The Keysight N8974A (formerly Agilent) is a high-performance, 10 MHz to 6.7 GHz Noise Figure Analyzer from the NFA Series. Designed for fast, accurate, and repeatable noise figure and gain measurements, it features a dedicated second GPIB port for local oscillator (LO) control, six user-selectable measurement bandwidths, and compatibility with Smart Noise Sources (SNS) to simplify complex setups and deliver highly reliable results.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | GPIB (2 ports: System and dedicated LO control), LAN, RS-232, Centronics Parallel, VGA out |
| Display | 6.7-inch color LCD, 640 x 480 VGA resolution |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 90 to 260 V AC, 47 to 63 Hz, 150 VA maximum |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 426 mm W × 177 mm H × 437 mm D |
| Weight | 15.5 kg |
Frequency Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 10 MHz to 6.7 GHz |
| Tuning Resolution | 1 Hz |
| Frequency Reference Aging Rate | ±1 x 10^-7 per year |
| Frequency Reference Temperature Stability | ±1 x 10^-6 (0 to 55 °C) |
| External Reference Input Frequency | 10 MHz (nominal) |
| External Reference Input Power Level | -15 dBm to +10 dBm |
Noise Figure & Gain Measurement Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Noise Figure Measurement Range | 0 to 30 dB |
| Noise Figure Instrument Uncertainty (10 MHz to 3.0 GHz) | ±0.05 dB |
| Noise Figure Instrument Uncertainty (3.0 GHz to 6.7 GHz) | ±0.10 dB |
| Noise Figure Resolution | 0.01 dB |
| Gain Measurement Range | -20 to +40 dB |
| Gain Instrument Uncertainty (10 MHz to 3.0 GHz) | ±0.17 dB |
| Gain Instrument Uncertainty (3.0 GHz to 6.7 GHz) | ±0.25 dB |
| Gain Resolution | 0.01 dB |
| Y-Factor Resolution | 0.01 dB |
RF Input & Port Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| RF Input Connector Type | APC 3.5 (m) |
| RF Input Impedance | 50 Ω nominal |
| RF Input VSWR (10 MHz to 3.0 GHz) | < 1.5:1 |
| RF Input VSWR (3.0 GHz to 6.7 GHz) | < 1.8:1 |
| Maximum Safe DC Input Voltage | ±20 Vdc |
| Maximum Safe RF Input Power | +15 dBm continuous |
Intermediate Frequency (IF) & Bandwidths
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Selected IF Bandwidths | 4 MHz, 2 MHz, 1 MHz, 400 kHz, 250 kHz, 100 kHz |
Measurement & Sweep Capabilities
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Supported Device Types (DUT) | Amplifier, Downconverter, Upconverter |
| Measurement Modes | Amplifier, Downconverter (fixed/variable LO), Upconverter (fixed/variable LO) |
| Sweep Points Range | 2 to 401 points |
| Averaging Range | 1 to 1024 (user selectable) |
| User Calibration Types | 1-stage (Amplifier), 2-stage (Frequency Converter) |
| Local Oscillator (LO) Control | Dedicated second GPIB port for external LO sweep synchronization |
Noise Source Compatibility & Drive
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Noise Source Drive Voltage | 28 V ±0.1 V (pulsed) |
| Noise Source Drive Port | BNC female (front panel) |
| Smart Noise Source (SNS) Compatibility | Compatible with Agilent/Keysight N4000A series SNS |
| ENR Table Storage Capacity | Up to 30 tables internally |
Display & User Interface
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Trace Formats | Graphic, Table, Meter |
| Number of Measurement Traces | 2 simultaneous traces |
| Marker Functions | 4 markers with normal and delta modes |
| Limit Line Testing Capabilities | Upper and lower limit lines with pass/fail notification |
System, Memory & I/O Interfaces
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Internal Data Storage Capacity | 3.5-inch floppy disk drive (1.44 MB) and internal non-volatile flash RAM |
| External Trigger Input Port | BNC female |
| Remote Programming Language | SCPI |
Physical & Environmental Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Humidity Range | Up to 95% RH at 40 °C (non-condensing) |
| Warm-up Time | 1 hour |
Compliance & Certifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended Calibration Cycle | 1 year |
| Standard Warranty | 1 year |
Frequency Reference (Option 1D5)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Option 1D5 Frequency Reference Aging Rate | < ±1 × 10^-7 per year |
| Option 1D5 Frequency Reference Temperature Stability | < ±1.5 × 10^-8 |
Rear Panel Connections
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Dedicated LO GPIB Port | IEEE-488 interface dedicated to external local oscillator control |
| VGA Output Port | 15-pin D-sub, female |
| Serial Interface Port | 9-pin D-sub male, RS-232 compatible |
| Parallel Interface Port | 25-pin D-sub female, Centronics compatible |
Storage & Media
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Floppy Disk Drive | 3.5-inch MS-DOS compatible, 1.44 MB |
General & Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum AC Power Consumption | 150 VA |
| Operating Altitude Limit | Up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) |
| Storage Altitude Limit | Up to 15,240 meters (50,000 feet) |
| Acoustic Noise Emission | < 42 dBA (low fan speed), < 50 dBA (high fan speed) |
| Safety Compliance Standards | Conforms to EN 61010-1 / IEC 1010-1, CSA C22.2 No. 1010.1 |
| EMC Compliance Standards | Conforms to EN 55011 / CISPR 11 Group 1 Class A |
Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Instrument Noise Figure (10 MHz to 3.0 GHz) | < 10 dB |
| Instrument Noise Figure (3.0 GHz to 6.7 GHz) | < 13 dB |
Inputs & Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Rear Panel IF Output Frequency | 21.4 MHz |
| Rear Panel IF Output Impedance | 50 Ω (nominal) |
| Rear Panel 10 MHz Reference Output Power | ≥ 0 dBm (nominal) |
| Rear Panel 10 MHz Reference Output Connector | BNC female |
| Trigger Output Level | TTL compatible, nominal 0 to 5 V |
| Smart Noise Source (SNS) Connector | 11-pin multi-port |
Power
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AC Input Voltage Range | 90 to 250 V AC |
| AC Power Line Frequency | 50 to 60 Hz (at 90 to 250 V AC), 400 Hz (at 90 to 132 V AC) |
Technology
Noise Figure Analysis
Applications
Amplifier and frequency translating device characterization