Evaluation_Engineering_October_2020 - 13

automated testing. They can be quite limited in modulation
capabilities and output power. They are almost always VCObased and hence can achieve better frequency switching speeds
than benchtop signal generators. They offer better mobility, space
efficiency, and lower cost, which are beneficial in automated
test environments."
White at NI pointed out that there are advantages to each
instrument formfactor-"Otherwise, they wouldn't all exist."
He said the signal-generator market continues to be built on
two primary use cases: interactive validation and automated
test. "These use cases demand top-tier measurement quality,
configuration flexibility, multi-instrument integration, and highspeed measurement capability," he said. "The one formfactor
that checks all these boxes is PXI, which is why it continues to
be an industry workhorse in the automated test and measurement space."
White said traditional benchtop, USB-connected, and handheld instruments have their place but lack the ability to efficiently integrate with other instrumentation and are constrained
by their respective data buses. "The traditional benchtop instrument is the original interactive formfactor, but the benefit
of industry familiarity with this user experience is eroding in
favor of reconfigurability and adaptable interfaces to meet the
needs of faster test times and reduced budgets," he said. "The

PXI formfactor combines the essential values of power, speed,
integration, and interactive, customizable user experience to deliver the most comprehensive and useful instrument formfactor."
Cassacia, Plorin, and Hsu at Keysight commented that benchtop signal generators are suited for R&D or design verification,
where analysis and troubleshooting benefit from interactive
analysis, whereas modular PXI signal generators are suitable for
applications that require multichannel measurement capabilities (such as MIMO and beamforming tests), fast measurement
speed, and a small footprint, with PXI offering scalability and
flexibility. "Keysight offers both benchtop and PXI signal generators for addressing different product-development stages and
applications but uses the same software applications, which
provide measurement consistency and compatibility throughout
the product development cycle," they said.
According to Wilson at Rohde & Schwarz, "Traditionally, engineers tend to look at USB instruments and PXI modules when
searching for smaller footprints, or when the instrument is going
to be used in an automated test environment. Alternatively, an
engineer looking to interact with a device to troubleshoot and
analyze results may gravitate toward a benchtop instrument."
Wilson also commented that Rohde & Schwarz's customers
want instruments that are expandable and can easily grow as
their testing demands change. "This is why we designed the

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20 to 6000
600 MHz
100/100/40
Watts
100/100

USER SELECTABLE
S
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Output Power Management
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anagement

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9/14/20 10:58 AM

OCTOBER 2020 EVALUATIONENGINEERING.COM

13
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