TGxA Series Function Generators: Technical Specifications
Key Features
- One or two channels (identical channels)
- Full waveform amplitude available over the full frequency range
- 0.001mHz to 50MHz/25MHz range; 14 digits or 1µHz resolution.
- Standard waveforms include sine, square, ramp, pulse, sin(x)/x, noise, exponential, logarithmic and PRBS.
- True pulse generator with variable delay and variable rise/fall.
- Arbitrary waveforms of up to 128K points at up to 125MS/s.
- Waveform storage using USB flash drives.
- Large graphic LCD with simultaneous text and waveform display.
- Comprehensive internal and external digital modulations including AM, FM, PM, PWM, FSK, BSPK, Sum and PRBS.
- 20mV to 20V pk-pk output from 50Ω ; plus multi function aux. out.
- Storage for multiple instrument set-ups in non-volatile memory.
- Waveform Manager Plus for Windows software included.
- Programmable via USB and LAN (LXI) interfaces; GPIB optional.
| WAVEFORMS | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sine | |||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Range | 1µHz to 50MHz; ( TG251xA - 1µHz to 25MHz) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Resolution | 1µHz, 14 digits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Output Level | 10mVp-p to 10Vp-p into 50Ω | ||||||||||||||||||
| Amplitude Flatness (Relative to 1kHz) | <100kHz: 0.1dB, <5MHz: 0.15dB, <20MHz: 0.3dB, <50MHz: 0.5dB | ||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
| Non-Harmonic Spurii | <–60dBc to 1MHz, <–60dBc + 6dB/octave 1MHz to 50MHz | ||||||||||||||||||
| Phase Noise (10kHz offset) | -115dBc/Hz, typical | ||||||||||||||||||
| Square | |||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Range | 1µHz to 50MHz ( TG251xA - 1µHz to 25MHz ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Resolution | 1µHz, 14 digits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Output Level | 10mVp-p to 10Vp-p into 50Ω | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rise and Fall Times | <8ns ( TG251xA - <13ns ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Overshoot | <5% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Variable Duty Cycle | 20% to 80% to 20MHz, 0.1% resolution, 40% to 60% to 25 MHz, 0.1% resolution, 50% (fixed) above 25MHz | ||||||||||||||||||
| Asymmetry (@ 50% duty) | 1% of period + 5ns | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jitter (RMS) | 0.5ns + 100 ppm of period | ||||||||||||||||||
| Ramp and Triangle | |||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Range | 1µHz to 1MHz ( TG251xA - 1µHz to 500kHz ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Resolution | 1µHz, 12 digits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Output Level | 10mVp-p to 10Vp-p into 50Ω | ||||||||||||||||||
| Linearity Error | <0.1% to 30 kHz | ||||||||||||||||||
| Variable Symmetry | 0.0 % to 100.0 %, 0.1% resolution, Single key operation of 50% (Triangle) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Note the triangle and sawtooth waveforms are also available from the arbitrary waveform menu enabling repetition rates of up to 10MHz/6MHz. Waveform quality will deteriorate at higher frequencies however | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pulse | |||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Range | 500 µHz to 12.5MHz ( TG251xA - 500 µHz to 6.25MHz ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Resolution | 1µHz , 14 digits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Output Level | 10mVp-p to 10Vp-p into 50Ω | ||||||||||||||||||
| Overshoot | <5% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jitter | 300ps + 0.01% of period | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rise/Fall Times | Rise and Fall times can be independently varied or can be varied together simultaneously | ||||||||||||||||||
