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| Tektronix Arbitrary Function Generators (and Rigol too) |
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| Electro Fan:
Anyone have any insight on the Tektronix AFG Series of Arb/Function Generators? One thing that looks attractive about the Tek AFGs is the Arb Express software. I have been thinking about a Rigol DG1062Z or 1032Z (both of which would save some $ over the Teks AFGs - roughly half the price or better), but the Rigol arb creating software just doesn't get very good reviews - although there aren't a lot reviews out there. Anyway, back on the Tek AFGs, the 3000 series appears to be a little long in the tooth - maybe introduced around 2008? It looks like they went through the initial models, then a B version, and now a C version. Anyone know the differences between the three versions? Or how long until Tek is likely to introduce a new generation of AFGs? Tek has an entry model 2021 which is featured as having been built on the experience gained with the 3000 series. It looks like it could be found new or used for about $1300 or less which starts to close the gap on the DG1062Z, and it includes the Arb Express software. Or maybe it makes sense to consider the AFG3021C over the 2021? The 3021 goes to 25MHz for sine waves and has a larger 5.6" vs 3.5" display; the bigger display is nice, and the 3021 will do square waves and pulses at 25 MHz where the 2021 gets to 20MHz on sine waves but only 10MHz on square waves and pulses.* The front panel layout on the 3000 series looks a little better than on the 2000 series - but it might be a minor thing. Then we get to the notion of the 3022C - which would provide a second channel, but it raises the price considerably. Anyone want to make the case that a second channel would be especially useful? (I can believe a 2nd channel is useful since almost everything else from DMMs to scopes to anything that gives you a way to compare and contrast is useful :) ) The big thing for my interest is the ability to make and experiment with arbs. Initially I don't need complex arbs but I'd like an easy way to make various pulse combinations to represent ASCII characters - maybe hundreds to thousands of bytes per string which would be 8-10x as many bits (so memory and to some extent sampling is a consideration). I just want to easily/quickly shape the pulse strings with precise control over frequency, amplitude, duty cycle, etc. If Rigol had something like Arb Express this would be easy. I imagine this could probably be done in Python or some other language but I'd prefer off the shelf PC software. So, between the Rigol 1062/1032 and the Tek 2021, 3021C and 3022C for making arbs - what do you think? Seems like you have to pay 2-3x to get good software - kind of hard to justify. Thanks for any thoughts/advice. EF * I saw specs that say the 3021C goes to 12.5MHz for arbs and half that for arbs in burst mode; the 2021 goes to 10MHz for arbs and half that for arbs in burst mode - so maybe for arbs there isn't much difference between the two models. |
| Omicron:
If you're in Europe then check out Farnell. They have a promotion going for the AFG2021. Only 575 Euro's at the moment (excl. VAT): http://be.farnell.com/tektronix/afg2021/generator-function-arb-20mhz/dp/2143351 |
| Wuerstchenhund:
--- Quote from: Electro Fan on November 08, 2014, 05:01:39 pm ---Anyone have any insight on the Tektronix AFG Series of Arb/Function Generators? One thing that looks attractive about the Tek AFGs is the Arb Express software. I have been thinking about a Rigol DG1062Z or 1032Z (both of which would save some $ over the Teks AFGs - roughly half the price or better), but the Rigol arb creating software just doesn't get very good reviews - although there aren't a lot reviews out there. --- End quote --- Yes, the Rigol software is pretty poor (I have a DG1062z, and I also wrote a review of that thing including the software some time ago in this forum). I find it slightly better than the software Siglent provides for their AWGs, but it's still a very poor piece of software. Which is a shame as the DG1062z is really good. I also know Arb Express, which in my opinion is still the best free waveform editor out there, and because of Arb Express I am still thinking of getting one of the better Tek AWGs (actual AWG Series not AFG, as the latter are mostly low performance models). Of course the AWG Series is quite expensive, but it would also give me much higher bandwidths and larger sample memory than the Rigol which is a plus. --- Quote ---The big thing for my interest is the ability to make and experiment with arbs. Initially I don't need complex arbs but I'd like an easy way to make various pulse combinations to represent ASCII characters - maybe hundreds to thousands of bytes per string which would be 8-10x as many bits (so memory and to some extent sampling is a consideration). I just want to easily/quickly shape the pulse strings with precise control over frequency, amplitude, duty cycle, etc. If Rigol had something like Arb Express this would be easy. I imagine this could probably be done in Python or some other language but I'd prefer off the shelf PC software. So, between the Rigol 1062/1032 and the Tek 2021, 3021C and 3022C for making arbs - what do you think? Seems like you have to pay 2-3x to get good software - kind of hard to justify. --- End quote --- Well, it seems sample memory size will be an issue for you, and the Tek AFGs all seem to have somewhat small sample memories. I agree that good software is important, but since you already consider rolling your own I'd say you'd be better off with the Rigol. |
| Electro Fan:
Wuerstchenhund, I carefully read your review - it was very good - I think it's the definitive Rigol arb review to date. It had me pretty well convinced to look elsewhere for arb software. To clarify, I'd much rather find good off the shelf software than than write software for the arb waveform creation/editing function. Omicron, thanks for the link. Found these: Tektronix Arb Express Software: http://www.tek.com/signal-generator/afg2021-software/arbexpress-waveform-creation-and-editing-sw-v29 Keysight (Agilent) BenchLink Software: http://www.keysight.com/main/software.jspx?ckey=2039094&lc=eng&cc=US&nid=-536902257.977229&id=2039094&pageMode=CV Both can be easily downloaded for trial use. (They both have the ability to load waveforms from scopes, but it looks like maybe only from selected models of their own brand - or maybe there is a way to get them to accept waveforms from other brands through a NI VISA driver? Of the two, the BenchLink software looked more likely to accept waveforms from other manufacturer's scopes.) They both look like they are fairly mature real world pieces of software - would be up for any opinions on how these apps look to you. Thanks, EF |
| w2aew:
I use my AFG3000 all of the time. Of course, I work for Tek, but the AFG3000 I own personally. The "C" versions include a newer uP which boots faster, and features an active matrix display which is a vast improvement over the passive matrix displays on the non-C models. The viewing angle was pretty limited on the non-C, but is great on the C models. The ARBExpress software is very handy. If you have a Tek scope, it can help you easily pull a waveform from the scope, modify it if you like, then push it to the ARB waveform memory in the AFG for playback. The AFG2000's lack the modulation and burst features of the 3000, which I've found very handy too. The large display and the larger array of dedicated buttons mean that there are fewer menus to navigate when setting things up. Sure, the basic design has been around a while, but it's ease of use and performance are still very good. Lots of nice features like being able to adjust phase between two channels, as well as being able to have the two channels doing completely different things. In the end, it's a personal choice and you'll have to choose what you'll be most comfortable with in terms of features, ease of use, price, availability, performance, etc. |
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