The Keysight (Agilent) N5182A-503 is a high-performance vector signal generator from the MXG series, configured with Option 503 to provide a frequency range from 250 kHz to 3 GHz. It is engineered for fast switching speeds, high reliability, and excellent spectral purity. It is ideal for testing components and receivers in cellular and lower ISM frequency bands, including W-CDMA, cdma2000, WLAN, and WiMAX.

Specifications

General

ParameterValue
InterfacesGPIB, LAN (100Base-T), USB 2.0 Host, USB 2.0 Device, LXI Class C
DisplayMonochrome backlit LCD screen

Physical

ParameterValue
Power Supply100 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz (100 to 120 VAC at 400 Hz); < 250 W maximum power consumption
Operating Temperature0 to 55 °C
Dimensions (W×H×D)426 mm × 88 mm × 489 mm
Rack Height2U

Frequency

ParameterValue
Frequency Range250 kHz to 3 GHz
Frequency Resolution0.01 Hz
Frequency Switching Speed (List Mode)5 ms (standard with digital modulation) / 900 µs (with Option UNZ)
Frequency Switching Speed (SCPI Mode)5 ms (standard with digital modulation) / 1.15 ms (with Option UNZ)
Sweep ModesStep, List

Amplitude

ParameterValue
Output Power Range (Minimum)-110 dBm (standard with electronic attenuator) / -127 dBm (with Option 1EQ)
Amplitude Resolution0.01 dB
Output Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)< 1.4:1 (typical, 250 kHz to 3 GHz)
Maximum Reverse Power50 W (average, ≤ 3 GHz)
Amplitude Switching Speed≤ 5 ms (standard) / ≤ 1.15 ms (with Option UNZ)

Spectral Purity

ParameterValue
SSB Phase Noise-116 dBc/Hz (at 1 GHz carrier, 20 kHz offset)
Harmonics<-30 dBc (at 1 GHz, output level ≤ +4 dBm)
Non-Harmonics (Spurious)<-62 dBc (carrier ≤ 3 GHz, offset > 10 kHz)
Sub-HarmonicsNone (for carrier ≤ 3 GHz)

Vector Modulation

ParameterValue
Internal Baseband Generator Bandwidthup to 80 MHz (RF bandwidth, option dependent)
Arbitrary Waveform Memory Capacityup to 64 MSa (baseband option dependent)
DAC Resolution16-bit
Sampling Rate Range100 kSa/s to 100 MSa/s
I/Q Modulation Bandwidth (Internal)up to 80 MHz (RF bandwidth)
I/Q Modulation Bandwidth (External RF)up to 160 MHz
Error Vector Magnitude (EVM)< 1.2% (typical, 1-carrier W-CDMA, 2 GHz, +4 dBm)

Analog Modulation

ParameterValue
Frequency Modulation (FM) Maximum Deviationup to 40 MHz (carrier dependent)
Phase Modulation (Phi-M) Maximum Deviationup to 40 rad (carrier dependent)
Amplitude Modulation (AM) Depth Range0 to 100%
Minimum Pulse Width20 ns (typical)

Frequency Reference

ParameterValue
Internal Reference Aging Rate±1 ppm/year (standard TCXO) / ±0.05 ppm/year (with Option UNX)
Temperature Stability±1 ppm (0 to 55 °C, standard TCXO) / ±0.01 ppm (with Option UNX)
External Reference Input Frequency10 MHz (standard)
External Reference Input Level-3.5 to +20 dBm (typical)
Reference Output Frequency10 MHz
External Reference Input Impedance50 Ω (nominal)
External Reference Output Impedance50 Ω (nominal)

Rear and Front Panel Connectivity

ParameterValue
RF Output Connector TypeType-N female, 50 Ω
External I/Q Inputs (I and Q)BNC female, front panel, 50 Ω
External I/Q Outputs (I and Q)BNC female, front panel, 50 Ω
Trigger/Event Inputs and OutputsExternal Trigger Input, Event Outputs, Marker Outputs (BNC)
LAN Interface100Base-T (RJ-45)
GPIB InterfaceIEEE-488 (rear panel)
USB 2.0 Host/Device PortsType-A (front/rear panel) and Type-B (rear panel)

System and Software Features

ParameterValue
SCPI Command CompatibilityCompatible with ESG, PSG, and standard SCPI
Instrument Drivers (IVI/LabVIEW)IVI-COM, IVI-C, LabVIEW drivers available
Signal Creation Software CompatibilityKeysight Signal Studio (N76xx)
Embedded Web ServerYes (LXI compliant web interface)

Physical and Environmental Specifications

ParameterValue
Storage Temperature Range-40 to 70 °C
Operating HumidityUp to 95% relative humidity at 40 °C (non-condensing)
Calibration Cycle3 years recommended

Ordering Configurations and Options

ParameterValue
Frequency Range OptionsOption 503 (100 kHz to 3 GHz)
Attenuator OptionsElectronic attenuator (standard)

Available Options

ParameterValue
Option UNTAM, FM, Phase Modulation
Option UNWNarrow pulse modulation
Option 1ELDifferential I/Q outputs
Option 1EMRear-panel RF output
Option 1ERFlexible reference input
Option 01964 MSa ARB memory
Option 651Internal baseband generator (30 MSa/s, 8 MSa)
Option 652Internal baseband generator (60 MSa/s, 8 MSa)
Option 654Internal baseband generator (125 MSa/s, 8 MSa)

Sweep

ParameterValue
Step Sweep Points2 to 601
List Sweep Points2 to 3,201

Compliance

ParameterValue
EMC ComplianceComplies with European EMC Directive 2004/108/EC
Safety ComplianceComplies with European Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC

RF Output

ParameterValue
RF Output Impedance50 Ω

Connectivity

ParameterValue
LXI ComplianceLXI Class C

Technology

RF Vector Signal Generator

Applications

LO/clock substitution, interference generation, component testing, and receiver verification in cellular and ISM bands