Related products

Key features of Tektronix waveform generators

Tektronix arbitrary waveform generators offer the complete solution for generating complex RF signals and simulating real-world environments in a single instrument. With a Tektronix arbitrary waveform generator, you can:

• Synchronize multiple units to achieve a multi-channel, high-speed AWG system
• Quickly select, edit, and play waveforms and trigger on events directly from the AWG front panel
• Simulate real-world environments by playing back, editing, or re-sampling captured signals from an oscilloscope or real-time spectrum analyzer
• Import waveform vectors from third-party tools such as MATLAB

Conquering Radar Signal Generation with an arbitrary waveform generator

Wavform Generator FAQs

What is a waveform generator used for?

A waveform generator is a classification of a signal generator used to generate electrical waveforms over a wide range of signals. Common types of waveforms outputs include sine wave, square wave, ramp or triangular wave, pulse wave, cardiac pattern wave, gaussian pulse waves, arbitrary waves. These waveforms can be injected into a test circuit and analyzed to confirm the device is operating properly.

How do you use a waveform generator?

Arbitrary waveform generators are very user-friendly and can be used to test a circuit’s design in just a few steps.

1. Enable the output control.
2. Choose the desired waveform type, such as wine wave, square wave or arbitrary wave.
3. Connect the waveform generator to an oscilloscope to visualize and capture your signal.
4. Configure the desired frequency and amplitude.
5. Attach the output leads to your device under test.

What’s the difference between a function generator and a waveform generator?

A function generator has a preset list of waveforms or patterns that it can play. The operator can change the parameters of a waveform, such as how fast it’s played, the amplitude and offset, or add basic distortion or modulation.

An arbitrary waveform generator is a more complex instrument that can produce almost any waveform you can imagine. Arbitrary waveform generators are essentially sophisticated playback systems that deliver waveforms based on stored digital data that describes the constantly changing voltage levels of an AC signal. These instruments are typically used to produce custom compiled waveforms—rather than pre-set common waveforms.

What are the types of signal generators?

There are many types of signal generators, including function generators, arbitrary waveform generators, and vector signal generators. To clarify terminology used in this space and see the differences between each type of signal generator, view the chart below.

Signal Generator	Generic category name for analog and digital electronic signal sources.
Function Generator	Signal generators are typically used when common waveforms like sine, wave, triangular, etc. are needed.
Arbitrary Function Generator	Function generators are capable of arbitrary compiled waveforms.
Arbitrary Waveform Generator	Arbitrary waveform generators are mostly used when custom compiled waveforms (rather than preset common waveforms) are needed.
RF Signal Generator	RF signal generators are used for wireless applications and typically provide normal analog modulation such as AM, FM, and PM as well.
(RF) Vector Signal Generator	RF vector signal generators support both analog and vector modulation on RF carriers for digital communication applications.