GW Instek  AFG-2225  vs Rigol DG4102 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: mahwe
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 08:50:12 am
content: http://www.batronix.com/versand/funktionsgeneratoren/Rigol-DG4102.htmlhttp://www.datatec.de/GWinstek-Arb-Generator-AFG-2225.htmhttp://www.gwinstek.com/en/product/productdetail.aspx?pid=5&mid=305&id=1286Hi i need a new arbitrary waveform generator.I would prefer an Agilent - 33512B but their is the price i dont like.Is their anybody who tested oder use the AFG-2225.I know Dave test with the rigol .thanking you in anticipationMarc

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 12:09:36 pm
content: I'm in the same boat - looking to buy an arbitrary function generator, trying to decide between a new Rigol or similar or an old/used Agilent or Tabor or an ex-demo TTi TG5011.I did look at the GW Instek models but the 300 series are very expensive and most of the 200 series are rather basic with low sampling rates.The 225 is probably the best as it has 125MS/s sampling. BUTit only has 4k points in arb and it is only 10bits.Also flatness is 10% at 25MHz and distortion figures and accuracy aren't brilliant.To be fair though, Rigol give their figures at 0dBm (0.6Vpp) whilst the GWInstek figures might be over the full range up to 10Vpp - the Rigol figures could be a lot worse over this range,I just don't know.This is the main problem I have, it is just so difficult to compare specs as most manufacturers give their specs under different conditions and for different ranges of frequency and atdifferent signal amplitudes - established suppliers tend to cover a reasonable range whilst the newer players (like Rigol) just give figures at the best point (only 0dBm when they arenot using the output amplifier at all).The new Siglent 5000 series looks quite interesting so it might be worth hanging on to see what that turns out to be like in practice.

author: grego
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 12:43:06 pm
content: Instek is going to be sending me a demo unit to poke at so if you can wait a few weeks I can put together a video for you.Please note that the 2225 is significantly less than the 4102 -- so a little "you get what you pay for" needs to be kept in mind. They aren't apple-to-apple.

author: mahwe
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2013, 09:50:10 pm
content: i think i can waitthank you very much

author: ACvolts
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2013, 11:17:46 pm
content: Quote from: grego on May 19, 2013, 12:43:06 pmDid you get the unit yet? My problem with the AFG-2225 is the unknowns with the Arbitrary PC Software!I really would like to have a DC waveform loadable from the PC software and allow me to increase/decreasethe Frequency. But I'm still not sure. This is what I got from Instek Support:--Begin Quote--Our AFG-2225, the DC in arbitrary mode is really not included, but you canuse the drawing line function of the arbitrary function. You can set thepoint and axis-Y value of start and stop. For example, setting the (1,512)and (100,512) it becomes a DC wave.Hope this helps.--End Quote--So I am not sure if I can load a DC pc soft. waveform in the ARB section of the AFG-2225.But the DG4000 series from Rigol does and a whole lot more for $300 bucks!All I can say is:Brother can you spare a Demo Unit for $100.00 bucks?ACvolts

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 12, 2013, 12:03:13 am
content: Quote from: mahwe on May 19, 2013, 08:50:12 amRigol DG4162 is $1300usd.http://www.tequipment.net/RigolDG4162.htmlRigol DG4102 is $1Kusd.http://www.tequipment.net/RigolDG4102.htmlRigol DG4062 is $800usd.http://www.tequipment.net/RigolDG4062.htmlInstek afg-2225 is $549usd. without the INSTEK15OFF coupon.http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/instek/signalgenerators/afg-2225.htmAgilent 33509B is $1653usd.http://www.testequity.com/products/4586/ARB upgrade for 1-ch models $300usd.335ARB1U Add arb to 1-channel models.335BW1U 30 MHz Upgrade for 1-ch models $200usd.34190A 2U Rackmount Kit half-rack $63usd.34191A 2U Dual Rack Mount Flange Kit $60usd.Opt. MEM (335MEM1U) Additional 16M Memory $250usd.Opt. OCX Ultra-high Stability Timebase $701usd. factory return needed,.if Price is more important go for Instek.if Accuracy is more Important go for Agilent.if Memory is more Important go for Agilent.if Jitter is more Important go for Agilent.if testing low voltage circuits, needs 16-Bit, go for Agilent.Rigol has 14-Bit, Instek has 10-Bit.if need more than 30Mhz go for Rigol. Agilent is limited to 30Mhz, True Bandwidth. to see 25Mhz SQR without errors, a 500Mhz Scope is needed, 1GHz preferably.True Bandwidth is determined by RiseTimes, a faster rise time means true Higher Bandwidth,for example Agilent has maximum 30Mhz, but a Rise Time of 8.4ns,but Rigol DG4162 160Mhz also has a <8ns RiseTime, usually a true 150Mhz scope has <2.3ns RiseTimes, at 100MHz has <3.5ns, 350MHz 1ns, 500MHz 700ps, or 0.7ns, that means to see a 40ps Jitter is impossible with a 500MHz scope.Rigol DG4162 is <8ns, DG4102: <10ns & DG4062: <12ns,Instek is <25ns,The only interesting difference is the Sample Rate, Agilent is 250MSa/s, Rigol is 500MSa/s, Instek is 120MSa/s.would be nice to see with a 1Ghz scope, how does it look a 30Mhz SQR coming from the Agilent 33500B vs. the Rigol DG4162.Allmost all DDS clocks have 700ps jitter rms, Agilent TrueForm "Modified DDS" has less than <40ps p-p.Higher Frequency needs less Jitter & Fast RiseTimes to work properly.

