UTG1042X 40 MHz 2Ch Essential-Series Arbitrary Waveform Generator

Overview

The UNI-T UTG1042X is a 40 MHz dual-channel arbitrary waveform generator built around a 16-bit DAC and 200 MSa/s sample rate. It is the bandwidth-extended member of the UTG1000X Essential-Series identical chassis, sample rate, modulation set, burst modes, and DAC resolution as the UTG1022X, with double the top-end sine output frequency.

7 modulation types (AM, FM, PM, ASK, FSK, PSK, PWM), linear and logarithmic sweep, three pulse-burst modes, 200 built-in arbitrary waveforms, a 7-digit frequency counter (100 mHz to 200 MHz), and USB-Device + USB-Host connectivity. The 40 MHz sine and 20 MHz square / pulse output extend the usable range into communications-class signal generation, intermediate-frequency stimulus, and higher-frequency digital clock generation.

Key Features

• 40 MHz sine / 20 MHz square & pulse dual-channel output with 1 Hz frequency resolution. Double the bandwidth of the UTG1022X in the same chassis.
• 16-bit vertical resolution 65,536 amplitude levels. 4 the resolution of typical 14-bit Essential-tier generators.
• 200 MSa/s sample rate supports accurate waveform reconstruction across the 40 MHz output range.
• 200 built-in arbitrary waveforms 4 kpts arbitrary waveform length for custom shapes; max arb output frequency 10 MHz.
• 7 modulation types AM, FM, PM, ASK, FSK, PSK, PWM internal and external source. FM frequency deviation extends to 20 MHz (vs 10 MHz on UTG1022X).
• Pulse burst function three modes (N-cycle, gated, infinite) with internal or external trigger.
• Built-in 7-bit frequency counter 100 mHz to 200 MHz input range.
• Low jitter, low harmonic distortion 150 ps typical pulse-wave jitter; THD <0.2% (DC to 20 kHz, 1 Vpp).
• USB-Device and USB-Host PC SCPI control plus direct thumb-drive arbitrary waveform upload.

UNI-T UTG1042X Details

40 MHz Sine Output

The UTG1042X extends top-end sine output to 40 MHz and square / pulse output to 20 MHz double the bandwidth of the UTG1022X without a chassis change. FM frequency deviation correspondingly doubles to 20 MHz max. Output amplitude at the 40 MHz top end is 1 mVpp to 5 Vpp (50 ); the full 1 mVpp to 10 Vpp range is maintained below 20 MHz. For applications that need bandwidth headroom for HF stimulus, intermediate-frequency communications work, or digital-clock generation at higher rates, the UTG1042X covers the workflow without forcing a step up to the Advanced-Series.

16-Bit Vertical Resolution

A 16-bit DAC provides 65,536 amplitude levels 4 the resolution of typical 14-bit Essential-tier generators. The resolution advantage persists across the full 40 MHz output range, where lower-resolution DACs produce visible staircasing as the sample rate per cycle decreases.

A 16-bit DAC provides 65,536 amplitude levels 4 the resolution of typical 14-bit Essential-tier generators. The resolution advantage persists across the full 40 MHz output range, where lower-resolution DACs produce visible staircasing as the sample rate per cycle decreases.Both channels deliver the full feature set independently across the 40 MHz output range. Below 20 MHz, the full 20 Vpp output amplitude (high-Z) is maintained on both channels; from 20 MHz to 40 MHz, output amplitude is 10 Vpp max on each channel. No derating with channel count.

Dual-Channel Output with Same Function

Both channels deliver the full feature set independently across the 40 MHz output range. Below 20 MHz, the full 20 Vpp output amplitude (high-Z) is maintained on both channels; from 20 MHz to 40 MHz, output amplitude is 10 Vpp max on each channel. No derating with channel count.

7 Modulation Types

AM, FM, PM, ASK, FSK, PSK, and PWM with internal and external source. FM frequency deviation extends to 20 MHz (vs 10 MHz on UTG1022X) useful for communications-class signal generation requiring wider FM deviation.

AM, FM, PM, ASK, FSK, PSK, and PWM with internal and external source. FM frequency deviation extends to 20 MHz (vs 10 MHz on UTG1022X) useful for communications-class signal generation requiring wider FM deviation.Three burst modes: N-cycle (1 to 50,000 cycles per trigger), gated, and infinite. Trigger source configurable internal or external, with rising or falling edge selection. The higher square / pulse top-end (20 MHz) extends burst-mode stimulus into higher-rate clock generation and digital-protocol testing.

