Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N9020A vs Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N9010A
This technical comparison covers the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N9020A MXA and the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) N9010A EXA signal analyzers. Both instruments belong to the X-Series platform and share core design features, including SCPI remote programming, LXI Class C compliance, and a common basic architecture. However, they are tailored for different performance tiers and applications. The N9020A MXA is a mid-performance analyzer optimized for RF, microwave, and wireless communications testing, whereas the N9010A EXA is designed as an economy-class analyzer focused on cost-effective troubleshooting and high throughput in manufacturing environments. This analysis highlights their primary physical and electrical differences to guide instrument selection.
- N9020A Frequency Range
- 10 Hz to 26.5 GHz (option dependent)
- N9010A Frequency Range
- 9 kHz to 3.6 GHz (option dependent)
- N9020A Attenuation Steps
- 2 dB steps
- N9010A Attenuation Steps
- 10 dB steps
- N9020A Display
- 8.4-inch XGA TFT
- N9010A Display
- 10.4-inch XGA color LCD
Specifications
| Specification | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)N9020A | Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)N9010A |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Interfaces | USB 2.0, LAN (1000Base-T), GPIB (IEEE-488), VGA, LXI Class C | USB 2.0, 1000Base-T LAN, GPIB |
| Display | 8.4-inch XGA (1024 x 768) color TFT LCD | 10.4 inch, XGA (1024x768) color LCD |
| Series | MXA X-Series | — |
| Internal Storage | Removable hard disk drive or solid-state drive (hardware revision dependent) | — |
| Warm-up Time | 5 minutes | — |
| Recommended Calibration Interval | — | 1 year |
| Environmental Compliance | — | RoHS compliant, WEEE compliant |
| Physical | ||
| Power Supply | 100-120 V (50/60/400 Hz), 220-240 V (50/60 Hz) | 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 300 W (typical) - 450 W (maximum, option dependent) |
| Operating Temperature(°C) | 0 to 55 | 0 to +55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D)(mm) | 426 × 177 × 368 | 426 mm x 177 mm x 472 mm (W x H x D, excluding protrusions) |
| Weight(kg) | 16.0 | 19 kg (base unit) |
| Rack Mount Kit | — | Available |
| Security Slot | — | Kensington Lock compatible |
| Frequency Specifications | ||
| Frequency Range | 10 Hz to 3.6, 8.4, 13.6, or 26.5 GHz (option dependent) | 9 kHz to 3.6 GHz (N9010A-503 option dependent) |
| Span Range | 0 Hz (Zero Span), 10 Hz to maximum frequency | — |
| Sweep (Trace) Point Range | 1 to 40,001 | — |
| Amplitude Specifications | ||
| Measurement Range | Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) to +30 dBm | — |
| Maximum Safe AC Input | +30 dBm (1 W) | — |
| Input Attenuator Range | 0 to 70 dB | — |
| Input Attenuator Step Size | 2 dB steps | — |
| Absolute Amplitude Accuracy | ±0.23 dB (Typical) | ±0.27 dB |
| Third Order Intercept (TOI) | — | +13 dBm |
| Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) | — | -146 dBm |
| W-CDMA ACLR Dynamic Range | — | -73 dBc (with noise correction on) |
| Dynamic Range and Noise | ||
| Phase Noise at 10 kHz Offset | -114 dBc/Hz (at 1 GHz) | — |
| Bandwidth Specifications | ||
| Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) Range | 1 Hz to 3 MHz (10% steps), 4, 5, 6, 8 MHz | — |
| Video Bandwidth (VBW) Range | 1 Hz to 3 MHz (10% steps), 4, 5, 6, 8 MHz | — |
| Standard Analysis Bandwidth | 10 MHz | — |
| Maximum Analysis Bandwidth (Option Dependent) | 160 MHz (with Option B1X) | — |
| Sweep and Triggering | ||
| Sweep Time Range (Span > 0 Hz) | 1 ms to 4000 s | — |
| Sweep Time Range (Zero Span) | 1 µs to 6000 s | — |
| Trigger Source | Free Run, Video, Line, External 1, External 2, RF Burst, Periodic Timer | — |
