Arbitrary Function Generator

AFG2021-SC Datasheet

The AFG2021-SC Arbitrary Function Generator gives you the power to create the signals you need at an entry-level price. With 20 MHz bandwidth, 14-bit resolution, and 250 MS/s sample rate, you can generate all manner of signals -- from complex serial data streams to simple audio frequencies or clock signals to the output of an airbag sensor during a crash. With 9 standard waveforms, modulation capability, and a built-in noise generator, you can quickly create the signal you need to thoroughly exercise your designs.

Key performance specifications

20 MHz sine, 10 MHz pulse waveforms provide coverage for your most common applications
250 MS/s sampling rate and 14-bit vertical resolution enable the creation of high-fidelity signals

Key features

The innovative UI reduces setup and evaluation time with direct access to frequently used functions and parameters
The internal 4 × 16 kS memory and the USB memory expansion capability provide substantial capacity for defining complex waveforms
USB host port on front panel for saving/reloading arbitrary waveforms and instrument settings
Built-in Modulation, Noise Generator, Burst, and Sweep modes for greater versatility
Built-in waveforms provide quick access to commonly used signals
Large 3.5 inch color screen displays both graphical and numeric waveform information simultaneously
Menu and online help in Simplified Chinese and English
2U height and half-rack width fits benchtop applications
Free ArbExpress software makes waveform editing extremely easy

Applications

Electronic test and design
Sensor simulation
Education and training
Functional test

Superior performance at an affordable price

Most electronic devices, circuits, and systems are designed to handle some form of a signal. These signals can be simple like an audio frequency or clock signal or more complex like a serial data stream or the output of an airbag sensor during a crash. With 20 MHz bandwidth, 14-bit resolution, and 250 MS/s sample rate, the AFG2021-SC Arbitrary Function Generator can create both simple and complex signals at an entry-level price. With 9 standard waveforms, 25 built-in application waveforms, modulation capability, and a built-in noise generator, you can quickly create the signal you need to thoroughly exercise your designs.

Intuitive user interface

The innovative ease-of-use features first seen on the AFG3000 Series arbitrary/function generators are the building blocks for the AFG2021-SC, providing quick access to setup and operational features. Experienced AFG3000 users will find it especially easy to set up the new AFG2021-SC. A 3.5 inch color TFT screen shows relevant parameters in both graphic and text formats, so you can have full confidence in your settings and focus on the task at hand. The front-panel shortcut buttons and rotary knob provide quick access to the most frequently used functions and settings.

Excellent frequency agility

Traditional function generators created their output signals using analog oscillators and signal conditioning. The Tektronix AFG2021-SC relies on Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) techniques. DDS technology synthesizes waveforms by using a single clock frequency to generate any frequency within the instrument’s range. DDS architecture provides exceptional frequency agility, making it possible to program fast frequency and phase changes, which is useful for testing radio and satellite system components, amplifiers, and filters.

AFG2021-SC-Arbitrary-Function-Generator-Datasheet-EN_US-9-L

Frequency range from 1 μHz to 20 MHz, supports a wide range of amplifier and filter testing applications.

ArbExpress® for real-world waveforms with minimal effort

With ArbExpress software, you can quickly create waveforms that can be copied to the AFG2021-SC to meet custom stimulus requirements. ArbExpress supports direct connection to Tektronix oscilloscopes and AFGs through USB, GPIB, or LAN (connection type is model dependent). The software allows you to import real-world signals captured with an oscilloscope onto a PC, then edit and copy them onto an AFG through a USB memory device to duplicate the captured waveform. This is extremely useful for automotive, medical, and industrial applications where recreating sensor output is critical to analyzing the integrity of the design.

AFG2021-SC-Arbitrary-Function-Generator-Datasheet-EN_US-10-L

ArbExpress software helps you easily duplicate real-world signals.

Connectivity

Using the front-panel USB host port, you can save your customized waveforms or instrument settings onto a USB memory device. Reloading the data is easily done by plugging the device back into the USB host port.

Compact form factor

The 2U height and half-rack width form factor allow the AFG2021-SC to be stacked on other bench instruments, such as digital multimeters, power supplies, and frequency counters, saving valuable bench space.

Specifications¹

All specifications are guaranteed unless noted otherwise.

¹The given typical values are not warranted. But 80% or more manufactured units will perform to the level indicated at room temperature (approximately 25 °C).

