บล็อก เกี่ยวกับ Tektronix Advises on Signal Generators for Precision Testing

In the vast ocean of electronic engineering, testing serves as the navigational compass that guides exploration into circuit design mysteries. Signal generators represent the most critical markings on this compass, determining our ability to accurately simulate various electronic signals and verify circuit performance and reliability. With numerous signal generator options available, selecting the most suitable tool has become a significant challenge for engineers.

As the name suggests, signal generators are devices capable of producing various electronic signals. Whether analog or digital, ideal or distorted, signal generators can effortlessly generate them all, providing robust support for circuit design verification. Based on different application scenarios and requirements, signal generators can be further categorized into several types, each with unique advantages and appropriate use cases.

Waveform generators, often called function generators, represent the most fundamental and common members of the signal generator family. They produce standard electrical waveforms such as sine waves, square waves, triangular waves, and sawtooth waves across a broad frequency range, meeting various basic circuit testing needs. The term "function" is typically used when the instrument is limited to generating common waveforms.

Arbitrary Function Generators (AFG) represent an enhanced version of waveform generators, maintaining all standard functions while adding the capability to generate waveforms of arbitrary shapes. AFGs come with built-in waveform libraries for immediate use and allow custom waveform creation. Users can adjust various parameters including frequency, amplitude, and offset, and can even incorporate basic distortion or modulation effects for more flexible signal simulation.

AFGs currently represent the most widely used signal generator architecture in the industry. While they may not match the waveform diversity of more advanced Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWG), they excel in stability and rapid frequency switching. For devices requiring classic sine and square waves with fast frequency transitions between two points, AFGs prove ideal. They also serve as standard equipment for "double-pulse testing" in power electronics.

Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWG) stand as the flagship products in the signal generator family, offering unparalleled waveform generation capabilities to produce virtually any conceivable waveform. Essentially sophisticated waveform playback systems, AWGs generate waveforms based on stored digital data that describes the continuously changing voltage levels of AC signals.

For enhanced flexibility, many waveforms can be loaded as steps and played in sequences—including repetitions, jumps, and triggers—to define the order and frequency of each step's repetition. By combining arbitrary waveforms with sequences, AWGs can produce extremely complex and dynamic waveform playback.

AWGs primarily generate custom compiled waveforms rather than preset common waveforms, finding applications in diverse fields including optical modulation, quantum computing, automotive anti-lock braking system simulation, and wireless network stress testing.

For wireless testing applications, RF signal generators typically serve as the primary instruments. These devices focus less on the DAC's voltage range and more on critical specifications including operational frequency range, frequency setting resolution, maximum output power, and phase noise. They usually provide standard analog modulation such as AM, FM, and PM.

RF Vector Signal Generators specialize in creating RF signals with analog and digital modulation schemes, supporting formats including QAM, QPSK, FSK, BPSK, and OFDM. These generators commonly serve in receiver sensitivity testing and can function as arbitrary waveform generators for baseband signal generation or accept input signals from AWGs/AFGs.

The signal generation field continues to evolve with cutting-edge instruments that cover applications ranging from sensor signal replication to RF and high-speed serial data signal creation. Modern signal generators can produce nearly unlimited signal types—analog or digital, ideal or distorted, standard or custom—providing engineers with reliable, precise tools for comprehensive testing requirements.