The Keysight (Agilent/HP) 8563E is a high-performance portable microwave spectrum analyzer providing continuous frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz (or 30 Hz to 26.5 GHz with Option 006). Built to MIL-T-28800 specifications for harsh environments, it combines synthesized tuning, precision timebase, and wide dynamic range into a rugged form factor. The unit features fast digital resolution bandwidths down to 1 Hz, preselection from 2.75 GHz upwards, and built-in standard measurement functions including adjacent channel power and time-gated analysis.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | GPIB (IEEE-488) |
| Display | CRT |
| Standard Measurements | Adjacent channel power, channel power, carrier power, occupied bandwidth, time-gated measurements |
| Warm-up Time | 5 minutes (for frequency reference stability) |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature | -10 to +55 |
Frequency Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range (Standard) | 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz |
| Frequency Range (Option 006) | 30 Hz to 26.5 GHz |
| Preselected Frequency Range | 2.75 GHz to 26.5 GHz |
| Frequency Band Breakdown | 0 to 2.9 GHz, 2.75 to 6.46 GHz, 5.86 to 13.0 GHz, 12.4 to 19.7 GHz, 19.1 to 26.5 GHz |
| Frequency Reference Aging Rate | ±1 × 10⁻⁷ / year |
| Frequency Reference Temperature Stability | ±1 × 10⁻⁸ (-10 to +55 °C) |
| Span Range | 0 Hz (Zero Span), 100 Hz to 26.5 GHz |
| Sweep Time Range (Zero Span) | 50 µs to 6000 s |
| Sweep Time Range (Span > 0 Hz) | 50 ms to 100 s |
| Sweep Time Accuracy | ±10% |
| Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) Range | 1 Hz to 2 MHz (1, 3, 10 sequence) |
| Digital Resolution Bandwidths | 1, 3, 10, 30, 100 Hz |
| Video Bandwidth (VBW) Range | 1 Hz to 3 MHz (1, 3, 10 sequence) |
| Frequency Counter Resolution | 1 Hz |
Amplitude Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Measurement Range | DANL to +30 dBm |
| Maximum Safe Input (Continuous Power) | +30 dBm (1 W) |
| Maximum Safe Input (DC Voltage) | 0 Vdc |
| Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) | ≤ -149 dBm (10 MHz to 2.9 GHz, 1 Hz RBW) |
| 1 dB Gain Compression Point | -5 dBm (10 MHz to 2.9 GHz) |
| Display Range (Log Scale) | 10 to 100 dB (1 to 10 dB/div) |
| Display Range (Linear Scale) | 10 divisions |
| Reference Level Range | -119.9 to +30 dBm |
| Input Attenuator Range | 0 to 70 dB |
| Input Attenuator Step Size | 10 dB |
Dynamic Range and Spectral Purity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Phase Noise (at 10 kHz offset) | ≤ -113 dBc/Hz (at 1 GHz) |
| Phase Noise (at 30 kHz offset) | ≤ -113 dBc/Hz (at 1 GHz) |
| Third Order Intercept (TOI) | > +15 dBm (10 MHz to 2.9 GHz) |
| Residual Responses | ≤ -90 dBm (≥ 200 kHz, 0 dB attenuation) |
Inputs and Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Input Connector | APC-3.5 mm (male) |
| RF Input Impedance | 50 Ω (nominal) |
| External Reference Input | 10 MHz |
| Sweep Output | 0 to +10 V (nominal) |
| Video Output | 0 to +1 V (nominal) |
Environmental and Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Shock and Vibration Profile | MIL-T-28800 rugged |
Inputs & Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Calibrator Signal | 300 MHz, -10 dBm |
| Calibration Output Connector | BNC (female) |
| Probe Power | +15 Vdc, -12.6 Vdc (150 mA max) |
| 10 MHz Reference Output | > 0 dBm into 50 Ω, BNC (female) |
| External Trigger Input | TTL levels, rear panel BNC (female) |
| Earphone Output | 1/8 inch (3.5 mm) front-panel jack |
Sweep & Trigger
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sweep Trigger Modes | Free run, line, video, external |
Features
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Audio Demodulation | AM / FM (with built-in speaker and headphone jack) |
Amplitude & Resolution
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RBW Selectivity (Analog Filters) | < 15:1 (60 dB / 3 dB ratio for 300 Hz to 2 MHz) |
| RBW Selectivity (Digital Filters) | < 5:1 (60 dB / 3 dB ratio for 1 Hz to 100 Hz) |
| Log Scale Divisions | 1, 2, 5, and 10 dB/div |
Amplitude
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Detectors | Normal (Rosenfell), Positive Peak, Negative Peak, Sample |
| Amplitude Units | dBm, dBmV, dBµV, Volts, Watts |
Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 001 | Second IF Output (310.7 MHz), rear panel BNC |
Environmental & Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Environmental Profile | Meets MIL-T-28800 Type III, Class 3, Style C |
Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| EMI / RFI Compliance | Meets CISPR 11 and MIL-STD-461C |
Technology
Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
Applications
Microwave Analysis, Phase Noise Measurement, Digital Radio, Field and Bench RF Testing
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