Tektronix AWG520 User Manual

Arbitrary Waveform Generators

AWG520

AWG520.

AWG520 Solves Communications Physical Layer
and Media Storage Design and Test Challenges

The AWG520’s unique design combines a

graphical editing display with powerful out-

put capabilities to simplify the creation of

arbitrary and complex waveforms and

enable easy on-screen waveform editing.

With the AWG520’s many built-in intuitive

and powerful features, you can easily develop

and edit custom waveforms. Option 03 adds

an independent 10-bit-wide digital data

port that can be used in conjunction with

marker outputs for data generation up to

14-bits wide at up to 1 GHz (14-bits,

AWG520). Direct waveform transfer

capability makes the AWG520 the perfect

complement to selected Tektronix

oscilloscopes.

The AWG520 can easily generate telecom
signals which complement masks from a
digital oscilloscope.

Features & Benefits

Two Channels with 10-Bit
Vertical Resolution

Independent 10-Channel,
1 GHz Digital Data Generation
(Opt. 03)

Built-in Independent Real-time
Noise Generation

External Clock Input
Permits Jitter Insertion
and Synchronization

Supports Direct External Clock
and 10 MHz Reference Input

Unique Real-time Sequencing
Links Multiple Waveform Files
Creating Waveforms of Nearly
Infinite Length

Built-in Application Generates
Jitter, Data Communication
and Disk Drive Waveforms

User Modified Isolation
Pulse for Disk Drive Testing

Built-in 10 GB Hard Drive
for Mass Data Storage that
Can Optionally Be Made
Removable for Secure
Applications (using Opt. 11)

Optional 128 MB Flash Disk
for ATE Applications (Opt. 10)

Replace Standard Function
and Sweep Generators in
Wide Range of Applications

Applications

Communications Design
and Test:

– Low Frequency Modulated

RF with Components Using
AM and FM Modulation

– Digital Information Encoding

Using FSK, PSK and QAM
(Quadrature Modulation)
for Cellular, Fax and Modem
Communications

Optical Communications
Design and Test:

– Reflections, Crosstalk and

Ground Bounce Simulation

Pulse Generation:

– Duty Cycle Ranges from

0% to 100% for NRZ Data

– Testing Clock/Gating

Width Variations

Real-world Simulations:

– Corrupt Ideal Waveforms
– Add Jitter to Waveforms
– EMP/EMI and Other

System Noise

– Power Supply Noise

and Ripple

– Transducer Simulation

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Arbitrary Waveform Generators

AWG520

Characteristics

Operating Modes

Continuous – Waveform is iteratively output. If a
sequence is defined, the sequence order and repeat
functions are applied.

Triggered – Waveform is output only once when
an external, internal GPIB/Ethernet or manual trig­ger is received.

Gated – Waveform begins output when gate is true
and resets to beginning when false.

Enhanced – Waveform is output as defined by
the sequence.

Arbitrary Waveforms

Waveform Length – 256 to 4,194,048 points in
multiples of four.

Sequence Length – 1 to 8,000 steps. Both CH1
and CH2 operate from the same sequence.

Sequence Repeat Counter – 1 to 65,536 or
infinite.

Function Generator
Waveforms

Operation Mode – Continuous mode only.

Waveform Shape – Sine, Triangle, Square, Ramp,

Pulse, or DC.

Frequency – 1.000 Hz to 100.0 MHz.

Amplitude –

Range: 0.020 V
Resolution: 1 mV.

Offset –

Range: –1.000 V to +1.000 V into 50 Ω.
Resolution: 1 mV.

DC Level – DC waveform only.
Range: –1.000 V to +1.000 V into 50 Ω.
Resolution: 1 mV.

Phase –

Range: –360º to +360º.
Resolution:

1.000 Hz to 100.0 kHz: 0.036º step.

100.01 kHz to 1.000 MHz: 0.36º step.

