Signal Source Delivers Strong Price/Performance

Feb. 3, 2003

The first 20-MHz function/arbitrary waveform generator with variable-edge pulses and pulse-width modulation (PWM)—at a cost of $1850—comes by way of Agilent Technologies. The 33220A's pulse and PWM capability, combined with its 50-Msample/s, 14-bit 64-kpoint arbitrary waveform capability, gives engineers in electronics, automotive, aerospace, government, medical, and computer industries new highs in performance for design, verification, and testing. It's the first Agilent instrument with both USB and Ethernet I/Os. It also provides a GPIB interface.

The 33220A is easy to use, with its new level of menu-driven front-panel and remote-access controls (see the figure). The generator employs direct digital synthesis to create stable, accurate, and clean output signals with low distortion of −70 dBc. Sine, square, triangular, pulse, noise, and dc outputs are possible with variable edge-time selection on pulses. Modulation modes include AM, FM, phase modulation, frequency-shift keying, and PWM. Other features include linear and logarithmic sweeps, burst-mode operations, and an optional 10-MHz external timebase for multiple channels. Its output ranges from 10 mV to 10 V p-p.

Both the 33220A and an optional Opt-00 $450 external timebase reference are available now.

Agilent Technologies Inc.
www.agilent.com
(800) 452-4844

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.