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N5181A-503

Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)Signal

The Keysight (formerly Agilent) N5181A-503 is a member of the MXG Series of RF analog signal generators, specifically configured with Option 503 to provide high-performance signal generation from 250 kHz to 3 GHz. Known for its fast switching speed, excellent reliability, and compact size, this generator is designed for testing analog receivers and components in cellular, wireless, and aerospace/defense applications. It serves as an ideal choice for local oscillator (LO) substitution, clock generation, and interference testing.

RF and MicrowaveSignal Generation

Specifications

Frequency

ParameterValue
Minimum Frequency100 kHz
Maximum Frequency3 GHz
Frequency Resolution0.01 Hz
Phase Offset TuningAdjustable in nominal 0.1° increments
Internal Reference Frequency Aging Rate±1 ppm/year (standard TCXO), ±0.1 ppm/year or ±0.0005 ppm/day after 30 days (Option 1ER OCXO)
Internal Reference Temperature Stability±1 ppm (0 to 55 °C, standard TCXO), ±0.02 ppm (0 to 55 °C, Option 1ER OCXO)
External Reference Input Frequency10 MHz (typical)

Output

ParameterValue
Maximum Output Power+10 dBm
Output Power Range-110 to +13 dBm (settable -127 to +19 dBm)

Modulation

ParameterValue
ModulationAM, FM, Phase Modulation (ΦM), Pulse Modulation (Option UNW)
Sweep ModesList, Step (frequency and amplitude)
LF Generator Frequency Resolution0.1 Hz
LF Generator Output Amplitude Range0 to 5 Vp-p into 50 ohms
LF Generator Output Impedance50 ohms (nominal)
Pulse Period Range (Option UNW)70 ns to 42 s
Pulse Width Range (Option UNW)20 ns to 42 s
Pulse Resolution (Option UNW)10 ns (nominal)

General

ParameterValue
Reference OscillatorTCXO (standard) or OCXO (Option 1ER)
InterfacesLAN (100Base-T), USB 2.0, GPIB, LXI Class C
DisplayMonochrome LCD
Calibration Cycle3 years
Save/Recall Registers100 registers, arranged in 10 register groups

Physical

ParameterValue
Power Supply100 to 120 VAC (50/60/400 Hz), 220 to 240 VAC (50/60 Hz)
Dimensions (W×H×D)426 mm x 88 mm x 489 mm
Weight12.5 kg

Amplitude

ParameterValue
Minimum Output Power-110 dBm (standard), -127 dBm (with Option 1EQ)
Amplitude Resolution0.01 dB
Amplitude Switching Speed (SCPI mode)≤ 5 ms (standard), ≤ 1.15 ms (with Option UNZ)
Maximum Reverse Power Protection50 W (average), 250 kHz to 3 GHz
Output Impedance50 Ω (nominal)
Output SWR< 1.4 (typical, 250 kHz to 3 GHz)

Spectral Purity

ParameterValue
Harmonics< -30 dBc (at carrier frequencies < 3 GHz, output power ≤ +4 dBm)
Non-Harmonics Spurious< -62 dBc (at carrier frequencies < 3 GHz, > 10 kHz offset)
Sub-harmonicsNone (for carrier frequencies ≤ 3.2 GHz)
Broadband Noise Floor< -140 dBc/Hz (typical at > 15 MHz offset)
Residual FM< 1 Hz rms (50 Hz to 15 kHz bandwidth, typical at 1 GHz)

Analog Modulation

ParameterValue
Frequency Modulation Maximum DeviationUp to 20 MHz
Frequency Modulation RateDC to 7 MHz
Frequency Modulation Distortion< 1% (1 kHz rate, 100 kHz deviation)
Amplitude Modulation Depth0 to 100%
Amplitude Modulation RateDC to 50 kHz
Amplitude Modulation Distortion< 1.5% (1 kHz rate, 30% AM depth)
External Modulation Input Sensitivity1 Vpeak for indicated deviation or depth into 50 Ω

Pulse Modulation

ParameterValue
Pulse Modulation On/Off Ratio> 80 dB (typical)
Pulse Rise/Fall Time< 10 ns (typical)
Minimum Pulse Width20 ns (typical)
Pulse Repetition Frequency0.1 Hz to 10 MHz
Pulse Delay Range20 ns to 42 s

Sweep and Modulation Modes

ParameterValue
Dwell Time Range100 µs to 100 s
Number of Points2 to 65535 (Step sweep), 1 to 3201 (List sweep)
Internal Modulation Source WaveformsSine, Square, Triangle, Ramp, Noise
Internal Modulation Source Frequency Range0.1 Hz to 100 kHz

Connectivity and Interfaces

ParameterValue
RF Output Connector TypeType-N female, 50 Ω
External Reference Input ConnectorBNC female, rear panel
Reference Output ConnectorBNC female, rear panel
External Trigger Input ConnectorBNC female, rear panel
Sweep Trigger Output ConnectorBNC female, rear panel
GPIB InterfaceIEEE-488
LAN Interface100Base-T (RJ-45)
USB 2.0 InterfaceUSB Type-A (host), USB Type-B (device)

Software and Control

ParameterValue
SCPI Command CompatibilitySCPI 1997.0
Emulation ModesESG, PSG, 8648 signal generators
IVI-COM / IVI-C DriversSupported
LabVIEW DriversSupported
Web User InterfaceLXI Web Interface

Power and Environmental

ParameterValue
Power Consumption250 W max
Operating Temperature Range0 to 55 °C
Storage Temperature Range-40 to 70 °C
Operating Humidity Range95% RH at 40 °C (non-condensing)
Acoustic Noise Emissions40 dBA typical
Safety and EMC ComplianceIEC/EN 61326-1, CSA, UL, CE

Physical Characteristics

ParameterValue
Rack Unit Height2U

Hardware Options and Accessories

ParameterValue
Frequency Range OptionsOption 501 (1 GHz), Option 503 (3 GHz), Option 506 (6 GHz)
High Output Power OptionOption 1EA
Pulse Modulation OptionOption UNW
Rack Mount Kit ConfigurationsOption 1CP

Environmental

ParameterValue
Operating AltitudeUp to 4,600 m (15,000 ft)
Storage AltitudeUp to 15,240 m (50,000 ft)
Vibration ResistanceMIL-PRF-28800F Class 3 compliant
Shock ResistanceMIL-PRF-28800F Class 3 compliant (30 g half-sine)

Power

ParameterValue
AC Input Voltage100 to 120 VAC (50/60/400 Hz) / 220 to 240 VAC (50/60 Hz)

Inputs & Outputs

ParameterValue
Auxiliary I/O Connector37-pin D-sub (rear panel)
USB Ports2x USB 2.0 Type-A (1 front, 1 rear), 1x USB 2.0 Type-B (rear)

Frequency Reference

ParameterValue
External Reference Input Level-3.5 to +20 dBm (nominal)
Internal Reference Output Frequency10 MHz
Reference Output Level≥ +4 dBm (into 50 Ω, nominal)
External Reference Input Impedance50 Ω (nominal)
External Reference Input Frequency Range (Option 1ER)1 to 50 MHz (in 1 mHz steps)

RF Output

ParameterValue
Maximum Reverse DC Voltage50 VDC
Attenuator TypeElectronic

Power & Environmental

ParameterValue
AC Input Frequency45 to 440 Hz (at 100/120 VAC) / 45 to 66 Hz (at 220/240 VAC)

Technology

RF Analog Signal Generation

Applications

LO and clock substitution, interference generation, analog component test