The HP 11729C (now Keysight Technologies) is a high-performance Carrier Noise Test Set operating from 10 MHz to 18 GHz. Designed for phase noise and amplitude noise measurements, it supports both the delay line/mixer frequency discriminator and phase detector methods. By down-converting microwave signals using an internal ultra-low-noise microwave reference derived from an external 640 MHz source, it provides convenient manual or automatic phase noise characterization in demanding R&D and metrology environments.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | HP-IB (IEEE-488) |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 425 mm × 177 mm × 524 mm |
| Weight | 23 kg |
Frequency and Reference
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Carrier Frequency Range | 10 MHz to 18 GHz |
| IF Output Bandwidth | 5 MHz to 1280 MHz |
| External Reference Input Frequency | 640 MHz |
| External Reference Input Level | +7 to +13 dBm |
| Internal Microwave Reference Frequencies | 1.28 GHz to 17.92 GHz (in 640 MHz steps) |
| Reference Multiplier Step Size | 640 MHz |
Noise Measurement Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Typical System Sensitivity | Better than -140 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset from a 10 GHz source |
| Baseband Amplifier Gain | 40 dB |
| Baseband Amplifier Bandwidth | 10 Hz to 40 MHz |
Port and Interface Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Input Level (1.28 to 18 GHz) | 0 to +15 dBm |
| RF Input Level (10 to 1280 MHz) | 0 to +20 dBm |
| Maximum Safe RF Input Power | +23 dBm |
| Input Impedance | 50 Ω (nominal) |
| RF Input VSWR (10 to 1280 MHz) | < 1.5:1 |
| RF Input VSWR (1.28 to 18 GHz) | < 2.0:1 |
| RF Input Connector | Type-N (female) |
| 640 MHz Reference Input Connector | Type-N (female) |
| IF Output Connector | Type-N (female) |
| Demodulated Output Connector | BNC (female) |
| Auxiliary L.O. Output Connector | Type-N (female) |
Environmental and Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -55 to +75 °C |
Functionality
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Demodulation Modes | Phase Noise, AM Noise |
RF Input
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Input Attenuator Range | 0 to 50 dB in 10 dB steps |
AM Noise Measurement
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AM Detector Frequency Range | 10 MHz to 18 GHz |
| AM Detector Video Bandwidth | DC to 10 MHz |
| AM Noise Floor | -160 dBc/Hz at >10 kHz offset (for +10 to +20 dBm input) |
User Interface
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Front Panel Displays | 4-digit Carrier Frequency (GHz) LED, 2-digit RF Attenuation (dB) LED |
| Status Indicators | Remote, Listen, Talk, SRQ, Phase Lock, L.O. Unleveled, Reference Unleveled |
Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 001 | Adds 640 MHz internal reference SAW oscillator |
| Option 002 Frequency Range | 18 to 26.5 GHz |
| Option 002 RF Input Connector | APC-3.5 (female) |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Altitude | Up to 4,570 m (15,000 ft) |
| Non-Operating Altitude | Up to 15,240 m (50,000 ft) |
Baseband Amplifier
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Baseband Amplifier Input Impedance | 50 Ω nominal |
| Baseband Amplifier Output Impedance | 50 Ω nominal |
Technology
Phase Noise Characterization
Applications
RF and Microwave Phase Noise Measurement