The Keysight (formerly Agilent/HP) 8510C is a high-performance modular vector network analyzer designed for precision broadband measurements. Highly configurable, the 8510C system requires an external source and S-parameter test set, allowing it to measure magnitude, phase, and group delay of two-port networks from 45 MHz up to 110 GHz depending on the selected hardware. It features a color display, robust error-correction capabilities including TRL and LRM calibration, and optional time-domain transformation.

Specifications

General

ParameterValue
InterfacesHP-IB (GPIB), RS-232
Trigger ModesFree run, hold, single, external

Frequency Characteristics

ParameterValue
Frequency Range (Overall)45 MHz to 110 GHz (configuration dependent)
Frequency Range (2.4 mm Coax)45 MHz to 50 GHz
Frequency Range (1.0 mm Coax)45 MHz to 110 GHz

Measurement Capabilities and Features

ParameterValue
System ArchitectureModular (Requires external source and S-parameter test set)
Measured ParametersMagnitude, phase, and group delay (S-parameters of two-port networks)
Measurement Resolution (Magnitude)0.001 dB
Calibration TypesThru-Reflect-Line (TRL), Line-Reflect-Match (LRM)
Error CorrectionReal-time error-corrected measurements

Time Domain (Optional)

ParameterValue
Time Domain CapabilityOptional (Impulse or step waveform via inverse Fourier transform)

Interfaces and Connectivity

ParameterValue
Storage InterfaceInternal 3.5-inch disk drive

Performance

ParameterValue
Number of Measurement Points51, 101, 201, 401, or 801 per trace
Averaging Factor1 to 4096 (sweep-to-sweep averaging, in powers of 2)
Measurement Channels2 independent channels
Nominal Impedance50 Ω

Sweep & Source Control

ParameterValue
Sweep ModesRamp sweep, step sweep, single point, frequency list

Display & Analysis

ParameterValue
Data Presentation FormatsLog magnitude, linear magnitude, phase, polar, Smith chart, inverted Smith chart, group delay, SWR, real, imaginary
Trace MathVector division or subtraction of current data and memory (Data/Memory, Data-Memory)

Measurement Features

ParameterValue
Markers5 independent markers per channel plus 1 reference marker
Limit TestingArbitrary limit lines with pass/fail testing
Electrical Delay / Phase OffsetAdjustable electrical delay and phase offset for measurement plane extension

Calibration & Error Correction

ParameterValue
Calibration KitsPre-defined models for standard kits and fully user-definable custom standards

Storage

ParameterValue
Internal Mass Storage3.5-inch floppy disk drive (DOS formatted)

Technology

Vector Network Analysis

Applications

High-frequency component characterization, on-wafer probing, in-fixture testing, broadband two-port network analysis