Pulse Burst Function

Three burst modes: N-cycle (1 to 50,000 cycles per trigger), gated, and infinite. Trigger source configurable internal or external, with rising or falling edge selection. The higher square / pulse top-end (20 MHz) extends burst-mode stimulus into higher-rate clock generation and digital-protocol testing.

Frequency Sweep

Linear and logarithmic sweep modes across the 40 MHz output range. Sweep time 1 ms to 500 s, 0.1% accuracy. The wider span is useful for crystal-oscillator characterization, filter Bode plots across HF bands, and resonance identification at intermediate frequencies.

Linear and logarithmic sweep modes across the 40 MHz output range. Sweep time 1 ms to 500 s, 0.1% accuracy. The wider span is useful for crystal-oscillator characterization, filter Bode plots across HF bands, and resonance identification at intermediate frequencies.When small AC signals ride on top of a large DC offset, the UTG1042X maintains output cleanliness without the noise pickup that scales down to compensate. Combined with the 16-bit DAC, this means low-amplitude work on a DC pedestal stays usable down to the millivolt range valuable for sensor-front-end characterization and ADC linearity testing.

High SNR on Low-Amplitude Outputs

When small AC signals ride on top of a large DC offset, the UTG1042X maintains output cleanliness without the noise pickup that scales down to compensate. Combined with the 16-bit DAC, this means low-amplitude work on a DC pedestal stays usable down to the millivolt range valuable for sensor-front-end characterization and ADC linearity testing.

Low Jitter

150 ps typical pulse-wave jitter from the digital-sampling architecture. With the higher square / pulse top-end (20 MHz on the UTG1042X), timing-floor precision matters more a 200 ps jitter floor at 20 MHz translates to ~0.4% of period, fine enough for serial-bus stimulus and clock-edge characterization.

150 ps typical pulse-wave jitter from the digital-sampling architecture. With the higher square / pulse top-end (20 MHz on the UTG1042X), timing-floor precision matters more a 200 ps jitter floor at 20 MHz translates to ~0.4% of period, fine enough for serial-bus stimulus and clock-edge characterization.A built-in frequency counter measures external signals from 100 mHz to 200 MHz (TTL compatible). The 200 MHz top-end reaches above the UTG1042X’s own output range, useful for verifying external oscillators and clock sources that operate above the generator’s bandwidth.

7-Bit Frequency Counter

A built-in frequency counter measures external signals from 100 mHz to 200 MHz (TTL compatible). The 200 MHz top-end reaches above the UTG1042X’s own output range, useful for verifying external oscillators and clock sources that operate above the generator’s bandwidth.

Arbitrary Waveform Editor

200 built-in arbitrary waveforms cover standard engineering shapes. Custom waveforms uploadable over USB-Device (for SCPI workflows) or via USB-Host thumb drive (for direct-import scenarios without a connected computer). Maximum arb output frequency 10 MHz.

200 built-in arbitrary waveforms cover standard engineering shapes. Custom waveforms uploadable over USB-Device (for SCPI workflows) or via USB-Host thumb drive (for direct-import scenarios without a connected computer). Maximum arb output frequency 10 MHz.

Applications

Communications and IF Stimulus

40 MHz sine output reaches the lower end of HF communications and intermediate-frequency test scenarios. With AM, FM, PM, ASK, FSK, and PSK modulation and FM deviation extending to 20 MHz the UTG1042X supports receiver alignment, demodulation testing, and basic communications instruction at frequencies the UTG1022X cannot reach.

Digital Clock and Bus Stimulus

20 MHz square and pulse output covers digital clock generation for embedded test setups, microcontroller stimulus at higher rates, and serial-bus stimulus through IC, SPI, and UART bit-rates up to the protocol limits. Combined with N-cycle burst mode, the UTG1042X replaces dedicated pattern generators for many basic stimulus tasks.

Crystal and Filter Characterization at HF

Swept stimulus across the 40 MHz range covers crystal-oscillator characterization (typical 130 MHz fundamentals), HF filter Bode plots, and ceramic-resonator pull testing. Linear and logarithmic sweep modes match the measurement type.