1.001 MHz to 5.000 MHz: 1.8º step.

5.001 MHz to 10.00 MHz: 3.6º step.

10.001 MHz to 20.00 MHz: 7.2º step.

20.001 MHz to 25.00 MHz: 9º step.

25.001 MHz to 40.00 MHz: 14.4º step.

40.001 MHz to 50.00 MHz: 18º step.

50.001 MHz to 100.0 MHz: 36º step.

p-p

to 2 V

into 50 Ω.

p-p

Polarity – Normal, Invert.

Duty Cycle –

Range: 0.1% to 99.9%, Pulse waveform only.
Resolution:

1.000 Hz to 1.000 MHz: 0.1% step.

1.001 MHz to 5.000 MHz: 0.5% step.

5.001 MHz to 10.00 MHz: 1% step.

10.01 MHz to 20.00 MHz: 2% step.

20.01 MHz to 25.00 MHz: 2.5% step.

25.001 MHz to 40.00 MHz: 4% step.

40.01 MHz to 50.00 MHz: 5% step.

50.01 MHz to 100.00 MHz: 10% step.

Marker Out –

Marker1 Pulse Width: Hi/Lo: 20%/80% of Period.
Marker2 Pulse Width:

Hi/Lo: 50%/50% of Period, except 5.001 MHz
to 8.000 MHz.
Hi/Lo: 52%/48% of Period, at 5.001 MHz to

8.000 MHz.

Marker Level:

Hi Level: 2 V into 50 Ω.
Lo Level: 0 V into 50 Ω.

Clock Generator

Sampling Frequency – 50.000000 kHz to

1.0000000 GHz.

Resolution – 8 digits.

Internal Clock –

Accuracy: ±1 ppm.
Phase Noise:

At 1 GHz, 10 kHz offset: –80 dBc/Hz.
At 1 GHz, 100 kHz offset: –100 dBc/Hz.

Internal Trigger Generator

Internal Trigger Rate –

Range: 1.0 µs to 10.0 s.
Resolution: 3 digits, 0.1 µs minimum.
Accuracy: ±0.1%.

Main Output

Output Signal – Single-ended; CH1 and CH2.

DA Converter –

Resolution: 10-Bit.
Differential Non-linearity: ±1 LSB.
Integral Non-linearity: ±1 LSB.

Normal Out –

Pulse Response (–1 and 1 waveform data,
0 V offset, Through filter):

Rise time (10 to 90%): Amplitude >1.0 V,
≤2.5 ns; Amplitude ≤1.0 V, ≤1.5 ns.
Fall time (10 to 90%): Amplitude >1.0 V,
≤2.5 ns; Amplitude ≤1.0 V, ≤1.7 ns.
Aberrations (at 500 MHz): Amplitude >1.0 V,
±10%; Amplitude ≤1.0 V, ±7%.
Flatness (after 50 ns from rise/fall edge): ±3%.
Small signal bandwidth (–3 dB, Amplitude

0.5 V): 300 MHz.
Sinewave Characteristics (1 GS/s clock, 32 waveform
points, 31.25 MHz signal frequency, 1.0 V amplitude,
0 V offset, Through filter):

Harmonics: ≤–50 dBc, DC to 400 MHz.
Noise: ≤–53 dBc, DC to 400 MHz.
Phase Noise: ≤–90 dbc/Hz at 10 kHz offset.

Filter:

Type: 10, 20, 50, 100 MHz Bessel low-pass.
Rise time (10 to 90%): 10 MHz, 35 ns; 20 MHz,
17 ns; 50 MHz, 7.0 ns; 100 MHz, 3.5 ns.
Delay from trigger: 10 MHz, 77 ns +1 clock;
20 MHz, 57 ns +1 clock; 50 MHz, 45 ns +1
clock; 100 MHz, 42 ns +1 clock; Through,
37 ns +1 clock.

