Signal Generator Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (General Purpose Signal Generator, Function Generator, Other), By Technology (2G, 3G, 4G-5G), By Applications (Designing, Testing, Manufacturing, Troubleshooting, Repairing, Other Applications), By End-user Industry (Telecommunication, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, Electronics Manufacturing, Healthcare, Other End-user Industries) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2023-2031

Signal generator market size

The global signal generator market size was valued at USD 1644.44 million in 2024 and is projected to reach from USD 1774.35 million in 2025 to USD 3259.96 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 7.90% during the forecast period (2025-2033).

The main tools of all RF/microwave test-and-measurement systems are signal generators, also known as frequency synthesizers. They are widely employed to test, fix, and troubleshoot various electronic systems and equipment. In the following years, they are anticipated to grow faster in the worldwide test-and-measurement market. From straightforward continuous-wave devices to sophisticated modulation devices with better software control, modulation capabilities, and user interfaces, signal generators have evolved significantly. The market share for signal generators is growing due to advancements like using new software techniques that improve linearity, bandwidth, and signal-generating capabilities.

Growth Factors

Rising number of people using electronic devices

Electronic devices connect the modern world and link with the Internet of Things. The Internet of Things (IoT) is integrating all electronic systems, from computers to manufacturing facilities, which has increased testing requirements for bandwidth verification. Smartphones and other consumer electronics are also increasing the demand for signal generators for various testing. The rising demand from the region's developing nations, like India and Indonesia, where smartphones are more and more permeating the rural areas as local governments push for a digital and mobile economy, is anticipated to be the main driver of the demand for smartphones at entry-level price points.

The need for testing is also being driven by some electronic devices, such as oscilloscopes, primarily used to measure electrical phenomena and test, validate, and debug circuit designs. One of an oscilloscope's main tasks is to measure voltage waves. Overall, the need for signal generators to measure the device during the testing of the appliances is driven by various electronic devices that receive and transfer messages. The generator functions as a logic analyzer protocol analyzer and lets the tester see the expected outputs after the input signals are sent to the device. This establishes how the device behaves and facilitates thorough analysis and efficient research on the electronic device.

Restraining Factors

High competition presenting price pressure

Product competitiveness is steadily rising as a result of the market shift from high-tech to general electronics items and the rapid increase in R&D spending. Several core competitiveness businesses benefit from the existing industrial infrastructure. Electronic equipment manufacturers have focused on increasing testing effectiveness and lowering overall test development costs at the product development stage due to the high investment and accelerated product cycle of electronic devices. As a result, it puts price pressure on testing and developing equipment.

When it comes to the system integration of signal generators, there is a fierce rivalry that is based on both innovation and affordability. The majority of manufacturers are small and medium-sized businesses that devote almost 10% of their annual sales to R&D. Signal generators require a high degree of precision and quality due to the market's demands and the uses for these products, which puts pressure on producers to enhance their product quality through innovations and R&D continuously.

Market Opportunities

Improvements in communication systems

Cable TV, AM and FM radio, VHF, UHF, HDTV, shortwave, fire, police, telephone, fax, voice, TV, local government, and computer networking systems are all examples of modern communication systems. They include satellite, mobile cellular phones, microwave systems, fiber optic, and Internet communications. Across all industries, wireless technology adoption is expected to rise. Over the past few years, all wireless technologies have significantly improved speed, latency, and service quality. Significant improvements have been made to wireless communications. 

Signal generators are essential enabling elements for the effective operation of wireless communications, and improvements in communication systems are driving market expansion. Broadband wireless access (WiMAX), cellular phone systems (3GPP/LTE), wireless cables, wireless local area networks (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi), the global positioning system (GPS), phased-array RF systems, RFF, smart handheld devices, etc., are just a few of the many applications that fall under the umbrella of wireless communications.

