Function generators (again)

We need a function generator (FG) to recommend to customers for various experiments. We were reselling the protek 8003, but I found out today that protek is no more! So I?m back searching. We?d like to just have one function generator that could ?cover? a fe w different experiments. For one we need Sine waves from 0.5 to 2 Hz, with at least 10mHz resolution. (1 mHz would be nicer.) (This seems to eliminate a lot of the low end FG?s out there.)

The other function would be sine wave sweeps and bursts, frequencies from hundreds of kHz to 5 MHz at a minimum.

Oh price, The protek was selling for ~$300. Something near that would be nice. lets say no more than $1k.

So I?ve been through the usual suspects, Rigol, B&K, Instek, Fluke. Tek, Agilent.

The only one that fits the bill is the Rigol DG1022. I seem to recall someone having issues trying to program it. I don?t really need that function for our customers. But it would be nice for my own use. Any idea if Rigol has fixed that?

Any other candidates?

Thanks George H.

Reply to
George Herold
Loading thread data ...

I have the Mastech SFG-2120. The first one had major issues but after they sent me a new one it's fine. However, it seems to be permanently out of stock.

--
Regards, Joerg 

http://www.analogconsultants.com/
Reply to
Joerg

My B&K 4003A is nice. Digital counter but otherwise all analog, no programming.

--

John Larkin         Highland Technology, Inc 

jlarkin at highlandtechnology dot com 
http://www.highlandtechnology.com 

Precision electronic instrumentation 
Picosecond-resolution Digital Delay and Pulse generators 
Custom laser drivers and controllers 
Photonics and fiberoptic TTL data links 
VME thermocouple, LVDT, synchro   acquisition and simulation
Reply to
John Larkin

d

Thanks, I'm not sure analog will work for the low frequency application.

There we are looking at the resonance of a torsional harmonic oscillator. Freq ~ 1 Hz and Q's of 0.5 to 100 (or more) So being able to step through the resonance digitally is very nice.

The Rigol looks sharp

formatting link

(At least they don't look to be going away unlike protek.)

George H.

ed text -

Reply to
George Herold

The Siglent SDG1005 comes to mind. Lecroy sells these under their own brand name.

--
Failure does not prove something is impossible, failure simply 
indicates you are not using the right tools... 
nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.) 
--------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to
Nico Coesel

d

=92 a fe=

Hnmm that's interesting thanks. It looks a bit like the Atten ATF20B.. which was panned here,

formatting link

Seems like there are zillions of FG's.

George H.

Reply to
George Herold

few

can it be a pc based one?

-Lasse

Reply to
langwadt

I have a DG1022 and it works very well. The programming issue is the PC software. I loaded it, it seems to work, just not very glamorous as some may expect.

My latest use of this gen was a QAM and QPM experiment, where I used both channels to test some application theories.

I see they're still lots of venders out there offering them but I wouldn't pay over $400. I just don't think they are worth over that.

Jamie

Reply to
Jamie

The Atten ATF20 is a real piece of crap. Skip that one but the Siglent seems to be OK.

--
Failure does not prove something is impossible, failure simply 
indicates you are not using the right tools... 
nico@nctdevpuntnl (punt=.) 
--------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to
Nico Coesel

nd

d
l

Thanks Jamie, The dg1022 lists for $379 on the rigol web site. (If we buy in bulk (25-50) we may be able to wrangle a discount.) I figure we'll order one to play with, Rigol seems like 'brand name' now. Say what's the shortest pulse it will output?

George H.

Reply to
George Herold

nd

a few

d
l

at

Hmm that's an interesting question. I don't want to be in the postion of helping customers to get the pc interface working.

What do you have in mind? A usb thing with some bnc connectors might work.

George H.

Reply to
George Herold

I foun=

1cover=

w end

ed text -

OK thanks.

It's like a jungle out there for low end test gear. George H.

Reply to
George Herold
[...]

If you go that route make sure that the generators is totally, positively, one-hundred percent isolated at the USB link. Else all hell can break loose and you'll be in the business of noise fixing. "Hey, George, they installed this new elevator and now ..."

I think Velleman has some USB-based generators that are isolated but not all of them are. You'll have to go through and check the specs.

Other than that Lasse's idea is a good one because it can get you back into your previous old $300 price range.

--
Regards, Joerg 

http://www.analogconsultants.com/
Reply to
Joerg

Hmmm, shortest pulse..

Pulse width are in the range of 500uHz up to 3Mhz

But in order to generate a standing pulse you need to define the other parameters too, like Delays, levels, source etc.

formatting link

Scroll down a bit but don't miss the back panel options while you're scrolling :)

Jamie

Reply to
Jamie

n

Thanks Joerg, I must admit a preference for a self contained box. But some customers may like a computer thing.

The rigol for $379 seems like a decent deal. We use to buy the proteks for $300... (and have to resell them for more... obviously) There were a bit dicey. (I wonder if the crappy fans took them down?)

Any price increase will be passed on, and the rigol may be better value for the money.

Hey at 20MHz the rigol can replace the SG9000,

formatting link
(we don't pay that much for them.) that we resell with optical pumping (OP). The OP uses a fixed frequency RF and sweeps the B-field, but it's sometimes easier for students to understand a fixed field and swept frequency.

George H.

Reply to
George Herold

George Herold schrieb:

Hello,

what about a generator with DDS (digital direct synthesis)? They are very good for low frequencies and good resolution.

Bye

Reply to
Uwe Hercksen

formatting link

You might take a look at this.

formatting link

It does not have an enclosure but works well. I have used mine for two years with no problems. There are several with different specs and outputs for as low as $8.

Rick

Reply to
Rick

Are the settings persistent over a power cycle?

Best regards, Spehro Pefhany

--
"it's the network..."                          "The Journey is the reward" 
speff@interlog.com             Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com 
Embedded software/hardware/analog  Info for designers:  http://www.speff.com
Reply to
Spehro Pefhany

ge

ound

end

all

at

ed

puts

That's interesting. How the 'bleep' can they make it so cheaply?

George H.

Reply to
George Herold

It remembers last settings.

Rick

Reply to
Rick

ElectronDepot website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.