Key Characteristics of Signal Generators and Modulation Methods: Pocket Guide

Pocket Guide Overview

Signal generators play a vital role in electrical test and measurement. They generate the test signals that are applied to components like filters and amplifiers, or even to entire modules, to ascertain and test the component’s behavior and characteristics. Beyond the output of spectrally pure signals, a key function of signal generators is the generation of analog and digitally modulated signals.

A signal generator generates electrical signals with a specific time characteristic. Depending on the type of signal generator, the generated signal waveforms can range from simple sine-wave, sawtooth and square-wave, to analog-modulated signals such as AM, FM and PM (and even complex digitally modulated signals like those used in mobile radio). The frequency domain can extend from several kHz up to several hundred GHz.

In this pocket guide from Rohde & Schwarz, learn the key characteristics of signal generators and modulation methods and why this matters for your designs.