Regional Insights

Asia-pacific is a dominant region with 9.40% market share

Asia-Pacific is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.40% during the forecast period. Due to its dominant position in manufacturing consumer electronics, semiconductors, and other telecommunications and equipment. Additionally, China is the world leader in 5G technology, with 50 cities expected to have complete network coverage by the end of 2020. Due to the ongoing importation of diversified, international electronic equipment into China, semiconductor consumption in that nation is rising quickly compared to other countries. The three biggest Chinese network carriers, China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom, reportedly launched the most widespread 5G network services worldwide in 2021.

North america is the fastest growing region

North America is expected to boost at a CAGR of 7.40% during the forecast period. The expanding use of 5G infrastructure in the US telecommunications industry is what is driving up demand for analog and digital function generators. The country's end-user sector is responsible for a sizeable share of the world's usage of 5G technology. The US dominates North America's regional 5G industry in terms of investment, acceptance, and applications. The 5G ultrafast wireless networks' characteristics are anticipated to give the sluggishly expanding telecom sector the initial boost it needs. According to the US Telecom Association, by 2025, US telecom providers will spend over USD 104 billion. The telecom service providers must finish the installation of 5G wireless services and upgrade current 4G networks to the future 5G standards. Numerous prospects for regional market expansion are anticipated to result from such tendencies.

Europe is a significant driver and adopter of contemporary technology and is home to some of the most important tech hubs in the world. The industry is expanding due to the increased usage of modern technologies and semiconductors across various regional sectors. The United Kingdom is one of the biggest telecom markets in Europe, and the sector's expansion is anticipated to contribute considerably to the market's expansion. The United Kingdom market offers some of the most cutting-edge infrastructure and equipment due to the presence of numerous international brands there. Due to some of the largest telecom equipment firms, mobile and broadband penetration in the United Kingdom is far above the average in Europe.

Latin American nations with sizable industrial sectors, including Mexico and Brazil, might be blamed for the region's rising number of automobile production facilities. The International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers ranks Mexico as the seventh-largest auto manufacturer worldwide. In the central part of Mexico, new facilities for Nissan, Honda, and Mazda are opening. Given that most electronics (consumer, industrial, and automotive) are imported into the Middle East and Africa, the industry under study is anticipated to grow slowly in this region. 45% of people living in the GCC believe wearable technology helps keep track of their health, according to Arab Health, one of the largest gatherings of healthcare and business professionals.

Segmentation Analysis

By product

The general-purpose signal generator segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to boost at a CAGR of 8.60% during the forecast period. Radiofrequency (RF) signal generators are frequently used to produce continuous radio frequency signals with specified properties to evaluate the design of circuits, particularly those in communication equipment. An RF signal generator only creates the ideal environment for other equipment to measure the test object. It does not do any measurements on its own. In a wide range of applications, such as cellular communications, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, GPS, satellite communications, audio, and video transmission, radar, and electronic warfare, RF and microwave signal generators are both broadly utilized for testing components, receivers, and test systems.

A video signal generator is primarily a signal generator that produces predetermined video and television oscillation waveforms in addition to other signals that are used to synchronize television devices, stimulate faults in the systems, or facilitate parametric measurements of the television and video systems. Additionally, there are numerous varieties of video signal generators in everyday use. Most of the signals produced by audio signal generators are audible or commonly between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. These audio signal generators assess audio systems' frequency response and calculate distortion. These devices were created with the explicit purpose of being able to validate even the most minor distortions that could be calculated using a short circuit. 

By technology

An electrical signal generator is a piece of test machinery that generates an electrical signal in the shape of a wave. Signal generators come in various forms, including arbitrary waveform, function, analog, and vector generators. Microwave covers the higher end of the spectrum, from 300 MHz upwards. At the same time, RF signal generators produce waveforms in the radio frequency, roughly from 3 kHz to 300 GHz. CDMA, which was first used for military communications, is a technology in which signals are dispersed over a frequency range using a different code for each call. The low-power signals consequently move over the same frequency at the same time. The identical unique code employed for spreading is used to reconstruct the sign at the receiver's end.