| Range | <8ns to 40µs ( TG251xA - <13ns to 40µs ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Resolution | 0.1ns for rise/fall time ≤100ns; 1ns for rise/fall >100ns and ≤2µs; 10ns for rise/fall >2µs and ≤40µs ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Width Range | 20ns to 2000s (20ns minimum for period ≤40s) (200ns minimum for period >40s and ≤400s), (2µs minimum for period >400s) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Width Resolution | 10ns (for period ≤40s),100ns (for period >40s and ≤400s),1µs (for period >400s) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Delay Range | 0ns to 2000s | ||||||||||||||||||
| Delay Resolution | 10ns (for period ≤40s),100ns (for period >40s and ≤400s),1µs (for period >400s) | ||||||||||||||||||
| PRBS Waveforms | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sequence Length | 7, 9, 11, 15, 20, or 23 stages (127 to 8,388,607 bit length) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bit Rate | 1µbps to 50Mbps (TG251xA - 1µbps to 25Mbps) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rise/Fall Times | Rise/Fall times can be varied (rise time = fall time) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Edge Range | <8ns to 40µs (<13ns to 40µs) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Arbitrary | |||||||||||||||||||
| In built arbitrary waveforms (Sinc,
Exponential Rise, Logarithmic Rise, DC, Positive and Negative
Ramps and Square). Additional waveforms are supplied on disc
(Cardiac, Gaussian, Exponential Fall, Logarithmic Fall). Up to 4 additional or user defined waveforms may be stored in non-volatile memory. Waveforms can be defined by downloading of waveform data via USB memory stick, remote interfaces, or editing via the instrument's front panel. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Waveform Size | 2 points to 131072 points (128k) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Waveform Memory Size | Up to 4 waveforms of up to 64k points, or 2 waveforms of up to 128k points, (or 2 of 64k points plus 1 of 128k points) | ||||||||||||||||||
| External Waveform Storage | up to 1,000 waveforms per USB memory stick | ||||||||||||||||||
| Vertical Resolution | 14 bits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Range | 1µHz to 10MHz ( TG251xA - 1µHz to 6MHz ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Frequency Resolution | 1µHz , 14 digits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Output Level | 10mVp-p to 10Vpp into 50Ω | ||||||||||||||||||
| Sampling rate | 125MS/s | ||||||||||||||||||
| Output Filter | Selects between 50MHz Elliptic or 20MHz Bessel filter depending on the waveform | ||||||||||||||||||
| Arbitrary Waveform Creation and Editing | |||||||||||||||||||
| Both generators are supplied with Waveform Manager Plus. This Windows based software provides a sophisticated tool set for the creation, editing and management of arbitrary waveforms. The waveforms can be transferred to the generator either using a USB memory stick, or by the digital interfaces. | |||||||||||||||||||
| Noise | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gaussian White Noise | Noise can be added to any carrier waveform (except pulse, square and noise itself) note however that noise can be added to the square wave available in the arbitrary menu. The amount of noise added can be specified as 0% to 50% of the amplitude of the carrier waveform. Noise can also be used as modulating waveform | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bandwidth (-3dB) | 20MHz typical | ||||||||||||||||||
| Noise crest factor (Vp/Vrms) | 5.27 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Output Level | 10mVp-p to 10Vpp into 50Ω | ||||||||||||||||||
| Internal Frequency Reference | |||||||||||||||||||
| Oscillator Ageing Rate | 1ppm first year | ||||||||||||||||||
| Temperature Stability | <1ppm over the specified temperature range | ||||||||||||||||||
| MODULATION | |
|---|---|
| AM | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Sine, Square, Ramp, Arb |
| Modulation Source | Internal/External |
| Internal Modulating Waveforms | Sine, Square, Up Ramp, Down Ramp, Triangle, Noise, DC, Sinc, Exponential Rise, Logarithmic Rise, PRBS and User Defined Arbs |
| Internal Modulating Frequency | 1µHz to 1MHz, 1µHz resolution |
| Amplitude Depth | 0.0% to 120.0%, 0.1% resolution |
| FM | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Sine, Square, Ramp, Arb |
