Vector Signal Generator Basics - Part 1
White Papers
Engineers use a signal generator for testing RF components, receivers, and test systems in various applications, such as design, verification, troubleshooting, manufacturing, and repairing. The output signal can be from a simple continuous wave (CW) to a complex digital modulated signal. Traditional signal generators are analog signal generators that supply sinusoidal CW signals with optional capabilities to add several types of analog modulations. Vector signal generators (VSG), a more capable class of signal generators, generate complex digital modulation schemes. The generators have a built-in baseband I/Q modulator to generate complex modulation formats such as quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), or more complex orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) signals.