Agilent 33522A/B Arbitrary Waveform Generator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 20, 2015, 02:18:31 pm
content: I'm still looking for an good AWG which comes with decent software, so after trying the Chinese B-brands and hesitating over Tek's offerings I'm now considering buying an Agilent 33522 Series Arbitrary Waveform Generator, but before I spend that amount of money I'd like to know how this thing performs in the real world.So I'm looking for someone with an Agilent 33511/33512/33521/33522 A/B who would be able and willing to connect it to a scope (200MHz+ bandwidth, 50ohms to 50ohms directly, not via probe!) and grab some screenshots of a fast square wave (15MHz+) generated by that AWG.In addition, if possible I'd also like to see some short pulses with sharp edges.The other thing is if the 33500B variant is worth the additional costs over the 33500A version. As far as I can see the 'A' lack Trueform, but I don't know what real-wprld difference it makes on a small AWG like the 33500 Series.

author: Groucho2005
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 05:32:01 pm
content: I'd also be interested seeing some pulses/squares from one of these generators. Anybody?

author: Wuerstchenhund
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 05:39:11 pm
content: Well, I was getting impatient and so I just went ahead and bought an 33522BThe specs and its capabilities just looked too good.I skimped on postage so it'll take a while for the 33522B to arrive (which should take a couple of weeks). When it arrives I'll post some scope shots of a few signals, plus a spectrum analysis.I can also do a comparison with my Rigol DG1062z.

author: Groucho2005
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 05:41:21 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on September 22, 2015, 05:39:11 pmCool, looking forward to it.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 06:56:09 pm
content: Quote from: Wuerstchenhund on September 20, 2015, 02:18:31 pmMight not be exactly what you requested but here is a try.I used BenchLink Waveform Builder Basic on a PC to create an arb. Specified squarewaves and selected the highest sampling rate available (250MSa/s). I connected the 33522B to a Tektronix 2467B (400MHz) set to 50MHz input using a Tek coax cable and took a photo (below). I also connected the 33522B to a Rigol DS2072 (using a 50MHz feed thru terminator) and took a photo (a little faster/easier than capturing the image, plus the photo quality matches the photo of the Tek screen.)You can see that the Rigol displays about 7.57 MHz. I think this might be a limitation of the 33522B. 250 MSa/s seems to be the maximum. When I reduced the sampling rate it lowered the frequency below 7.5 MHz. Maybe I'm goofed up on this? Also shown is a photo of the front panel of the 33522B - it's easy to twiddle the sampling rate and watch the effect on the waveform on the scope (and the frequency counter).*Let me know if you want to try something else.*Update/Note: Changing the sample rate using the front panel is easy but I haven't figured out how to change the number of samples using the front panel (only from the PC software which doesn't allow for real-time changes as can be done from the front panel)

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 07:54:26 pm
content: Here are some screen shots of my 33522B hooked up to an Agilent DSO-X 3034ABoth set to 50 OhmOutput amplitude: 1.000 VppDuty Cycle: 50%I can test it tomorrow on my 1 GHz scope, if you want to see the output.

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 08:26:11 pm
content: Quote from: HighVoltage on September 22, 2015, 07:54:26 pmHV, were those made with the arb function or with the standard square wave function? Thx

author: Electro Fan
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2015, 10:05:07 pm
content: Ok, some new findings. It is possible to make a Arb that goes to (slightly above) 30MHz. It requires setting the total samples to 8. I don't know if the software is a little quirky/peculiar or if it's my limitation in understanding what causes what (probably the later) but it takes a bit of playing around to figure out what Agilent intended with the Benchlink Basic Waveform Builder software.By leaving the sample rate at the maximum 250MSa/s and allowing 16 samples the arb generator will create a square wave at about 15.6MHz. By keeping 16 samples and cutting the sample rate down to 240MSa/s the frequency on the arb come down to just about 15MHz (see first and second photos below). As an alternative, if you just set the 33522B to generate a square wave (without the arb function) you get a slightly squarer (flatter top and bottom?) square wave (see third and fourth photos).(Note that the arb 15MHz has a slightly faster rise time - not sure why or if it's a dependable measurement.)I'm probably still doing something goofy - let me know.