Datasheet

Page 6
Find us at www.keysight.com
How does Keysight get such revolutionary advances over previous generation DDS signal
generation?
As with any technology, DDS has its limitations. Engineers with exacting requirements have had to either work around the compro-
mised performance or spend up to 5 times more for a high-end, point-per-clock waveform generator.
Keysight’s Trueform technology offers an alternative that blends the best of DDS and point-per-clock architectures, giving you the
benefits of both without the limitations of either. Trueform technology uses an exclusive digital sampling technique that delivers
unmatched performance at the same low price you are accustomed to with DDS.
You can find a detailed comparison of DDS and Trueform technology in the Technical Overview- Trueform Waveform Generation
Technology
Signal integrity improvements of Trueform technology over DDS
DDS: Traditional
25 MHz waveform
generator
Trueform: Keysight
20 MHz and
30 MHz waveform
generators
DDS: Traditional
100 MHz waveform
generator
Trueform: Keysight
80 MHz and 120
MHz waveform
generators
Improvements
Edge jitter < 500 ps < 40 ps < 200 ps < 1 ps 12x to 200x better
Custom waveform
replication
Skips waveform points 100% point coverage Skips waveform points 100% point coverage Exact waveform
replication
Total harmonic distortion 0.2% 0.04% 0.2% 0.03% Up to 5x better
Anti-alias filtering Must provide externally Always anti-aliased Must provide externally Always anti-aliased No anti-aliasing
artifacts
Sequenced arb Not possible Standard Not possible Standard Easy creation of
complex waveform
sequences
Pulse Generator with Fast Edge Times
Create pulses up to 100 MHz with the Trueform function / arbitrary waveform generators. Most
DDS-based generators offer reduced bandwidth when generating pulses. Trueform waveform
generators produce higher harmonic content, allowing for rapid transitions. Like a dedicated pulse
generator, edge times can be set independently down to 2.9 ns, which is twice as fast as a typical
function generator.
Channel Coupling with Baseband Generation
Capability
Channel coupling simplifies the operation of a two-channel function generator. Both channels can
be controlled with a single parameter for phase, amplitude, or frequency, making it simple to create
differential or tracking signals. In addition, IQ signal generation has now been made easier with the
IQP option for Trueform function / arbitrary waveform generators. The IQ Baseband Signal Player
option configures and controls both channels as if they were a single channel. It also keeps the phase
of each channel in nominal IQ range. Quickly, go from simulation to signal generation to test your RF
component or system design.