| Demodulation and Analysis | ||
| Optional Measurement Applications | LTE, W-CDMA, GSM/EDGE, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Phase Noise, Noise Figure, Analog Demodulation | — |
| Front Panel Inputs and Outputs | ||
| RF Input Impedance | 50 Ω | — |
| USB Ports (Front) | 2 × USB 2.0 (Type A) | — |
| Rear Panel Interfaces | ||
| Timebase Reference Input | 10 MHz, BNC (female) | — |
| Timebase Reference Output | 10 MHz, BNC (female) | — |
| External Trigger Input | BNC (female) | — |
| External Trigger Output | BNC (female) | — |
| Connectivity and Control | ||
| LAN Interface | 1000Base-T Ethernet | — |
| GPIB (IEEE-488) Interface | Standard | — |
| LXI Compliance Level | LXI Class C | — |
| Remote Control Programming Language | SCPI | — |
| Display Specifications | ||
| Display Size | 8.4 in | — |
| Display Resolution | 1024 x 768 | — |
| Physical Specifications | ||
| Rackmount Height (RU) | 4U | — |
| Inputs & Outputs | ||
| Maximum Continuous RF Input Power | +30 dBm (1 W) | — |
| External Display Output | VGA | — |
| Signal Analysis | ||
| Trace Detectors | Normal, Positive Peak, Sample, Negative Peak, Log Power Average, RMS Average, Voltage Average | — |
| Options | ||
| Preamplifier Options | 3.6 GHz, 8.4 GHz, 13.6 GHz, 26.5 GHz (Options P03, P08, P13, P26) | — |
| Compliance | ||
| EMC Compliance | IEC/EN 61326-1, CISPR 11 Group 1 Class A, EN 55011 | CISPR 11 / EN 55011 Group 1, Class A, IEC/EN 61326-1 |
| Safety Compliance | IEC/EN 61010-1, CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1 | IEC/EN 61010-1 |
| Performance | ||
| Reference Level Range | -170 dBm to +30 dBm | — |
| Phase Noise (10 kHz offset) | — | -115 dBc/Hz @ 1 GHz (10 kHz offset), -101 dBc/Hz @ 10 GHz (10 kHz offset) |
| Signal Analysis & Trace | ||
| Number of Traces | 6 | — |
| Trace Functions | Clear/write, max hold, min hold, average, view, blank | — |
| Number of Markers | 12 | — |
| EMI Resolution Bandwidths (CISPR) | 200 Hz, 9 kHz, 120 kHz, 1 MHz | — |
| MIL-STD Resolution Bandwidths | 10 Hz, 100 Hz, 1 kHz, 10 kHz, 100 kHz, 1 MHz | — |
| Sweep Modes | Continuous, single | — |
| Analysis Bandwidth (Vector Signal Analysis) | ||
| Maximum Analysis Bandwidth | — | 10 MHz (standard) |
| General Characteristics | ||
| Operating System | — | Open Windows® XP Professional |
| Internal Storage | — | 160 GB removable hard drive (shipped after March, 2010) |
| User Interface | — | Common X-Series user interface |
| Options and Accessories | ||
| Measurement Application Options | — | LTE, W-CDMA, HSDPA/HSUPA, Phase Noise |
| Measurement Application Software | — | Agilent 89600 Vector Signal Analysis (VSA) software |
| Data Analysis Software | — | MATLAB® data analysis software |
| Hardware Option | — | Fine step attenuator (N9010A-FSA) |
| Connectivity | ||
| LXI Compliance | — | LXI class C compliant |
| Remote Programming Language Compatibility | — | SCPI and IVI-COM |
| RF Input Connector | — | Type N female |
| External Reference Input | — | 10 MHz, BNC female |
| External Reference Output | — | 10 MHz, BNC female |
| LAN Interface Speed | — | 1000Base-T |
| USB Ports | — | 1x USB 2.0 (front), 5x USB 2.0 (rear) |
| Video Output Ports | — | DVI-D, DisplayPort |
| GPIB Interface | — | Standard |
| Trigger Input/Output Connectors | — | BNC |
| Spectrum Analysis | ||
| Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) | — | 1 Hz to 8 MHz (standard), 200 Hz, 9 kHz, 120 kHz, 1 MHz (CISPR compliant EMI RBW) |
| Video Bandwidth (VBW) | — | 1 Hz to 8 MHz |
| Sweep Time | — | 1 ms to 4000 s |
| Input Specifications | ||
| Maximum Input Level | — | +30 dBm (with attenuator), +20 dBm (0 dB attenuation) |
| Input Impedance | — | 50 Ohm |
| Environmental | ||
| Storage Temperature | — | -40 to +70 °C |
| Humidity | — | 5% to 95% RH (non-condensing) |
