The Keysight (Agilent/HP) 11715A is a dedicated AM/FM test source designed primarily for the performance verification, testing, and calibration of the Agilent 8901A/B modulation analyzer and Agilent 8902A measuring receiver. It can also function as a high-quality modulated test oscillator, offering very flat, wide-bandwidth, and low-distortion amplitude- or frequency-modulated RF signals. Its architecture incorporates a low-noise voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), two digital dividers, and a double-balanced mixer.

Specifications

Frequency

ParameterValue
Minimum Frequency11 MHz
Maximum Frequency432 MHz
Frequency ResolutionContinuously variable (analog tuning)
AM FM ÷ 32 Output Frequency Range11 to 13.5 MHz
FM ÷ 4 Output Frequency Range88 to 108 MHz
FM Output Frequency Range352 to 432 MHz
VCO Typical Tuning Range330 to 470 MHz
FM Broadcast Band Coverage88 to 108 MHz covered by the FM divide-by-4 output

Output

ParameterValue
Maximum Output Power+4 dBm (typical, AM/FM Output)
Output Power RangeAM/FM Output: > 0 dBm; FM ÷ 4 Output: > -2 dBm; FM ÷ 32 Output: > -15 dBm

Modulation

ParameterValue
ModulationAM, FM
FM Sensitivity (FM ÷ 4 Output)100 kHz peak deviation per volt peak
FM Sensitivity (FM ÷ 32 Output)12.5 kHz peak deviation per volt peak

General

ParameterValue
InterfacesAM/FM Output (Type-N female), FM ÷ 4 Output (BNC female), FM ÷ 32 Output (BNC female), VCO Output (BNC female), AM Input (BNC female), FM Input (BNC female), VCO Tune Input (BNC female)

Physical

ParameterValue
Dimensions (W×H×D)88 mm × 213 mm × 345 mm
Weight2.7 kg

Analog Modulation

ParameterValue
AM Distortion (50% depth, 20 Hz to 100 kHz rates)<0.05% THD (<-66 dB)
AM Distortion (95% depth, 20 Hz to 100 kHz rates)<0.1% THD (<-60 dB)
FM Coupling and BandwidthDirectly coupled external modulation to VCO tune input, providing wide bandwidth and low phase shift
Incidental AMExtremely low incidental AM design

Hardware

ParameterValue
Key Internal ComponentsLow-noise voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), 2 digital dividers, double-balanced mixer

RF Outputs

ParameterValue
AM/FM Output Level> 0 dBm (typically > +4 dBm into 50 Ω)
FM ÷ 4 Output Level> -2 dBm (typically > +2 dBm into 50 Ω)
FM ÷ 32 Output Level> -15 dBm (typically > -10 dBm into 50 Ω)
VCO Output Level> +3 dBm into 50 Ω

Modulation Inputs

ParameterValue
FM Input Impedance600 Ω nominal
AM Input Impedance600 Ω nominal
VCO Tune Input Range0 to -15 V (100 kΩ nominal input impedance)

Environmental

ParameterValue
Operating Temperature Range0 °C to +55 °C

Performance

ParameterValue
FM Distortion (FM ÷ 4 Output)< 0.05% (20 Hz to 100 kHz rates, 100 kHz peak deviation)
FM Distortion (FM ÷ 32 Output)< 0.05% (20 Hz to 100 kHz rates, 12.5 kHz peak deviation)

Power Requirements

ParameterValue
DC Power Consumption+15 Vdc ± 5% @ 150 mA, -15 Vdc ± 5% @ 50 mA
Power SourceSupplied by HP 8901A/B or 8902A modulation analyzers via interface cable

Technology

VCO-based signal generator with frequency dividers and double-balanced mixer

Applications

Performance testing and calibration of Agilent 8901A/B modulation analyzers and Agilent 8902A measuring receivers