What are the main performance advantages of the E5080A over the E5071C?

The E5080A is designed as the next-generation replacement for the E5071C. It improves measurement flexibility with a maximum dynamic range of 135 dB (compared to the E5071C) and a wider IF bandwidth range of 1 Hz to 3 MHz. It also features a larger 12.1-inch WXGA touchscreen and a removable solid-state drive.

How does the PNA-L series differ from the PNA-X series?

The PNA-L series, such as the N5230C or N5232A, is a mid-range platform with one internal source, optimized for passive components and basic active testing. The flagship PNA-X series, such as the N5242B, is a highly integrated engine offering up to two internal sources, optional built-in combiners, and dedicated hardware for active device tests like noise figure and spectrum analysis.

Which calibration module should be used for microwave measurements up to 67 GHz?

The N4694A is a 2-port electronic calibration (ECal) module that operates from 10 MHz to 67 GHz. It features 1.85 mm test port connectors and a USB interface to automate the calibration process on compatible Keysight VNAs.

Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) Network Analyzers

91 models with full specifications in Analyzers Network.

Keysight Technologies (incorporating the legacy of Agilent and Hewlett-Packard) offers a highly comprehensive selection of network analyzers designed for RF and microwave component characterization. For hardware designers, test engineers, and manufacturing specialists, selecting the appropriate instrument involves balancing frequency coverage, port configuration, and measurement complexity. The portfolio spans legacy benchtop standards, general-purpose RF analyzers, high-performance microwave engines, and rugged handheld models. This guide covers how these families are structured, from classic 8753 and 8720 systems to modern ENA and PNA-X series instruments.

Highest Standard Frequency: 67 GHz (N5247B, N4694A)
Lowest Frequency Option: 5 Hz (E5061B Option 3L5)
Dynamic Range Limit: Up to 135 dB (E5080A)
Handheld Range Option: Up to 6 GHz (N9923A Option 106)

All models

Model	Type	Display	Frequency Range	Interfaces
E5071C	*misc	10.4-inch TFT color LCD touch screen (1024 × 768)	—	USB, LAN (10/100/1000 BaseT), GPIB (IEEE 488.2), VGA, Handler I/O
N5242A	Microwave	10.4 inch LCD Touch Screen	10 MHz - 26.5 GHz	LAN, GPIB, USB (Host/Device), External Reference, Trigger I/O
N5230A (Option 520/525)	*misc	Integrated 10.4-inch LCD	10 MHz to 50 GHz (Option 520/525 dependent)	LAN (Ethernet), USB (Front/Rear), GPIB, VGA, DVI-D, External Trigger I/O, Auxiliary I/O
8753ES	Vector	8.4-inch Color LCD (640 x 480 pixels)	30 kHz to 3 GHz / 6 GHz (frequency-option dependent)	GPIB (IEEE-488), VGA output, External Reference Input/Output (BNC), Trigger Input/Output (BNC)
E5061B	RF	10.4-inch TFT color LCD	—	USB, LAN, GPIB
E5071B	RF	10.4-inch color LCD touch screen	300 kHz to 8.5 GHz	GPIB, LAN (10/100 Base-T), USB, VGA, Parallel
8720ES	Vector	Color LCD	50 MHz to 20 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488.2), RS-232, Parallel (Centronics), VGA out
N5222A	Microwave	10.4-inch color LCD touch screen	10 MHz to 26.5 GHz	USB, LAN (Ethernet), GPIB (IEEE-488)
N5245A	Microwave	10.4 inch color touch screen	10 MHz to 50 GHz	LAN, GPIB, USB
8753D	Vector	Color display with 2 independent measurement channels	30 kHz to 3 GHz (standard); 30 kHz to 6 GHz (with option)	Parallel, Serial, GPIB
E8362B	Vector	10.4-inch color LCD touchscreen (800 x 600 SVGA)	10 MHz to 20 GHz	—
N5230C	Microwave	8.4-inch color LCD touch screen	300 kHz to 6 GHz / 13.5 GHz / 20 GHz, or 10 MHz to 40 GHz / 50 GHz (option dependent)	USB, LAN, GPIB
4395A	Network, Spectrum	—	10 Hz to 500 MHz	GPIB (HP-IB)
E5062A	RF	10.4-inch color TFT LCD	300 kHz to 3 GHz	LAN (10/100Base-T), USB (Host and Device), GPIB (IEEE 488), Parallel, VGA Video Out
E8364B	Vector	—	10 MHz - 50 GHz	GPIB, LAN (10/100 Base-T), USB, VGA, Parallel, Serial
8722ES	Vector	Color LCD	50 MHz to 40 GHz	GPIB
8753E	Vector	Color LCD	30 kHz to 3 GHz (standard) / 30 kHz to 6 GHz (with Option 006)	Parallel, Serial (RS-232), DIN Keyboard, HP-IB (GPIB)
E8363C	Microwave	10.4-inch TFT color LCD touch screen	10 MHz to 40 GHz	—
E5063A	*misc	10.4-inch TFT color LCD touch screen, XGA (1024 x 768)	100 kHz to 500 MHz / 1.5 / 3 / 4.5 / 8.5 / 18 GHz (option dependent)	—
N5224A	Microwave	10.4-inch color LCD touchscreen	10 MHz - 43.5 GHz	LAN, USB, GPIB (IEEE-488)
N5242B	*misc	12.1-inch WXGA color capacitive multi-touch LCD	10 MHz to 26.5 GHz (starts at 900 Hz with option)	LAN (10/100/1000Base-T), USB (front and rear), GPIB (IEEE-488)
8722D	Microwave	Color CRT	50 MHz to 40 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488.2), RS-232, Parallel
8757D	Scalar	High resolution color display	Up to 50 GHz in coax, up to 110 GHz in waveguide (configuration / source dependent)	HP-IB (IEEE-488), 8757 System Bus Interface
E8364C	Vector	—	10 MHz to 50 GHz	—
N9923A	Vector	6.5-inch color VGA (640 x 480) transflective LCD, LED backlit	2 MHz to 4 GHz (Option 104) / 2 MHz to 6 GHz (Option 106)	LAN (10/100Base-T), 2x USB 2.0 (Host), 1x mini-USB (Device)
8720D	Microwave	Color CRT	50 MHz to 20 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488.2), Parallel, RS-232
E5061A	RF	10.4-inch color LCD	300 kHz to 1.5 GHz	—
N5245B	Microwave	12.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) multi-touch screen	10 MHz to 50 GHz (900 Hz to 50 GHz with low-frequency option)	—
4396B	Network, Spectrum	Color TFT LCD	100 kHz - 1.8 GHz	GPIB
8753C	Vector	Color CRT	300 kHz to 3 GHz	HP-IB (IEEE-488)
E8363B	Vector	10.4-inch color LCD touchscreen	10 MHz - 40 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488), LAN (10/100 Base-T), USB, VGA
N5225A	Microwave	10.4-inch color touch screen	10 MHz to 50 GHz	LAN (10/100/1000Base-T), USB 2.0 (front and rear), GPIB (IEEE-488)
E8357A	Vector	Color LCD Touchscreen	300 kHz - 6 GHz	LAN, GPIB (IEEE 488), USB, VGA
N4694A	Vector	—	10 MHz to 67 GHz	USB
N5232A	Microwave	10.4-inch XGA color touchscreen LCD	300 kHz to 20 GHz	USB, LAN, GPIB
N5244A	Microwave	10.4-inch TFT color touchscreen (1024 x 768 XGA)	10 MHz to 43.5 GHz	GPIB, LAN (10/100/1000Base-T), USB 2.0 (Host and Device)
8714ET	Vector	—	300 kHz - 3 GHz	LAN
8510C	Vector	—	—	HP-IB (GPIB), RS-232
E5080A	*misc	12.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) TFT color LCD touchscreen	9 kHz to 4.5 / 6.5 / 9 GHz (option dependent)	USB 2.0 (Host and Device), LAN (10/100/1000Base-T), GPIB, DisplayPort
N5247B	*misc	12.1-inch capacitive multi-touch LCD	10 MHz to 67 GHz (900 Hz with option)	LAN, USB, GPIB
8751A	Vector	Color CRT	5 Hz - 500 MHz	HP-IB (IEEE 488)
E5080B	Vector	12.1-inch WXGA color touchscreen (1280 x 800)	—	USB (Host/Device), LAN (10/100/1000Base-T), GPIB, DisplayPort
E5100A	Vector	6.5-inch color LCD	—	HP-IB (IEEE-488)
E8358A	Vector	8.4-inch color LCD touch screen	300 kHz to 9 GHz	LAN (10/100 Base-T), GPIB (IEEE-488), USB, VGA, Parallel
E8361A	Vector	8.4-inch color LCD touch screen	10 MHz - 67 GHz	LAN, GPIB, USB
N5222B	*misc	12.1-inch capacitive multi-touch TFT color LCD (1280 x 800)	—	—
4195A	Network, Spectrum	—	—	GPIB (IEEE-488)
8720C	Vector	Large color display	50 MHz - 20 GHz	—

