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Signal generators play a vital role in electrical test and measurement. They generate the test signals that are applied to components such as filters and amplifier, or even to entire modules, in order to ascertain and test their behavior and characteristics. The first part of this educational note presents the applications for and the most important types of signal generators. This is followed by a description of the construction and functioning of analog and vector signal generators. To permit a better understanding of the specifications found on data sheets, a closer look at the most important parameters for a signal generator is provided.Beyond the output of spectrally pure signals, a key function of RF signal generators is the generation of analog- and digitally modulated signals. The second part of this note therefore presents the fundamentals for the most significant analog and digital modulation methods.The third part of this educational note contains exercises on the topics of analog and digital modulation. All described measurements were performed using the R&S®SMBV100A vector signal generator and the R&S®FSV spectrum analyzer.
This application note examines both the theory and practice of state-of-the-art spectrum analysis by discussing specific measurements taken on an integrated RF amplifier.The theoretical portion of this document first describes how modern spectrum analyzers are designed and how they work. That is followed by a brief characterization of today's signal generators, which are needed as a stimulus when performing amplifier measurements. The effects on the spectrum that are caused by the nonlinearity of real devices under test are derived mathematically.The practical portion of this application note contains detailed test and measurement tasks that are suitable for use as lab exercises performed in small groups. The purpose of these tasks is to illustrate the explanations provided in the theoretical section and to provide a deeper understanding of the principles explained there.