The RIGOL DG800 Series Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator is a multifunction signal source designed for engineers, technicians, educational institutions, electronics manufacturers and research laboratories.
The series combines several signal-generation and measurement functions within one compact benchtop instrument, including:
- Function generator
- Arbitrary waveform generator
- Pulse generator
- Noise generator
- Harmonic generator
- Pattern generator
- Analog and digital modulation
- Frequency sweep
- Burst generation
- Frequency counter
The DG800 Series is suitable for generating standard waveforms, reproducing application-specific signals, stimulating electronic circuits and evaluating how a device responds to different frequencies, amplitudes and modulation conditions.
Available Models
The original RIGOL DG800 Series includes six models:
- DG811: 10 MHz, one channel
- DG812: 10 MHz, two channels
- DG821: 25 MHz, one channel
- DG822: 25 MHz, two channels
- DG831: 35 MHz, one channel
- DG832: 35 MHz, two channels
All models provide:
- 125 MSa/s sampling rate
- 16-bit vertical resolution
- 2 Mpts standard arbitrary waveform memory per channel
- Optional memory expansion up to 8 Mpts per channel
- 4.3-inch colour touchscreen
- SiFi II arbitrary waveform technology
Single-channel DG811, DG821 and DG831 models can be upgraded to dual-channel operation using the applicable DG800-DCH option.
Standard Waveform Generation
The DG800 Series supports common waveform types required for circuit testing and laboratory measurements.
Basic waveforms include:
- Sine
- Square
- Ramp
- Pulse
- Noise
- DC
- Dual-tone
These standard functions make the generator suitable for testing amplifiers, filters, digital circuits, sensors, control systems and general electronic devices.
Arbitrary Waveform Generation
The series uses RIGOL’s SiFi II signal-generation technology to produce arbitrary waveforms point by point.
Unlike conventional direct digital synthesis methods that may skip or repeat waveform points, SiFi II is designed to reproduce the stored waveform while maintaining the intended sample sequence and waveform detail.
Arbitrary waveform capabilities include:
- 125 MSa/s maximum sample rate
- 16-bit vertical resolution
- 2 Mpts standard memory per channel
- 8 Mpts optional memory per channel
- User-defined waveform creation
- PC-based arbitrary waveform editing
- Waveform sequence generation
- Multiple interpolation and filtering options
This functionality is useful for recreating sensor signals, communication patterns, mechanical signals, power disturbances, biomedical waveforms and irregular test conditions.
Built-In Arbitrary Waveforms
The DG800 Series contains up to 160 built-in arbitrary waveform shapes.
Available waveform categories include:
- Engineering signals
- Mathematical functions
- Biomedical signals
- Automotive electronics signals
- Exponential waveforms
- Gaussian waveforms
- Sinc waveforms
- ECG signals
- Lorentz waveforms
- Haversine waveforms
Built-in waveforms reduce the need to design common test signals manually.
Dual-Channel Output
DG812, DG822 and DG832 models provide two independent output channels with equivalent performance.
Dual-channel operation supports:
- Simultaneous generation of two signals
- Phase-related signal testing
- Differential circuit stimulation
- Clock and data generation
- Input and reference signal generation
- Multi-stage circuit testing
- I/Q signal simulation
- Channel tracking
Channel tracking allows selected parameters of both channels to be updated together.
Single-channel models can support a second channel after installation of the appropriate dual-channel upgrade option.
Frequency Capability
Maximum sine-wave frequency depends on the selected model:
- DG811 and DG812: 10 MHz
- DG821 and DG822: 25 MHz
- DG831 and DG832: 35 MHz
Waveform-specific maximum frequencies also vary.
For the DG832 and DG831:
- Sine: up to 35 MHz
- Square: up to 10 MHz
- Ramp: up to 1 MHz
- Pulse: up to 10 MHz
- Harmonic output: up to 15 MHz
The maximum output frequency should therefore not be applied equally to every waveform type.
16-Bit Vertical Resolution
The DG800 Series uses 16-bit vertical resolution to provide fine amplitude control and smooth waveform reproduction.
Compared with lower-resolution generators, 16-bit output provides more available amplitude levels.
This can improve:
- Low-amplitude waveform generation
- Arbitrary waveform detail
- Small-signal testing
- Sensor simulation
- Amplitude adjustment precision
- Waveform fidelity
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Modulation Functions
The DG800 supports multiple analog and digital modulation formats.
