E4424B

Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)Signal

The Keysight Agilent E4424B is a high-spectral-purity analog RF signal generator in the ESG-AP series, operating over a frequency range of 250 kHz to 2 GHz. Designed for demanding receiver, component, and local oscillator tests, the E4424B offers outstanding phase-noise performance, comprehensive analog modulation (AM, FM, phase, and pulse), and high level accuracy.

RF and Microwave Receiver Testing Signal Generation

Specifications

Frequency

Parameter	Value
Minimum Frequency	250 kHz
Maximum Frequency	2 GHz
Frequency Resolution	0.01 Hz
Phase Offset Tuning	Adjustable in nominal 0.1° increments

Output

Parameter	Value
Maximum Output Power	+13 dBm
Output Power Range	-136 dBm to +13 dBm (250 kHz to 1 GHz), -136 to +10 dBm (1 to 2 GHz)
Phase Noise	<-134 dBc/Hz (at 20 kHz offset, 1 GHz carrier)

Modulation

Parameter	Value
Modulation	AM, FM, Phase Modulation, Pulse Modulation
Sweep Modes	Step sweep (frequency, power, list)
Internal Modulation Source Waveforms	Sine, triangle, square, ramp, noise, dual-sine
Internal Modulation Source Frequency Range (Sine)	0.1 Hz - 50 kHz
Internal Modulation Source Frequency Range (Square/Triangle/Ramp)	0.1 Hz - 10 kHz
Internal Modulation Source Frequency Resolution	0.1 Hz
FM Input Impedance	50 Ω nominal
AM Input Impedance	50 Ω nominal

General

Parameter	Value
Reference Oscillator	High stability ovenized reference (Option 1D5 standard on AP series)
Interfaces	GPIB, RS-232
Display	LCD monochrome with backlight
Save/Recall Registers	100 registers (10 registers in 10 groups)
Programming Languages	SCPI, Agilent 8648A/B/C/D, Agilent 8656B, Agilent 8657A/B compatibility
Operating Humidity	0% to 95% relative humidity (non-condensing)

Physical

Parameter	Value
Power Supply	90 to 254 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz, or 400 Hz
Dimensions (W×H×D)	133 mm H x 426 mm W x 432 mm D
Weight	13.5 kg

Frequency Specifications

Parameter	Value
Internal Reference Aging Rate	< 1.5 x 10^-8 / month
Internal Reference Temperature Stability	< ±1 x 10^-8 (0 to 55 °C)
External Reference Input Frequency	1, 2, 5, 10 MHz (±10 ppm)

Amplitude Specifications

Parameter	Value
Maximum Leveled Output Power (<= 1 GHz)	+13 dBm
Maximum Leveled Output Power (> 1 GHz to 2 GHz)	+10 dBm
Minimum Leveled Output Power	-136 dBm
Amplitude Resolution	0.02 dB
Amplitude Accuracy	±0.5 dB (at levels > -127 dBm)
Output Voltage SWR	< 1.4:1 (typically < 1.3:1)
RF Output Impedance	50 Ω

Spectral Purity

Parameter	Value
Harmonics	<-30 dBc (at carrier levels <= +4 dBm)
Non-Harmonics (Spurious, <= 2 GHz)	<-74 dBc

Analog Modulation

Parameter	Value
Frequency Modulation (FM) Maximum Deviation	4 MHz
Frequency Modulation (FM) Rate Range (DC)	DC to 100 kHz
Phase Modulation (PM) Maximum Deviation (Normal Bandwidth)	40 rad
Phase Modulation (PM) Rate Range (Normal Bandwidth)	DC to 100 kHz
Amplitude Modulation (AM) Depth Range	0 to 100%
Amplitude Modulation (AM) Rate Range (DC)	DC to 10 kHz
Pulse Modulation On/Off Ratio	> 80 dB
Pulse Modulation Rise/Fall Time	< 150 ns

Sweep and Operating Modes

Parameter	Value
Dwell Time Range	2 ms to 60 s
Number of Sweep Points	2 to 401

System Connectivity and Interfaces

Parameter	Value
RF Output Connector Type	Type-N female
GPIB Interface	IEEE-488.2
RS-232 Interface	Yes
External Reference Input Connector	BNC female
Reference Output Connector	BNC female

Physical and Environmental Specifications

Parameter	Value
Operating Temperature Range	0 to 55 °C
Storage Temperature Range	-40 to 71 °C
Rack Unit (RU) Height	3U

Power Requirements

Parameter	Value
Power Consumption	< 200 W

Sweep

Parameter	Value
Sweep Spacing	Linear, Logarithmic

RF Output

Parameter	Value
Reverse Power Protection (Max Power)	50 W (up to 2 GHz)
Reverse Power Protection (Max DC Voltage)	50 VDC

Environmental

Parameter	Value
Maximum Operating Altitude	4,600 m (15,000 ft)
Maximum Storage Altitude	15,000 m (50,000 ft)

Phase Noise

Parameter	Value
SSB Phase Noise at 1 GHz (100 Hz offset)	<-80 dBc/Hz (typically <-89 dBc/Hz)
SSB Phase Noise at 1 GHz (1 kHz offset)	<-105 dBc/Hz (typically <-115 dBc/Hz)
SSB Phase Noise at 1 GHz (10 kHz offset)	<-130 dBc/Hz (typically <-134 dBc/Hz)
SSB Phase Noise at 1 GHz (20 kHz offset)	<-134 dBc/Hz (typically <-138 dBc/Hz)
SSB Phase Noise at 1 GHz (100 kHz offset)	<-135 dBc/Hz (typically <-139 dBc/Hz)
SSB Phase Noise at 1 GHz (1 MHz offset)	<-135 dBc/Hz (typically <-140 dBc/Hz)

Performance

Parameter	Value
Frequency Switching Speed	< 65 ms (typically < 40 ms)
Amplitude Switching Speed	< 40 ms typical
Spectral Purity Residual FM	< 1 Hz rms (50 Hz to 15 kHz bandwidth at 1 GHz carrier)

Frequency Modulation (FM)

Parameter	Value
FM Distortion	< 1% at 1 kHz rate and N x 100 kHz deviation (typically < 0.5%)
FM 3 dB Bandwidth (DC-coupled)	DC to 100 kHz
FM 3 dB Bandwidth (AC-coupled)	20 Hz to 100 kHz

Amplitude Modulation (AM)

Parameter	Value
AM Depth Resolution	0.1%
AM Distortion	< 1.5% at 1 kHz rate and 30% depth (typically < 1.0%)
AM 3 dB Bandwidth (AC-coupled)	10 Hz to 10 kHz

Phase Modulation (PM)

Parameter	Value
PM 3 dB Bandwidth (Normal Bandwidth)	DC to 100 kHz
PM 3 dB Bandwidth (High Bandwidth)	DC to 10 MHz (typical)

Pulse Modulation

Parameter	Value
Pulse Modulation Repetition Frequency	DC to 10 MHz

Internal Modulation Source

Parameter	Value
LF Output Voltage Range	0 to 3 Vp-p into 50 ohms
LF Output Impedance	50 ohms

Technology

Analog RF Signal Generation

Applications

Receiver testing, component characterization, and local oscillator substitution