Radio Frequency Signal Generator Market Size, Share, and Analysis By Frequency Range (High-Frequency, Low-Frequency, and Medium Frequency), By Application (Telecommunications, Aerospace & Defense, Mechanical, and Electronics), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

RF (Radio Frequency) signal generators produce continuous wave tones. These are used for various test receivers, systems, and components in numerous industrial, mechanical, and telecommunications applications. The RF signal generator ranges from a few kHz to 6 GHz. Factors such as carrier aggregation, which increases bandwidth, improved uplink, and multi-antenna techniques are expected to drive the demand for the global radio frequency (RF) signal generator market. The adoption of 5G is one of the latest booming trends in the market, driving the growth of the RF signal generator market. The technology provides a comprehensive IP solution to users where voice, data, and streaming media can be delivered regardless of time and location. Growing manufacturing units is a significant driver for RF signal generator demand.

The main driver of the RF signal generator market is the growing number of manufacturing units. The companies are focusing on increasing the construction of manufacturing units as product manufacturing in many countries, which propels the market growth. The demand for RF signal generators is expected to increase owing to the growing demand for automation solutions in discrete and process manufacturing units.

• In June 2021, Wireless Telecom Group Inc. announced that its Boonton brand entered the signal generation market by introducing the SGX1000 RF Signal Generator, a new series of instruments that combine high-performance signal generation capabilities with an intuitive user interface. The SGX1000 is built on Boonton's latest instrument platform, which provides a modern, easy-to-use interface in a compact form factor and offers high-performance signal generation at an affordable price range for general use in semiconductors, aerospace, medicine, military, and communications industries.

The high price of Radio Frequency (RF) signal generators is expected to inhibit market growth. A lack of infrastructure development and large space requirements for radio frequency (RF) antennae also hinder the market growth. Additionally, increased RF complexity is expected to hamper the market growth.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the market owing to customer preferences shifting toward essential items and declining demand for automobiles and electronics. The aerospace sector also significantly declined due to border closures and bans on international travel worldwide. Thus, suppliers supplying these industries reported lower revenues in the first quarter of 2020. However, the sudden market disruption was offset by the increasing demand for advanced communication systems as organizations opted for the work-from-home model.

KEY INSIGHTS

The report covers the following key insights:

• Recent Advancements in RF Signal Generator Market


• Key Industry Trends


• Regulatory Landscape for RF Signal Generator Market


• Key Industry Developments (Mergers, Acquisitions, and Partnerships)


• Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

SEGMENTATION

ANALYSIS BY FREQUENCY RANGE

Radio-frequency signal generators produce continuous wave tones used in various applications. The required frequency ranges from low to high, depending on the application and operations. The high frequency segment is expected to grow over the forecast period owing to a rise in military and governmental communication systems, as they prefer stable and long-range communication devices.

Other applications, such as broadcasting, have also been booming in recent years, backed by the rise in technology and the availability of mobile devices. Such applications require low-frequency signal generators. Therefore, low-frequency is one of the fastest-growing segments.

Medium frequencies can enable stable transmission of radio waves over lengthy distances. They are used mainly for medium-wave radio broadcasting, ship communications, radio navigation, and other applications.

ANALYSIS BY APPLICATION

Based on type, the global market can be categorized into telecommunications, aerospace and defense, mechanical, and electronics. The telecommunications application segment is expected to dominate the market. The segment is set to account for the highest market share over the forecast period owing to the reliance of RF signal generators on the growth of the telecommunications industry. Moreover, these are used in telecommunications for various wireless technology upgrades, testing various wireless communication channel deployments, or installing signal towers. Owing to this factor, the growth of the RF (radio frequency) signal generators market share is the fastest in telecommunications compared to other segments.

The aerospace and defense applications segment accounts for the second highest market share, driven by demand primarily from countries such as the U.S., Canada, Japan, and China. The consumer electronics segment is growing driven by the increasing product application in recent years and rising advancements in technology. The consumer electronics segment drives the demand for radio frequency generators.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

By region, the global RF signal generator market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America,  and the Middle East and Africa. The RF signal generators market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The North America region dominated the global Radio Frequency (RF) signal generators market over the forecast period, owing to the increasing incorporation of RF components supporting 5G technology in mobile computing devices in the region. Additionally, factors such as the presence of major vendors, increased demand for electronic devices, emerging wireless standards, increased R&D spending, and escalated investment in aerospace and defense are expected to propel the market growth in the region. The U.S. holds the largest share and dominates the market, followed by Canada.

Europe is another primary RF signal generator market, owing to increasing industrialization and the growing number of regional manufacturing units. Additionally, the growing demand for automation solutions is expected to drive the market in the region. Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, and Russia are the leading countries contributing to the European market.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow over the analysis period due to increasing urbanization and demand from emerging economies in the region. Additionally, technological advancements in automation solutions are expected to further propel the regional market growth. China, India, Japan, Australia, and South Korea are the leading countries contributing to the Asia Pacific region.

The Middle East & Africa RF signal generator market is estimated to be growing at a moderate rate, owing to various factors such as the prevalence of variable growth rates that vary by country and within each country. Several countries in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have invested heavily in ICT infrastructure.

KEY PLAYERS COVERED

The report provides the profiles of key players such as Keysight Technologies, Inc., Tektronix, Inc., Thurlby Thandar Instruments Ltd., Aaronia AG, Vaunix Technology Corp., Anritsu, Berkeley Nucleonics Corp., Rigol Technologies, National Instruments Corp., NI (National Instruments), AnaPico, Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, and Aim-TTi.

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• In June 2022, Rohde & Schwarz & Co KG international electronics group announced the additional maximum frequency options, 56 GHz and 67 GHz, for its SMW200A vector signal generator. Moreover, the company believes the SMW200A is the first to enable flat frequency response and 2 GHz modulation bandwidth above 44 GHz.

• In June 2020, Siglent's SSG5000X series of RF signal generators generated analog and vector signals with a frequency range of 9 kHz to 4 GHz or 6 GHz, frequency tuning resolution of 0.001 Hz, and amplitude resolution of 0.01 dB. Within the series, the SSG5000X-V models feature internal IQ modulation with up to 150 MHz RF modulation bandwidth and arbitrary waveform playback capability.