| Altitude | — | Operating: 4,600 m, Non-operating: 15,300 m |
| Internal Architecture | ||
| Digitizer Resolution | — | 16-bit |
| RF Performance | ||
| Input Attenuator Range | — | 0 to 70 dB |
| Input Attenuator Step Size | — | 10 dB |
| Preamplifier Availability | — | Option PXX (frequency-dependent) |
| Analysis Bandwidth Options | — | 25 / 40 / 85 / 160 / 255 MHz (option dependent) |
| Measurement Capabilities | ||
| Detector Types | — | Peak, Negative Peak, Sample, RMS, Average (Power/Voltage/Log), Quasi-Peak |
| Trace Types | — | Clear/Write, Max Hold, Min Hold, View, Blank, Average |
| Frequency | ||
| Internal Frequency Reference Accuracy (Standard) | — | +/- 0.05 ppm |
| Internal Frequency Reference Aging Rate (Standard) | — | 1 ppm/year |
| Internal Frequency Reference Accuracy (High Stability OCXO Option) | — | +/- 0.005 ppm |
| Internal Frequency Reference Aging Rate (High Stability OCXO Option) | — | 0.005 ppm/year |
| Power | ||
| AC Input Voltage Range | — | 100 - 240 VAC |
| AC Input Frequency Range | — | 50 / 60 / 400 Hz |
| Power Consumption (Typical) | — | 250 W |
| Power Consumption (Maximum) | — | 350 W |
Frequency Coverage and Analysis Bandwidth
The primary operational difference between these two analyzers is their frequency range. The N9020A supports a broad frequency span, from 10 Hz up to 3.6, 8.4, 13.6, or 26.5 GHz depending on the selected option. In contrast, the N9010A covers a frequency range of 9 kHz to 3.6 GHz.\n\nFor modulation analysis, both instruments start with a standard analysis bandwidth of 10 MHz. The maximum analysis bandwidth of the N9020A can be expanded to 160 MHz (using Option B1X). The N9010A offers wider overall upgrade potential for high-bandwidth applications, supporting options up to 255 MHz depending on the hardware configuration.
Signal Conditioning and Accuracy
RF signal conditioning capabilities also differ between the two units. The N9020A includes an input attenuator range of 0 to 70 dB with fine-grained 2 dB step adjustments, allowing precise control over signal levels entering the front end. The N9010A also provides a 0 to 70 dB attenuator, but utilizes standard 10 dB steps, though a fine step attenuator option is available.\n\nIn terms of absolute amplitude accuracy, the N9020A has a slight advantage with a typical rating of ±0.23 dB, compared to ±0.27 dB on the N9010A. Additionally, the N9020A spans a trace sweep point range of 1 to 40,001 points, offering high-resolution sweeps across wide spans.
Physical Dimensions and Interface Ports
The physical chassis designs show significant differences in size, weight, and display layout. The N9010A features a larger 10.4-inch XGA color LCD screen, while the N9020A uses a smaller 8.4-inch XGA color TFT LCD. Despite the smaller display, the N9020A is more compact and lighter, weighing 16.0 kg and measuring 426 × 177 × 368 mm.\n\nThe N9010A is deeper and heavier, weighing 19 kg (base unit) and measuring 426 × 177 × 472 mm. For external displays, the N9020A relies on a traditional VGA port, whereas the N9010A provides modern DVI-D and DisplayPort video outputs. Standard remote control interfaces on both units include USB 2.0, GPIB, and 1000Base-T LAN.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the standard internal storage for each instrument?
- The N9020A is equipped with a removable hard disk drive or solid-state drive depending on its hardware revision. The N9010A units shipped after March 2010 feature a 160 GB removable hard drive.
- Are these analyzers compatible with the same measurement software?
- Yes. Both the N9020A and N9010A support major industry standard software options, such as Phase Noise and LTE measurement applications. The N9010A also explicitly lists compatibility with Agilent 89600 Vector Signal Analysis (VSA) software and MATLAB data analysis software.