Direct DA Out –

Output Voltage: 0.5 V

(with –0.27 V offset)

p-p

into 50 Ω.
Amplitude Accuracy: 0.5 V

p-p

±10%.
DC Offset Accuracy: –0.27 V ±10%
(waveform data = 0).
Pulse Response (–1 and 1 waveform data):

Rise time (10 to 90%): ≤700 ps.
Fall time (10 to 90%): ≤700 ps.

Output Impedance – 50 Ω.

Connector – Front panel BNC.

Channel Output Summary

Output Type AWG520

Analog 2

Complement N/A

Marker CH1: M1, M2

CH2: M1, M2

Digital (Opt. 03) 2 Analog

(CH2 Analog = D0 to D9,

CH1 and CH2 Analog

independent),

D0 to D9, 4 Markers

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Arbitrary Waveform Generators

AWG520

Auxiliary Outputs

Marker –

Number: AWG520: 4.
Level:

Hi/Lo: –2.0 V to 2.0 V (0.05 V
into 50 Ω; –4.0 V to 4.0 V (0.1 V

p-p

to 4 V

p-p

to 8 V

into 1 MΩ.
Resolution: 0.05 V.
Accuracy: Within ±0.1 V ±5% of setting.
Rise/Fall Time (10 to 90%, typical):

, Hi +0.5 V/Lo –0.5 V: 0.5 ns.

At 1 V

p-p

, Hi +1 V/Lo –1 V: 1.0 ns.

At 2 V

p-p

, Hi +2 V/Lo –2 V: 2.0 ns.

At 4 V

p-p

Variable Delay:

Range: 0 ns to +2 ns.

Resolution: 20 ps.
Marker Skew: 32 ps.
Connector: Rear-panel SMB.

Clock Out –

Level: ECL 100 K compatible.
Connector: Front-panel BNC.

Noise –

Level:

Range: –145 dBm/Hz to –105 dBm/Hz.

Resolution: 1 dB.

Accuracy: ±2.5 dB at 100 MHz.

Flatness: ±2.5 dB, 1 MHz to 300 MHz

(referenced to –105 dBm/Hz at 100 MHz).
Type: Gaussian.
Connector: Front-panel BNC.

Digital Data Out (Opt. 03) –

Output Signals: D0 to D9 (10-Bits).
Level:

Hi/Lo: –2.0 V to 2.0 V (0.1 V

50 Ω; –4.0 V to 4.0 V (0.2 V

p-p

p-p

to 4 V

to 8 V
into 1 MΩ.
Resolution: 0.1 V.
Accuracy: Within ±0.1 V ±5% of setting.

Rise/Fall Time (10 to 90%) typical:

, Hi +0.5 V/Lo –0.5 V: 0.5 ns.

At 1 V

p-p

, Hi +1 V/Lo –1 V: 1.0 ns.

At 2 V

p-p

, Hi +2 V/Lo –2 V: 2.0 ns.

At 4 V

p-p

Skew Between Data: ≤1 ns, 330 ps typical.
Delay:

Data to marker: 4.4 ns.
Clock to data: 3.7 ns.

Connector: Rear-panel SMB.

Auxiliary Inputs

Trigger In –

Impedance: 1 kΩ or 50 Ω.
Polarity: POS or NEG.
Input Voltage Range:

1 kΩ:±10V.
50 Ω:±5V.

p-p

p-p

p-p

)

) into

)

Threshold:

Level: –5.0 V to 5.0 V.
Resolution: 0.1 V.
Accuracy: ±(5% of level + 0.1 V).

Pulse Width (0.2 V amplitude): 10 ns minimum.

)

p-p

Trigger Holdoff: 500 ns maximum.
Delay to Marker: 30 ns +1 clock.
Connector: Front-panel BNC.

