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Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176 - TestEquipmentDepot.com AFG2021 Arbitrary/Function Generator Quick Start User Manual *P071292600* 071-2926-00...
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AFG2021 Arbitrary/Function Generator Quick Start User Manual...
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Warranty Tektronix warrants that the product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of three (3) years from the date of original purchase from an authorized Tektronix distributor. If the product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either will repair the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the defective product.
Channel output On/Off ..................Rear panel ..................... Operating basics ....................Quick tutorial: How to select a waveform and adjust parameters........Quick tutorial: How to generate a sine waveform ............Quick tutorial: Instrument help system ..............AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Save/recall instrument setup ................. Save a screen image ..................Security menu ....................ArbExpress ....................Application examples ..................... Measurement of filter characteristics ............... Motor speed control by pulse-width modulation ............Carrier null (frequency modulation) ................ Index AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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List of Figures Figure 1: Instrument dimensions ................. Figure 2: Fuse and fuse adapter.................. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Do not operate in wet/damp conditions. Do not operate in an explosive atmosphere. Keep product surfaces clean and dry. Provide proper ventilation. Refer to the manual's installation instructions for details on installing the product so it has proper ventilation. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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DANGER indicates an injury hazard immediately accessible as you read the marking. WARNING indicates an injury hazard not immediately accessible as you read the marking. CAUTION indicates a hazard to property including the product. The following symbol(s) may appear on the product: AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Emissions which exceed the levels required by this standard may occur when this equipment is connected to a test object. For compliance with the EMC standards listed here, high quality shielded interface cables should be used. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Conformity – EMC CISPR 11:2003. Radiated and Conducted Emissions, Group 1, Class A, in accordance with EN 61326-1:2006. Australia / New Zealand contact.. Baker & McKenzie Level 27, AMP Centre 50 Bridge Street Sydney NSW 2000, Australia AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
The area is protected from direct sunshine, rain, or direct wind. Pollution Degree 4. Pollution that generates persistent conductivity through conductive dust, rain, or snow. Typical outdoor locations. viii AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Measurement Category II. For measurements performed on circuits directly connected to the low-voltage installation. Measurement Category I. For measurements performed on circuits not directly connected to MAINS. Overvoltage Category Overvoltage Category II (as defined in IEC 61010-1) AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Support/Service section of the Tektronix Web site. Restriction of Hazardous This product is classified as Monitoring and Control equipment, and is outside the scope of the 2002/95/EC RoHS Directive. Substances AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Preface This manual describes the installation and operation of the Tektronix AFG2021 Arbitrary/Function Generator along with basic operations and concepts. Where to find more information The following table lists related documentation available for your instrument. The documentation is available on the Product Documentation CD and on the Tektronix Web site.
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Preface The soft keys along the right side of the display are called bezel buttons in this manual. In other documents, they may also be called option buttons or side-menu buttons. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Getting started General features The AFG2021 Arbitrary/Function Generator offers the functionality of three generators in one: 20 MHz Function Generator 10 MHz Pulse Generator 14 bits Arbitrary Waveform Generator The following table describes some of the general features of your instrument.
Getting started Standard accessories Unpack the instrument and check that you received all items listed as Standard Accessories. Check the Tektronix Web site for the most current information. Standard accessories Tektronix part Description number AFG2021 Arbitrary/Function Generator Quick Start User Manual...
