The Keysight (Agilent) E9300A is an E‑Series RF/microwave average power sensor for use with Keysight EPM, EPM‑P and P‑series power meters. It measures average power of any modulation format over 10 MHz to 18 GHz, with an 80 dB dynamic range and low VSWR for minimized mismatch uncertainty.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | E‑Series sensor interface to compatible power meters; no direct USB/LAN/GPIB (control via meter) |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | Powered from compatible power meter via E‑Series sensor interface (no external supply) |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to +55 °C |
Product Identification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Keysight Technologies (Agilent legacy) |
| Model | E9300A |
| Product type | RF/microwave average power sensor |
| Sensor family/series | E‑Series E9300 |
| Detector technology | Patented diode–attenuator–diode topology |
| Measurement principle | True average power, bandwidth‑independent (square‑law) |
| Application focus | Average power of CW and complex‑modulated RF/microwave signals |
| Series continuity | Part of E9300 sensor family covering various frequency/power variants |
Performance Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 10 MHz to 18 GHz |
| Measurement power range | −60 to +20 dBm |
| Dynamic range | 80 dB |
| Measurement modes | Average power |
| Modulation compatibility | Average power of all modulation formats (bandwidth independent) |
| Measurement units | W, dBm (via compatible meter) |
| High/low power paths | Low: −60 to −10 dBm; High: −10 to +20 dBm (auto‑switched) |
| Range switching | Automatic, fast switching between low and high power paths |
| Bandwidth dependence | Bandwidth‑independent average sensing (no video BW to set) |
| Time‑gated measurement support | Not supported by this sensor (average‑only); gating features reside in meter with peak sensors |
| Measurement path behavior | Diodes operated in square‑law region across both ranges for modulation‑independent accuracy |
| Auto‑range benefit | Combines two sensors in one: low‑ and high‑power paths switch automatically |
| Measurement display | Provided by connected meter; sensor has no integral display |
RF Input Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF input connector | Type‑N male |
| Nominal impedance | 50 Ω |
| Connector gender | Male (plug) at RF input |
| Intended impedance system | 50‑ohm RF systems |
Damage and Operating Limits
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum average (CW) power | +25 dBm at RF input |
| Maximum peak power | +33 dBm for <10 μs duration |
Calibration and Traceability
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Calibration approach | Uses compatible meter’s 50 MHz reference for user cal/adjust (via meter) |
| Zeroing requirement | Zero sensor via compatible meter before precision measurements |
| Sensor identification | Sensor stores ID and calibration in EEPROM for automatic recognition by meter |
Connectivity and Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Compatible power meters | EPM series (E4418A/E4419A), EPM‑P series (E4416A/E4417A), and P‑series power meters |
| Sensor‑to‑meter interface | Keysight E‑Series sensor interface (meter front‑panel) |
| Sensor series compatibility note | E9300 sensors usable for average‑power measurements with EPM, EPM‑P and P‑series meters |
| Meter pairing example (single‑channel) | E4418A (EPM) |
| Meter pairing example (dual‑channel) | E4419A (EPM) |
Software and Control
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| SCPI/programming access | Via the connected power meter (meter provides remote interfaces) |
| Data logging/buffering | Provided by the connected meter (not in sensor) |
| Remote control interfaces (via meter) | USB/LAN/GPIB as fitted to the chosen meter |
Power Requirements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power source | From connected power meter (no external supply) |
Application Notes
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Use case—general | Standardize on one average power sensor for diverse modulated signals (no bandwidth matching) |
Dynamic Performance and Filtering
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Measurement averaging/filtering | Implemented in meter; sensor provides average‑detected signal |
| Triggering | Managed by the meter; not a function of the E9300A sensor |
Technology
Diode–attenuator–diode average power detector topology (square‑law operation across range) with EEPROM‑stored cal/linearity/temperature data.
Applications
Average RF/microwave power measurements of modulated and CW signals, general purpose RF test, wireless/comms, radar, and component/bench measurements with compatible power meters.