Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E5071C vs Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) E5061B
This comparison details the differences and similarities between the Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent HP) E5071C and E5061B ENA series vector network analyzers. While both instruments belong to the same product family, share physical power requirements, and support electronic calibration (ECal), they target distinct application spaces. The E5071C is configured for high-frequency microwave and RF development, offering broader frequency ranges up to 20 GHz and multi-port options. The E5061B serves low-frequency to RF applications, starting at 5 Hz, making it suitable for component testing, power distribution networks, and DC-DC converters. This guide highlights their distinct capabilities to assist engineers in choosing the appropriate analyzer.
- E5071C Max Frequency
- 20 GHz
- E5061B Min Frequency
- 5 Hz
- E5071C Max Test Ports
- 4
- E5061B Max Test Ports
- 2
- E5071C Max Trace Points
- 100,001
- E5061B Max Trace Points
- 1,601
Specifications
| Specification | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)E5071C | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)E5061B |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Interfaces | USB, LAN (10/100/1000 BaseT), GPIB (IEEE 488.2), VGA, Handler I/O | USB, LAN, GPIB |
| Display | 10.4-inch TFT color LCD touch screen (1024 × 768) | 10.4-inch TFT color LCD |
| Warm-up Time | 90 minutes | — |
| Physical | ||
| Power Supply | 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 350 VA max | 100 to 240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 350 VA max |
| Operating Temperature(°C) | 5 to 40 | 5 °C to 40 °C |
| Weight(kg) | — | 10.6 kg (RF options) / 11.8 kg (LF-RF Option 3L5) |
| Frequency Characteristics | ||
| Frequency Range (Options) | 9 kHz to 4.5 / 6.5 / 8.5 GHz; 100 kHz to 4.5 / 6.5 / 8.5 GHz (with bias tees); 300 kHz to 14 / 20 GHz (with bias tees) | — |
| Frequency Resolution | 1 Hz | — |
| Frequency Range (1.5 GHz Options) | — | 100 kHz to 1.5 GHz (Options 115, 215, 117, 217) |
| Frequency Range (3 GHz Options) | — | 100 kHz to 3 GHz (Options 135, 235, 137, 237) |
| Frequency Range (LF-RF Option) | — | 5 Hz to 3 GHz (Option 3L5) |
| Test Port Output Characteristics | ||
| Number of Test Ports | 2 or 4 (configuration dependent) | — |
| Test Port Connector Type | Type-N female (≤ 8.5 GHz models); 3.5 mm male (14/20 GHz models) | — |
| Nominal Impedance | 50 Ω | — |
| Power Level Resolution | 0.05 dB | — |
| Test Port Input Characteristics | ||
| Trace Noise | 0.004 dB rms @ 70 kHz IFBW | — |
| Damage Level | +26 dBm, ±35 VDC | — |
| Sweep and Measurement Speed | ||
| Sweep Types | Linear frequency, log frequency, segment sweep, power sweep | — |
| IF Bandwidth Range | 10 Hz to 500 kHz | — |
| Measurement Capabilities | ||
| Measured Parameters | S-parameters (S11 to S22 for 2-port; S11 to S44 for 4-port), absolute power | — |
| Display Formats | Log magnitude, linear magnitude, phase, group delay, Smith chart, polar, SWR | — |
| Time Domain Analysis | Supported (Option 010) | — |
| Internal Programming | Built-in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) | — |
| Calibration and Error Correction | ||
| Supported Calibration Methods | Response, Response & Isolation, Enhanced Response, 1-Port OSL, Full 2-Port, Full 3-Port, Full 4-Port, TRL | — |
| Electronic Calibration (ECal) | Supported | — |
| Fixture Simulator Capabilities | Port extension, impedance conversion, matching circuit embedding, de-embedding | — |
| Interfaces and Connectivity | ||
| External Reference Input | 10 MHz (BNC) | — |
| External Reference Output | 10 MHz (BNC) | — |
| External Trigger Input | BNC | — |
| Computing Platform and Storage | ||
| Operating System | Windows (version dependent on manufacturing date) | — |
| Power and Environmental | ||
| Storage Temperature Range | -10 °C to +60 °C | — |
| Measurement Configuration | ||
| Maximum Number of Channels | 16 channels | — |
| Maximum Number of Traces | 16 data traces and 16 memory traces per channel | — |
| Maximum Points per Trace | 100,001 | — |
| Averaging Factor | 1 to 999 | — |
| Smoothing | 0% to 25% of sweep span | — |
| Number of Channels | — | 4 |
| Data Traces | — | Up to 4 per channel |
| Measurement Points | — | 2 to 1601 |
| Power | ||
| Maximum Power Consumption | 350 VA | — |
| Environmental | ||
| Operating Altitude | Up to 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) | — |
| Storage Temperature | — | -10 °C to 60 °C |
| Operating Humidity | — | 20% to 80% RH (non-condensing) |
| Compliance | ||
| Safety Compliance | IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1 | — |
| EMC Compliance | EN 61326-1, CISPR 11 Group 1 Class A | — |
| Data & Storage | ||
| Mass Storage | Removable Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or Solid State Drive (SSD) | — |
