What distinguishes the 'A' and 'B' generations of X-Series signal analyzers?

The 'B' generation models, such as the N9030B, N9020B, and N9010B, upgrade the older user interfaces of the 'A' series (like the N9030A and N9010A) with larger 10.6-inch capacitive multi-touch displays, more modern operating systems (typically Windows 10 vs Windows XP or Embedded Standard 7), and generally wider available analysis bandwidths and improved phase noise specifications.

Which Keysight analyzer is best for acoustic and mechanical vibration testing?

The FFT-based dynamic signal analyzers are optimized for these low-frequency applications. The 35670A and 35665A offer specialized options like order tracking, octave analysis, and swept-sine measurements within frequency spans under 102.4 kHz.

Can I run vector signal analysis on modern X-Series hardware?

Yes. The 89601B Vector Signal Analysis (VSA) Software is fully compatible with modern X-Series signal analyzers, including the PXA, MXA, EXA, and CXA series, providing advanced modulation, time-domain, and frequency-domain diagnostics on a PC.

Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) Signal Analyzers

26 models with full specifications in Analyzers Signal.

Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent and Hewlett-Packard) offers a highly structured portfolio of signal and spectrum analyzers designed for RF, microwave, baseband, and audio engineering. The lineup spans from the modern, flagship X-Series platform down to portable, low-frequency FFT dynamic signal analyzers designed for acoustics and vibration. This guide outlines how the product range is organized, details the core generations and performance tiers, and highlights specialized instruments built for legacy modulation, frequency drift, and audio analysis to assist engineers in choosing the right hardware.

X-Series Flagship Model: N9040B UXA
Max X-Series Frequency Range: 50 GHz (extensible to 1.1 THz)
Dynamic FFT Frequency Range: Up to 102.4 kHz (35670A)
Vector Signal Analysis SW: 89601B VSA Software

All models

Model	Type	Interfaces	Operating Temperature	Display
N9020A	*misc	USB 2.0, LAN (1000Base-T), GPIB (IEEE-488), VGA, LXI Class C	0 to 55	8.4-inch XGA (1024 x 768) color TFT LCD
N9030A	*misc	USB 2.0, 1000Base-T LAN, GPIB	0 to 55	8.4 inch (213 mm) diagonal XGA color LCD
N9010A	*misc	USB 2.0, 1000Base-T LAN, GPIB	0 to +55 °C	10.4 inch, XGA (1024x768) color LCD
N9030B	*misc	USB 3.0, USB 2.0, LAN (10/100/1000Base-T), GPIB	0 to 55	10.6-inch capacitive multi-touch color screen
35670A	Dynamic	GPIB (IEEE-488), RS-232, Parallel	0 to 55	—
N9040B	*misc	USB 3.0, USB 2.0, 1000Base-T LAN, GPIB	—	14.1-inch touch-driven interface
N9020B	*misc	LAN (1000Base-T), GPIB, USB 2.0 / 3.0	0 to 55	10.6-inch capacitive multi-touch, 1280 × 768 resolution
8902A	Measuring Receivers	HP-IB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55 °C	—
89441A	Vector	HP-IB (GPIB, IEEE-488.2)	—	—
53310A	Modulation Domain	HP-IB (IEEE-488)	0 to +55	CRT
N9000B	*misc	1000Base-T LAN, USB 2.0 / USB 3.0, GPIB (IEEE-488)	0 to 50 °C	10.6-inch capacitive multi-touch screen
N9010B	*misc	USB 2.0 / 3.0, LAN (1000Base-T LXI), GPIB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55	10.6-inch capacitive multi-touch screen
89410A	Vector	—	0 to +55	—
8903B	Audio	HP-IB (IEEE 488)	0 to 55	Dual LED
35665A	Dynamic	—	—	—
8901A	Modulation	HP-IB (GPIB)	—	7-segment LED
89601B	Vector	—	—	—
8901B	Modulation	GPIB (HP-IB) standard	0 to 55 °C	—
4352B	*misc	GPIB, 24-bit parallel digital I/O, Centronics parallel printer port, external monitor output, external trigger, LO IN, external program RUN/CONT	10 to 40 °C	9-inch color CRT
N9020A-526	*misc	—	—	8.4-inch (213 mm) diagonal color LCD touchscreen, 1024 x 768 (XGA) resolution
3561A	Dynamic	HP-IB (IEEE-488)	0 °C to 55 °C	Built-in CRT
DSAX91604A	*misc	LAN (LXI Class C), USB 2.0 (Host/Device), USB 3.0 (Host), GPIB (optional), DisplayPort, DVI-I	5 to +40 °C	15.1-inch XGA (1024 x 768) color touchscreen LCD
N9010A-526	*misc	USB 2.0, LAN (1000Base-T), GPIB, LXI Class C	0 to 55 °C	10.4-inch XGA TFT color LCD with resistive touchscreen, 1024 x 768 resolution
N9020A-508	*misc	—	5 to 50 °C	8.4 inch (213 mm) diagonal color LCD, 1024 x 768 XGA resolution with resistive touchscreen
N9030A-508	*misc	GPIB, LAN (1000Base-T), USB 2.0, LXI Class C, Digital I/O	0 to 55 °C	10.4-inch XGA color LCD with capacitive touchscreen
N9041B	*misc	GPIB, LAN (1000Base-T), USB 3.0 (host & device), USB 2.0, DisplayPort, VGA	0 to 55 °C	14.1-inch (357 mm) capacitive multi-touch screen, 1280 x 800 WXGA resolution

