The Keysight (formerly Agilent) E4428C ESG analog signal generator is designed to deliver excellent spectral purity, level accuracy, and analog modulation performance for general-purpose RF testing up to 6 GHz. It offers robust AM, FM, Phase, and Pulse modulation capabilities, coupled with an integrated high-stability OCXO reference oscillator, making it ideal for receiver testing, local oscillator substitution, and interference simulation.
Specifications
Frequency
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Frequency | 250 kHz |
| Maximum Frequency | 6 GHz (option dependent) |
| Frequency Resolution | 0.01 Hz |
Output
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Phase Noise | -134 dBc/Hz (typical @ 20 kHz offset, 1 GHz carrier) |
Modulation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Modulation | AM, FM, Phase (ØM), Pulse |
| Sweep Modes | Frequency step, amplitude step, arbitrary list |
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | GPIB, LAN, RS-232, Auxiliary I/O |
| Display | Color LCD |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 133 mm H x 426 mm W x 432 mm D |
Frequency Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Option 503 Range | 250 kHz to 3 GHz |
| Frequency Option 506 Range | 250 kHz to 6 GHz |
Amplitude Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Level Accuracy (fc < 3 GHz, > -110 dBm) | ±0.6 dB |
| Output Impedance | 50 ohms (nominal) |
| Maximum Reverse Power Protection (fc < 2 GHz) | 50 W (nominal) |
| Maximum Reverse Power Protection (2 to 6 GHz) | 25 W (nominal) |
| Maximum Reverse DC Voltage | 50 VDC (nominal) |
Spectral Purity
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| SSB Phase Noise (1 GHz carrier, 20 kHz offset) | -134 dBc/Hz (typical) |
| Nonharmonics (Carrier 250 to 500 MHz) | <-75 dBc (at offsets > 10 kHz) |
| Nonharmonics (Carrier 500 MHz to 1 GHz) | <-69 dBc (at offsets > 10 kHz) |
| Nonharmonics (Carrier 1 to 2 GHz) | <-63 dBc (at offsets > 10 kHz) |
| Nonharmonics (Carrier 2 to 4 GHz) | <-57 dBc (at offsets > 10 kHz) |
| Nonharmonics (Carrier 4 to 6 GHz) | <-51 dBc (at offsets > 10 kHz) |
| Harmonics (Carrier > 1 MHz) | <-30 dBc (for output power < +4 dBm) |
Frequency Modulation (FM)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| FM Maximum Deviation | Up to 8 MHz |
| FM Modulation Frequency Response | DC to 10 MHz |
Internal Modulation Source
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Waveforms Available | Sine, square, positive ramp, negative ramp, triangle, Gaussian noise, uniform noise, swept sine, dual sine |
| Internal Modulation Frequency Resolution | 0.1 Hz |
Sweep Capabilities
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sweep Trigger Sources | Free run, trigger key, external, GPIB, LAN |
Connectivity & Rear Panel Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Output Connector Type | Type-N female |
| External Reference Input Connector | BNC female |
| External Reference Input Frequency Requirements | 1, 2, 5, 10 MHz |
| Internal Reference Output Connector | BNC female |
| Internal Reference Output Frequency | 10 MHz |
| GPIB Interface Port | IEEE-488.2 |
| LAN Interface Port | 10BaseT RJ-45 |
Power & Physical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Consumption | < 200 W |
| Rack Unit Height | 3U |
Environmental & Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Temperature Range | 0 to 55 °C |
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 to 71 °C |
| Operating Humidity Range | 95% relative humidity at 40 °C |
Hardware & Calibration Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended Calibration Cycle | 2 years |
Frequency Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Option 501 Range | 250 kHz to 1 GHz |
| Frequency Option 502 Range | 250 kHz to 2 GHz |
| Frequency Option 504 Range | 250 kHz to 4 GHz |
Level
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Level Resolution | 0.01 dB |
Amplitude Modulation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AM Depth Range | 0 to 100% (Option UNT) |
| AM Depth Resolution | 0.1% (Option UNT) |
Phase Modulation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| PM Deviation Resolution | 0.1% of deviation |
Pulse Modulation
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pulse Modulation On/Off Ratio | > 80 dB (carrier >= 500 MHz) (Option UNW) |
| Pulse Modulation Rise/Fall Time | < 10 ns (typical) (Option UNW) |
Technology
Analog RF Signal Generation
Applications
General-purpose receiver testing, LO substitution, low-jitter clock stimulus, and out-of-band blocking/interference tests