author: ACvolts
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2013, 10:39:39 pm
content: I bought a Instek AFG-2225 and am reviewing it in this thread:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/afg-2225-function-generator-testing/msg270226/#msg270226There is no question that the Rigol DG4000's AFG's are better than theInstek AFG-2225 or lower models. The Instek AFG-3051/AFG-3081 areover $1000 dollars but you could compare them with the DG4000's morein functionality. The DG4062 is a 60 Mhz Func. Gen. and outclasses theAFG-2225 completely in my view since I own one.AFG-2225 - 25Mhz AFG and affordable in it's class ($500 dollar price)DG-4062 - 60Mhz AFG better functions with competitive price ($800)I would consider look very carefully at specs because you may not needthe Rigols if all your using is low end electronics.

author: Carrington
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2013, 10:57:16 pm
content: Quote from: JuanPC on June 12, 2013, 12:03:13 amWow, more clearly, is impossible!

author: grego
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2013, 11:14:17 pm
content: I would also urge folks to look at the Siglent SDG5082. You can get it for under $700usd shipped from China on eBay and it has specs to beat the Rigol. See rf-loops thread about it. I have one as well and it's a very nice device.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2013, 12:05:03 am
content: Quote from: JuanPC on June 12, 2013, 12:03:13 amJuan, great post - very nice compare and contrast. EF(Here is another video on the 33500B Series:Looks like a deluxe product with very cool features - especially if you have the budget for 2 channels and the Arb.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2013, 01:48:55 pm
content: Quote from: JuanPC on June 12, 2013, 12:03:13 amWhether or not you can see 40psecs of jitter on a 500MHz scope I would have thought was dependent on the trigger jitter and timebase accuracy rather than the scope rise time. For example, my scope is only 350MHz BW with 1nsec rise time but in equivalent time sampling mode it goes up to 100GS/s which implies that it can place time points within 10 psecs. For a 500MHz scope the fastest timebase is 500ps/div and each division is 50 pixels so each pixel is 10psecs. 40psecs of jitter would mean that the line would be thickened to around 4 pixels which should be visible. It wouldn't be a very accurate measurement of course!

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 01, 2013, 06:16:25 pm
content: Quote from: jpb on August 01, 2013, 01:48:55 pmIt's imposible to explain all in 3 lines, but Yes, in DSO the Sampling also does affect, 5GSa/s RealTime has 200ps per division, if designed properly.40ps It's also imposible to see with a 5GSa/s RT scope.Equivalent Sampling mode is like Image interpolation....If i have a 320x240 pixel image and upsample to 4k, is not the same as if taken at 4k, or more and downsample.Equivalent Sampling is good if the Real Time is good.But also wfm/s affect.100GS/s EquivalentSampling is useless if RealTime is 500MS/s or less, for jitter measurements.I had a 1GS/s RT 100Mhz scope with 25GS/s ES and to see 700ps from my soundcard s/pdif was imposiblle, infinite persistance and all.The funny thing is, if loudspeakers are good enough most people can hear 700ps very easy when compared to another more stable clock,.