Build a Flexible Arbitrary Signal Generator (Download)

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Often during product development, complex test signals are needed beyond those available from common signal or function generators. To meet this requirement, arbitrary signal generators (ARBs) consisting of a fast memory coupled to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) were developed.

ARBs come in many shapes and sizes dependent on the sample rate, number of channels, and digital resolution. For some applications, one or two analog outputs are sufficient, but occasionally a combination of synchronized analog and digital outputs are required. One such application is driving contemporary high-efficiency radio-frequency (RF) power amplifiers (PAs) or transmitters with 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) signals.