The Modern X-Series Platform

The modern Keysight portfolio is anchored by the X-Series signal analyzers, which share a common underlying measurement framework but are tiered by performance, bandwidth, and phase noise capability.

UXA Series: The flagship N9040B provides the highest performance tier. It offers a 14.1-inch touch interface, standard 25 MHz analysis bandwidth, and a frequency range up to 50 GHz (extensible to 1.1 THz with external mixing). It delivers outstanding phase noise performance of -136 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset on a 1 GHz carrier.
PXA Series: High-performance analyzers designed to replace legacy systems like the PSA. The first-generation N9030A features an 8.4-inch display, a standard 10 MHz analysis bandwidth, and a phase noise of -129 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. The second-generation N9030B upgrades to a 10.6-inch multi-touch display, Windows 10, -136 dBc/Hz phase noise, and an optional analysis bandwidth of up to 510 MHz.
MXA Series: Positioned in the mid-performance tier, these models balance RF performance with price. The older N9020A (including specific configurations like the 10 Hz to 26.5 GHz N9020A-526) features an 8.4-inch display and up to 160 MHz analysis bandwidth. The newer N9020B features a 10.6-inch multi-touch display, covers frequencies up to 50 GHz, and provides a Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) of -172 dBm at 1 GHz when utilizing its preamplifier and noise floor extension.
EXA Series: Economy-class instruments optimized for manufacturing throughput and budget-conscious development. The N9010A relies on Windows XP, has a standard 10 MHz analysis bandwidth, and achieves a -146 dBm DANL. The newer N9010B introduces a multi-touch screen, standard 25 MHz analysis bandwidth (upgradable to 40 MHz with Option B40), and a broader frequency range up to 44 GHz.
CXA Series: The essential tier represented by the N9000B, which is aimed at fundamental RF testing and education. It operates up to 26.5 GHz, features a 10.6-inch multi-touch screen, and has a standard 10 MHz analysis bandwidth upgradeable to 25 MHz.

Low-Frequency and FFT Dynamic Signal Analyzers

For applications focused on acoustics, vibration, control systems, and low-frequency electrical testing, Keysight provides dedicated FFT dynamic signal analyzers rather than RF sweep-tuned systems.

The 35670A is a rugged, portable FFT analyzer available in 2-channel or 4-channel configurations. It features a 16-bit ADC, built-in source signals, and a frequency range of up to 102.4 kHz on a single channel.
The 35665A is a 2-channel analyzer that supports extensive optional analysis modes, such as swept-sine, octave, and computed order tracking.
The 3561A is a classic single-channel instrument providing up to 100 kHz frequency coverage and an 80 dB dynamic range for basic acoustic and vibration analysis.

Specialized and Dedicated Modulation Analyzers

For dedicated communication testing, audio analysis, and high-stability modulation metrics, several legacy and specialized Keysight/Agilent platforms remain industry standards:

Vector Signal Analysis: The PC-based 89601B VSA software allows comprehensive digital modulation analysis across various Keysight platforms. For integrated hardware vector signal analysis, the 89441A covers baseband to 2.65 GHz with a 7 MHz vector analysis bandwidth, while the 89410A covers baseband up to 10 MHz.
Modulation Domain Analysis: The 53310A modulation domain analyzer treats frequency vs. time in a manner similar to how oscilloscopes present voltage vs. time, serving as an exceptional tool for viewing jitter and frequency drift up to 2.5 GHz on Channel C.
Modulation Analyzers & Receivers: The 8901A and 8901B serve as highly precise modulation receivers and counters from 150 kHz to 1300 MHz. The 8902A measuring receiver builds on this capability, delivering high-accuracy power measurements and tuned RF level metrics up to 26.5 GHz when paired with the 11793A converter.
Audio and VCO Testers: The 8903B combines a low-distortion audio source with an analyzer for THD+N measurements (< 0.003% from 20 Hz to 20 kHz), while the 4352B VCO/PLL analyzer functions from 10 MHz to 3 GHz to evaluate phase-locked loops and voltage-controlled oscillators.