The Keysight (Agilent/HP) 4396A is a high-performance RF Vector Network, Spectrum, and Impedance Analyzer designed for laboratory and production applications. Operating from 100 kHz to 1.8 GHz in network analyzer mode and 2 Hz to 1.8 GHz in spectrum analyzer mode, it provides excellent dynamic range, fast sweep speeds, and highly accurate magnitude and phase measurements.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | GPIB (IEEE-488), Centronics parallel, mini-DIN keyboard, External Video (VGA) |
| Display | 7.5-inch color CRT |
| Calibration and Instrument State Retention | SRAM backed up by lithium battery |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 90 V to 132 V / 198 V to 264 V, 47 to 66 Hz, 300 VA max |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 425 mm × 235 mm × 553 mm |
| Weight | 27.2 kg |
Network Analyzer - General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range (Network Analyzer Mode) | 100 kHz to 1.8 GHz |
| Frequency Resolution (Network Analyzer Mode) | 1 mHz |
Network Analyzer - Receiver
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurement Channels | 2 channels |
| Measurement Parameters | S11, S21, S12, S22 (with S-parameter test set) |
| Receiver Number of Inputs | 3 inputs (R, A, B) |
| Receiver Input Noise Level | <-129 dBm (at 10 Hz IFBW, >= 10 MHz) |
| Receiver Maximum Safe Input Level | +20 dBm |
| Receiver Dynamic Range | >120 dB (at 10 Hz IFBW, >= 10 MHz) |
| Receiver IF Bandwidth (IFBW) Range | 10 Hz to 40 kHz (1-3-10 steps) |
| Trace Noise (Magnitude) | <0.003 dB rms (IFBW = 10 kHz) |
| Trace Noise (Phase) | <0.02 deg rms (IFBW = 10 kHz) |
| Magnitude Dynamic Accuracy | ±0.05 dB (for -10 to -70 dBm input) |
| Phase Dynamic Accuracy | ±0.3 deg (for -10 to -70 dBm input) |
| Group Delay Display Resolution | 10 ps |
Network Analyzer - Source
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Source Output Frequency Range | 100 kHz to 1.8 GHz |
| Source Output Power Range | -60 to +20 dBm |
| Source Power Resolution | 0.1 dB |
| Source Power Accuracy | ±0.5 dB (at 50 MHz, 0 dBm) |
| Source Harmonics | <-30 dBc (at +20 dBm) |
| Source Non-Harmonic Spurious | <-50 dBc (at 0 dBm) |
Spectrum Analyzer - Frequency
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range (Spectrum Analyzer Mode) | 9 kHz to 1.8 GHz |
| Frequency Span Range | 0 Hz (zero span), 10 Hz to 1.8 GHz |
| Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) Range | 10 Hz to 3 MHz (1-3-10 steps) |
| Video Bandwidth (VBW) Range | 1 Hz to 3 MHz (1-3-10 steps) |
Spectrum Analyzer - Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) | <-150 dBm/Hz (at 10 MHz to 1.8 GHz) |
| Maximum Safe Input Level | +30 dBm (with >= 10 dB attenuation), 0 VDC |
| 1 dB Gain Compression Point | >-5 dBm (mixer input, >= 10 MHz) |
| Second Harmonic Distortion | <-70 dBc (for -30 dBm mixer input, >= 10 MHz) |
| Third-Order Intercept (TOI) | >+7.5 dBm (mixer input, >= 10 MHz) |
| Residual Responses | <-100 dBm (at >= 10 MHz, input terminated, 0 dB attenuation) |
| Spurious Responses | <-70 dBc (for -30 dBm mixer input) |
| Phase Noise | <-105 dBc/Hz @ 10 kHz offset (carrier frequency <= 1 GHz) |
| Reference Level Accuracy | ±0.3 dB (at -20 dBm) |
| Frequency Response Flatness | ±1.0 dB (at 10 dB attenuation) |
| Sweep Time Range | 10 ms to 10000 s (span >= 10 Hz), 150 us to 10000 s (zero span) |
Impedance Analyzer
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Impedance Frequency Range | 100 kHz to 1.8 GHz (with Option 010) |
| Impedance Measurement Range | 0.1 ohm to 20 kohm (typical, fixture dependent) |
| Impedance Measurement Parameters | |Z|, |Y|, Theta, R, X, G, B, C, L, D, Q (with Option 010) |
| Basic Impedance Accuracy | ±3% (typical, fixture dependent) |
Connectivity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Input Connector Type | Type-N female (50 ohm) |
| RF Output Connector Type | Type-N female (50 ohm) |
| External Reference Input Frequency | 10 MHz (±10 ppm) |
| External Reference Input Level | -5 dBm to +5 dBm |
| Internal Reference Output Frequency | 10 MHz |