To ensure the EMC compliance listed in the Specifications, connect only high quality shielded cables to this instrument. High quality shielded cables typically are braid and foil types that have low impedance connection to shielded connectors at both ends. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Source voltage and frequency. 100 V to 240 V, 50 Hz to 60 Hz or 115 V, 400 Hz. requirements Power Consumption. 60 W WARNING. To reduce the risk of fire and shock, ensure that the mains supply voltage fluctuations do not exceed 10% of the operating voltage range: AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Power off To turn the instrument off, do the following: Push the front-panel power button to power off the instrument. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Push the Power On bezel button to select from the following the power on settings. Default restores the default settings when the instrument is powered on. Last restores the same settings as when the instrument was last powered off. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Diagnostics (Self test): Perform the self test to verify that your instrument is operating correctly. Calibration (Self calibration): The self calibration mainly checks DC accuracy using the internal calibration routines. Perform at least once a year to maintain AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Execute Diagnostics: Push this bezel button to execute the instrument diagnostics. Execute Calibrations: Push this bezel button to execute self calibration. If the diagnostics or calibration completes without any errors, the message “PASSED” is displayed. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
When connecting a cable, be sure to distinguish the input connector from the output connectors to avoid making the wrong connection. connectors NOTE. The instrument input and output connectors are floating inputs/outputs. (See page 11, Floating ground.) AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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When the instrument is used by students or other inexperienced users, always attach the fuse adapter to the output connectors to avoid damage. (See page 3, Optional accessories.) Figure 2: Fuse and fuse adapter 1. Fuse adapter 2. Fuse AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
To prevent electrical shock, use this product so that the sum of the floating voltage and the output voltage of the instrument does not exceed 42 Vpk. Do not touch the center of the BNC while the equipment is in use. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
You cannot enter any values greater than 50 mV for High level. NOTE. When you set limit values using the Output Menu, a level indicator is displayed at the left end of the graph area. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Tektronix offers a newer firmware version. Download and unzip the compressed zip file with the most current firmware to a USB memory device. Insert the USB memory device into the front-panel USB connector on your instrument. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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firmware file by rotating the general purpose knob, and then push the Execute bezel button. NOTE. The firmware file name is as follows: tekafgtb-1.x.x.tfb The instrument asks you "Are you sure you want to update firmware?". Select OK. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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10. Push OK. CAUTION. If the operation complete message is not displayed, do not power off the instrument. Repeat the installation process from step 2 using a different type of USB memory device. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Depending on the instrument model, you can use a USB, Ethernet, or GPIB interface. NOTE. The AFG2021 with option GL provides USB, GPIB, and LAN ports. The AFG2021 base model provides a USB port only. USB interface The USB interface on the rear panel requires no front panel or bezel menu operations to set up.
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Ethernet bezel button. Select Off or On for the DHCP when the Ethernet Network Settings menu is displayed. NOTE. By selecting DHCP On, the instrument can set its network address automatically through DHCP. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Subnet Mask. Ask your network administrator whether a subnet mask is required. Push the Default Gateway bezel button to enter a gateway address. Ask your network administrator for the gateway address. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Getting started NOTE. GPIB setup is only available with the AFG2021 with option GL, which GPIB setup has a GPIB port. To set the instrument GPIB interface, follow these steps: Connect a GPIB cable to the rear panel GPIB port.
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Off Bus - Select this mode to disconnect the instrument from the GPIB bus. NOTE. Refer to the AFG2021 Arbitrary/Function Generator Programmer Manual for information about remote control commands. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
A change to the load impedance (L) will affect the output window (maximum and minimum levels) for a sine waveform as follows. L = 50 Ω: -5 V to +5 V (10 Vp-p) L = High Z: -10 V to +10 V (20 Vp-p) AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Arrow buttons allow you to select a specific number on the display screen when you are changing amplitude, phase, frequency, or other such values Channel On/Off and Manual Trigger buttons Trigger input connector Trigger output connector Channel output connector USB connector Function buttons Power button AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Output status: If the output is set to disable, Output Off message is displayed in this area. When you push the front panel channel output button to enable the output, the message will disappear. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Select one of the following: OK to recall the default settings; the instrument will display a 1 MHz frequency, 1 Vp-p amplitude sine waveform as the default setup. Cancel to cancel the recall and return to the previous menu. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
The following table shows the combination of modulation type and the shape of the output waveform. Sine, Square, Ramp, Arb, Sin(x)/x, Gaussian, Lorentz, Exponential Rise, Noise, Exponential Decay, Haversine Pulse √ √ √ √ √ AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Push the Arb button to select an arbitrary waveform. Push the More Waveform bezel button to select from other standard waveforms such as Sin(x)/x, Noise, DC, or Gaussian. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Instrument front panel, interface, and rear panel Other available waveforms The following are examples of the other waveform types available in the More Waveform menu under the More button menu. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Instrument front panel, interface, and rear panel Select run mode Push one of the four Run Mode buttons to select the instrument signal output method. The default Run Mode is Continuous. To select a modulated waveform, push the Modulation button. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Push the front-panel Save/Recall button. Push the Setup bezel button to select Recall. Push the Default bezel button and then push the OK bezel button to display the default output signal. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Amplitude/Level Menu bezel button. 10. Press the Amplitude bezel button. 11. Use the numeric keypad or the general purpose knob to set the amplitude value. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Connect a 10BASE-T or 100BASE-T cable here. NOTE. This port is only available for the AFG2021 with option GL. USB (type B) connector: This can be used to connect a USB type B controller. GPIB: This is port can be used to control the instrument through GPIB commands.
