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July 2025
M8196A
Keysight/Agilent M8196A, 4 Differential Channels, 1 Slot, Arbitrary Waveform Generator
Actual item may vary if no part number is provided on quote request.
✔ 2 Year Warranty Included
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✔ NIST Calibration Available
Andrew Gar**** Verified Buyer
" Amazing to work with and had my order within 1 week after purchasing with all NI certs and data that were needed. "
March 2025
Said Sai**** Verified Buyer
" Competent contact for highly specialized components. The support team is very knowledgeable. Many thanks for the help and the fast shipping! "
January 2025
Bob C**** Verified Buyer
" Jason was able to get our emergency situation taken care of quickly and professionally. "
May 2025
Gregg Flecki**** Verified Buyer
" Great service and great products. This is my 2nd time using Apex Waves, truly impressed. "
January 2025
Carol Zimme**** Verified Buyer
" Very responsive and helpful, competitive pricing. Good source! "
July 2025
Andrew Gar**** Verified Buyer
" Amazing to work with and had my order within 1 week after purchasing with all NI certs and data that were needed. "
March 2025
Said Sai**** Verified Buyer
" Competent contact for highly specialized components. The support team is very knowledgeable. Many thanks for the help and the fast shipping! "
January 2025
Bob C**** Verified Buyer
" Jason was able to get our emergency situation taken care of quickly and professionally. "
May 2025
Gregg Flecki**** Verified Buyer
" Great service and great products. This is my 2nd time using Apex Waves, truly impressed. "
January 2025
Keysight/Agilent M8196A Arbitrary Waveform Generator
The Keysight/Agilent M8196A is an arbitrary waveform generator that generates waveforms at the fastest sampling rate available for this class of device. It has four differential channels with a total sampling speed of 92 Giga Samples/second (GSa/s) in a single 1 slot AXIe module. The four channels have 512 kSa (kilo Samples) of waveform storage, provide eight-bit vertical resolution and 32 GHz analog bandwidth. The module also has a built-in frequency and phase response calibration. The module's analog signal output can be adjusted for both amplitude, which can be up to 1 Volt peak-to-peak single-ended or 2 Volt peak-to-peak differential, as well as for the transition time, which is less than nine picoseconds.
One area where this arbitrary waveform generator shines is in the field of coherent optics. Coherent optics is used in many applications related to 200 Gbps, 400 Gbps, and 1 Tbps systems. It allows users to test PAM-n formats (PAM-4 and PAM-8) as well as nQAM formats at baud rates of up to 64 GBaud. Because each module can contain four synchronized channels, dual polarized testing and testing of complex multilevel waveforms become possible in a much smaller form factor than previously required. The M8196A can also be used to perform receiver stress testing for multi-lane interfaces such as NRZ, PAM-4, and DMT. Digital predistortion is supported in order to allow users to account for loss due to cabling and amplifiers using either S-parameter embedding/de-embedding. When combined with the 81195A Optical Modulation Generator Software, impairments such as Polarization Mode Dispersion can be added to the output of the M8196A, making it useful for completely validating optical receivers.
In addition to communications, the Keysight/Agilent M8196A can be used for research in physics, chemistry and electronics by being able to generate any mathematically defined arbitrary waveform. Examples include ultra-short pulses down to 20 ps and wide-band RF chirp patterns for study of chemical reactions or particle excitations. It can also be integrated into the M8070A BER System Controller software making it possible to use it as an affordable Pattern Generator for Multi-Lane High-Speed Interfaces or as a Random/Sinusoidal Interference Source alongside the M8020A/M8040A Modules. Because of its very fast sampling rate, low inherent jitter and flexible waveform capability, this instrument is well suited to future standards beyond 64 GBaud.
| Model Name | M8196A |
|---|---|
| Part Type | 92 GSa/s AWG (AXIe module) |
| Manufacturer | Keysight |
| Legacy Manufacturer | Agilent |
| Max Sample Rate | 92 GSa/s (4 ch simultaneous) |
| Analog bandwidth | 32 GHz (typical) |
| Vertical resolution | 8 bits |
| Memory per channel | 512 kSa |
| Channel count | 1, 2, or 4 differential (software upgrade) |
| Output amplitude | 1 Vpp (SE), 2 Vpp (diff); -1.0 to +2.5 V |
| Transition time (20-80%) | < 9 ps (typical) |
| Max baud rate | 64 GBaud |
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