Tektronix AWG2021 250 MHz Arbitrary Waveform Generator



Tektronix AWG2021 250 MHz Arbitrary Waveform Generator

Basic Information and Security Standards

Product positioning: 250 MHz high-precision arbitrary waveform generator, specializing in laboratory precision testing (such as benchmark signal simulation) and industrial production line screening (such as component parameter verification), supporting custom waveform and standard function waveform generation.

Safety regulations

Specific requirements for safety categories

Overvoltage Category CAT III 1000V, CAT IV 600V Suitable Distribution System (CAT III) and Low Voltage Grid (CAT IV) Scenarios

Terminal rated value "V Ω" terminal maximum 1000V DC/AC; Terminal A has a maximum of 10A DC/AC (continuous) and 20A (30 second pulse). It is prohibited to input voltage beyond the range to avoid device damage

Operating environment working temperature+10 ℃ -+40 ℃, humidity 20% -80% (no condensation); Storage temperature -40 ℃ -+70 ℃. Exceeding this range may result in decreased testing accuracy or hardware failure

Grounding requirements require grounding through the power line grounding conductor to avoid the risk of electric shock caused by leakage

Operation Guide: Basic Process and Panel Control

1. Power on/off and self check

Startup process

Environmental inspection: Ensure good ventilation (leave 15.2cm space on the left and right sides, 7.6cm space on the top/rear), and unobstructed heat dissipation holes.

Power connection: Select the corresponding power cord according to the region (such as North America 125V, Europe 230V, refer to Table 1-1), and connect the Rear panel power interface.

Starting power supply:

Press the 'PRINCIPAL POWER SWITCH' button on the Rear panel to power on the standby circuit.

Press the "ON/STBY" button on the front panel to start the instrument and perform a self-test (approximately 3 seconds).

Self check result:

No error: Display "Pass" and enter the SETUP menu.

Error: Display "Fail"+error code (such as "Uncal" requiring UTILITY menu calibration). You can press any key to exit and enter the menu, but the waveform output may not be reliable.

Shutdown process

Press the "ON/STBY" button on the front panel to cut off the power supply to the main circuit.

When not in use for a long time, turn off the 'PRINCIPAL POWER SWITCH' on the Rear panel and unplug the power cord.

2. Key components of the front-end panel

Specific functional operation examples for component categories

MEAS key in function selection area: switch measurement function; F. G key: Switch to function generator mode and press F. G key to enter standard waveform settings such as sine/triangle/square wave

Menu Control Area MENU Column: SETUP (Parameter Configuration), MODE (Run Mode), EDIT (Editor), LOAD/SAVE (File Management), UTILITY (System Settings) Press the EDIT key to enter the initial menu for file editing

Universal knobs in the data operation area: adjust values/select files; Numerical keys (0-9/.+-): input parameters; Unit key (ns/MHz, etc.): Enter the "1"+"MHz" key to specify the unit and set the clock frequency to 1 MHz

Trigger control area TRIGGER INPUT: external trigger input (maximum ± 10 V ₚ₋ₚ); MANUAL key: Manually triggered. In Triggered mode, press the MANUAL key to trigger waveform output once

Output control area CH1/CH2 ON/OFF keys: switch channel output; SYNC/MARK output interface: Sync/Mark signal output. Press the CH1 ON/OFF button, and the LED will light up to indicate that the CH1 waveform output is turned on

Core functional module: Editor and menu configuration

1. Four core editors (EDIT menu)

(1) Waveform Editor (. WFM file)

Function: Create/edit waveform data, supports 3 display formats:

Graphic display: Visualize waveforms, support point drawing, smoothing (spline/linear interpolation), arithmetic operations (absolute value/integral/derivative).

Timing display: Display timing according to data bits (DATA 11-DATA 0), supporting the setting of - pattern (such as NRZ/NRZI encoding).

Table display: Display each point data in binary/hexadecimal/real form, supporting direct editing of numerical values.

Key operations: Select the editing area (left and right vertical cursor), perform cutting/copying/pasting, or insert other waveform files.

(2) Equation Editor (. QU file)

Function: Generate waveforms through mathematical equations, support 100 line equations, compile and generate WFM file.

Support functions: trigonometric functions (sin/cos), exponents (exp), logarithms (log/ln), random numbers (rnd), differentials (diff), integrals (integ), etc.

Example equation: range (0,1ms) sin (2 * pi * x) (generates a single period sine wave within 0-1ms).

(3) Sequence Editor (. SEQ file)

Function: Combine multiple waveform/sequence files and set the number of repetitions for each file (1-65535 times).

Operation process: Select a file from the directory → Set the number of repetitions → Generate a sequence, support "Show Overview" preview of combined waveforms.

(4) Automatic Step Editor (. AST file)

Function: Program waveforms and output parameters (clock/amplitude/filter) step by step, switch one step per trigger, supporting 100 steps.

Features: In AutoStep mode, the SETUP menu parameters cannot be modified, and the parameters between steps can be independently set (such as Step 1 amplitude of 2V, Step 2 amplitude of 3V).