| Standards & Compliance | ||
| LXI Compliance | LXI Class C | — |
| Inputs & Outputs | ||
| LAN Interface | 10/100/1000 Base-T Ethernet (RJ-45) | — |
| USB Interface | USB 2.0 (Front/Rear Host, Rear Device) | — |
| Handler Interface | 36-pin parallel (Centronics) | — |
| Video Output | 15-pin mini D-Sub (VGA) | — |
| Analysis Features | ||
| Limit Testing | Upper/lower limits, ripple limits, bandwidth limits (with pass/fail indicators) | — |
| Marker Search Functions | Maximum, Minimum, Peak, Target, Bandwidth | — |
| System Capabilities | ||
| Multiport Expansion | Supported via external Keysight E5092A Configurable Multiport Test Set | — |
| General Characteristics | ||
| Architecture / Device Type | — | RF / LF-RF Vector Network Analyzer |
| Number of Test Ports | — | 2 |
| System Impedance (50 Ω) | — | Supported (Options 115, 215, 135, 235, 3L5) |
| System Impedance (75 Ω) | — | Supported (Options 117, 217, 137, 237) |
| Transmission/Reflection Test Sets | — | Options 115, 135, 117, 137 |
| S-Parameter Test Sets | — | Options 215, 235, 217, 237, 3L5 |
| Test Port Output (Source) Characteristics | ||
| DC Bias Source (Option 3L5) | — | 0 to ±40 Vdc (sweepable) |
| Test Port Input (Receiver) Characteristics | ||
| System Dynamic Range (> 1 MHz) | — | 120 dB (Option 3L5 S-parameter port) |
| Gain-Phase Test Port Frequency Range | — | 5 Hz to 30 MHz (Option 3L5) |
| Gain-Phase Test Port Input Impedance | — | Switchable 1 MΩ / 50 Ω (Option 3L5) |
| Sweep | ||
| Sweep Types | — | Linear frequency, log frequency, segment, power |
| Receiver | ||
| IF Bandwidth (IFBW) | — | 1 Hz to 300 kHz |
| Physical & Connectivity | ||
| Test Port Connectors | — | Type-N (female) |
| Options & Upgrades | ||
| Time Domain / Fault Location | — | Option 010 |
| Calibration | ||
| Electronic Calibration (ECal) | — | Supported |
| Performance | ||
| Source Power Resolution | — | 0.05 dB |
Frequency Ranges and Application Focus
The primary differentiator between these two network analyzers is their operating frequency envelope. The E5071C is designed for high-frequency RF and microwave testing. Its available options support frequencies from 9 kHz up to 4.5, 6.5, or 8.5 GHz, and from 300 kHz up to 14 or 20 GHz with integrated bias tees.
In contrast, the E5061B specializes in lower-frequency ranges and RF. Standard options cover 100 kHz to 1.5 GHz or 3 GHz. The specialized LF-RF Option 3L5 extends the lower limit down to 5 Hz. This low-frequency option introduces unique hardware features like a 5 Hz to 30 MHz Gain-Phase test port with switchable 1 MΩ or 50 Ω input impedance, and a built-in sweepable DC bias source (0 to ±40 Vdc) for testing active components and power distribution networks.
Port Configurations and Impedance Options
The E5071C is highly configurable with either 2 or 4 test ports, supporting multi-port S-parameter measurements (up to S44 configurations) and expansion via the external Keysight E5092A Configurable Multiport Test Set. It uses Type-N female connectors for configurations up to 8.5 GHz and 3.5 mm male connectors for the 14 GHz and 20 GHz models.
The E5061B is restricted to a 2-port architecture. However, it offers versatility in system impedance. While the E5071C is strictly a 50 Ω nominal system, the E5061B supports both 50 Ω and 75 Ω options across its various transmission/reflection and S-parameter test sets, accommodating cable and broadcast television testing.
Measurement Capacity and UI Differences
For data-intensive testing, the E5071C offers superior processing specifications. It supports up to 100,001 measurement points per trace, 16 channels, and up to 16 data traces and 16 memory traces per channel. It also features a 10.4-inch TFT color LCD with touch-screen capability and includes built-in Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) for internal automated programming.
The E5061B offers up to 1,601 points per trace, 4 channels, and up to 4 data traces per channel. Its 10.4-inch TFT color LCD does not feature touch control. For automated control, both systems provide USB, LAN, and GPIB interfaces, but the E5071C includes a dedicated 15-pin VGA output and a 36-pin parallel Handler interface for manufacturing integration.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the E5061B support multiport expansion?
- No, the E5061B only supports a 2-port architecture. For multiport testing, the E5071C can be configured as a 4-port system and supports external multiport expansion using the E5092A test set.
- Can both analyzers be used for time-domain measurements?
- Yes, both the E5071C and the E5061B support time-domain and fault-location analysis through Option 010.
- Which model is better suited for power integrity and DC-DC converter testing?
- The E5061B with Option 3L5 is specifically built for this application, offering a low-frequency limit of 5 Hz, a dedicated Gain-Phase test port, and a built-in sweepable DC bias source (0 to ±40 Vdc).