Event Trig Input –

Number of Events: 4 Bits.
Input Signals: 4 event bits, strobe.
Threshold: TTL level.
Pulse Width: 64 clocks minimum.
Maximum Input: 0 V to +5 V (DC + peak AC).
Delay to Analog Out: ≤384 clock +20 ns.
Impedance 2.2 kΩ, pull-up to +5 V.
Connector: Rear-panel 9-Pin D-sub.

CH1 ADD Input –

Input Voltage Range: –1 V to 1 V (DC + peak AC).
Impedance: 50 Ω.
Bandwidth (–3 dB): DC to 200 MHz at 1 V

p-p

input.
Amplitude Accuracy: ±5%.
Connector: Front-panel BNC.

Reference 10 MHz Clock IN –

Input Voltage Range: 0.2 V to 3.0 V

,

p-p

±10 V maximum.
Impedance: 50 Ω, AC coupled.
Frequency Range: 10 MHz ±0.1 MHz.
Connector: Rear-panel BNC.

External Sample Clock In

Input Voltage Range – 0.25 V

Maximum Input Voltage Range – ±10 V

p-p

to 1 V

.

p-p

.

max

Impedance – 50 Ω, AC coupling.

Frequency Range – 10 MHz to 900 MHz.

Duty Cycle Ratio – 40% to 60%.

Pulse Width – 0.5 ns minimum.

Connector – Rear panel BNC.

Display

Area – 13.2 cm (5.2 in.) horizontal by 9.9 cm
(3.9 in.) vertical.

Resolution – 640 horizontal by 480 vertical pixels.

Data Storage

Internal Hard Disk Drive – 10.0 GB (standard).

Floppy Disk Drive – 3.5 in., 1.44 MB.

Option 10 – Substitute flash disk (128 MB) for HDD,

add standby switch. (Opt. 10 is best suited for ATE
and system usage requiring 7x24 hour operation.)

Environmental, EMC, Safety

Temperature –

Operating: 10 ºC to +40 ºC.
Nonoperating: –20 ºC to +60 ºC.

Humidity –

Operating: 20 to 80%, noncondensing.
Nonoperating: 5 to 90%, noncondensing.

Altitude –

Operating: Up to 4,500 m. (15,000 ft). Maximum
operating temperature decreases 1 ºC per 300 m
above 1.5 km.
Nonoperating: Up to 15,000 m (50,000 ft.).

Vibration (test limits) –

Operating: 0.27 G

from 5 to 500 Hz, 10 minutes

RMS

duration.
Nonoperating: 2.28 G

from 5 to 500 Hz,

RMS

10 minutes duration.

Shock (test limits) –

Nonoperating: 294 m/s

2

(30 G), half-sine,

11 ms duration.

EMC Compliance –

EN50081-1.
EN50082-1.
FCC Part 15, Subchapter B Class A.
AS/NZS 20641/2.

Safety – UL3111-1, CSA1010.1, EN61010-1,
IEC61010-1.

Power

Source Power –

Line Voltage Range: 100 to 240 VAC.
Line Frequency: 48 to 63 Hz.

Power Consumption – 600 W at 8 A maximum.

Physical Characteristics

Dimensions mm in.

Height 178 7.0
Height with Opt. 11 215.5 8.48
Width 422 17.5
Depth 560 25.8

Weight kg lbs.

Net 17 37.5

Warranty – One year parts and labor.

Other

Programmable Interface –

GPIB: 24-Pin IEEE488.1 connector.
Ethernet: 10Base-T, RJ-45 connector.

Keyboard Connector – 6-Pin mini-DIN connector.

Option 11 – Substitute Internal Hard Disk Drive

with removable 10.0 GB Hard Disk Drive mounted
on top of the instrument

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AWG520

Ordering Information

AWG520

Programmable Dual-channel Arbitrary
Waveform Generator.

Includes: User manual (071-0099-00),
Programmer manual (071-0100-00), GPIB pro­gramming examples disk (063-2982-00), sample
waveform library disk (063-2981-00), AXW100
ArbExpress Software Utility CD (063-3763-00),
performance verification disk (063-2983-00),
power cord, fuse (159-0239-00). Please specify
power plug when ordering.

