The Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent / HP) 3588A is a high-performance spectrum analyzer covering the 10 Hz to 150 MHz frequency range. It features an integrated fully-synthesized tracking generator, offering comprehensive frequency-domain and simple scalar network measurements with outstanding frequency resolution and amplitude accuracy.

Specifications

General

ParameterValue
InterfacesGPIB (HP-IB), Parallel Printer Port, External Keyboard Port (DIN)
Display9-inch monochrome raster CRT
Instrument TypeSwept / FFT Signal Analyzer

Physical

ParameterValue
Power Supply90 - 132 V AC (47 - 440 Hz) or 198 - 264 V AC (47 - 66 Hz), 350 VA max
Operating Temperature0 to 55 °C
Dimensions (W×H×D)426 mm × 222 mm × 553 mm
Weight26.0

Frequency Specifications

ParameterValue
Frequency Range10 Hz to 150 MHz
Frequency Span Range (Swept)10 Hz to 150 MHz
Frequency Span Range (Narrowband Zoom)1.22 Hz to 40 kHz
Resolution Bandwidth (Swept)1.1 Hz to 17 kHz
Resolution Bandwidth (Narrowband Zoom)150 mHz to 311 Hz
Internal Reference Frequency10 MHz
High Stability Reference Aging Rate (Option 1D5)< 5 x 10^-10 per day
Frequency Resolution0.003 Hz
Maximum Resolution150 mHz (0.15 Hz)
Sweep Time Range100 ms to 100,000 s

Amplitude Specifications

ParameterValue
Amplitude Measurement Range-137 dBm to +20 dBm (50 Ω)
Spurious-Free Dynamic Range> 80 dB
Input Attenuator Range0 to 50 dB in 10 dB steps
Maximum Safe Input Level (50 Ω)+20 dBm

Spectral Purity and Distortions

ParameterValue
Phase Noise<-112 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset
Second Harmonic Distortion<-80 dBc for a -15 dBm input
Third-Order Intermodulation Distortion<-80 dBc for two -15 dBm tones
Residual Responses<-120 dBm (with 50 Ω input termination)

Tracking Generator Specifications

ParameterValue
Tracking Generator Frequency Range10 Hz to 150 MHz
Tracking Generator Output Level Range-50 dBm to +15 dBm
Tracking Generator Output Level Resolution0.1 dB
Tracking Generator Source Impedance50 Ω
Tracking Generator Level Flatness±1.0 dB
Vector/Scalar CapabilitySimple scalar network measurements

Input and Output Ports

ParameterValue
RF Input ConnectorType-N female
RF Input Impedance50 Ω or 75 Ω
External Reference Input ConnectorBNC female
External Reference Output ConnectorBNC female
External Trigger Input ConnectorBNC female
Tracking Generator Output ConnectorBNC female

Measurement Functions and Interface

ParameterValue
ProgrammabilityHP Instrument BASIC (IBASIC) optional (Option 1C2)
Disk Storage3.5-inch floppy drive (LIF / MS-DOS formats)
Screen Dump FormatsHP-GL, PCX, Raster
Trace Display ModesA, B, A&B, A/B, B-A, Front/Back, Max Hold, Min Hold
MarkersMarker, Delta Marker, Noise Marker, Band Power Marker
Noise Measurement UnitsdBm/Hz, dBV/rHz
ADC Resolution16-bit
Noise Marker ModeStandard, calculates power density
Band Power MeasurementIntegrated band power calculation
Signal IdentificationBuilt-in frequency counter
Trigger ModesFree Run, External, GPIB
Display Scale UnitsdBm, dBV, Vrms
Sweep Averaging1 to 32,767 sweeps

Power Requirements

ParameterValue
AC Input Voltage115 V AC (90 - 132 V) or 230 V AC (198 - 264 V)
AC Line Frequency47 to 440 Hz (115 V) / 47 to 66 Hz (230 V)
Power Consumption450 VA maximum

Physical and Environmental

ParameterValue
Storage Temperature-40 °C to +75 °C
Operating HumidityUp to 95% relative humidity (non-condensing) at 40 °C
Warm-up Time20 minutes
Height222 mm
Width426 mm
Depth553 mm

Compliance and Options

ParameterValue
High Stability Frequency Reference OptionOption 1D5
75-ohm Input/Output Impedance OptionOption 1D7
Rackmount Kit OptionOption 1CN

Options

ParameterValue
Option 1C2Instrument BASIC (IBASIC) capability
Option 1D6Time-Gated Spectrum Analysis

Rear Panel Connections

ParameterValue
Parallel Printer Port25-pin D-sub female, Centronics compatible
Keyboard Connector5-pin DIN female, supports AT-style keyboard

RF Input

ParameterValue
Input CouplingDC coupled

Tracking Generator

ParameterValue
Tracking Generator Harmonic Distortion<-30 dBc

Inputs & Outputs

ParameterValue
Probe Power Output+15 Vdc and -12.6 Vdc (150 mA max)
External Reference Input Frequency1, 2, 5, or 10 MHz (±100 ppm)
External Reference Input Level-5 dBm to +15 dBm
External Reference Input Impedance50 Ω
External Trigger Input LevelTTL compatible (negative-going edge)
External Trigger Input Impedance10 kΩ
External Reference Output Frequency10 MHz
External Reference Output Level> 0 dBm into 50 Ω
External Monitor Output15-pin D-sub RGB, 60 Hz vertical refresh, 24 kHz horizontal refresh

Storage

ParameterValue
Disk Drive Media Compatibility3.5-inch double-sided, double-density (720 KB) or high-density (1.44 MB) flexible disks
Disk Drive File FormatsLIF, MS-DOS
Instrument State Storage10 non-volatile registers

Connectivity

ParameterValue
HP-IB Capability CodesSH1, AH1, T6, TE0, L4, LE0, SR1, RL1, PP0, DC1, DT1, C0, E2

Display

ParameterValue
Trace Display Points401 horizontal points

Environmental

ParameterValue
Operating Altitude LimitUp to 4,572 m (15,000 ft)
Storage Altitude LimitUp to 15,240 m (50,000 ft)

Technology

Swept-tuned & FFT (Narrowband Zoom)

Applications

RF Spectrum Analysis, Scalar Network Analysis