The Tektronix AWG7121B is a single-channel arbitrary waveform generator delivering 12 GSa/s sampling for high-fidelity signal creation across communications, aerospace, defense, and serial data testing. It generates complex waveforms with 100 fs edge timing resolution, supports up to 64 M-point record length, and operates in continuous, triggered, and gated modes. The instrument provides selectable 10-bit or 8-bit vertical resolution, output voltage from 50 mV to 2.0 Vp-p (normal mode), and direct RF generation to 9.6 GHz. Total jitter measures 20 ps p-p typical at 10⁻¹² BER with 35 ps rise/fall time. Real-time sequencing supports up to 16,000 steps with repeat, wait-for-trigger, jump, and go-to-N controls. The AWG7121B accommodates up to 32,000 waveforms, handles 6 Gb/s data rates for serial streams, and imports waveform vectors from MATLAB, MathCAD, and Excel.
Technical Specifications
• Sampling Rate: 12 GSa/s
• Channels: 1 arbitrary waveform output
• Record Length: Up to 64 M points (with optional memory expansion)
• Vertical Resolution: Selectable 10-bit or 8-bit DAC
• Output Voltage Range: 50 mV to 2.0 Vp-p (normal); 50 mV to 1.0 Vp-p (direct)
• Effective RF Frequency Output: Up to 9.6 GHz
• Modulation Bandwidth: Up to 5.3 GHz (-3 dB)
• Total Jitter: 20 ps p-p typical at 10⁻¹² BER
• Rise/Fall Time: 35 ps (20% to 80%)
• Edge Timing Resolution: 100 fs
• Sequence Length: Up to 16,000 steps
• Number of Waveforms: Up to 32,000 waveforms
• SFDR: Up to 54 dBc for signals up to 1 GHz modulation bandwidth
• Data Rate Support: Up to 6 Gb/s
– Key Features
• Real-time sequencing with repeat count, wait-for-trigger, jump, and go-to-N controls
• Direct RF generation capability to 9.6 GHz carrier frequency
• Multi-level signal generation, pre/de-emphasis, jitter injection (Rj, Pj, ISI, DCD), SSC, and wander
• Waveform import from third-party tools (MATLAB, MathCAD, Excel)
• Three generation modes: continuous, triggered, gated
• Marker outputs available on certain configurations
– Typical Applications
• High-speed serial data testing (SATA Gen3)
• RF and microwave signal generation
• Communications system characterization
• Aerospace and defense signal simulation
• Advanced electronic design debugging
– Compatibility & Integration
• Integrated PC with Windows XP operating system
• Network integration support
• Optional RFXpress and SerialXpress software packages
