Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E4407B vs Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 8591E
This technical comparison covers the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E4407B microwave spectrum analyzer and the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 8591E RF spectrum analyzer. Designed for engineers and technical buyers evaluating legacy test gear, this guide analyzes how these instruments compare across standard operational capabilities, RF performance, and configurations. The E4407B, part of the ESA-E Series, provides microwave coverage up to 26.5 GHz, while the portable 8591E, belonging to the 8590E series, focuses on RF testing up to 1.8 GHz. Key differences in signal sweep times, input attenuation, and physical packaging dictate their suitability for specific laboratory and field tasks.
- E4407B Frequency Range
- 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz
- 8591E Frequency Range
- 9 kHz to 1.8 GHz
- E4407B Sweep Time (Span > 0 Hz)
- 1 ms to 4000 s
- 8591E Sweep Time (Span > 0)
- 20 ms to 100 s
- E4407B Attenuator Steps
- 5 dB
- 8591E Standard RF Input
- Type-N (female)
Specifications
| Specification | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)E4407B | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)8591E |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Calibration Cycle | 1 year | — |
| EMC/EMI Compliance | CISPR Pub 11 Group 1 Class A | — |
| Display | — | CRT (split-screen capable) |
| Data Storage | — | Built-in memory card reader |
| Physical | ||
| Power Supply | 90 to 132 V (47-440 Hz) / 195 to 250 V (47-66 Hz); < 300 W | 90 to 132 Vrms (47 to 440 Hz) / 195 to 250 Vrms (47 to 66 Hz), < 500 VA |
| Operating Temperature(°C) | 0 to 55 | 0 to +55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D)(mm) | 416 × 222 × 409 | 325 × 163 × 427 mm |
| Weight(kg) | 17.1 | 14.5 kg (net, basic configuration) / up to 16.4 kg (with options) |
| Frequency Specifications | ||
| Frequency Range | 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz (100 Hz to 26.5 GHz with Option UKB) | 9 kHz to 1.8 GHz |
| Phase Noise @ 10 kHz Offset | ≤ -90 dBc/Hz (1 GHz carrier) | — |
| Sweep Time Range | 1 ms to 4000 s (Span > 0 Hz), 50 µs to 4000 s (Zero Span) | 20 ms to 100 s (span > 0) ; 20 µs to 100 s (zero span) |
| Frequency Reference Aging | — | ± 2 × 10^-6 / year (standard) ; ± 1 × 10^-7 / year (Option 004) |
| Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) Range | — | 1 kHz to 3 MHz in 1, 3, 10 sequence (30 Hz to 300 Hz available with Option 130) |
| Video Bandwidth (VBW) Range | — | 30 Hz to 1 MHz (1 Hz to 1 MHz with Option 130) |
| Phase Noise (SSB) at 30kHz offset | — | ≤ -105 dBc/Hz (at 1 GHz center frequency) |
| Amplitude Specifications | ||
| Absolute Amplitude Accuracy | ±0.4 dB overall | — |
| Maximum Safe Continuous CW Power | +30 dBm (1 W) | — |
| Input Attenuator Range | 0 to 65 dB in 5 dB steps | 0 to 60 dB |
| Measurement Range | — | Displayed average noise level (DANL) to +30 dBm |
| Maximum Safe Input Level (Continuous Power) | — | +30 dBm (1 W) |
| Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) | — | ≤ -115 dBm (1 MHz to 1.8 GHz, 1 kHz RBW) ; ≤ -130 dBm (with Option 130, 30 Hz RBW) |
| Input Attenuator Step Size | — | 10 dB |
| Inputs and Outputs | ||
| Front Panel RF Input Connector | APC-3.5 mm (male) | — |
| RF Input Impedance | 50 Ω | — |
| General and Environmental | ||
| Warm-up Time | 5 minutes to guaranteed measurement accuracy | — |
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 to +75 °C | — |
| Frequency | ||
| Span Range | 0 Hz (zero span), 100 Hz to 26.5 GHz | — |
| Timebase Aging Rate (Standard) | ± 2 × 10^-6 / year | — |
| Timebase Aging Rate (Option 1D5) | ± 1 × 10^-7 / year | — |
| Calibrator Frequency | — | 300 MHz |
| Inputs & Outputs | ||
| Timebase Reference Input/Output | 10 MHz | — |
| Amplitude | ||
| Amplitude Reference Signal | 50 MHz, -20 dBm | — |
| Reference Level Range | -149.9 dBm to +30 dBm | — |
| Amplitude Units | dBm, dBmV, dBµV, V, W | dBm, dBmV, dBµV, V, W |
| Standard Detectors | Normal, positive peak, sample, negative peak | — |
| Log Scale Fidelity | ± 0.3 dB (0 to -60 dB from reference level) | — |
| Residual Responses | <-90 dBm (0 dB attenuation, 50 Ω load) | — |
| Calibrator Amplitude | — | -20 dBm ± 0.4 dB |
| Linear Scale Fidelity | — | ±3% of Reference Level |
