How does a signal generator work? What are the main parameters and performance indicators?
A signal generator is an instrument capable of generating various types and forms of electronic signals, and it has a wide range of applications in the field of electronic test and measurement. Whether it is in the field of communications, radar, navigation, radio, audio, video, etc., or in teaching, research, development and other scenarios, signal generators are indispensable tools. So how does a signal generator work? What are its main parameters and performance indicators? And what types and classifications does it have? In this article, we will introduce you to the knowledge of signal generator from the basic principle, main parameters, common types and application areas.
The basic principle of signal generator
The basic principle of signal generator is to utilize circuits or software to generate the required electronic signals and transmit them to external devices or systems through output ports. A signal generator usually consists of the following components:
- Oscillator: The oscillator is the core part of a signal generator, which is responsible for generating a sine wave signal with a certain frequency and amplitude, also known as a carrier signal. Oscillator can be divided into analog oscillator and digital oscillator two kinds of analog oscillator using inductors, capacitors, crystals and other components to constitute the oscillation circuit, digital oscillator using digital logic circuits or microprocessors to achieve numerical control oscillation (NCO) algorithm.
- Modulator: The modulator is an important part of the signal generator, which is responsible for modulating the carrier signal to change its frequency, amplitude, phase, or other characteristics to produce modulated signals with different types and forms. Modulators can be divided into analog modulators and digital modulators, analog modulators use resistors, diodes, transistors and other components to achieve amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM), and other common analog modulation, digital modulators use digital logic circuits or microprocessors to achieve binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), Orthogonal Digital modulators use digital logic circuits or microprocessors to implement common digital modulation methods such as binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), etc.
- Amplifier: An amplifier is a necessary part of a signal generator, which is responsible for amplifying the modulating signal to increase its output power and drive capability so that it can be transmitted over longer distances or drive larger loads. Amplifiers can be divided into two types: linear amplifiers, which use components such as operational amplifiers and field effect tubes to achieve linear amplification of the input signal, and non-linear amplifiers, which use components such as switching tubes and pulse width modulation (PWM) to achieve non-linear amplification of the input signal.
- Filter: A filter is an auxiliary part of a signal generator, which is responsible for filtering the input or output signal to remove its unwanted or undesired frequency components in order to improve its purity and quality. Filters can be categorized into four types: low-pass filters, high-pass filters, band-pass filters, and band-stop filters, which use inductors, capacitors, resistors, and other components to form different filtering circuits to pass or block signals of different frequency bands.
- Display: The display is an optional part of the signal generator, which is responsible for displaying the input or output signals for user observation and adjustment. Displays can be divided into analog and digital displays, analog displays use oscilloscopes, spectrometers and other instruments to achieve the signal waveforms, spectra and other characteristics of the display, digital displays use LCD screens, touch screens and other equipment to achieve the signal digitization, graphical and other ways of display.
Product Family Classification
- PXI Signal Generators: Compact, modular signal generators that deliver high-quality signals, providing excellent interoperability, speed, and scalability while maintaining a compact form factor.PXI signal generators are ideal for applications that require multi-channel measurement capabilities, ultra-fast measurement speeds, and limited space. They provide the scalability and flexibility you need to build a test system that shares processors, chassis, and other modular instruments.
- M9484C VXG Vector Signal Generator: A high-performance vector signal generator for communications and general-purpose applications that delivers carrier frequencies up to 44 GHz and modulation bandwidths up to 2 GHz, as well as output power up to +23 dBm The M9484C VXG vector signal generator generates complex modulated signals such as 5G NR, LTE, WLAN, Bluetooth, GNSS, etc., as well as customized waveforms.The M9484C VXG Vector Signal Generator also features low phase noise and high spectral purity to meet the most stringent test standards.
- X-Series Shortcut Signal Generator - UXG: An analog signal generator capable of fast frequency, phase and amplitude switching, providing excellent flexibility and programmability. the UXG signal generator can simulate complex radar threat or jamming scenarios, as well as multiuser or beamfarming MIMO OTA tests. the UXG signal generator can simulate complex radar threat or jamming scenarios, as well as multiuser or beamfarming MIMO OTA tests. The UXG signal generator can also be used in conjunction with PathWave signal generation software to generate digital signals conforming to various standards or customized.
