Used Arbitrary Waveform Generators for Sale

For baseband signal generation up to 100 MHz, a 250–500 MS/s AWG is sufficient — the Keysight 33600 series and Agilent 33500 series cover this range well. For RF waveforms and pulse-shaping to 1 GHz, look at the Keysight 81150A (2.4 GS/s) or Tektronix AWG5000 series (600 MS/s to 1.2 GS/s). For microwave and millimeter-wave work at 10 GHz and above, the Tektronix AWG70000 series (50–65 GS/s) or Keysight M8195A (65 GS/s) are required.

Single-channel AWGs (Agilent 33500 series) cover most function-generator-replacement work. Dual-channel units (Keysight 81150A, Tektronix AWG5012) are needed when you need phase-coherent I/Q output or differential signaling. Four-channel units (Tektronix AWG5014) are used in multi-lane serial bus testing and multi-axis motor drive simulation. If your test plan requires any coherent multi-signal work, budget for at least dual-channel.

Dead or intermittent output channels are the most common bench finding on AWG5000 series units. Channel output relays can fail open after extended use at high repetition rates. The second most common issue is corrupted factory calibration data, which shows up as waveform amplitude errors. We verify all output channels at multiple frequencies and amplitudes before listing any AWG5000 unit.

A function generator produces a fixed set of standard waveforms — sine, square, triangle, ramp — at programmable frequency and amplitude. An AWG digitally stores and replays any waveform shape you define, including one-shot pulses, modulated signals, radar chirps, and custom multi-tone patterns. Every AWG can also generate standard waveforms; a function generator cannot generate arbitrary shapes. The AWG trades cost for flexibility.

Hardware functionality does not depend on the software. Keysight PathWave Waveform Creator (formerly Keysight BenchLink) and Tektronix ArbExpress are freely downloadable from each manufacturer's website. Option licenses embedded in the instrument (like modulation options on Agilent 33522A) are hardware-locked to the unit and come with the instrument — those we verify before listing.

Yes, with the right sample rate and software. The Keysight M8195A at 65 GS/s with PathWave Signal Generation software supports 5G NR mmWave waveforms. The Tektronix AWG70000 series similarly supports high-bandwidth RF waveforms for 5G. For sub-6 GHz LTE and NR waveforms, the Keysight 81150A and N5172B vector signal generator are more commonly used. Tell us your target waveform and we will match the instrument.