signal generator
Signal generator is the generic term for all signal-generating generators. The term has no reference to the signal shape, the frequency range or the frequency constancy. Depending on the point of view, signal generators can be classified according to the signal form, the accuracy and precision, the constancy and frequency. And finally also according to the type of signal generation - whether analog or digital.
In terms of waveform, signal generators include sine wave generators, pulse generators, function generators, arbitrary waveform generators, and vector signal gener ators, which generate one or more waveforms. RF generators and noise generators can also be added to the signal generators.
Considering the precision, accuracy and constancy of the generated signals, both in terms of amplitude and frequency, measurement standards, voltage standards, time standards and frequency standards and calibrators belong to signal generators as well as AF generators and RF generators for audio frequency, radio frequency and microwave.
Signal generators can generate unmodulated and modulated frequencies, they can modulate the frequencies with different modulation methods, adjust the modulation depth and modulation index to the needs, decrease the output amplitude continuously or stepwise, vary the pulse ratio of pulses, generate single pulses or pulse chains, or generate high-precision output signals for calibration purposes.
Signal generators are used in many industries, including aerospace, industrial electronics, computer engineering, communications engineering, and others. The areas of application range from development, to the test field, production, test and maintenance. Correspondingly diverse as the metrological tasks are also the requirements on the signal generation with regard to the signal shape, the frequency accuracy and the phase accuracy, the level stability or the modulation properties.