| Modulation Source | Internal/External |
| Internal Modulating Waveforms | Sine, Square, Up Ramp, Down Ramp, Triangle, Noise, DC, Sinc, Exponential Rise, Logarithmic Rise, PRBS and User Defined Arbs |
| Internal Modulating Frequency | 1µHz to 1MHz, 1µHz resolution |
| Frequency Deviation | DC to Fmax/2, 1µHz resolution |
| PM | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Sine, Square, Ramp, Arb |
| Modulation Source | Internal/External |
| Internal Modulating Waveforms | Sine, Square, Up Ramp, Down Ramp, Triangle, Noise, DC, Sinc, Exponential Rise, Logarithmic Rise, PRBS and User Defined Arbs |
| Internal Modulating Frequency | 1µHz to 1MHz, 1µHz resolution |
| Phase Deviation | -360.0 to +360.0 degrees, 0.1 degree resolution |
| PWM | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Pulse |
| Modulation Source | Internal/External |
| Internal Modulating Waveforms | Sine, Square, Up Ramp, Down Ramp, Triangle, Noise, DC, Sinc, Exponential Rise, Logarithmic Rise, PRBS and User Defined Arbs |
| Internal Modulating Frequency | 1µHz to 20kHz, 1µHz resolution |
| Pulse Width Deviation | 0% to 100% of pulse width, resolution same as of pulse width |
| SUM | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Sine, Ramp, Arb |
| Internal Modulating Waveforms | Sine, Square, Up Ramp, Down Ramp, Triangle, Noise, DC, Sinc, Exponential Rise, Logarithmic Rise, PRBS and User Defined Arbs |
| Internal Modulating Frequency | 1µHz to 1MHz, 1µHz resolution |
| Ratio | 0% to 100%; 0.1% resolution |
| FSK | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Sine, Square, Ramp, Arb |
| Source | Internal/External (via TRIG IN) |
| Internal Modulation | 50% duty cycle square (2mHz to 100kHz) |
| BPSK | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Sine, Square, Ramp, PRBS, Arb |
| Source | Internal/External (via TRIG IN) |
| Internal Modulation | 50% duty cycle square (2mHz to 100kHz) |
| Triggered Burst | |
| Each active edge of the trigger signal will produce one burst of the waveform | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Sine, Square, Ramp, Arb, Pulse |
| Maximum Carrier Frequency | 10MHz (finite cycles), 50MHz (infinite), subject to carrier waveform |
| Number of Cycles | 1 to 1,048,575 and infinite |
| Trigger Repetition Rate | 2mHz to 1MHz internal dc to 1MHz external |
| Trigger Signal Source | Internal from keyboard or trigger generator. External from TRIG IN or remote interface |
| Trigger Start/Stop Phase | -360.0 to +360.0 degrees, 0.1 degree resolution, subject to carrier waveform |
| Gated | |
| Waveform will run while the Gate signal is true and stop while false | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Sine, Square, Ramp, Arb, Pulse, Noise |
| Maximum Carrier Frequency | 10 MHz, subject to carrier waveform |
| Trigger Repetition Rate | 2mHz to 1MHz internal, dc to 1MHz external |
| Gate Signal Source | Internal from keyboard or trigger generator. External from TRIG IN or remote interface |
| Gate Start/Stop Phase | -360.0 to +360.0 degrees, 0.1 degree resolution, subject to carrier waveform |
| Sweep | |
| Frequency sweep capability is provided for both standard and arbitrary waveforms | |
| Carrier Waveforms | All standard and arbitrary except pulse |
| Sweep Mode | Linear or logarithmic, triggered or continuous |
| Sweep Direction | Up, down, up/down or down/up |
| Sweep Range | From 1µHz to 50MHz, subject to carrier waveform. Phase continuous. Independent setting of the start and stop frequency |
| Sweep Time | 1ms to 500s (6 digit resolution) |
| Marker | Variable during sweep |
| Sweep Trigger Source | The sweep may be free run or triggered from the following sources: Internal from keyboard or trigger generator. Externally from TRIG IN input or remote interface. |
| Trigger Generator | |
| Internal source 2mHz to 1MHz square wave adjustable in 1µs steps, 9 digit resolution. Available for external use from the SYNC OUT socket | |
| OUTPUTS | |
|---|---|
| Main Output | |
| Output Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Amplitude | 20mV to 20Vp-p open circuit (10mV to 10Vp-p into 50Ω). Amplitude can be specified open circuit (hi Z) or into an assumed load of 1Ω to 10kΩ in Vpk-pk, Vrms or dBm |