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It can be used to input a modulated signals. Security slot: This slot allows you to use a standard laptop computer security cable to secure your instrument to your location. Fan (ventilation) vent: This is the ventilation opening for the fan. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
6. Use the front-panel shortcut buttons on the instrument to select a waveform parameter. 7. Select Frequency as a parameter to be changed. 8. Change the frequency value using the numeric keys. 9. Change the waveform parameters using the general purpose knob and the arrow keys. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Push the front-panel Sine button. Push the front-panel Continuous button to select a continuous sine waveform. Push the front-panel Channel On/Off button to enable the output. The button should be lit. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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You can change the Amplitude, Phase, and Offset values in the same way. NOTE. When you specify a waveform parameter using the bezel menu selection, an active parameter is displayed in green in the graph area. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Push the Show Topic bezel button to display the topic from the index page. Push the Utility button and then the Language bezel button to choose the language in which you want the Help topics, bezel menus, and on-screen messages to appear. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Pulse waveform formulas The following formulas are applied to leading edge time, trailing edge time, pulse period, and pulse width of pulse waveforms. lEdge (Leading Edge Time) tEdge (Trailing Edge Time) AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Push the Recall bezel button. NOTE. If you want to delete a setup from memory, push the -more- bezel button and then push the Erase bezel button and confirm your selection by pushing OK. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
To open a folder, push the Change Directory bezel button. To open a file, push OK. To return to the upper directory, first select the <Up Directory> icon, and then push the Change Directory bezel button. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Number of Points menu. One of five waveform types (Sine, Square, Ramp, Pulse, and Noise) can be selected. NOTE. Push the -more- bezel button to see the Read from... menu item. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Select Paste at End to append a waveform at the end of the edit waveform. Select Write to... to display a submenu to write waveform data to. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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8191 Push Execute. Save this waveform to User2. Next, paste a waveform. Push Read from... and select User1. Push Paste at Beginning. Select User2 waveform and then select Paste. The waveform shown here is created. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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This is an example of an oscilloscope screen for the User3 waveform. NOTE. If you edit an arbitrary waveform data while the instrument generates a waveform from Edit Memory, the edited data will be automatically reflected to the generated waveform. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Gated burst mode. The instrument outputs a continuous waveform when an effective gate signal is applied externally, when the Manual Trigger button is depressed, when a remote command is applied, or during 50% of the selected internal trigger interval. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Trigger Input connector. waveform While the gate signal is true or the front-panel Manual Trigger button is pushed in, the instrument outputs a continuous waveform. NOTE. Once Gate is selected, burst count parameters are ignored. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Operating Basics Push the front-panel Burst button to display the burst menu. Select Gate. This is a sample oscilloscope screen. The top waveform is a trigger output signal. This is a gated waveform sample. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Operating Basics Sweep a waveform The Sweep outputs a waveform with the output signal frequency varying linearly or logarithmically. Stop frequency Sweep time Return time Center frequency Frequency span Hold time AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Hold time represents the amount of time that the frequency must remain stable after reaching the stop frequency. Push the -more- button to display the second sweep menu. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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If a start frequency is higher than a stop frequency, the instrument sweeps from the high frequency to the low frequency. Once the sweep is selected, the frequency is swept from the sweep start to the sweep stop frequencies. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
(carrier waveform). NOTE. You cannot select Pulse, Noise, or DC as a carrier waveform. Push the top bezel button to display the modulation selection menu. Select AM as the modulation type. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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The following equations show the output amplitude of AM, FM, and PM modulation (in this example, sine waveform is used for carrier waveform and modulation waveform): AM: Output(V FM: Output(V PM: Output(V Carrier amplitude A[Vp-p] Carrier frequency fc [Hz] Modulation frequency fm [Hz] Time t [sec] AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Frequency Shift Keying modulation is a modulation technique that shifts the output signal frequency between two frequencies: the carrier frequency and Hop frequency. The AFG2021 generates a phase continuous FSK signal. Follow the steps described in the To output an AM waveform...
