RF & Microwave Signal Generators

RF and microwave signal generators are precision instruments that produce stable, controllable signals across a wide frequency range — from kHz up to hundreds of GHz — for testing, validating, and troubleshooting RF circuits and systems. Engineers use them to simulate real-world signal environments, characterize component performance, and verify device specifications before deployment in demanding applications.

Three primary types serve different needs: analog signal generators produce continuous wave signals at a fixed frequency and amplitude; vector signal generators (VSGs) support complex digital modulation schemes including AM, FM, PM, and IQ modulation for wireless protocol testing; and arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) create user-defined waveforms for radar simulation and scientific research. Selecting the right type depends on required frequency range, modulation capability, phase noise performance, and output power.

Typical Applications

Wireless communications: LTE, 5G NR, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth device design and validation
Aerospace and defense: radar simulation, electronic warfare, and avionics subsystem testing
Semiconductor characterization: amplifier, mixer, and filter gain and noise figure verification
Telecommunications: signal path testing, interference analysis, and receiver sensitivity evaluation
R&D laboratories: prototype development, component characterization, and standards compliance

Popular Brands

Keysight Technologies, Rohde & Schwarz, and Anritsu are the leading manufacturers in this category, offering instruments from basic CW sources to advanced vector signal generators with wide modulation bandwidth and ultralow phase noise. IFR/Aeroflex and Marconi Instruments have a strong legacy in RF test equipment trusted across defense and telecommunications sectors worldwide.