| Amplitude Accuracy | 2% ±1mV at 1kHz into 50Ω |
| DC Offset Accuracy | Typically 3% ±10mV |
| Resolution | 3 digits or 1mV for both Amplitude and DC Offset |
| Sync Out | |
| Multifunction output user definable or automatically selected to be any of the following | |
| Carrier Waveform Sync | Sine/Ramp/Pulse - A square wave with 50% duty cycle at the waveform frequency |
| Square | A square wave with same duty cycle as the main output at the waveform frequency |
| Arbs | A square wave with 50% duty cycle at the waveform frequency. The sync is a TTL high when the first point of the waveform is output |
| Noise | No sync associated with noise |
| Modulation Sync | AM/FM/PM/PWM A square wave with 50% duty cycle referenced to the internal modulation waveform when modulation source is internal, or a square wave referenced to the carrier waveform when modulation source is external. No sync is associated with noise as the modulation source |
| FSK | A square wave referenced to the trigger rate. The sync is a TTL high when hop frequency is the output frequency and TTL low when carrier frequency is the output frequency for positive slope and vice versa for negative slope |
| Burst Sync | A square wave that is a TTL high when the burst begins and a TTL low when burst is completed |
| Trigger | Selects the current trigger signal. Useful for synchronizing burst or gated signals |
| Sweep Sync | Marker Off: A square wave that is a TTL low from
the midpoint of the sweep and a TTL high from the end of the
sweep. Marker On - A square wave that is a TTL low from the marker frequency and a TTL high from the end of the sweep |
| Output Signal Level | Logic level nominally 3V |
| Ref Clock Output | |
| Buffered version of the 10MHz clock currently in use (internal or external) | |
| Output Level | Nominally 3V logic level from 50Ω |
| INPUTS | |
|---|---|
| Trig In | |
| Frequency Range | DC - 1MHz |
| Signal Range | Threshold nominally TTL level; maximum input ±10V |
| Minimum Pulse Width | 50ns |
| Polarity | Selectable as high/rising edge or low/falling edge |
| Input Impedance | 10kΩ |
| External Modulation Input (for AM, FM, PM, PWM) | |
| Voltage Range | ± 5V full scale |
| Input Impedance | 5kΩ typical |
| Bandwidth | DC to 20kHz |
| Ref Clock Input | |
| Input for an external 10MHz reference clock | |
| Voltage Range | 1Vpp – 5Vpp |
| Maximum Voltage | +5V |
| Minimum Voltage | -1V |
| TWO CHANNEL OPERATION | |
|---|---|
| (TG5012A & TG2512A only) The two channels can be operated independently so as to act as entirely separate generators. Alternatively the channels can interact as follows: | |
| Coupled Operation | |
| Coupled Frequency | Frequencies can be coupled such that if frequency of one channel is changed the frequency of the other channel also changes either by a fixed ratio or fixed offset. A pulse waveforms can only be frequency coupled to another pulse waveform, however sine, square, ramp or Arb waveforms can be coupled to any other waveform of that group |
| Coupled Level | Amplitudes (and DC offsets) of the two channels can be coupled such that changing the amplitude and offset on one channel changes the amplitude and offset of both channels |
| Coupled On/Off | Coupling can be set such that switching the output on/off on one channel switches the output on/off of both channels |
| Tracking Operation | |
| When in tracking mode both channels behave as one channel. If inverse tracking is selected, both channel still behave as one channel except that the output of channel 2 is inverted | |
| Relative Phase | |
| Pressing the ‘align’ key phase synchronizes the two channels with the specified phase offset | |
| Phase Range | -360.0 to +360.0 degrees |
| Resolution | 0.1 degree |
| Skew (typical) | <1ns |
| Cross Channel Trigger | |
| Either channel can be triggered by the other channel to set up a
complex and versatile inter channel trigger scheme. Each channel can have its trigger output waveform set up independently. Trigger Out may be selected to be carrier waveform referenced, modulation waveform referenced, sweep referenced, burst referenced or the currently selected trigger of the channel. | |
