Signal Sources Catalog

The Keysight Signal Sources Catalog provides a comprehensive overview of signal generators designed for realistic signal creation, RF characterization, modulation testing, and advanced system evaluation across wireless, aerospace, satellite, and high-speed digital applications. Organized into Essential, Expert, and Pro performance grades, the catalog covers six capability classes that span maximum frequencies from 6 GHz to 67 GHz and modulation bandwidths up to 2.5 GHz. It includes vector signal generators for digitally modulated signals, analog signal generators for pure RF tones and analog modulation, agile signal generators for complex multi emitter simulation, frequency synthesizers for compact precision sources, and modular signal generators for high density PXIe test systems. These sources support applications across wireless communications, radar, EW, GNSS, phased array systems, component characterization, and automated production test environments.
 

Explore the three signal generator performance grades:

• Essential vector signal generators come in two classes. The XG1‑class includes the CXG Series, and the XG2‑class includes the EXG Series. These instruments support maximum frequencies up to 6 GHz and provide 120 MHz to 160 MHz modulation bandwidth for vector models. Essential vector generators support standards‑based signals including 5G NR FR1, WLAN 802.11, ZigBee, and Bluetooth, and offer multitone generation, AWGN injection, and preconfigured waveforms for simulating realistic RF environments.
  
  
• Essential analog signal generators come in two classes. The XG1-class includes the AP5001A, AP5002A and the XG2-class includes the AP5011A, AP5012A, N5171B, and N5173B. These instruments provide low phase noise, high output power, and fast switching speeds suited for general‑purpose RF testing, LO substitution, and analog modulation scenarios including AM, FM, PM, and pulse. Essential‑grade models offer one to four outputs, making them cost‑effective sources for device evaluation, receiver sensitivity tests, and multiport analysis in R&D or manufacturing workflows.
  
  
• Expert vector signal generators come in two classes. The XG4‑class includes the AP5041A–AP5042A, and the XG5‑class includes the N5186A MXG. These instruments extend modulation bandwidths to 1 GHz and introduce advanced capabilities such as direct digital synthesis (DDS), embedded reflectometers for DUT match correction, and up to four phase‑coherent outputs for MIMO, beamforming, and advanced multi‑channel scenarios. Expert vector generators deliver low adjacent‑channel power, support wideband carrier‑aggregation signals, and improve repeatability and accuracy for complex test setups.
  
  
• Expert analog signal generators come in two classes. The XG5-class includes the N5185A, N5181B, and N5183B MXG, and the AP5021A and AP5022A compact signal generators. The XG6-class includes the AP5031A and AP5032A compact signal generators. They support maximum frequencies up to 54 GHz and feature ultra‑low phase noise down to −150 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz, low harmonic distortion, and fast switching speeds as low as 3 µs. These instruments offer multichannel configurations, high output power, and enhanced spectral purity for demanding radar, satellite, EW, and ADC characterization workflows. Expert‑grade sources support list mode switching, multitone generation, and flexible analog or digital modulation frameworks required for both design verification and high‑throughput production test.
  
  
• Pro vector signal generators come in the XG7‑class and include the VXG Series. These instruments provide maximum frequencies up to 54 GHz, or to 110 GHz with frequency extenders, and support modulation bandwidths up to 2.5 GHz per channel. They enable channel bonding up to 10 GHz aggregate bandwidth and emulate up to 32 virtual transmitters per instrument through eight waveform engines per RF channel, enabling advanced multi-signal simulation, beamforming, and next‑generation conformance testing. Pro vector generators offer extremely low phase noise, high output power, and support real‑time fading and high‑dynamic‑range waveform synthesis for 5G‑Advanced, 6G, and satellite communication test environments.
  
  
• Pro analog signal generators come in the XG7‑class and include the E8257D and E8663D PSG models. These instruments support frequencies up to 67 GHz, extendable to 1.1 THz using frequency extenders, and deliver metrology‑grade spectral purity, exceptionally low phase noise, and high output power up to 1 W with optional high‑power configurations. They are ideal for cutting‑edge R&D, calibration laboratories, millimeter-wave system validation, and precision receiver and component testing requiring superior purity and frequency stability. Pro‑grade analog generators are optimized for the most demanding aerospace, defense, satellite, and high‑frequency research environments.
   

Agile signal generators provide high speed multi-emitter simulation.
XG9-class UXG models support maximum frequency of 40 GHz and modulation bandwidth of 1.6 GHz. They deliver ultra-fast switching speeds down to 0.18 µss, enhanced pulse capabilities including chirp and FMCW signals, and scalable architectures for multi emitter or threat simulation. Agile generators emulate complex electromagnetic environments used in radar, EMSO, and antenna testing workflows.
 

Frequency synthesizers offer compact, pure frequency generation.
FS1- and FS2-class synthesizers (AP4001A through AP4022A models) provide frequencies from 20 GHz to 40 GHz, low phase noise down to −147 dBc per Hz, fast switching speed, and multichannel options up to four outputs. These synthesizers deliver precise frequency control in compact formats suitable for RFIC testing, satellite links, radar systems, and quantum computing.
 

Modular signal generators offer compact multichannel RF signal generation.
PXIe and AXIe modular signal generators support frequencies from 6 GHz to 44 GHz, modulation bandwidths up to 2 GHz, and multi slot scalability for synchronized multi-channel test systems. With phase noise performance from −118 dBc per Hz to −137 dBc per Hz and output power up to 20 dBm, modular generators deliver flexible performance for dense automated test systems in manufacturing or integration with other modular instruments.
 

Software and accessories expand capability across all generator types.
Keysight signal generation software supports cellular, automotive, IoT, satellite, broadcast, and navigation standards, with capabilities for custom IQ creation, OFDM waveform building, multitone generation, real time fading, IQ impairments, AWGN, and multi emitter scenario generation. Accessories include frequency extenders, power sensors, power meters, calibration kits, cabling, splitters, and cooling spacers to optimize performance and test coverage.
 

Keysight Support Services ensure accuracy, uptime, and long term reliability.
KeysightCare plans provide prioritized response times, calibration support, and expert guidance. High performance instruments include one year of KeysightCare Assured for rapid technical resolution and optimized system performance.