SELECTION
GUIDE
Signal Generator Selection Guide
Page 2
Find us at www.keysight.com
Keysight Technologies, Inc. offers the widest selection of signal
generators from baseband to 67 GHz, with frequency extensions
to 1.1 THz. From basic to advanced functionality, each signal
generator delivers benchmark performance in its class to
address the requirements in design and manufacture of radio
transceivers and their components; and applications ranging
from low-frequency navigation signals, through cellular mobile
radio, to millimeter wave radar, and satellite systems. Each offers
synthesized frequency accuracy and stability, excellent calibrated
level accuracy, and remote programmability.
Modulation capabilities vary from general-purpose AM, FM and
digital I/Q to standard-specific formats such as GSM, W-CDMA,
HSPA, LTE, LTE-Advanced, GPS, and WLAN. Keysight provides
signal generators in multiple form factors, including benchtop
and modular PXI.
This selection guide provides an overview and side-by-side
comparisons to help you determine which signal generator is
right for you. It is intended to supplement online selection tools
available at www.keysight.com/find/sg.
Frequency coverage for Keysight signal generators
9 kHz 100 kHz 1 MHz 10 MHz 3 GHz 6 GHz 10 GHz 40 GHz 44 GHz 70 GHz
Microwave signal generators
Benchtop
UXG agile
UXG vector adapter
PSG MW vector
PSG MW analog
MXG MW analog
EXG MW analog
RF signal generators
PSG RF analog
MXG RF vector
MXG RF analog
EXG RF vector
EXG RF analog
N9310A RF analog
Baseband products
Baseband generator and channel emulator
1
Up to 160 MHz
Digital interface module Up to 400 MHz (serial mode); up to 200 MHz (parallel mode)
Modular
PXI RF vector
PXI CW
1. Additional high-performance baseband arbitrary waveform generators with up to 5 GHz analog bandwidth can be found at:
www.keysight.com/find/arbs
Introduction
Page 03
Find us at www.keysight.com
Baseband generator and channel emulator
Baseband generators (BBG) output complex I/Q signals such as
QPSK, and can have several modes of operation:
– Waveform playback mode to play repetitive signals for
component testing
– Real-time mode to transmit non-repeating/dynamic signals
for receiver test
– Digital IQ input or output mode to stimulate FPGAs, DACs or
ADCs
Channel emulators are used to simulate the medium through
which RF waves propagate. They can replicate multi-path and
multi-channel fading for SISO or MIMO transceivers typically
used to test the sensitivity, throughput or function of devices
under test.
Signal creation software
Signal creation software products enable the generation of a
wide range of application-specific test signals using vector signal
generators. They can easily create signals
to evaluate the performance of radio designs and the
components that comprise them under various parametric
and functional test conditions at baseband, RF and microwave
frequencies. Keysight’s Signal Studio software runs on a PC and
embedded software runs directly on the
signal generator.
Benchtop and modular PXI signal generators
Benchtop signal generators are well-suited for R&D or design
verification, where analysis and troubleshooting benefit from
interactive analysis. Benchtop models range from RF to micro-
wave with a broad range of capabilities so you can select which
generator best suites your needs.
Modular PXI signal generators are ideal for applications that
require multi-channel measurement capabilities, fast measure-
ment speed, and a small footprint. They also offer scalability and
flexibility to configure solutions with a shared processor, chassis
and other modular instruments. The PXI vector signal generator
can be used with the same software applications as bench top
signal generators, providing measurement consistency and
compatibility throughout the product development cycle.
Vector signal generators
Vector signal generators or digital signal generators have a built-
in I/Q modulator to upconvert complex modulation formats such
as QPSK and 1024QAM. When combined with an IQ baseband
generator, virtually any signal can be
emulated and transmitted within the information
bandwidth supported by the system.
Analog signal generators
Analog signal generators supply sinusoidal continuous wave (CW)
signals with optional capability to add AM, FM, ΦM and pulse
modulation. The maximum frequency range for analog signal
generators spans from RF to microwave. Most generators feature
step/list sweep modes for
passive device characterization or calibration.
Agile signal generators
Agile signal generators are optimized for speed to quickly change
frequency, amplitude, and phase of the signal. They also have the
unique capability to be phase coherent at all frequencies, all of
the time. This attribute, along with extensive pulse modulation
and wideband chirp capabilities, is ideal for electronic warfare
(EW) and radar applications.
Product Categories
Key Specifications Comparison .......................................... 4
Application and Software Comparison .............................. 6
Signal Studio Software ........................................................ 7
Benchtop
PSG signal generators .................................................... 8
X-Series signal generators ........................................... 10
RF analog signal generator .......................................... 13
Baseband generator and interface module................. 14
Modular
PXI signal generators .................................................... 15
Migrating from Legacy Signal Generators ....................... 17