| Crosstalk | |
| Channel Crosstalk | Typically better than -80dB |
| Control and Display | The control of each channel is selected by the Channel Select key |
| The display can be assigned either completely to the selected channel, or the upper section can display the main set-up parameters or waveforms for both channels simultaneously | |
| PHASE SYNCHRONISING TWO GENERATORS | |
|---|---|
| Two generators can be synchronized together to provide outputs at the same frequency (or harmonics) and with a phase difference. The amplitude and phase of these outputs can also be modulated providing the capability to perform QAM and QPSK respectively. It is also possible to synchronize more than two generators but results are not guaranteed | |
| Carrier Waveforms | Sine, Square, Ramp, Pulse, Arb |
| Phase Range | -360.0 to +360.0 degrees |
| Resolution | 0.1 degree |
| Accuracy | < ±5ns |
| INTERFACES | |
|---|---|
| Full digital remote control facilities are available through LAN and USB and optional GPIB interfaces | |
| LAN Interface | Ethernet 100/10base – T hardware connection. LXI compliant |
| USB Interface | Standard USB 2.0 hardware connection. Implemented as virtual-COM port |
| GPIB Interface (option G) | conforming with IEEE-488.2 |
| USB Flash Drive | For waveform and setup storage/recall |
| GENERAL | |
|---|---|
| Display Type | Monochrome Graphics Display |
| Pixel format | 256 x 112 matrix |
| Data Entry | Keyboard selection of mode, waveform etc.; value entry direct by numeric keys or by rotary control |
| Stored Settings | Up to 9 complete instrument set-ups may be stored and recalled from non-volatile memory |
| Physical (TG2511A/TG5011A) | |
| Size (Bench top use) | 97mm height; 250mm width; 270mm long |
| Size (Rack mounted use) | 86.5mm (2U) height; 213.5mm (1/2-rack) width; 244mm long |
| Weight | 2.55 kg |
| Physical (TG2512A/TG5012A) | |
| Size (Bench top use) | 97mm height; 250mm width; 295mm long |
| Size (Rack mounted use) | 86.5mm (2U) height; 213.5mm (1/2-rack) width; 269mm long |
| Weight | 2.7 kg |
| Power | 110-240VAC ±10% 50/60Hz; 100-120VAC ±10% 400Hz; 60VA max. Installation Category II |
| Operating Range | +5°C to 40°C, 20-80% RH |
| Storage Range | -20°C to + 60°C |
| Environmental | Indoor use at altitudes up to 2000m, Pollution Degree 2 |
| Safety | Complies with EN61010-1 |
| EMC | Complies with EN61326 |
| OPTIONS | |
|---|---|
| 19 inch rack mount | RM200A 2U rack mount suitable for one or two generators |
| GPIB Interface | (Option TG-GPIB) - Retro-fittable GPIB (IEEE-488) interface card |
| ORDERING INFORMATION | |
|---|---|
| Four versions of the product are available as follows: | |
| TG2511A | 25MHz 1-Channel Generator |
| TG5011A | 50MHz 1-Channel Generator |
| TG2512A | 25MHz 2-Channel Generator |
| TG5012A | 50MHz 2-Channel Generator |
| TG-GPIB Retro-fittable GPIB interface available for any model. RM200A Rack Mount available, 2U holds two units. | |
| SUPPLIED ITEMS |
|---|
| Each product is supplied with the following: Printed operating manual in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish with remote programming instruction in English only. PDF operating manuals on disk (including remote programming instruction) in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. IEC mains lead appropriate to the geographic market in which it is sold. |
| Software on disk including: Waveform Manager for Windows, IVI driver, LabView driver, CVI driver, USB driver, LXI discovery tool, TCP example program. |
Specification Notes: Specifications apply for the temperature range 18°C to 280C after 30 minutes warm-up, at maximum output into 50 Ω unless otherwise stated.
Specifications are for the 50MHz models (TG5011A and TG5012A); specifications for 25MHz models (TG2511A and TG2512A), where different, are in (dark red) . For two channel models (TG5012A and TG2512A) specifications apply to each output.
Thurlby Thandar Instruments Ltd. operates a policy of continuous development and reserves the right to alter specifications without prior notice.