Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) Spectrum Analyzers
55 models with full specifications in Analyzers Spectrum.
Spectrum analyzers from Keysight Technologies, including legacy instruments branded under Agilent Technologies and Hewlett-Packard (HP), span several hardware generations and design architectures. This selection guide is designed for test engineers and technical buyers comparing performance tiers, frequency limits, and physical form factors. The Keysight catalog in this category ranges from classic high-performance benchtop systems to mid-range workhorses, portable field-rugged units, and highly integrated modern handheld devices. Selecting the correct model requires evaluating critical technical specifications including frequency coverage, resolution bandwidth, phase noise, and physical footprint. The core families include the high-performance PSA Series, the versatile ESA-E and basic ESA-L Series, and the ruggedized 8560 and 8590 portable series.
- Max Native Frequency
- 50 GHz (E4448A, 8565E, 8565EC)
- External Mixing Limit
- Up to 325 GHz (E4440A, E4448A, 8566B)
- Finest Resolution Bandwidth
- 1 Hz (E4440A, 8563EC, E4402B)
- Lightest Handheld Option
- 2.7 kg (N9912A)
All models
| Model | Type | Dimensions (W×H×D) | Display | Frequency Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E4411A | Portable | 373 mm × 222 mm × 409 mm | 15.8 cm, high-resolution LCD display | 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz |
| 3585A | Agilent | 426 × 222 × 630 mm | 9-inch Vector-drawn CRT | 20 Hz to 40.1 MHz |
| 8561A | Portable | 337 mm × 187 mm × 461 mm | Monochrome CRT | 1 kHz to 6.5 GHz |
| 8590L | Agilent | 325 mm × 184 mm × 461 mm | CRT monochrome raster scan | 9 kHz to 1.8 GHz |
| 8592A | Agilent | 366 mm × 213 mm × 460 mm | Monochrome CRT | 50 kHz to 22 GHz |
| 8593A | Portable | 325 mm × 163 mm × 427 mm (without handle and cover) | Monochrome CRT (raster-scan) | 9 kHz to 22 GHz (9 kHz to 26.5 GHz with Option 026) |
| ESA | Agilent | 373 mm × 222 mm × 409 mm | 6.6 in (168 mm) color TFT LCD | 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz (E4401B / E4403B), 3.0 GHz (E4402B / E4408B), 6.7 GHz (E4404B), 13.2 GHz (E4405B), 26.5 GHz (E4407B) |
High-Performance Benchtop Solutions
For applications requiring precise amplitude accuracy, low phase noise, and wide analysis bandwidths, the PSA Series represents a primary benchtop tier. This family includes models such as the E4440A (3 Hz to 26.5 GHz), the E4443A (3 Hz to 6.7 GHz), and the E4448A (3 Hz to 50 GHz). The E4440A provides a typical third-order intercept (TOI) of +19 dBm at 1 GHz and a typical displayed average noise level (DANL) of -155 dBm at 1 GHz. These instruments feature a fine resolution bandwidth (RBW) range from 1 Hz to 8 MHz and support external mixing to extend frequency coverage up to 325 GHz. For legacy setups, the HP 8566B system remains a historical reference, providing continuous sweep from 100 Hz to 22 GHz with exceptional stability and synthesizer accuracy.
Mid-Performance and Basic Benchtop: ESA Series
The ESA Series is divided into the mid-performance ESA-E and the basic ESA-L configurations. The ESA-E models, including the E4402B (100 Hz to 3.0 GHz) and the E4407B (9 kHz to 26.5 GHz), deliver an overall absolute amplitude accuracy of +/-0.4 dB and typical phase noise of -98 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset on a 1 GHz carrier. The ESA-L series, which includes basic configurations like the E4411B-BAS and E4408B-BAS, is optimized for general-purpose utility and service. The E4411B-BAS has a standard 75-ohm input impedance and is designed for quick 5-minute warm-up times. The E4403B-BAS covers 9 kHz to 3.0 GHz and provides a TOI of +7.5 dBm, making it a reliable basic benchtop option.
Portable and Handheld Spectrum Analyzers
For operations outside the laboratory, Keysight offers portable and handheld solutions. The legacy 8560 Series, including the 8563EC (9 kHz to 26.5 GHz) and the 8565EC (9 kHz to 50 GHz), features ruggedized construction compliant with MIL-T-28800 and synthesized tuning. These portable units feature color LCD displays, fast digital resolution bandwidths from 1 Hz to 100 Hz, and phase noise of -113 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset. The 8590 Series, including the 8594E (9 kHz to 2.9 GHz) and the dedicated 8591C Cable TV analyzer (1 MHz to 1.8 GHz with 75-ohm input), provides modular cardcage architectures for custom measurement personalities. Modern field work is served by the FieldFox series; the handheld N9912A weighs 2.7 kg and operates from -10 to +55 degrees Celsius, while the N9344C covers up to 20 GHz in a fanless 3.6 kg enclosure.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary difference between the legacy 8560E and 8560EC series?
- The 8560E series models, such as the 8563E, feature monochrome CRT displays. The updated 8560EC series models, such as the 8563EC, incorporate a modern color active-matrix LCD VGA display and include standard time-gated signal analysis.
- Which Keysight models support frequency measurements above 40 GHz?
- The PSA Series E4448A and the portable 8565E and 8565EC support native, coaxial frequency measurements up to 50 GHz. The PSA Series E4446A supports native coaxial measurements up to 44 GHz. Several models also support external mixing up to 325 GHz.
- Are there specialized Keysight analyzers for Cable TV testing?
- Yes, the legacy 8591C is a dedicated Cable TV spectrum analyzer covering 1 MHz to 1.8 GHz with a standard 75-ohm RF input impedance and built-in automated FCC proof-of-performance measurement routines.