The Agilent/Keysight Technologies N8242A 10 Bit, 1.25 GS/s or 625 MS/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator Synthetic Instrument Module, Refurbished is capable of creating digitally modulated waveforms for wideband communication systems.

The N8242A gives designers access to Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) technology capable of generating wideband digital communications signals with ultra-low EVM. Each module incorporates two high-speed DACs to create 500 MHz of signal bandwidth and = -50 dBc SFDR across each channel. Users have the choice of driving their designs differentially from the DAC outputs or through multiple signal-conditioning paths. Although some AWGs require users to make a trade-off between the number of output channels and differential outputs, the N8242A provides both—allowing you to drive your designs and eliminating the need for baluns or hybrids in the test path. In addition, each channel can output waveforms as an IF or as a baseband signal for I/Q upconversion.Create long scenario simulations

Multiply the effective size of on-board memory through the use of the N8242A’s advanced sequencing engine. Uniquely define how waveform segments are played through looping and nesting of stored waveform models. This capability gives users the ability to simulate fading and other multi-path effects for extended periods of time.

System scalability

Create phase-coherent, multi-emitter simulations using the N8242A’s precision SYNC clock. A single N8242A can drive a total of eight AWG modules to synchronize their outputs on a sample-by-sample basis. Any number of modules can be synchronized with simple driver hardware. The AWG also includes multiple front-panel trigger and markers for complete system synchronization.

Ease-of-use

The N8242A’s graphical user interface guides developers through module setup and waveform file transfers. Users can quickly configure the instrument’s signal conditioning paths, marker and trigger lines, sample and reference clock sources and simple sequencing functions. More sophisticated sequencing functions are available through the instrument’s numerous programmatic interfaces. The N8242A supports interfaces for MATLAB, LabView, IVI-C, and VEE framework.