The Keysight 33500B and 33600A Series are Trueform Function / Arbitrary Waveform Generators spanning 20 MHz, 30 MHz, 80 MHz, and 120 MHz bandwidth tiers in both single-channel and dual-channel configurations. The series uses Keysight's exclusive Trueform digital sampling technology, which the datasheet describes as a blend of DDS and point-per-clock architectures designed to deliver every defined waveform sample point accurately at any output frequency. The family includes both base waveform generator models and arbitrary-capable models, giving the buyer a choice between standard waveform output and full user-defined arbitrary waveform playback.

The datasheet positions these generators for applications that demand clean, precise, low-noise stimulus signals where the engineer must be confident that measurement results reflect the device under test rather than the source. Listed applications include creating signals with intentional noise, overshoots, spikes, and dropouts for device robustness testing; generating dual-tone and multi-frequency signals via waveform summing on a single channel; testing digital serial buses using built-in PRBS patterns from PN3 through PN32; and IQ baseband signal generation for RF component and system test on dual-channel arbitrary models. Function generators of this type are bench-essential instruments paired with oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and network analyzers to form complete stimulus-response measurement setups.

ValueTronics stocks and supports the full Keysight 33500B and 33600A Series Trueform family at its 20,000 sq ft secure warehouse and operations facility located at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois. Every {{CONDITION}} instrument shipping from our facility is inventoried, inspected, and prepared by technicians in-house — not drop-shipped from a third-party broker. Customers ordering from us reach a dedicated Test Architect who can confirm option codes (MEM, SEC, OCX, GPIB), verify channel count, and match the specific model to the bench application before the purchase order is issued.

Brand Heritage

Keysight Technologies was formed in 2014 when Agilent Technologies separated its electronic measurement business into a standalone company; Agilent itself was spun off from Hewlett-Packard in 1999. The 33500B and 33600A Series carry forward the function/arbitrary waveform generator product line that originated with HP and continued through the Agilent era, and Keysight maintains direct compatibility with the earlier 33210A, 33220A, and 33250A Series for legacy automated test system integration.

Compare Other Models in This Series

The Trueform Function / Arbitrary Waveform Generator family is structured as a matrix of bandwidth (20, 30, 80, 120 MHz), channel count (1 or 2), and arbitrary capability (with or without). The 33500B Series covers the 20 MHz and 30 MHz bandwidth tiers; the 33600A Series covers the 80 MHz and 120 MHz tiers. Within each bandwidth/channel combination, the datasheet offers a base function generator model and an arbitrary-capable model that adds user-defined waveform playback, waveform sequencing, and modulation capabilities not available on the base models.

The two series share the same Trueform sampling architecture, the same 4.3-inch color TFT display, the same chassis form factor, and the same SCPI command set with compatibility back to the 33210A/33220A/33250A Series. They differ on headline performance specifications — sample rate, memory depth, edge jitter, pulse rise time, voltage resolution — that scale with the bandwidth tier.

Each model below is its own dedicated product page with new-matched pricing and availability. Use this comparison to identify the bandwidth, channel count, and arbitrary capability that matches your bench requirement, then navigate to the corresponding model page for full specifications, options on the specific unit, and the formal quote.

Bandwidth differences drive the headline performance gaps. The 20 MHz and 30 MHz 33500B models specify <40 ps RMS edge jitter and 8.4 ns square wave rise time; the 80 MHz and 120 MHz 33600A models specify <1 ps RMS edge jitter and 2.9 ns pulse rise time (at Vout ≤ 4 Vpp). Arbitrary waveform sample rate scales from 160 MSa/s on the 20 MHz models to 1 GSa/s on the 120 MHz models. Standard arbitrary memory is 1 MSa/channel on 33500B arb models and 4 MSa/channel on 33600A models, both extendable via Option MEM.

Channel count is a hard configuration choice — single-channel models cannot be field-upgraded to dual-channel. Dual-channel models on the arb-capable lines (33512B, 33522B, 33612A, 33622A) include the IQ Baseband Signal Player as standard for quadrature modulation source applications. GPIB connectivity is included as standard on the 33500B Series; on the 33600A Series, GPIB is available as the customer-installable 3446GPBU option. See the comparison table below for the side-by-side specification differences across the family.

Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.

Product Core & Specifications

Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.