First Arb Gen. Need advice. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: echen1024
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2013, 10:46:17 pm
content: I have decided to sell my bitcoin miner, and am looking to buy an Arb gen. My budget is up to $550, and I will want something in the range of 20-50Mhz.On my list are:Rigol DG1022and a few Siglent models.Any input would be appreciated, and Arb functionality would be much appreciated.

author: Galaxyrise
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2013, 11:57:25 pm
content: What do you want it to do in the range of 20-50MHz? The Rigol you listed can generate a sine wave at 25MHz, Square at 5MHz, Ramp/Triangle at 150kHz, Pulse at 3MHz, and Arb at 100MSa/s. The comparable Siglent SDG1025 has the same sine wave max, but it also claims Square waves at 25MHz, Ramp/Triangle at 300kHz, Pulse at 5MHz, and Arb at 125MSa/s.I have the Siglent SDG1025. Some EEVBlog threads on it:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sdg1020-arbitrary-fungen-first-impressions-and-a-possible-signal-glitch/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/siglent-sdg1010-function-generator-teardown/https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sdg1025-arbitraryfunction-generator-under-some-testsSeems like there might have been one or two others worth reading.

author: jpb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2013, 02:00:21 pm
content: To go to 50MHz you are probably looking at the Rigol DG4062 or the Siglent SDG5082 which are much newer and better specified than the DG1022. Unfortunately they are also around twice the price! You might be able to get the Siglent for around $700.There are a lot of threads on these and other models if you search.Another one worth considering, which is less than $550, is the GW Instek AFG-2225. The other GW Instek models have very low sample rates and memory (the 2000 series) whilst the 3000 series are much, much more expensive. The arb though is only 10 bit and 4k points.Personally I'd probably try and stretch to the Rigol DG4062 or Siglent SDG5082 as they are a major step up in specification.

author: markce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2013, 10:54:36 pm
content: I went for the Rigol 1022. Cheapest AWG with decent specs. It's a joy to play with, and a very nice combo with a Rigol DSO.Mind you, output is fairly low power.Already have a HF gen and pulse gen, so >20Mhz is not that important for me.

author: rf-loop
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 27, 2013, 06:44:44 am
content: If look Rigol DG1022 and Siglent SDG1000 series, say example SDG1020 or 1025 (whole SDG1000 series have same specs exept some waveforms freq upper limit.)If look specifications it is clear that Siglent win nearly in all or is least same.Rigol CH1 14 bit, 4k memory / Siglent CH1 14 bit, 16k memory.Rigol CH2 10bit, 1k memory / Siglent CH2 14bit, 16k memory.Samplerate Rigol 100MSa/s and Siglent 125MSa/sSiglent timing jitter looks same or better.If look just DG1022 (not DG1022A) and SDG1020 (both "20MHz")Sinewave, Rigol 20MHz, Siglent 20MHzSquare, Rigol 5MHz, Siglent 20MHzPulse, Rigol 3MHz, Siglent 5MHzRamp, Rigol 150kHz, Siglent 300kHzArb, Rigol 5MHz, Siglent 5MHz (and with Siglent is is tested up to >50MHz sinewave also of course Rigol can some, but Arb memory repetition limit is of course max 5MHz in both.But in all cases Siglent rise/fall times are better than Rigol and example Arb Siglent tell 7ns and Rigol 35ns and it is also big difference. (but as can see Siglent have 50MHz model in this serie, so some principles in circuits are around same or same in all models)Also "historical" Square wave glitch problem (partially related to this very fast rise/fall times and frequency responses in internal circuits) is solved long time ago by Siglent. Also old some bugs in FW, example dBm bug is history.Also, building quality is very good in this price class.Siglent display is also better.Here is also some real tests, and most of these tests are made so that they can also repeat in what ever lab.Siglent SDG1000 series model SDG1050 is also introduced inSilicon Chip Magazine, March 2013 issue.If this Rigol or comparable Siglent model price is nearly same or same I will not think 2 second which one. Even if Siglent is some amount higher price, you get lot of more signal generator than this tiny Rigol.I hope some day I can see this same test with Rigol.(this is 10MHz model but it do not mean here)Rigol design is older than Siglent so this may also explain something.But there is not real competition between DG1022 and SDG1020. Game is 1-10 here.