The Signal Path reviews the SIGLENT SDG6000X Arbitrary Waveform Generator
May 30, 2018
Shahriar @TheSignalPath reviews the SIGLENT SDG6000X Series of arbitrary waveform generators… per The Signal Path website (http://thesignalpath.com/blogs/):
In this episode Shahriar takes a close look at the newly released Siglent SDG6000X Series Pulse / Arbitrary Waveform Generator. SDG6000X is a series of dual-channel Pulse/ Arbitrary Waveform Generators that feature up to 500MHz output frequency, a maximum sample rate of 2.4GSa/s and 16-bit vertical resolution when used as a function generator. The particular reviewed model is the SDG6052X which is the top-end model.
The full teardown of the unit reveals the internal architecture of the instrument, DAC / FPGA interconnect as well as the output amplifier structure. Although the limitations of the FPGA prevents the instrument to operate at full 2.5GSa/s in arb-mode, the instrument is capable of providing complex modulation up to the full 500MHz signal bandwidth.
This comprehensive review is organized as follows:
00:01:11 – Siglent SDG model overview and comparison
00:03:10 – Front and back panel overview
00:06:24 – Full teardown and analysis of the instrument archietecture
00:18:19 – GUI overview, menu structures and built-in functions
00:22:31 – Waveform phase and amplitude accuracy, characterizing a 180-degree hybrid
00:30:42 – Large-signal generation, ultra-sound experiment and range measurements
00:36:38 – Pulse generation performance, spectral content and low-pass filter measurements
00:44:07 – THD measurements, harmonic generation, Two-tone TOI measurements using waveform combine function
00:50:30 – PRBS pattern generator, ISI measurements and eye-diagram impairments using waveform combine functions
01:01:57 – I/Q modulation and waveform creation using EasyIQ as well as superheterodyne up-converter measurements
01:10:44 – Concluding remarks