What is the difference between the standard frequency resolution and Option 008 on the 8360 series?

Standard 8360 series sweepers, such as the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83620B, 83630B, and 83650B, feature a standard frequency resolution of 1 kHz. Selecting Option 008 upgrades this resolution to 1 Hz for applications requiring precise frequency control.

Which models are designed for higher output power?

The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83623A and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83623B synthesized sweepers provide an elevated maximum leveled power of +17 dBm. In the 83750 series, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83752B serves as the high-power version.

How does the 83621B differ from other 8360 series sweepers?

Unlike standard sweepers, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83621B is a dedicated source designed specifically for HP 8510 series microwave vector network analyzers. It has no keyboard or display on the front panel and is fully automated over GPIB, operating from 45 MHz to 20 GHz.

Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) Sweepers

19 models with full specifications in Sweepers.

Keysight Technologies (formerly Agilent and Hewlett-Packard) synthesized sweepers are classic RF and microwave test instruments. Designed for applications ranging from scalar network analysis to component characterization, these sweepers combine the frequency accuracy of a synthesized signal generator with the sweep speed of an analog oscillator. This page outlines the major instrument families, including the high-performance 8360 series, the component-focused 83750 series, and traditional workhorses like the 8340B. Technical buyers can evaluate model variations across critical specifications such as frequency range, output power, and frequency resolution to determine the appropriate sweeper for their benchtop or automated test system.

Frequency Range: 10 MHz to 50 GHz
Core Instrument Families: 8340, 8360, 83750 Series
High-Power Models Max Output: +17 dBm (83623A/B)
Standard Frequency Resolution: 1 kHz to 1 Hz (model/option dependent)
Primary Interfaces: GPIB (HP-IB)

All models

Model	Type	Frequency Range	Interfaces	Operating Temperature
83650B	Sweepers	10 MHz to 50 GHz	GPIB	0 to 55 °C
83640B	Sweepers	10 MHz - 40 GHz	HP-IB (GPIB)	0 to 55 °C
83620B	Sweepers	10 MHz to 20 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55
83623B	Sweepers	10 MHz - 20 GHz	GPIB	0 to 55 °C
83752A	Sweepers	10 MHz to 20 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55
83630B	Sweepers	10 MHz - 26.5 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55
83623A	Sweepers	10 MHz - 20 GHz	GPIB (HP-IB)	0 to 55
83640A	Sweepers	10 MHz - 40 GHz	GPIB	0 to 55
83752B	Sweepers	10 MHz - 20 GHz	HP-IB (IEEE-488)	0 to +55 °C
83620A	Sweepers	10 MHz - 20 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55
83650A	Sweepers	10 MHz to 50 GHz	HP-IB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55
8341B	Sweepers	10 MHz – 20 GHz	GPIB (IEEE‑488)	—
8340B	Sweepers	10 MHz to 26.5 GHz	HP-IB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55 °C
83630A	Sweepers	10 MHz to 26.5 GHz	GPIB (HP-IB)	0 to +55 °C
83621B	Sweepers	45 MHz to 20 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488.2), HP 8510 System Bus	0 to 55 °C
83751A	Sweepers	2.0 GHz to 20.0 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488.2)	0 to 55 °C
8340A	Sweepers	10 MHz to 26.5 GHz	HP-IB (GPIB)	0 to 55 °C
83751B	Sweepers	2.0 to 20.0 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55 °C
83622B	Sweepers	2.0 to 20 GHz	GPIB (IEEE-488)	0 to 55 °C

The 8360 Series Synthesized Sweepers

The 8360 series represents a broad portfolio of high-performance sweepers. Available in both "A" and "B" generations, these instruments leverage indirect synthesis to achieve spectral purity. The series is segmented primarily by frequency range. The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83620B and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83620A cover 10 MHz to 20 GHz, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83630B and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83630A extend coverage to 26.5 GHz, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83640B and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83640A reach 40 GHz, and the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83650B and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83650A provide broadband coverage up to 50 GHz.

Standard models in this series offer a frequency resolution of 1 kHz. For applications demanding tighter frequency control, Option 008 upgrades the resolution to 1 Hz, which is standard on the dedicated Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83621B. Power attenuation can also be customized; adding Option 001 provides a step attenuator that extends the minimum power level from -20 dBm down to -110 dBm, as seen on the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83630B and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83650B.

High-Power and Specialized Sweeper Variants

Certain testing configurations require higher signal levels to overcome system losses. Within the 8360 line, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83623B and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83623A are specialized high-power versions covering 10 MHz to 20 GHz, delivering up to +17 dBm of calibrated, leveled power.

For automated microwave network analysis, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83621B is a dedicated source designed specifically for use with HP 8510 vector network analyzers. The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83621B features a frequency range of 45 MHz to 20 GHz and a 1 Hz resolution. It is distinguished by having no front-panel display or keyboard, as it is fully automated and controlled via the GPIB and the HP 8510 system bus.

The 83750 Series and Legacy Workhorses

The 83750 series is optimized for component testing, scalar network analysis, and general benchtop use. The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83751A covers 2.0 GHz to 20.0 GHz, while the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83752A and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83752B span 10 MHz to 20 GHz. The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83752A and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83752B are characterized by a 1 Hz standard frequency resolution without requiring optional upgrades. The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 83752B serves as the high-power version in this family.

Legacy workhorse models like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 8340B and Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 8341B also remain relevant for general-purpose sweep applications. The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 8340B operates from 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz with a multi-segment LED display and five frequency bands, while the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 8341B covers 10 MHz to 20 GHz, both providing reliable analog sweep performance and basic modulation support (AM, FM, and pulse).