Code division, also known as WCDMA (wideband CDMA) or UMTS, is a more robust and adaptable technology that identifies 3G GSM as a CDMA technology (Universal Mobile Telephone System). As its name suggests, WCDMA requires larger channels than prior CDMA systems yet has a higher data capacity. With its MG3681A signal generator and MS8608A transmitter tester, Anritsu Co. was one of the first businesses to introduce test solutions for evaluating Third Generation Partnership Program Wideband Code Division Multiple Access components and base stations. It was asserted that the new test solution possesses the sophisticated technological abilities required to gauge the high bandwidth provided by 3GPP and the new packet data architectures it will employ. The business added that the solution is intended to conform to upcoming phases of 3GPP development.

The 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2600 MHz frequency bands are where 4G or LTE operates. Before the introduction of DTT, the 800 MHz frequency was used for analog TV. WiMax employs licensed or unlicensed spectrum to deliver the connection to the network. 4G may already treble the output gained in 3G to reach 100 Mb/s using new encoding technologies, making uses like "video" calls or live TV viable while on the go. It manages a more extensive, interoperable network. It can deliver internet services like Wi-Fi hotspots and mobile The majority of the market's top vendors provide technological solutions to support this Technology in general. 

By application

Mobile computing devices, such as smartphones, are one of the leading electronic products combining new wireless communication technologies, such as LTE, Wi-Fi - IEEE 802.11, CDMA, WiMAX - IEEE 802.16, and UMTS. Companies are now producing vector signal generators, so designing might be done to satisfy the IEEE802.11ac standard and function on these communication technologies in response to the growing requirement to address the increase in W-LAN speeds. Electronics have been incorporated into more and more medical uses lately, from massive imaging equipment to smart tags for surgical packs. Signal generators have been utilized in medical electronics' design, testing, and enics. 

Software for 3GPP Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is available from several essential firms, including Agilent Technologies. Agilent's N5182A MXG and E4438C ESG vector signal generators are compatible with it. Building and testing evolving 4G LTE products for the next generation of mobile communications enable wireless R&D and manufacturing engineers to produce performance-optimized and Agilent-validated signals. Mobile computing devices, such as smartphones, are one of the leading electronic products combining new wireless communication technologies, such as LTE, Wi-Fi - IEEE 802.11, CDMA, WiMAX - IEEE 802.16, and UMTS. 

By end-user industry

The telecommunication segment owns the highest market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.20% during the forecast period. A stable sinewave is frequently generated using a signal generator. In telecommunications, this stable sinewave has a variety of applications. RF receiver testing might use an oscillator,

• for instance, the oscillator injects less distortion and phase noise into the RF receiver testing the purer the sine wave is. This makes it possible for designers to see the RF receiver's performance. Modern 802.11ax and 5G high-speed communication systems rely heavily on signal generators. Developing wireless protocols like IEEE802.11ah and LTE-Advanced has increased the demand for signal generators that can precisely test electrical and telecom equipment.

The defense industry has long focused on prevention and deterrence, primarily based on intelligence, surveillance data, and effective communication between planners and teams on the ground. In this industry, lives are on the line, so equipment dependability is crucial. Throughout its lifespan, every component—from massive systems like radars to powerful, high-value graphics like graphics processors—must be trusted to operate without error. The authorities set strict standards for quality control and screening for signal generators. End customers need devices with lower power consumption, smaller size, weight, and cost, and the capacity to operate in challenging settings from radiofrequency (RF) and microwave technologies used in military and aerospace applications like surveillance, communications, and sensors.

Recent Developments

• January 2022- The award-winning 5 Series mixed-signal oscilloscope's most recent version has been made available, according to Tektronix Inc. (MSO). The 5 Series B MSO now offers even greater adaptability, high-fidelity waveforms, exceptional spectrum analysis capabilities, and flexible signal access valued by engineers worldwide.
• May 2021- The Keysight N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyzer solution enables customers to test the effectiveness of millimeter-wave (mmWave) innovations in aerospace and defense and satellite communications, which Keysight Technologies Inc has launched. This technology company provides advanced design and validation solutions to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world.