Model overview

Sine wave

1 μHz to 20 MHz

Sine wave in Burst Mode: 1 μHz to 10 MHz
Effective maximum frequency out: 20 MHz

Amplitude flatness (1 V_p-p)

<5 MHz: ±0.15 dB (±0.05 dB, typical)
5 MHz to 20 MHz: ±0.3 dB(±0.02 dB, typical)

Harmonic distortion (1 V_p-p)

10 Hz to 20 kHz: <-70 dBc (<-77 dBc, typical)
20 kHz to 1 MHz: <-60 dBc (<-72 dBc, typical)
1 MHz to 10 MHz: <-50 dBc (<-55 dBc, typical)
10 MHz to 20 MHz: <-40 dBc (<-55 dBc, typical)
THD: <0.2% (<0.15%, typical) 10 Hz to 20 kHz, 1 V_p-p

Spurious (1 V_p-p)

10 Hz to 1 MHz: <–60 dBc (<–71 dBc, typical)
1 MHz to 20 MHz: <–50 dBc (<–68 dBc, typical)

Phase noise, typical: 20 MHz: <–110 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset, 1 V_p-p

Residual clock noise: –63 dBm

Square wave

1 μHz to 10 MHz

Rise/fall time: ≤18 ns
Jitter (RMS): <500 ps (<60 ps, typical)

Ramp wave

1 μHz to 200 kHz

Linearity: ≤0.1% of peak output at 10% to 90% of amplitude range
Symmetry: 0.0% to 100.0%

Pulse wave

1 mHz to 10 MHz

Pulse width: 30.00 ns to 999.99 s
-- Resolution: 10 ps or 5 digits
Pulse duty: 0.001% to 99.999% (Limitations of pulse duty width apply)
Edge transition time: 18 ns to 0.625 × Pulse Period
-- Resolution: 10 ps or 4 digits
Lead delay
-- Range: Continuous Mode: 0 ps to Period Trigger/Gate Burst Mode: 0 ps to Period – [Pulse Width + 0.8 × (Leading Edge Time + Trailing Edge Time)]
-- Resolution: 10 ps or 8 digits
Overshoot: <5%, typical
Jitter (RMS): <500 ps (<90 ps, typical)

Other waveforms: 1 μHz to 200 kHz

Noise bandwidth (-3 dB)

20 MHz

Noise type: White Gaussian

DC (into 50 Ω): –5 V to +5 V

Arbitrary waveforms

1 mHz to 10 MHz

Arbitrary waveforms in Burst Mode
: 1 mHz to 5 MHz
Effective analog bandwidth
(–3 dB): 34 MHz
Nonvolatile memory: 4 waveforms
Memory: sample rate: 2 to 16 k: 250 MS/s
Vertical resolution: 14 bits
Rise/fall time: ≤20 ns
Jitter (RMS): 4 ns

Amplitude

Range

50 Ω load: 10 mV_p-pto 10 V_p-p

Open circuit: 20 mV_p-pto 20 V_p-p

Accuracy

±(1% of setting + 1 mV), (1 kHz sine waveform, 0 V offset, >10 mV_p-pamplitude)

Resolution

0.1 mV_p-p, 0.1 mV_rms, 1 mV, 0.1 dBm, or 4 digits

Units

V_p-p, V_rms, dBm (sine wave only)

Output impedance: 50 Ω

Load impedance setting: Selectable: 50 Ω, 1 Ω to 10.0 kΩ, high Z (adjusts displayed amplitude according to selected load impedance)

Isolation: <42 V_peak maximum to earth

Short-circuit protection: Signal outputs are robust against permanent shorts against floating ground

External voltage protection: To protect signal outputs against external voltages use fuse adapter 013-0345-00

DC offset

Range

50 Ω load: ±(5 V_peak– amplitude V_p-p/2)

Open circuit: ±(10 V_peak– amplitude V_p-p/2)

-- Accuracy

±(1% of |setting| + 5 mV + 0.5% of amplitude (V_p-p))

-- Resolution

1 mV

Modulation characteristics

AM, FM

Carrier waveforms: All, including ARB, except pulse, noise, and DC
Source: Internal/external
Internal modulating waveform: Sine, square, ramp, noise, ARB (AM: maximum waveform length 4,096; FM: maximum waveform length 2,048)
Internal modulating frequency: 2 mHz to 50.00 kHz
AM modulation depth: 0.0% to +120.0%
Min FM peak deviation: DC
Max FM peak deviation: 10 MHz

Pulse width modulation

Carrier waveform: Pulse
Source: Internal/external
Internal modulating waveform: Sine, square, ramp, noise, ARB (Maximum waveform length 2,048)
Internal modulating frequency: 2 mHz to 50.00 kHz
Deviation: 0% to 50.0% of pulse period

Sweep

Waveforms

All, including ARB, except pulse, noise, and DC

Type

Linear, logarithmic

Sweep time

1 ms to 300 s

Hold/return time

0 ms to 300 s

Max total sweep time (Sweep + hold + return)

300 s

Resolution

1 ms or 4 digits

Total sweep time accuracy, typical

0.4%

Min start/stop frequency

All except ARB: 1 μHz

ARB: 1 mHz

Max start/stop frequency

Sine: 20 MHz

Square: 10 MHz

ARB: 10 MHz

Others: 200 kHz

Burst

Waveforms: All, including ARB, except noise and DC
Type: Triggered, gated (1 to 1,000,000 cycles or infinite)
Internal trigger rate: 1 μs to 500.0 s
Gate and trigger sources: Internal, external, manual trigger

