WTB: Arbitrary waveform generator that can do 10MHz PWM 1-99% duty cycle - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Afrotechmods
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 01, 2012, 08:43:21 am
content: I want to be able to have a square wave that's at least 5Vp-p, up to 10MHz that can do 1-99% duty cycle in square wave mode. I don't want to have to manually set up calculated pulse widths or arbitrary waves to do this. As for the AWG functionality I am not too picky about bits and sample memory.I'm checking out options under US/CAD $1600 preferably located in Can or US.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2012, 11:45:17 am
content: Have you looked at the Rigol DG4xxx series yet? You'll be hard pressed to get anything better for the price. I think it meets you're requirements, but I don't have mine in front of me at the moment to verify, but you can just have a look at the manual.

author: Afrotechmods
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2012, 05:43:18 am
content: Thanks for the suggestion Harvs. I did take a look at the DG4xxx series - they look like absolutely lovely modern designs but unfortunately don't meet my needs.

author: jeroen74
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2012, 06:52:51 am
content: Agilent 33210a can do pulses up to 5MHz.

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2012, 09:02:36 am
content: I actually tried this on my DG4062, but at that speed it'll only go down to 20% or up to 80% duty cycle.It's a pretty tall order, though. 1% @ 10 MHz is a 1ns pulse, so you'll need a generator with at least a 1 GHz sample clock. If you really need it to drive from 0 to 5V and back again in much less than 1ns then you'll need a generator with a very high bandwidth indeed. I'd start by trawling the Agilent catalogue.

author: jeroen74
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2012, 09:04:47 am
content: The Agilent I mentioned has a separate pulse generator circuit from what I remember studying the service manual.

author: StubbornGreek
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2012, 09:11:26 am
content: Quote from: Afrotechmods on December 01, 2012, 08:43:21 amThe Agilent 33521A will do the trick but will push the upper limit of your budget (you can get them used for about $1500-$1600, if I remember correctly). Your duty cycle requirement is what's pushing the envelope here. I'm curious if someone can come up with a less costly solution. Best of luck.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2012, 09:46:22 am
content: It's annoying that the Rigol doesn't have even a simple pulse-gen mode - it would have been so easy for them to have implemented it in the FPGA, generating DAC values from some counters, bypassing the RAM. Although Rigol have substantially improved on Chinese build quality, they've not shaken off the lack of imagination typical of Chinese manufacturers.

author: Afrotechmods
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2012, 10:59:28 pm
content: Quote from: StubbornGreek on December 02, 2012, 09:11:26 amYeah the Agilent 33xxx series are my top candidates now and as Andy said it's a pretty tall order so I'll probably have to make compromises. I figure I'll monitor this thread for another day and if no one pops up with something used I'll pull the trigger on a painfully priced Agilent on Monday.Cheers for the input, you guys are cool cats as always. O0

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 02, 2012, 11:29:51 pm
content: The Agilent 33521A does pulses down to 16 ns, or a ~15%/85% duty cycle at 10 MHz. Expect to pay an order of magnitude more for a new instrument that will go down to 1ns. I suggest that you look at dedicated pulse generators, rather than an arbitrary waveform generator with a bandwidth in excess of 2 GHz. For example, I have an old analog pulse generator on my bench that will do pulses down to 2 ns width with repetition rates from 100 kHz to 250 MHz. New, the Agilent 81110A or 81130A might be able to meet your needs, although they don't quite go up to 5 Vpp and are a little over $1600 ($16,000 might be about right).

author: JuiceKing
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2012, 11:59:04 pm
content: Quote from: jeroen74 on December 02, 2012, 06:52:51 amYes, but duty cycle on the 33210A is adjustable only from 20-80%.Although only a pulse generator, a used HP 8112A will do the job and isn't expensive considering how capable it is. They are a bit noisy (fan is loud) and complex to use, but do a lot. I would avoid buying a broken one hoping to fix it because unobtainable parts are known to fail if ventilation is blocked and they overheat.- Ken

author: casinada
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2012, 10:23:41 pm
content: Take a look at the Berkeley Nucleonics Pulse Generators. Sometimes you can get a good deal on ebay. I think the 6040 does what you need without the optional modules.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2012, 11:16:56 pm
content: For pulses alone mid-range pulse generators from the 1990s, such as from Global Specialties. I got one from a rummage sale for $20. Rise time is under 5ns, but I don't have fast enough gear to see if its any faster.The 4010 has been around since 2002, the 4001 since the late 1980s early 1990s.http://www.ebay.com/itm/Global-Specialities-Model-4010-Pulse-Generator-/290822725607?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item43b6629fe7This might meet your specs and way within budget. See the GS website for a manual. You can then get AWG specifically for other tests.Quote from: Afrotechmods on December 01, 2012, 08:43:21 am