Engineering Bench Bandwidth-Extended Primary Generator

For benches where the daily-use frequency envelope occasionally exceeds 20 MHz, the UTG1042X covers the range without forcing a step up to the Advanced-Series. Same controls and same workflows as the UTG1022X the bandwidth difference is the only thing that needs new attention in the manual.

Education and Teaching Labs (Communications Curriculum)

For signals-and-systems and communications curriculum that exceeds the UTG1022X’s 20 MHz envelope, the UTG1042X covers the lab requirements with the same controls and same student-facing interface useful for departments that want one generator model across multiple course levels.

Accessories and Family Options

Included with Every Unit

• Power cord conforming to destination country standard
• USB cable (UT-D04)
• BNC-BNC cable (UT-L45)
• BNC-to-alligator clip cable (UT-L02A)

Recommended Options

• UT-M14 10 W external power amplifier option

Family Members

The UTG1000X Essential-Series consists of three SKUs sharing the same chassis, sample rate, modulation set, burst modes, and 16-bit DAC:

• UTG1022X 20 MHz sine / 10 MHz square
• UTG1022X-PA UTG1022X with built-in 4 W power amplifier (1 Hz to 100 kHz output)
• UTG1042X 40 MHz sine / 20 MHz square (this product)

Step Up UTG2000B Advanced-Series

For deeper memory (16 Mpts vs 4 kpts arbitrary length), higher sample rate (320 MSa/s on UTG2062B), LAN connectivity, 10 MHz In/Out reference, and a wider modulation envelope, the bench-form-factor UTG2062B (60 MHz), UTG2082B (80 MHz), and UTG2122B (120 MHz) Advanced-Series generators extend bandwidth and feature set.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s different between the UTG1042X and the UTG1022X?

Maximum output frequency. The UTG1042X doubles top-end sine to 40 MHz and square / pulse to 20 MHz; ramp to 1 MHz (vs 400 kHz on UTG1022X). FM frequency deviation also doubles to 20 MHz max. All other specifications chassis, sample rate, DAC, modulation types, burst modes, sweep, frequency counter, display, USB connectivity are identical.

Why is output amplitude lower at higher frequencies?

Below 20 MHz, the full 10 Vpp / 20 Vpp (50 / high-Z) amplitude range is available. From 20 MHz to 40 MHz, amplitude reduces to 5 Vpp / 10 Vpp. The reduction reflects the output stage’s frequency-dependent drive capability common to function generators in this class and tier.

Can the UTG1042X generate IF-stage stimulus for communications work?

Yes, for IF stages up to 40 MHz. With FM frequency deviation extending to 20 MHz and full AM/PM/ASK/FSK/PSK modulation available, the UTG1042X covers most communications-instruction and entry-level IF testing scenarios. For higher carrier frequencies, the USG3000M series RF signal generators cover up to 3 GHz.

Can I upload arbitrary waveforms without connecting a PC?

Yes. The UTG1042X has both USB-Device and USB-Host. USB-Host accepts standard USB thumb drives waveforms saved as compatible files can be loaded directly into the 200 arbitrary-waveform stores without a PC connection. Custom waveforms are created in the upper-computer software and exported to USB.

Does the SCPI command set carry over from the UTG1022X?

Yes. The UTG1000X family shares one SCPI command set documented in the UTG1000X Programming Manual. Scripts written for the UTG1022X port directly to the UTG1042X with no command-level changes only the frequency-range parameter limits change.

16-bit DAC, 65,536 amplitude levels resolution persists across the 40 MHz output rangeFull 20 Vpp at 20 MHz; 10 Vpp at 40 MHz both channels independent7 modulation types; FM frequency deviation to 20 MHz maxN-cycle, gated, and infinite burst up to 20 MHz square / pulse outputLinear or logarithmic sweep across 40 MHz output rangeSmall AC signals stay clean even when superimposed on large DC offset150 ps typical pulse-wave jitter 200 ps floor above 5 MHz square output7-bit frequency counter, 100 mHz to 200 MHz reaches above the generator output range200 built-in arbitrary waveforms + custom upload via USB-Device or USB-Host

Specifications

Documentation

• UTG1042X Datasheet, User Manual, and Software/Firmware Downloads

Options & Accessories

Included in box:

• Power cord
• USB2.0 printing cable
• English download guide
• multi-language safety manual
• calibration report (COC)