A signal generator is an instrument capable of generating various types and forms of electronic signals, and it has a wide range of applications in the field of electronic test and measurement. Whether it is in the field of communications, radar, navigation, radio, audio, video, etc., or in teaching, research, development and other scenarios, signal generators are indispensable tools. So how does a signal generator work? What are its main parameters and performance indicators? And what types and classifications does it have? In this article, we will introduce you to the knowledge of signal generator from the basic principle, main parameters, common types and application areas.
The basic principle of signal generator
The basic principle of signal generator is to utilize circuits or software to generate the required electronic signals and transmit them to external devices or systems through output ports. A signal generator usually consists of the following components:
- Oscillator: The oscillator is the core part of a signal generator, which is responsible for generating a sine wave signal with a certain frequency and amplitude, also known as a carrier signal. Oscillator can be divided into analog oscillator and digital oscillator two kinds of analog oscillator using inductors, capacitors, crystals and other components to constitute the oscillation circuit, digital oscillator using digital logic circuits or microprocessors to achieve numerical control oscillation (NCO) algorithm.
- Modulator: The modulator is an important part of the signal generator, which is responsible for modulating the carrier signal to change its frequency, amplitude, phase, or other characteristics to produce modulated signals with different types and forms. Modulators can be divided into analog modulators and digital modulators, analog modulators use resistors, diodes, transistors and other components to achieve amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), phase modulation (PM), and other common analog modulation, digital modulators use digital logic circuits or microprocessors to achieve binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), Orthogonal Digital modulators use digital logic circuits or microprocessors to implement common digital modulation methods such as binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), etc.
- Amplifier: An amplifier is a necessary part of a signal generator, which is responsible for amplifying the modulating signal to increase its output power and drive capability so that it can be transmitted over longer distances or drive larger loads. Amplifiers can be divided into two types: linear amplifiers, which use components such as operational amplifiers and field effect tubes to achieve linear amplification of the input signal, and non-linear amplifiers, which use components such as switching tubes and pulse width modulation (PWM) to achieve non-linear amplification of the input signal.
- Filter: A filter is an auxiliary part of a signal generator, which is responsible for filtering the input or output signal to remove its unwanted or undesired frequency components in order to improve its purity and quality. Filters can be categorized into four types: low-pass filters, high-pass filters, band-pass filters, and band-stop filters, which use inductors, capacitors, resistors, and other components to form different filtering circuits to pass or block signals of different frequency bands.
- Display: The display is an optional part of the signal generator, which is responsible for displaying the input or output signals for user observation and adjustment. Displays can be divided into analog and digital displays, analog displays use oscilloscopes, spectrometers and other instruments to achieve the signal waveforms, spectra and other characteristics of the display, digital displays use LCD screens, touch screens and other equipment to achieve the signal digitization, graphical and other ways of display.
Product Family Classification
- PXI Signal Generators: Compact, modular signal generators that deliver high-quality signals, providing excellent interoperability, speed, and scalability while maintaining a compact form factor.PXI signal generators are ideal for applications that require multi-channel measurement capabilities, ultra-fast measurement speeds, and limited space. They provide the scalability and flexibility you need to build a test system that shares processors, chassis, and other modular instruments.
- M9484C VXG Vector Signal Generator: A high-performance vector signal generator for communications and general-purpose applications that delivers carrier frequencies up to 44 GHz and modulation bandwidths up to 2 GHz, as well as output power up to +23 dBm The M9484C VXG vector signal generator generates complex modulated signals such as 5G NR, LTE, WLAN, Bluetooth, GNSS, etc., as well as customized waveforms.The M9484C VXG Vector Signal Generator also features low phase noise and high spectral purity to meet the most stringent test standards.
- X-Series Shortcut Signal Generator - UXG: An analog signal generator capable of fast frequency, phase and amplitude switching, providing excellent flexibility and programmability. the UXG signal generator can simulate complex radar threat or jamming scenarios, as well as multiuser or beamfarming MIMO OTA tests. the UXG signal generator can simulate complex radar threat or jamming scenarios, as well as multiuser or beamfarming MIMO OTA tests. The UXG signal generator can also be used in conjunction with PathWave signal generation software to generate digital signals conforming to various standards or customized.