The Keysight (formerly Agilent / HP) 8593A is a portable microwave spectrum analyzer operating from 9 kHz to 22 GHz (extendable to 26.5 GHz with Option 026). Part of the legacy HP 8590 Series, it features an internal preselector, a frequency accuracy of 7.5 ppm, and 32 KB of user memory, offering robust RF and microwave measurement capabilities in a portable form factor.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | HP-IB (Option 021) / RS-232 (Option 023) / HP-IL (Option 024) |
| Display | Monochrome CRT (raster-scan) |
| Warm-up Time | 30 minutes |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 86 to 127 V AC / 195 to 253 V AC, 47 to 66 Hz, < 150 VA |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 325 mm × 163 mm × 427 mm (without handle and cover) |
| Weight | 16.4 kg |
Frequency Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 9 kHz to 22 GHz (9 kHz to 26.5 GHz with Option 026) |
| Frequency Span Range | 10 kHz to 19.25 GHz, Zero Span |
| Preselector | Internal preselector (2.75 GHz to 22/26.5 GHz) |
Bandwidth (RBW/VBW)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) Range | 1 kHz to 3 MHz (in 1, 3, 10 sequence); 30 Hz to 300 Hz (with Option 130) |
| Video Bandwidth (VBW) Range | 30 Hz to 1 MHz (1 Hz to 1 MHz with Option 130) |
Amplitude & Measurement Range
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Range | -114 dBm to +30 dBm |
| Maximum Safe Input RF Power | +30 dBm (1 Watt) continuous |
| Maximum DC Input Voltage | 0 V |
| Input Attenuator Range | 0 to 70 dB |
| Input Attenuator Steps | 10 dB |
Dynamic Range & Noise
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| SSB Phase Noise | < -95 dBc/Hz at 30 kHz offset |
Sweep & Trigger Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sweep Time Range (Span > 0 Hz) | 20 ms to 100 s |
| Sweep Time Range (Zero Span) | 20 µs to 100 s |
| Trace Detectors | Peak, Sample, Negative Peak |
| Trace Functions | Clear Write, Max Hold, Min Hold, View, Blank |
| Number of Measurement Points | 401 points |
Inputs, Outputs & Connectivity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Input Connector Type | Type-N female (standard) / APC-3.5 male (Option 026) |
| RF Input Impedance | 50 Ω |
| Calibration Output | 300 MHz, -20 dBm |
Physical & Environmental Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 to +75 °C |
Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Third-Order Intermodulation Distortion | <-70 dBc for two -30 dBm tones at mixer (10 MHz to 22 GHz) |
| 1 dB Gain Compression | >-10 dBm (10 MHz to 22 GHz, at mixer) |
| Second Harmonic Distortion | <-70 dBc for -40 dBm tone at mixer (10 MHz to 2.9 GHz) |
| Residual Responses | <-90 dBm (150 kHz to 6.4 GHz, no signal at input, 0 dB attenuation) |
| LO Emission at RF Input | <-80 dBm with 10 dB input attenuation |
| Display Scale Fidelity | ±1 dB (over 0 to -80 dB range) |
| Resolution Bandwidth Switching Uncertainty | ±0.25 dB (referred to 3 kHz RBW) |
Sweep & Triggering
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Trigger Sources | Free Run, Line, Video, External |
Frequency Reference
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard Frequency Reference Aging Rate | ±2 ppm/year |
| Standard Frequency Reference Temperature Stability | ±5 ppm |
| Option 004 Frequency Reference Aging Rate | ±0.1 ppm/year |
| Option 004 Frequency Reference Temperature Stability | ±0.1 ppm |
Amplitude
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Amplitude Log Scale Display Range | 1, 2, 5, 10 dB/div |
| Amplitude Linear Scale Display Range | 8 divisions |
Sweep
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sweep Trigger Modes | Free Run, Single, Line, Video, External |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Altitude Limit | 4,570 m (15,000 ft) |
| Non-operating Altitude Limit | 15,240 m (50,000 ft) |
| Environmental Compliance | Meets MIL-T-28800D, Class 5 requirements |
Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 021 HP-IB Interface | Provides GPIB / IEEE-488 interface for remote control and printing |
| Option 023 RS-232 Interface | Provides RS-232 serial interface for remote control and printing |
| Option 301 TV Sync Trigger | Adds TV trigger capability for NTSC, PAL, and SECAM systems |
Technology
Superheterodyne Spectrum Analysis
Applications
RF and Microwave Spectrum Analysis