Auxiliary input characteristics

Modulation input

Input range: ±1 V full scale
Impedance: 10 kΩ
Frequency range: DC to 25 kHz (122 kS/s sample rate)

External triggered/gated burst input

Level: TTL compatible
Pulse width: 100 ns minimum
Slope: Positive/negative selectable
Trigger delay: 0.0 ns to 85.000 s
Resolution: 100 ps or 5 digits
Jitter (RMS), typical: Burst: <500 ps (Trigger input to signal output)

10 MHz reference input

Impedance: 1 kΩ , AC coupled
Required input voltage swing: 100 mV_p-p to 5 v_p-p
Lock range: 10 MHz ±35 kHz

Auxiliary output characteristics

Trigger output

Level: Positive TTL level pulse into 1 kΩ
Impedance: 50 Ω
Jitter (RMS), typical: 500 ps
Max frequency: 4.9 MHz (4.9 MHz to 20 MHz: A fraction of the frequency is output)

System characteristics

Frequency setting resolution: 1 μHz or 12 digits

Phase (except DC, Noise, Pulse)

Range

–360° to +360°

Resolution

Sine: 0.01°

Other Waveforms: 0.1°

Internal noise add

When activated, output signal amplitude is reduced to 50%

Level: 0.0% to 50% of amplitude (V_p-p) setting
Resolution: 1%

Main output: 50 Ω

Internal frequency response

Stability

All except ARB: ±1 ppm, 0 °C to 50 °C

ARB: ±1 ppm ±1 μHz, 0 °C to 50 °C

Aging

±1 ppm per year

Power source: 100 V to 240 V, 50 Hz to 60 Hz or 115 V, 400 Hz

Power consumption: 60 W

Warm up time, typical: 20 minutes

Power on self diagnostics, typical: <10 s

Accoustic noise, typical: <50 dBA

Display: 3.5 in. Color TFT LCD

User interface and help language: Simplified Chinese (default) and English (user selectable)

Physical characteristics

Dimensions

Height: 104.2 mm (4.10 in.)
Width: 241.8 mm (9.52 in.)
Depth: 419.1 mm (16.50 in.)

Weight

Net: 2.87 kg (6.3 lb.)
Shipping: 4.72 kg (10.4 lb.)

EMC, environmental, and safety characteristics

Temperature

Operating: 0 °C to +50 °C
Non-operating: -30 °C to +70 °C

Humidity

Operating

≤80%, +0 °C to +40 °C, noncondensing

≤60%, +40 °C to +50 °C, noncondensing

Non-operating

5% to 90%, <+40 °C, noncondensing

5% to 80%, ≥+40 °C to ≤+60 °C, noncondensing

5% to 40%, >+60 °C to ≤+70 °C, noncondensing

Altitude

Operating: Up to 3,000 m (9,842 ft.)

EMC compliance: EU Council Directive 2004/108/EC

Safety

UL61010-1; 2004

CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1; 2004

EN61010-1; 2001

IEC61010-1; 2001

Ordering information

Models

AFG2021-SC: 1 µHz to 20 MHz sine wave, 1-channel arbitrary function generator, Simplified Chinese

Instrument options

Language options

Opt. L7: Simplified Chinese manual
Opt. L99: No manual

Language options include translated front-panel overlay for the selected language(s).

Power plug options

Opt. A10: China power plug (50 Hz)
Opt. A99: No power cord

Service options

Opt. C3: Calibration Service 3 Years
Opt. C5: Calibration Service 5 Years
Opt. D1: Calibration Data Report
Opt. D3: Calibration Data Report 3 Years (with Opt. C3)
Opt. R5: Repair Service 5 Years (including warranty)
Opt. R5DW: Repair Service Coverage 5 Years (includes product warranty period). 5-year period starts at time of instrument purchase

Accessories

Standard accessories

—: User manual
—: Power cord
—: CD-ROM with Specifications and Performance Verification Technical Reference manual

Recommended accessories

RMU2U: Rackmount kit
013-0345-00: Fuse adapter, BNC-P to BNC-R
159-0454-00: Fuse set, 3 pcs, 0.125 A.
012-0482-00: BNC cable shielded, 3 ft.
012-1256-00: BNC cable shielded, 9 ft.
011-0049-02: 50 Ω BNC terminator

AFG2021-SC-Arbitrary-Function-Generator-Datasheet-EN_US-11-L

Warranty

Three-year warranty on parts and labor.

Arbitrary Function Generator

AFG2021-SC Datasheet

Plus d’informations

Key performance specifications

Key features

Applications

Superior performance at an affordable price

Intuitive user interface

Excellent frequency agility

ArbExpress® for real-world waveforms with minimal effort

Connectivity

Compact form factor

Specifications1

Model overview

Modulation characteristics

Auxiliary input characteristics

Auxiliary output characteristics

System characteristics

Physical characteristics

EMC, environmental, and safety characteristics

Ordering information

Models

Instrument options

Language options

Power plug options

Service options

Accessories

Standard accessories

Recommended accessories

Warranty

Specifications¹