TECHNICAL OVERVIEW Selecting a Signal Generator Introduction 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, 5G NR, GPS, and WLAN. Keysight provides signal generators in multiple form factors, including benchtop and modular PXI. This 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.

Microwave signal generators Modular Benchtop UXG agile UXG vector adapter VXG MW vector1 PSG MW vector PSG MW analog MXG MW analog EXG MW analog AP5002A MW analog RF Signal generators PSG RF analog MXG RF vector MXG RF analog EXG RF vector2 EXG RF analog CXG RF vector AP5001A RFanalog PXI MW vector PXI RF vector PXI CW 1 Frequency for VXG MW vector can be extended up to 110 GHz with V3080A. 2 Frequency for MXG RF vector (N5182B) and EXG RF vector can be extended up to 7.2 GHz with N5182BX07

Product Categories 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 microwave with a broad range of capabilities so you can select which generator best suits your needs. Modular PXI signal generators are ideal for applications that require multi-channel measurement capabilities, fast measurement speed, and a small footprint. They also offer scalability and flexibility to configure solutions with a shared processor, chassis,...

Benchtop Vector Signal Generators Specifications Model number Performance Frequency range (min. to max.) Frequency switching speed Sweep mode Step, list, ramp Step, list Minimum output power at 1 GHz Maximum output power at 1 GHz Level accuracy at 1 GHz offset) offset) Maximum FM deviation Maximum PM phase deviation (normal mode) Narrow pulse width Internal baseband generator RF BW Waveform playback memory Step, list Baseband generator mode Waveform playback and real-time Phase coherent frequency switching Wide chirp capability Signal or pulse descriptor word capability Waveform playback and...

Model number Performance Frequency range (min. to max.) Frequency switching speed Sweep mode Minimum output power at 1 GHz Maximum output power at 1 GHz Level accuracy at 1 GHz Maximum FM deviation Maximum PM phase deviation (normal mode) Narrow pulse width Internal baseband generator RF BW Waveform playback memory Baseband generator mode Phase coherent frequency switching Wide chirp capability Signal or pulse descriptor word capability Benchtop Analog Signal Generators Normal, list, fast CW, streaming list, step, ramp list, step list, step list, step list, step, ramp list, step list, step list,...

Vector Modular Signal Generators Analog Modular Signal Generators Specifications Model number Performance Frequency range (min. to max.) Frequency switching speed Sweep mode Minimum output power at 1 GHz Maximum output power at 1 GHz Level accuracy at 1 GHz SSB phase noise at 1 GHz PM phase deviation (normal mode) Narrow pulse width Internal baseband generator RF BW Waveform playback memory Baseband generator mode Phase coherent frequency switching Wide chirp capability Signal or pulse descriptor word capability Waveform playback Waveform playback Waveform playback

Agile Vector Vector Vector Vector Vector Instrument embedded capabilities Step/list sweep • • • • Ramp sweep • • Real-time custom modulation (PSK, • • Phase noise impairments • Noise (Calibrated AWGN) • • • • Pulse Train • • • • PathWave signal generation embedded applications Channel Response Correction and • ^ S-parameter De-embedding Custom Modulation (Custom IQ) • • PathWave signal generation desktop application Advanced Waveform Utility (AWU) • • • Custom Modulation (Beta) • • • PathWave signal generation waveform playback Cellular communications LTE/LTE-Advanced FDD/TDD • • • • Wireless...

Benchtop (continued) Applications and signal creation software PathWave signal generation waveform playback (continued) Detection, positioning, tracking, navigation Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) General RF and Microwave Real-time fading Custom Modulation Pulse building Power Amplifier Test Threat simulation Multi-emitter scenario generation Simulation view Multi-source calibration Other software tools SystemVue MATLAB Waveform pack license 8 No real-time support; ARB playback onl

Modular Benchtop Step/list sweep Ramp sweep Real-time custom modulation (PSK, Phase noise impairments Multitone Noise (Calibrated AWGN) Pulse Train BERT PathWave signal generation software Cellular communications LTE/LTE-Advanced FDD/TDD • Wireless connectivity WLAN 802.11 a/b/g/j/p/n/ac/ah/ax • Mobile WiMAX • Audio/video broadcast Digital video standards • Land Mobile Radio (LMR) • Detection, positioning, tracking, navigation Global Navigation Satellite Systems 10 General RF & Microwave Real-time fading Custom Modulation • Pulse building • Power Amplifier Test • Advanced Waveform Utility • Threat...

PathWave Signal Generation Software Free Trial License • Free 30-day trials of PathWave signal generation software are available to evaluate the user interface and generate signals. Redeem a trial license online at www.keysight.com/find/SignalStudio_trial Simplify signal creation Whether you are working on a single radio format or integrating multiple formats into a single device, easy access to the right test signals streamlines validation and helps ensure interoperability. Accelerate your work with Keysight PathWave signal generation software, a flexible suite of signal-creation tools that...