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Select the PWM source. Set the PWM frequency. Select the Modulation Shape. Set the Deviation (pulse width deviation). NOTE. Refer to the Motor speed control by pulse-width modulation for an application example of pulse-width modulation. (See page 82.) AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Quick Tips below. Sweep mode: When the Repeat or Trigger sweep mode and internal trigger source are selected, the trigger output is a square waveform and the rising edge at the start of each sweep. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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4.900 000 000 01 to 14.700 000 000 0 Fs/3 14.700 000 000 1 to 20.000 000 000 0 Fs/5 NOTE. When the instrument outputs a modulation waveform, the Trigger Output signal cannot be output if you select External as the modulation source. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
50 Ω, the set value is displayed in the output status. NOTE. When dBm is specified for output amplitude units, the amplitude units setting is automatically changed to Vpp if you select high impedance. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Noise Level. Use the general purpose knob or the numeric keypad to enter the value. NOTE. When you set Noise Add to On, the amplitude of output signal is reduced to 50%. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Channel On/Off button so that the output is on and the LED is lit. The Output Status is changed from output status message will change to Noise. NOTE. An internal noise generator (digital) is used to add noise. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Ext Ref Input connector on the rear panel of the AFG2021. Push the front-panel Utility button. Push the System bezel button. Push the Clock Ref bezel button to toggle between Internal and External. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
3. Connect the rear panel Ext Ref Input (slave) to the 10 MHz signal source. This signal source controls the clock of the master and slave units. Push the front-panel Utility button, and then push the System bezel button of the master unit to display the System menu. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
This instrument supports a USB memory with a FAT12, FAT16, or FAT32 file system. requirements Emissions may exceed the specification limit if a USB cable is placed in the front-panel USB memory connector. Use only appropriate USB memory devices. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
11. Push Screen Saver to toggle the screen saver Off and On. 12. Push Click Tone to toggle the click tone Off and On. 13. Push Beeper to toggle the beep sound Off and On. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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17. Return to the Utility main menu. Push the -more- bezel button to display the third page. On this page, you can execute the instrument firmware update. (See page 13.) 18. Security Menu (See page 70.). AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Save to save a setting to Internal memory. NOTE. A Save As menu option appears when you are saving to USB memory. You can save a setup as a new file if you specify USB. Push Save As. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Lock/Unlock bezel button located on the second page of the Save/Recall menu. Erase a file To erase a file, push the Erase bezel button located on the second page of the Save/Recall menu. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
NOTE. Image files are saved as .BMP format. The instrument gives all files created by the instrument the default name TEK00nnn.BMP, where the nnn are placeholders for an automatic number sequence from 000 to 999. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
If no specific password has been previously defined, use the default password DEFAULT. Select OK to turn the access protection on. NOTE. When Access Protection is on, the Change Password bezel button is disabled. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Enter your current password. Use the general purpose knob to select the characters and push the Enter Character bezel button after each selection. Then select OK to display the New Password input page. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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NOTE. To activate or deactivate the access protection, you must enter the password you set. If you forget the password, you must return the instrument to Tektronix to reset the password. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
You can use ArbExpress to transfer waveform data to the instrument. When you transfer waveform data (. tfw file), any part of the waveform outside of allowed limits in the AFG2021 will be automatically converted to be within the allowed range.
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Waveform display area: When you create or open a waveform, it will be displayed in this area. Marker area: Marker patterns appear in this area. You can toggle the display of markers by selecting Display > Marker from the menu bar. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Use Settings to select a desired waveform and instrument type. Use Vertical to set the waveform vertical parameters. Use Horizontal to set the waveform horizontal parameters. Click Preview to view the waveform. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Use Command List to select the commands, functions, units, and operations. Use Preview to view the waveform after the equation is compiled. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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AWG/AFG File Transfer & Control... to display the dialog box. 14. Connected instruments are listed on the Arb List. 15. The Instrument Control pane appears only when an instrument is connected, otherwise it is hidden. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Enter data to this column. When you open a CSV file, a dialog box may appear to confirm the CSV file format. This is an example of ArbExpress waveform display area after recalling CSV data. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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USB memory and load the waveform in the arbitrary/function generator. The AFG2021 outputs recalled waveform data. This is an example of the oscilloscope screen. Fs represents setting frequency of output waveform. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Operating Basics AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Confirm that a pulse-width modulation waveform is displayed on the oscilloscope screen. Select Pulse Duty and change the duty rate. Observe that the motor speed changes if you change the duty rate. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Carrier frequency: 1 MHz Modulation frequency: 2 kHz Change Deviation. Set the deviation to 4.8096 kHz. It makes the carrier waveform null. Confirm that the carrier null can be observed on the spectrum analyzer. AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Application examples AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
Ethernet 18 Generate a sine waveform, 35 Carrier null, Application GPIB, 19 Generate an arbitrary examples, 83 Exponential decay waveform, 42 Center frequency standard waveform, 28 Generate DC, 47 sweep waveform, 50 Generate Noise, 47 AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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Power off, 5 Screen saver Power on, 5 Utility menu, 65 Power supply requirements, 4 Secure function Procedure Utility menu, 65 Main display area To adjust waveform Security menu, 70 screen interface, 23 parameters, 30 AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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To select Run Mode 30 To sweep a waveform, 50 Trigger out, 57 TFS file, Saving instrument Trigger output connector, 57 setup, 67 Triggered burst waveform To adjust waveform parameters 31 generate, 48 To connect to a network, 16 AFG2021 Quick Start User Manual...
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