real-life conditions?Because an ideal signal is not always representative of the field. Some systems react differently to noise, jitter or distortions that are absent from a too-perfect generator. It is sometimes necessary to deliberately introduce degradations to test real robustness.
02
2. What is the difference between frequency stability and frequency accuracy?Accuracy describes the initial deviation from the programmed value, while stability refers to drift over time and with temperature. A generator may be accurate in the short term but drift during long tests or in a constrained environment.
03
3. Why is the quality of modulation often underestimated?Because modulation parameters (I/Q error, distortion, phase noise) directly influence the performance of the receivers under test. Imperfect modulation can mask or exaggerate faults that do not originate from the device under test.
04
4. Can a broadband generator replace several specialist generators?Not always. Design compromises can limit spectral purity, dynamic range or accuracy in certain ranges. For demanding applications, a specialised instrument is often more appropriate than a multi-purpose model.
05
5. Why document the generator used in a test bench?Because it determines the excitation applied to the system under test. In qualification or audit, knowing its real performance, its limits and its settings is essential to justify the validity and reproducibility of the tests.
