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

ParameterValue
Minimum Frequency250 kHz
Maximum Frequency6 GHz (option dependent)
Frequency Resolution0.01 Hz

Output

ParameterValue
Phase Noise-134 dBc/Hz (typical @ 20 kHz offset, 1 GHz carrier)

Modulation

ParameterValue
ModulationAM, FM, Phase (ØM), Pulse
Sweep ModesFrequency step, amplitude step, arbitrary list

General

ParameterValue
InterfacesGPIB, LAN, RS-232, Auxiliary I/O
DisplayColor LCD

Physical

ParameterValue
Dimensions (W×H×D)133 mm H x 426 mm W x 432 mm D

Frequency Characteristics

ParameterValue
Frequency Option 503 Range250 kHz to 3 GHz
Frequency Option 506 Range250 kHz to 6 GHz

Amplitude Characteristics

ParameterValue
Level Accuracy (fc < 3 GHz, > -110 dBm)±0.6 dB
Output Impedance50 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 Voltage50 VDC (nominal)

Spectral Purity

ParameterValue
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)

ParameterValue
FM Maximum DeviationUp to 8 MHz
FM Modulation Frequency ResponseDC to 10 MHz

Internal Modulation Source

ParameterValue
Internal Waveforms AvailableSine, square, positive ramp, negative ramp, triangle, Gaussian noise, uniform noise, swept sine, dual sine
Internal Modulation Frequency Resolution0.1 Hz

Sweep Capabilities

ParameterValue
Sweep Trigger SourcesFree run, trigger key, external, GPIB, LAN

Connectivity & Rear Panel Interfaces

ParameterValue
RF Output Connector TypeType-N female
External Reference Input ConnectorBNC female
External Reference Input Frequency Requirements1, 2, 5, 10 MHz
Internal Reference Output ConnectorBNC female
Internal Reference Output Frequency10 MHz
GPIB Interface PortIEEE-488.2
LAN Interface Port10BaseT RJ-45

Power & Physical Specifications

ParameterValue
Power Consumption< 200 W
Rack Unit Height3U

Environmental & Compliance

ParameterValue
Operating Temperature Range0 to 55 °C
Storage Temperature Range-40 to 71 °C
Operating Humidity Range95% relative humidity at 40 °C

Hardware & Calibration Options

ParameterValue
Recommended Calibration Cycle2 years

Frequency Options

ParameterValue
Frequency Option 501 Range250 kHz to 1 GHz
Frequency Option 502 Range250 kHz to 2 GHz
Frequency Option 504 Range250 kHz to 4 GHz

Level

ParameterValue
Level Resolution0.01 dB

Amplitude Modulation

ParameterValue
AM Depth Range0 to 100% (Option UNT)
AM Depth Resolution0.1% (Option UNT)

Phase Modulation

ParameterValue
PM Deviation Resolution0.1% of deviation

Pulse Modulation

ParameterValue
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