Key attributes

Jitter

Risetime

Total harmonic distortion

Standard memory

Trueform Technology Unmatched capabilities for generating a full range of signals for the most demanding requirements

The 33500B Series waveform generators offer the common signals and features you expect, such as modulation, sweep, and burst. But the 33500B Series offers many more features that give you the capabilities and flexibility you need to get your job done. Like an intuitive front-panel user interface that makes it easy to quickly relearn it when you’ve been focused elsewhere. Like built-in LAN, USB and GPIB interfaces that make it easy to control your instruments or transfer your waveforms to your instrument.  

But the 33500B Series doesn’t stop there. It offers a variety of capabilities you won’t find elsewhere—capabilities that help you accelerate your testing and get your project wrapped up faster:


Waveform summing and combining capability
Easily add noise to your signal for margin and distortion testing using only a single channel. You can create dual-tone multifrequency signals without a dual-channel generator, which means you can preserve your budget for other test needs. On a two-channel model, you can sum and combine up to four signals.

Variable-bandwidth noise
You can adjust the bandwidth of the built-in noise generator to control the frequency content of your signal. Apply just the frequency stimulus you need so you concentrate the energy of your waveform in frequency bands of interest.

DDS technology may skip points at higher frequenciesTrueform never skips points, and is always anti-aliased
Define any waveform shape and any waveform length using point-by -point arbitrary waveform capability. Your waveforms are always anti-aliased for exceptional accuracy, and you can play them at any rate you select. Play your signals as defined, at your exact sample rate, without the chance of missing short-duration anomalies that are critical for testing device reliability.

Waveform sequencing 
Waveform sequencing lets you create multiple configured waveforms with several common segments and lets you build long, complex waveforms using minimal instrument memory.


Pseudo-random binary sequence (PRBS) pattern generation
Test your digital serial buses by streaming standard PRBS patterns—like PN7 and PN19—without the need for a separate pulse generator. With fewer instruments, setting up your tests is easier. You won’t find these built-in PRBS patterns in competitive waveform generators.


Smart phone and tablet access to full documentation
Need a quick answer? Get instant access to instrument documentation in seven different languages in smart-phone-friendly WebHelp format. You can access all user documentation in the palm of your hand—no PC or hardcopy manuals required. Another feature you won’t find in competitive function/arb generators.


Flexibility in creating and playing waveforms
There are five ways to create arbitrary waveforms for use with the 33500B generator.

1. Use the included Waveform Builder Basic software to edit and download a waveform file to the generator 
2. Use 33503A Waveform Builder Pro software to create more complex waveforms and sequencing
3. Capture a waveform from an oscilloscope and download it to the generator
4. Create a waveform in MATLAB, Excel, etc. and download it to the generator
5. Use the generator’s front panel to edit a waveform once it is in the generator

You have lots of fl exibility to choose the way you want to work.


Built-in Web browser
Easily set up and control your 33500B Series generator remotely over a LAN connection using the built-in LXI Web browser. You can monitor your tests and adjust settings from another offi ce or room, or even from home.


Use the optional high-stability timebase for even better accuracy
Get improved timebase stability and frequency accuracy using the optional high-stability timebase. The optional timebase offers 0.1 ppm  stability, which is 20x more stable than the standard timebase over one year.

Standard deep memory
If you want to test your design with long, complex waveforms with a variety of anomalies, you need to make sure your waveform generator has sufficient memory. The 33500B Series’ standard memory is 1 MSamples deep. Typical DDS generatorsoffer only a fraction of that amount but with the 33500B Series there is even a 16 MSample memory option available.

Trueform Technology 
Signal integrity: Test your devices with confidence that your signal generator is outputting the signals you expect
If your generator is introducing spurious signals or harmonics, you’ll have a hard time producing reliable designs. To be successful, you need to test with clean, precise, low-noise signals. Agilent 33500B Series waveform generators offer the highest signal fidelity so you can generate the exact waveforms you need for your most challenging measurements. You can be confident you are seeing your design’s characteristics, not your waveform generator’s, in your measurements.

33500B Series waveform generators offer the following advantages:

Lowest jitter

With 12x better jitter than anything in their class, 33500B Series waveform generators offer unparalleled edge stability. You can even use them as a system clock for timing and triggering your other instruments. With better jitter performance, you can place edges more accurately, helping you reduce timing errors in your circuit design. 
 
Reproduce lower-voltage output signals
Today’s ultra-low-power products such as pacemakers, hearing aids and remote sensors use very low voltages. The 33500B Series lets you create signals as low as 1 mVpp. That’s 10x better amplitude resolution than typical waveform generators offer.

Full bandwidth modulation sources
Eliminate the need for an external modulation source. The 33500B Series has a modulation frequency up to the frequency of the waveform being modulated. Existing DDS-based generators have a much lower internal modulation frequency. Now you can create your complex signals all within a single generator.


Highest amplitude resolution
The 33500B Series’ 16 bits of resolution is 4x that of most waveform generators. You can make output changes all the way down to 1 µV—exactly what you need for testing today’s low-voltage circuits and designs.


Full bandwidth pulses
Create pulses up to 30 MHz with the 33500B Series.  Most DDS-based generators offer reduced bandwidth when generating pulses. With a broader operating range, you have the frequency you need for a wider range of applications.


Trueform Technology Select the capabilities you need now, then upgrade easily when your needs change

Investment protection
With most waveform generators, you get only what you pay for when you buy your instrument. But with 33500B Series waveform genera-tors, there are eight different models to choose from so you can purchase the capability you need now and upgrade later when your project needs change. Your investment in test equipment is protected. If you need to generate 30 MHz waveforms or arbitrary waveforms, or if you need deeper memory for generating more complex signals, you can easily add the capability after the fact with software upgrades. And there’s no price penalty for adding the capability later.
 

Select from eight models to get the capability that fi ts your budget
now—then take advantage of easy software upgrades to expand your
instrument’s capabilities when you are ready. 

Application-specifications
If you are doing simple experiments in digital communications, use the optional IQ  player to play IQ files on your 2-channel function generator.