2. Extended Editor (Option 09)

Editor Type Function Key Parameters

FFT editor for frequency domain editing, supporting fast Fourier transform/inverse transform window functions: 6 types including rectangle, Hanning, and Hamming; Filtering: low-pass/high pass/band-pass/bandstop

Convolutional waveform editor supports high-speed convolution/correlation operations with a maximum of 32000 data points, where the number of result points equals the sum of two waveform points

3. Key menu configuration

(1) SETUP menu (output parameter settings)

Parameter Category Configuration Options Value Range/Description

Clock source: Internal/External; Frequency (Internal) 10.00 Hz -250.0 MHz (4-digit accuracy)

Waveform Sequence (file selection) supports selecting waveform/sequence files WFM/. SEQ file, automatically loads corresponding parameters

CH1 Operation: Normal/AM/Add/External AM AM: CH1 × CH2; Add: CH1+CH2 (1/5 CH2 weight)

Filter Through/1/5/20/50 MHz suppresses high-frequency noise, such as 50 MHz filtering, which is suitable for high-frequency waveforms

Amplitude: Vertical axis full bias voltage of 0.05 V -5 V (50 Ω load, 1 mV step)

Offset Vertical axis offset voltage -2.5 V -+2.5 V (5 mV step size)

(2) MODE menu (operating mode)

Mode name function triggering conditions

Cont (continuous mode) continuously outputs waveforms without triggering, select and run

Triggered mode outputs a waveform every time it is triggered. External trigger (rising/falling edge) or MANUAL key is used

When the gate signal is valid, output waveform external signals (high/low level) or press and hold the MANUAL key

Burst mode: After triggering, output the specified number of waveform bursts 1-65535 times, triggered externally or with the MANUAL key

Waveform Advance switches to the next waveform every time it is triggered, ignoring the number of repetitions in the sequence file and cyclically outputting in order

Press AutoStep AST file step output, with independent parameters for each step and execution of one step per trigger, supporting 100 steps

Data Management and Transmission (LOAD/SAVE menu)

1. Storage medium and capacity

Storage Type Capacity Characteristics

Internal memory (RAM) up to 400 files lost due to power failure, used for temporary editing/output

NVRAM (non-volatile memory) 512KB, up to 400 files can be saved in case of power failure, suitable for long-term storage of critical files

3.5-inch floppy disk is compatible with MS-DOS format and supports directory hierarchy. It needs to be formatted first (UTILITY menu)

2. File loading/saving operations

Load file

Press the LOAD/SAVE key → select Device → select the target media (Disk/NVRam/GPIB).

Select Load → Select 'Load All' or individual file → Confirm loading into internal memory.

Save file

Press the LOAD/SAVE key → select Device → select the target medium.

Select Save → Select "Save All" or individual file → Optional ASCII format for external analysis.

3. GPIB direct transmission

Supported devices: Tek TDS series oscilloscope, HP 54600 series oscilloscope, etc. (refer to Table 3-19).

Operation steps:

Connect AWG2021 to the source device using GPIB cable.

Select Device → GPIB → Select Source Device (such as "Tek TDS CH1").

Select Load ->Automatically load waveform into internal memory (named as "TDSCH1. WFM").

Calibration and maintenance

1. Self calibration process

Trigger condition:

Regular: once every 90 days when the environment is stable (± 2 ℃); When the fluctuation is greater than 5 ℃, once every 30 days.

Manual: Press and hold the CAL key when turning on, or UTILITY → Calibration → Start.

Steps:

Disconnect all probes, the instrument displays "CALIBRATION...".

Internal calibration of ADC and reference source (approximately 2 minutes), complete display of "CAL PASS".

If 'CAL FAIL', check the ambient temperature (+18 ℃ -+28 ℃) and recalibrate.

2. Common troubleshooting

Possible causes and solutions for the fault phenomenon

No display/power adapter failure, fuse blown, replace with 12V/3A adapter; Check the 2A/250V fuse (Rear panel)

The waveform has no inflection point (such as the breakdown voltage test of the Zener transistor), the vertical sensitivity is insufficient, and the filter gear is improper. The vertical sensitivity is set to 1 μ A/div (leakage current measurement), and MAG X10 is turned on; Select a 50 MHz filter

GPIB transmission checksum error, loose cable, incorrect command format, replace GPIB cable (total length ≤ 20m); Confirm that the command termination symbol (EOI/LF) is consistent with the device

Appendix Key Content

Appendix A (Options and Accessories): Detailed description of hardware specifications and connection methods for options such as Option 02 (2-channel) and Option 03 (ECL output).

Appendix B (Performance Characteristics): Electrical characteristics (such as clock frequency accuracy ± 10 ppm), mechanical characteristics (weighing approximately 10kg), environmental characteristics (storage humidity 10% -90%).

Appendix C (Performance Verification): Includes testing procedures for clock frequency/amplitude accuracy/pulse response, etc., which require the use of a standard signal source and oscilloscope.

Appendix D (Sample Waveform Library): Provides formulas and parameters for preset waveforms such as Gaussian pulses, Lorentz pulses, DQPSK signals, etc.