An Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) is an electronic instrument that uses a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to reproduce an analog signal from data stored in digital memory. First developed in the mid-1970s, AWGs enable the creation of complex, non-standard waveforms that can be tailored to specific requirements. They offer several advantages over conventional signal generators—such as function or pulse generators—including greater flexibility, low-noise precision, and the ability to generate virtually any user-defined signal.

The data used to create waveforms can be produced in various ways. This includes generating data from mathematical equations, drawing waveforms graphically, importing from external files produced by third-party software tools, or acquiring it from instrumentation such as digitizers and digital oscilloscopes.

• The ability of an AWG to generate nearly any mathematically defined or custom waveform provides significant benefits for advanced applications. These include:
• Creating complex test scenarios: In telecommunications, AWGs are used to generate advanced modulation schemes for testing 5G and satellite systems.
• Simulating real-world environments: In automotive testing, AWGs can reproduce the complex signals from sensor arrays under diverse operating conditions.
• High-precision research: Scientific fields, including quantum computing, rely on the fine pulse shaping and precision timing capabilities of AWGs.
• Testing component vulnerabilities: By simulating worst-case inputs and signal noise, AWGs help assess the robustness of semiconductors and other components.
• Design verification: In system and circuit testing, AWGs can replace missing components or verify design performance as signals approach—or exceed—test specification limits.

Used together with a digitizer, AWGs play an important role in systems employing stimulus-response and closed-loop testing techniques.

Originally commercialized as standalone bench-top instruments, early AWGs received data for replay via remote control using standard interfaces such as GPIB or RS-232. By the turn of the century, modular AWG designs based on PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) and PXI (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation) allowed for faster data transfer speeds. Advances in DAC technology also made it possible to generate signals with much higher frequencies, resolutions, and bandwidths. More recently, products using LXI (LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation) have appeared on the market, while PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) cards have replaced older PCI units, and PXIe (PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation Express) modules have superseded previous PXI-based versions. With modularity came the ability to build signal source systems with multiple channels. By sharing common clock and trigger signals, systems with tens, or even hundreds, of synchronous channels can be created.

The latest generation of AWGs includes a variety of waveform replay modes that optimize memory usage. Waveforms can be replayed in Single-Shot, Multiple, Looped, Sequenced, and Gated modes. AWGs that support fast data transfer can also use FIFO streaming, enabling them to stream and replay data directly from PC memory or even GPUs. Some models can also generate waveforms using Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS)—a powerful technique for producing periodic, multitone, and modulated signals. DDS provides an efficient way to create waveform trains, frequency sweeps, or finely tunable reference signals without preloading large data files.

These advancements allow AWGs to switch signal conditions with exceptional speed and precision. As a result, they have become the instrument of choice for automated testing applications where signals with frequency content from DC up to tens of gigahertz must be generated.

Table of Contents

AWG Hardware

• Introduction to Modular Arbitrary Function Generators
• Using Arbitrary Waveform Generator Operating Modes Effectively

DDS Mode

• Using Spectrum DDS in Quantum Research
• Using the DDS mode in Details
• Using Spectrum DDS Mode in various Applications

Software

• Software Support
• Creating AWG Waveforms in SBench 6 using Equations
• Creating, Capturing and Transferring AWG Waveforms

Closed-Loop (AWG-Digitizer) Systems

• Stimulus-Response Systems with AWG and Digitizer
• Closed-Loop applications and latency with or without CUDA GPU
• HybridNETBOX Source Responce Testing