The Keysight N5231A PNA-L microwave vector network analyzer offers high-performance passive and active component characterization from 300 kHz to 13.5 GHz. As a modern successor to the N5230C, the N5231A delivers 133 dB of system dynamic range, +13 dBm of output power, and a large 10.4-inch touchscreen, serving as a versatile and budget-friendly solution for microwave design and manufacturing.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | GPIB, LAN (Gigabit Ethernet), USB (4 front, 4 rear), VGA, External Trigger, 10 MHz Reference Input/Output |
| Display | 10.4-inch XGA (1024 x 768) color LCD with touchscreen |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100 V to 240 V AC, 50/60/400 Hz |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to +40 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 425 mm W × 267 mm H × 502 mm D (2-port), 545 mm D (4-port) |
Frequency and Sweep Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Operating Frequency | 300 kHz |
| Maximum Operating Frequency | 13.5 GHz |
| Number of Test Ports | 2 or 4 (option dependent) |
| Frequency Resolution | 1 Hz |
| Frequency Accuracy | ±1 ppm |
| Frequency Temperature Stability | ±0.05 ppm (0 °C to 50 °C) |
| Frequency Aging Rate | ±0.1 ppm/year |
| Sweep Type Modes | Linear, Log, Power, CW, Segmented |
| Number of Measurement Points per Trace | 1 to 32,001 |
| IF Bandwidth Range | 1 Hz to 15 MHz |
| Measurement Channels | 200 |
Receiver Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| System Dynamic Range | 133 dB |
| Receiver Noise Floor | -120 dBm (at 10 Hz IF bandwidth) |
| Maximum Input Level at Test Port | +10 dBm |
| Damage Level at Test Port | +27 dBm (RF), 40 VDC |
Test Port Output Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Level Resolution | 0.01 dB |
Measurement Capabilities & Applications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| S-Parameter Measurements | Yes |
| Time Domain Analysis Capability | Optional (Option 010) |
| Frequency Offset Measurements | Yes |
| Mixer/Converter Measurements | Optional (Option 082 or 083) |
| Gain Compression Analysis | Yes |
Hardware Configuration & Ports
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Test Port Connector Type | 3.5 mm ruggedized male |
| Test Port Impedance | 50 Ω |
Connectivity & Peripheral Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| GPIB Interface | Yes (24-pin D-sub) |
| LAN Port Speed | 10/100/1000 Base-T (Gigabit Ethernet) |
| External Video Output Port | VGA (15-pin D-sub) |
| External Trigger Input / Output | Yes (BNC female) |
| 10 MHz Reference Input / Output | Yes (BNC female) |
System, Software & Display
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Operating System | Windows |
| Touchscreen Functionality | Yes |
Power & Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 °C to +70 °C |
| Operating Humidity Range | 11% to 90% non-condensing |
Physical Characteristics & Certifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Rack Unit (U) Height | 6U |
| Net Instrument Weight | 24 kg (53 lb) for 2-port, 27 kg (59 lb) for 4-port |
Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Second Harmonic (at max port power, 2 GHz to 13.5 GHz) | <-25 dBc (typical) |
| Measurement Speed (201 points, 1-port cal, typical) | 4 ms (100 kHz IFBW) |
| Measurement Speed (201 points, 2-port cal, typical) | 7 ms (100 kHz IFBW) |
| Supported Calibration Methods | SOLT, TRL, LRM, SOLR, ECal |
RF Output
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Level Accuracy (50 MHz to 2 GHz) | ±1.0 dB |
| Power Sweep Range (10 MHz to 50 MHz) | 42 dB (-30 to +12 dBm) |
Display
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Display Resolution | 1024 × 768 pixels (XGA) |
Inputs & Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| USB Ports | 4x USB 2.0 (rear), 2x USB 2.0 (front) |
Storage & System
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Drive | Solid State Drive (SSD), ≥ 100 GB |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Altitude | 0 to 3,000 m (9,843 ft) |
| Storage Altitude | 0 to 4,572 m (15,000 ft) |
| Operating Vibration | 0.21 g rms (5 to 500 Hz) |
| Non-Operating Vibration | 2.09 g rms (5 to 500 Hz) |
| Non-Operating Shock | 120 g (half-sine, 2 to 3 ms) |
| Acoustic Noise (nominal) | 52 dBA (at 25 °C) |
Power & Electrical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Line Voltage Range | 100 to 240 VAC (±10%) |
Receiver & Source Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Source Attenuator Range (with Option 216 or 416) | 0 to 60 dB (in 10 dB steps) |
| Bias Tee Maximum Current | 200 mA |
| Bias Tee Maximum Voltage | 40 VDC |
| Non-Harmonic Spurious (typical) | -50 dBc (at max port power) |
| Phase Noise (10 kHz offset, typical) | -103 dBc/Hz (to 2 GHz), -97 dBc/Hz (to 8 GHz), -93 dBc/Hz (to 13.5 GHz) |
| Receiver 0.1 dB Compression Input Level (typical) | +10 dBm (500 MHz to 13.5 GHz) |
Hardware Options
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Bias Tees | Included with Option 216 or 416 |
| Available Port Configurations | 2-port (Option 200/216) or 4-port (Option 400/416) |
Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| LXI Compliance | LXI Class C compliant |
| Test Set I/O Port | Provides control for external test sets |
Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Safety Compliance | IEC 61010-1 / EN 61010-1 / CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 |
| EMC Compliance | IEC 61326-1 / EN 61326-1 / CISPR 11 Class A |
Technology
Microwave Vector Network Analyzer
Applications
Passive components, amplifiers, and frequency converters characterization, design, and manufacturing test
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