Available modulation types include:
These functions are useful for:
- Communication-system education
- Receiver testing
- Modulated carrier generation
- Digital communication experiments
- Control-system testing
- Signal demodulation development
Modulation can use an internal or supported external source, depending on the configured function.
Sweep Function
The sweep function automatically varies the output frequency across a defined range.
Sweep testing can be used for:
- Filter response evaluation
- Amplifier bandwidth testing
- Resonance identification
- Frequency-response analysis
- Audio circuit testing
- Sensor characterisation
Sweep direction, start frequency, stop frequency and sweep time can be configured according to the test.
Burst Function
Burst mode produces a programmed number of waveform cycles or a gated signal sequence.
Applications include:
- Pulse packet generation
- Transient response testing
- Triggered circuit stimulation
- Ultrasonic system testing
- Motor control testing
- Communication burst simulation
Burst operation can be controlled using internal, manual or external triggering.
Harmonic Generator
The DG800 Series includes a built-in harmonic generator supporting up to the eighth harmonic.
Users can configure the order, amplitude and phase of the harmonic components.
This function is useful for:
- Harmonic detector testing
- Filter evaluation
- Power-quality education
- Distortion simulation
- Audio circuit analysis
- Measurement equipment validation
-
PRBS, RS232 and Sequence Output
Advanced digital waveform functions include:
- Pseudo-random binary sequence output
- RS232 pattern output
- Locally edited sequence output
These capabilities support digital communication testing, receiver evaluation, clock recovery experiments and pattern-based circuit validation.
Waveform Superposition
The waveform-combine function allows another waveform to be superimposed on a basic output signal.
This can be used to simulate:
- Noise on a sine wave
- Ripple on a DC level
- Interference on a carrier
- Multiple frequency components
- Distorted sensor signals
- Power-supply disturbances
-
Built-In Frequency Counter
The DG800 Series includes a full-featured frequency counter with:
- Seven-digit-per-second measurement capability
- Up to 240 MHz input bandwidth
- Frequency measurement
- Period measurement
- Duty-cycle measurement
- Pulse-width measurement
The frequency-counter input is separate from the waveform output channels and can be used to measure external signals.
4.3-Inch Colour Touchscreen
The DG800 includes a 4.3-inch TFT colour touchscreen with a resolution of 480 × 272 pixels.
The interface supports:
- Touch-based waveform selection
- Frequency and amplitude settings
- Channel configuration
- Modulation setup
- Arbitrary waveform selection
- File management
- Measurement display
- Waveform preview
Physical controls are also available for operating the instrument without relying entirely on touch input.
Fanless Operation
The DG800 uses a fanless cooling design.
Benefits include:
- Quiet laboratory operation
- Reduced audible noise
- Lower mechanical maintenance
- Suitability for classrooms
- Improved use in audio-testing environments
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Connectivity and Remote Control
Standard connectivity includes:
Optional connectivity includes:
- USB-to-LAN adapter
- USB-to-GPIB adapter
USB Host can be used for storage and file transfer, while USB Device supports PC control and remote programming.
The instrument supports remote operation using standard programming commands and compatible RIGOL software.
Applications:
The RIGOL DG800 Series is suitable for:
- Analog circuit design
- Digital circuit testing
- Embedded-system development
- Amplifier testing
- Filter response testing
- Sensor simulation
- Pulse and clock generation
- Communication-system education
- Modulation testing
- Power electronics development
- Automotive electronics testing
- Audio circuit evaluation
- Biomedical signal simulation
- Research and development
- Production validation
- Educational laboratories
- Service and repair laboratories
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Why Buy from Revine Tech:
Revine Tech provides professional waveform generators and test equipment for engineering, laboratory, industrial and educational applications.
Our technical team can help customers choose the correct DG800 model based on:
- Required maximum frequency
- Single-channel or dual-channel operation
- Arbitrary waveform length
- Modulation requirements
- Pulse-generation requirements
- Frequency-counter requirements
- Output-amplitude requirements
- LAN or GPIB connectivity
- Waveform editing software
- Calibration and documentation requirements
The final RIGOL DG800 price depends on the selected model, channel configuration, arbitrary memory option, connectivity accessories and calibration requirements.