FAQs from Rohde & Schwarz

Output frequency of the Arbitrary Generator is wrong?

Question

I have loaded a waveform into the arbitrary generator. The frequency of the waveform is 10 KHz:

Loaded waveform into the arbitrary generator. Frequency of the waveform is 10 KHz.

When I set the frequency of the arbitrary generator to 10 KHz, the frequency of the output signal is 120 KHz. What is wrong here?

Set the frequency of the arbitrary generator

Answer

The frequency, which is set at the arbitrary generator is the repetition rate of the complete waveform, which is displayed on the screen. In that example, the waveform contains 12 cycles. Just one cycle represents 10 KHz.

The frequency of the output signal is then 10 KHz X 12 = 120 KHz. So if you need 10 KHz you have to cut 11 cycles from the waveform, which is loaded into the arbitrary generator.