| Internal Reference Output Level | >= 0 dBm |
| External Trigger Input | BNC female, TTL level |
| External Video Output Port | 15-pin D-sub (VGA) |
| GPIB (IEEE-488) Interface | 24-pin IEEE-488 |
| Keyboard Interface Port | 6-pin mini-DIN |
Control & Features
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Calibration Types | 1-port calibration, 2-port calibration, Response, Response & Isolation, S-parameter calibration |
| Error Correction Algorithms | Vector error correction (12-term, 3-term) |
| Limit Line Testing Capacity | Yes (upper/lower limit lines, segment-by-segment) |
| Marker Functions | Marker search (Max, Min, Peak, Target), Delta marker, Bandwidth search, Noise marker, RF impedance marker |
| Internal Storage Type | 3.5-inch floppy disk drive (720 KB/1.44 MB DOS or LIF format) |
| Instrument State Save/Recall Slots | Yes (internal non-volatile RAM or floppy disk) |
| Programming Language | HP Instrument BASIC (IBASIC) (Option 1C2) |
Physical & Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -20 to +60 °C |
| Operating Humidity Limit | 15% to 95% RH (non-condensing) |
| Operating Altitude Limit | Up to 4,500 meters |
| EMC Compliance Standards | Conforms to CISPR 11, EN 55011, EN 50082-1 |
| Safety Compliance Standards | Conforms to CSA C22.2 No. 231, IEC 1010-1 |
Receiver
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurement Points per Sweep | 2 to 801 |
| Receiver Input SWR | ≤ 1.2 (100 kHz to 1.8 GHz, Ports R, A, B) |
Source
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sweep Types | Linear frequency, Logarithmic frequency, List frequency, Power sweep |
| Source Output SWR | ≤ 1.3 (at power level ≤ -17 dBm), ≤ 1.9 (at power level > -17 dBm) |
Spectrum Analyzer Mode
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Spectrum Analyzer Input SWR | ≤ 1.2 (attenuation ≥ 10 dB), ≤ 1.9 (attenuation = 0 dB) |
| RBW Selectivity (60 dB/3 dB ratio) | < 15 |
| Option 1D6 Gate Delay Range | 6 µs to 3.2 s |
| Option 1D6 Gate Length Range | 1 µs to 3.2 s |
Reference Frequency
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 1D5 Frequency Stability | Temp stability: ±5 × 10^-8 (0 °C to 55 °C); Aging rate: < ±1 × 10^-8 / day |
Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Probe Power Output | +15 V (≤ 150 mA), -12.6 V (≤ 160 mA) |
| Test Set Interface Port | 25-pin D-sub connector (for HP 85046A/B or 87512A/B S-parameter test sets) |
| 24-bit I/O Port | 36-pin ribbon connector on rear panel |
| Keyboard Connector | 5-pin DIN, PC-AT layout compatible |
Storage
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Floppy Disk Formats | 3.5-inch, LIF and DOS formats (720 KB / 1.44 MB) |
Impedance Analyzer Mode
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 010 Compatibility | Compatible with HP 43961A RF Impedance Test Kit |
Spectrum Analyzer Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Input Attenuation Range | 0 to 50 dB in 10 dB steps |
Frequency Reference
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard Reference Oscillator Temperature Stability | ±20 ppm (0 °C to 55 °C, referenced to 25 °C) |
| Standard Reference Oscillator Aging Rate | < ±5 ppm / year |
Receiver Inputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Nominal Port Input Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Maximum DC Input Voltage | 0 V (Inputs R, A, B, and S) |
Display
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Network Analyzer Display Formats | Log/Linear Magnitude, Phase, Group Delay, Smith Chart, Polar, SWR, Real, Imaginary |
| Impedance Analyzer Display Formats | Log/Linear Magnitude of |Z|, |Y|, Phase, R, X, G, B, Cp, Cs, Lp, Ls, D, Q (requires Option 010) |
Sweep & Trigger
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sweep Trigger Modes | Free Run, Single, Number of Groups, Manual, External, GPIB |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Humidity Limit | 5% to 95% RH (non-condensing, wet-bulb temperature ≤ 40 °C) |
Technology
RF Vector Network & Spectrum Analysis
Applications
RF Component and Circuit Characterization