The Keysight (Agilent HP) 83711A is a synthesized CW generator operating in the 1.0 to 20.0 GHz frequency range. Highly regarded for its spectral purity, output power, and reliability, it serves as an industry-standard signal source for microwave testing, local oscillator substitution, and component characterization.

Specifications

General

ParameterValue
InterfacesGPIB (HP-IB)
DisplayBacklit Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
Warm-Up Time30 minutes
Frequency Reference Option 1E5 Aging Rate< 5 × 10^-10 per day (after 30 days warm-up)
Frequency Reference Option 1E5 Temperature Stability< ±2 × 10^-8 (0 to 55 °C)

Physical

ParameterValue
Power Supply90 to 132 Vac (48 to 440 Hz) or 198 to 264 Vac (48 to 66 Hz), < 200 VA
Operating Temperature0 to 55 °C
Dimensions (W×H×D)426 mm × 133 mm × 498 mm

Frequency

ParameterValue
Frequency Range1.0 to 20.0 GHz
Frequency Resolution1 kHz (1 Hz with Option 1E8)
Frequency Switching Speed< 50 ms (to within 100 Hz of final frequency)
Phase Offset Range0 to 360°
Phase Offset Resolution

Frequency Reference

ParameterValue
Frequency Reference Temperature Stability< ±1 × 10^-6 (0 to 55 °C)
Frequency Reference Calibration Interval1 year

Output Power & Leveling

ParameterValue
Maximum Output Power (1 to 18 GHz)+13 dBm
Maximum Output Power (18 to 20 GHz)+10 dBm
Minimum Output Power (Standard)-4 dBm
Minimum Output Power (with Option 1E1)-110 dBm
Power Resolution0.01 dB
Level Flatness±0.7 dB
Output Impedance50 Ω
Output SWR (1 to 8 GHz)< 1.5:1
Output SWR (8 to 20 GHz)< 2.0:1
Attenuator Range (with Option 1E1)110 dB
Attenuator Step Size (with Option 1E1)10 dB
Maximum Reverse Power Protection0.5 W (27 dBm) RF, 0 Vdc

Spectral Purity

ParameterValue
Harmonics<-50 dBc (at output levels < +10 dBm)
Non-harmonic Spurious<-60 dBc
SSB Phase Noise (10 kHz offset, 10 GHz carrier)<-90 dBc/Hz
Residual FM (50 Hz to 15 kHz BW, 10 GHz carrier)< 10 Hz
Phase Noise @ 10 GHz Carrier, 100 Hz Offset-65 dBc/Hz (typical)
Phase Noise @ 10 GHz Carrier, 1 kHz Offset-78 dBc/Hz (typical)
Phase Noise @ 10 GHz Carrier, 100 kHz Offset-100 dBc/Hz (typical)
Phase Noise @ 10 GHz Carrier, 1 MHz Offset-120 dBc/Hz (typical)
Residual AM< 0.01% (50 Hz to 15 kHz bandwidth)

Sweep Capabilities

ParameterValue
Sweep ModeStep Sweep

Front & Rear Panel Connectors

ParameterValue
External Reference Input Frequency10 MHz
Internal Reference Output Frequency10 MHz
Internal Reference Output Level0 dBm nominal

System Control & Connectivity

ParameterValue
Remote Interface PortGPIB (HP-IB)
Command Set LanguageSCPI
GPIB Address Range0 to 30

Power & Physical Requirements

ParameterValue
AC Line Voltage Range90 to 132 Vac or 198 to 264 Vac
AC Line Frequency Range48 to 440 Hz (90-132 Vac) / 48 to 66 Hz (198-264 Vac)
Storage Temperature Range-40 to +75 °C
Height133 mm (3 EIA rack units)
Width426 mm
Depth498 mm
Rackmount Flange Option AvailabilityOption 1CP available

Compliance & Certifications

ParameterValue
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)CISPR 11 / EN 55011 Group 1 Class A
Safety Standards ComplianceCSA certified, IEC 348 compliant

Rear Panel Ports & Connections

ParameterValue
Sweep Output Voltage0 to 10 V ramp
Z-Axis Blanking OutputTTL level, BNC connector
1 V/GHz Output1 V/GHz or 0.5 V/GHz (selectable), BNC connector
Stop Sweep InputTTL level, BNC connector

Environmental

ParameterValue
Operating AltitudeUp to 4,570 m (15,000 ft)
Non-Operating AltitudeUp to 15,240 m (50,000 ft)

Inputs & Outputs

ParameterValue
Rear Panel AUX I/O Connector25-pin D-sub (female)
External Reference Input ConnectorBNC female
Internal Reference Output ConnectorBNC female
Sweep Output ConnectorBNC female
Stop Sweep Input ConnectorBNC female
Z-Axis Blanking Output ConnectorBNC female
1 V/GHz Output ConnectorBNC female
External ALC Input ConnectorBNC female
GPIB Interface Connector24-pin IEEE-488 (GPIB) female

Performance

ParameterValue
Modulation CapabilitiesCW only (no modulation support)
ALC Leveling ModesInternal ALC, External Diode Detector, External Power Meter, Unleveled
External ALC Loop BandwidthNominally 100 kHz (diode mode), 0.5 Hz (power meter mode)

Maintenance

ParameterValue
Self-Test DiagnosticsPower-on self-test and GPIB-initiated diagnostics (*TST?)
Recommended Calibration Cycle1 year

Technology

Synthesized Signal Generator

Applications

Microwave Testing, Local Oscillator Substitution, Component Characterization