ENA Series for RF and LF-RF Characterization

The ENA series is Keysight's primary family for cost-effective, high-speed RF network analysis. The E5071C is a standard benchtop platform, configurable with 2 or 4 ports and offering frequency options from 9 kHz up to 20 GHz. For newer designs, the E5080A serves as its successor, expanding measurement capabilities with a system dynamic range up to 135 dB and an IF bandwidth ranging from 1 Hz to 3 MHz.

For specialized RF needs, the E5061B covers frequencies from 100 kHz up to 3 GHz, with an LF-RF Option (3L5) that extends its coverage down to 5 Hz for low-frequency testing. The E5063A provides a streamlined, 2-port option with coverage up to 18 GHz, optimized for standard passive component verification.

PNA and PNA-X Series for Advanced Microwave Analysis

For high-frequency microwave applications, the PNA and PNA-X series represent Keysight's premier-performance tier. The standard PNA series (including the N5222A and N5225A) operates up to 50 GHz and provides multi-port S-parameter characterization. The flagship PNA-X series, which includes the N5242A, N5242B, and N5245B, functions as a highly integrated microwave test engine. Available in 2- or 4-port configurations, PNA-X analyzers can be equipped with up to two internal sources, internal combiners, and signal-routing switches to run complex tests—such as noise figure, gain compression, and intermodulation distortion (IMD)—using a single connection.

The PNA-L series (including the N5230A, N5230C, and N5232A) delivers a mid-range microwave option, offering general-purpose S-parameter analysis up to 50 GHz.

Legacy and Specialty Instruments

Many laboratories continue to utilize legacy Agilent and HP platforms. The 8753 series (such as the 8753D, 8753E, and 8753ES) covers the RF range up to 6 GHz, while the 8720 and 8722 series (including the 8720D, 8722D, and 8722ES) span microwave frequencies up to 40 GHz. These legacy instruments feature integrated S-parameter test sets and robust physical interfaces.

Specialty platforms include combination analyzers such as the 4395A and 4396B, which consolidate vector network, spectrum, and impedance analyzer capabilities into a single system. The modular 8510C analyzer supports custom millimeter-wave and coaxial configurations, whereas the 8757D operates as a scalar network analyzer. For remote or field installations, the handheld N9923A FieldFox provides fully portable vector network measurements up to 6 GHz.