| Reference Level Resolution | — | 0.01 dB (log scale), 0.12% of reference level (linear scale) |
| Options & Enhancements | ||
| Tracking Generator Frequency (Option 1DN) | 9 kHz to 3.0 GHz | — |
| Frequency Performance | ||
| Phase Noise @ 100 kHz Offset | ≤ -113 dBc/Hz (typical ≤ -117 dBc/Hz) | — |
| Phase Noise @ 1 MHz Offset | ≤ -119 dBc/Hz (typical ≤ -127 dBc/Hz) | — |
| Sweep Specifications | ||
| Sweep Points | 401 | — |
| Options & Configurations | ||
| Time-Gated Spectrum Analysis | Available via Option 1D6 | — |
| DSP and Fast ADC | Available via Option B7D | — |
| Tracking Generator Specifications (Options) | ||
| Tracking Generator Frequency Range | — | 9 kHz to 1.8 GHz (Option 010) |
| Inputs, Outputs, and Interfaces | ||
| RF Input Connector Type | — | Type-N (female) |
| RF Input Impedance | — | 50 Ω (standard) / 75 Ω (Option 001) |
| Signal Analysis and Processing | ||
| Measurement Functions | — | Cable TV/broadcast, component test, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), lightwave, and wireless communications (via downloadable personalities) |
| Power and Physical Specifications | ||
| Expansion Architecture | — | Four slot cardcage for plug-in performance options |
| Features | ||
| Demodulation | — | AM and FM demodulation (includes built-in speaker) |
| Spectral Purity & Distortion | ||
| Third-Order Intermodulation | — | <-70 dBc (10 MHz to 1.8 GHz, -30 dBm mixer level) |
| Second Harmonic Distortion | — | <-70 dBc (10 MHz to 1.8 GHz, -40 dBm mixer level) |
| Residual Responses | — | <-90 dBm (≥ 1 MHz, 0 dB attenuation, terminated input) |
| Sweep | ||
| Sweep Trigger Modes | — | Free run, single, line, video, external |
| Options & Accessories | ||
| Tracking Generator Power Resolution (Option 010) | — | 0.1 dB |
| Narrow Resolution Bandwidths (Option 130) | — | 30 Hz, 100 Hz, 300 Hz |
Frequency Range and RF Port Configurations
The most fundamental distinction between these two analyzers lies in their frequency coverage and physical input interfaces.
- E4407B: Operates over a standard range of 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz, which can be extended down to 100 Hz with Option UKB. It utilizes an APC-3.5 mm male RF connector at the front panel and has a standard RF input impedance of 50 Γ%.
- 8591E: Operates from 9 kHz to 1.8 GHz. It features a standard Type-N female RF input port. While standard impedance is 50 Γ%, Option 001 provides a 75 Γ% input impedance, making it directly compatible with broadcast and cable television environments.
Sweep Capabilities and Signal Attenuation
Signal capture flexibility and amplitude attenuation ranges differ notably between the platforms.
For swept-frequency analysis in span widths greater than 0 Hz, the E4407B supports sweep times from 1 ms up to 4000 s, and 50 %s to 4000 s in zero-span mode. The 8591E provides a sweep range of 20 ms to 100 s for standard spans, and 20 %s to 100 s in zero-span mode.
Input signal attenuation is also more granular on the ESA-E series instrument. The E4407B offers an input attenuator range of 0 to 65 dB in 5 dB steps. In contrast, the 8591E features a 0 to 60 dB attenuator adjustable in coarser 10 dB steps.
Physical Characteristics and Options
The physical dimensions, power requirements, and options structures represent two different design generations. The E4407B has dimensions of 416 × 222 × 409 mm and a weight of 17.1 kg. It consumes less than 300 W of power.
The 8591E is more compact at 325 × 163 × 427 mm, weighing 14.5 kg in its basic configuration (up to 16.4 kg when fully optioned), and consumes under 500 VA. The 8591E includes a CRT display, a built-in memory card reader, and a four-slot cardcage designed for plug-in options like downloadable measurement personalities. The E4407B utilizes digital architectures supporting options such as DSP/Fast ADC (Option B7D) and Time-Gated Spectrum Analysis (Option 1D6).
Frequently asked questions
- Can either of these analyzers reach a frequency reference stability of 1 x 10^-7 per year?
- Yes, both instruments can achieve an aging rate of ± 1 × 10^-7 per year when fitted with their respective precision reference options. This is Option 1D5 for the E4407B and Option 004 for the 8591E.
- Are tracking generators available for the E4407B and 8591E?
- Yes. The E4407B supports an optional tracking generator via Option 1DN, covering 9 kHz to 3.0 GHz. The 8591E supports Option 010, which provides a tracking generator covering 9 kHz to 1.8 GHz.