Recommended Accessories

Service Manual – Order 071-0101-01.

Protective Cover – Order 200-3696-01.

GPIB Cable – Order 012-0991-01.

50 Ω BNC Cable (36-inch) – Order 012-1341-00.

50 Ω BNC Cable (98-inch) – Order 012-1256-00.

50 Ω SMB Cable – Order 012-1458-00.

50 Ω SMB-to-BNC Cable – Order 012-1459-00.

50 Ω BNC Termination – Order 011-0049-02.

800 MHz BNC Low-pass Filter – Order

015-0660-00.

400 MHz BNC Low-Pass Filter – Order
015-0659-00.

200 MHz BNC Low-Pass Filter – Order
015-0658-00.

100 MHz BNC Low-Pass Filter – Order
015-0657-00.

Rackmount Conversion Kit – Order
016-1675-01.

Keyboard – IBM-compatible 4-Pin mini
DIN connector.

Spare Removable Hard Disk Kit – Order
650-4643-00 (Opt. 11 must be installed).

Options

Opt. 03 – CH. 2 10-Bit output up to 1 GHz.

Opt. 10 – Flashdisk (128 MB) and standby

switch – removes HDD.

(Opt. 10 is best suited for ATE and system usage
requiring 7x24 hour operation.)

Opt. 11 – Removable Hard Disk (exclusive to
Option 10 and/or Option 3).

Opt. 1R – Rackmount.

Power Plug Options

Opt. A0 – North America Power.

Opt. A1 – Universal EURO Power.

Opt. A2 – United Kingdom Power.

Opt. A3 – Australia Power.

Opt. A4 – 240 V, North America Power.

Opt. A5 – Switzerland Power.

Service

Opt. C3 – Calibration Service 3 Years.

Opt. C5 – Calibration Service 5 Years.

Opt. D1 – Calibration Data Report.

Opt. D3 – Calibration Data Report 3 Years

(with Option C3).

Opt. D5 – Calibration Data Report 5 Years
(with Option C5).

Opt. R3 – Repair Service 3 Years.

Opt. R5 – Repair Service 5 Years.

Warranty

One year parts and labor.

Contact Tektronix:

ASEAN / Australasia / Pakistan (65) 6356 3900

Austria [phone]

Belgium [phone]

Brazil & South America 55 (11) 3741-8360

Canada 1 [phone]

Central Europe & Greece [phone]

Denmark [phone]

Finland [phone]

France & North Africa [phone]

Germany [phone]

Hong Kong (852) 2585-6688

India (91) 80-22275577

Italy [phone]

Japan 81 (3) 6714-3010

Mexico, Central America & Caribbean 52 (55) 56666-333

The Netherlands [phone]

Norway [phone]

People’s Republic of China 86 (10) 6235 1230

Poland [phone]

Republic of Korea 82 (2) 528-5299

Russia, CIS & The Baltics [phone]

South Africa [phone]

Spain [phone]

Sweden [phone]/4

Taiwan 886 (2) 2722-9622

United Kingdom & Eire [phone]

USA 1 [phone]

USA (Export Sales) 1 [phone]

For other areas contact Tektronix, Inc. at: 1 [phone]

13 August 2004

Our most up-to-date product information is available at:

www.tektronix.com

Product Area Assessed: The planning, design/development

and manufacture of electronic Test and Measurement instruments.

Product(s) complies with IEEE Standard 488.1-1987, RS-232-C,

and with Tektronix Standard Codes and Formats.

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Copyright © 2004, Tektronix, Inc. All rights reserved. Tektronix products are covered
by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this publication
supersedes that in all previously published material. Specification and price change
privileges reserved. TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix,
Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks or regis­tered trademarks of their respective companies.

08/04 DV/WWW 76W-11846-5