Agilent
N8972A, N8973A, N8974A, N8975A
NFA Series Noise Figure Analyzers
Data Sheet
Specifications
Specifications are only valid for the stated operating frequency, and apply over
0° C to +55° C unless otherwise noted. The analyzer will meet its specifications
after 2 hours of storage within the operating temperature range, 60 minutes after
the analyzer is turned on, with Alignment running. A user calibration is required
before corrected measurements can be made.
Frequency
Frequency range
1
N8972A 10 MHz to 1.5 GHz
N8973A 10 MHz to 3.0 GHz
N8974A 10 MHz to 6.7 GHz
N8975A 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz
Measurement bandwidth (nominal)
N8972A 4 MHz
N8973A, N8974A, N8975A 4 MHz, 2 MHz, 1 MHz, 400 kHz, 200 kHz, 100 kHz
Frequency reference
Standard
2
Opt.1D5
3
Aging ± < 2 ppm4/year ± < 0.1 ppm/year
Temperature stability ± < 6 ppm ± < 0.01 ppm
Settability ± < 0.5 ppm ± < 0.01 ppm
Tuning Accuracy
5
(Start, Stop, Center, Marker)
4MHz measurement Bandwidth (default on all models of Noise Figure analyzer)
Frequency Error
10MHz – 3.0 GHz ±< Reference error + 100 kHz
3.0GHz – 26.5 GHz ±< Reference error + 400 kHz
<4 MHz- Measurement Bandwidth (functionality not present in N8972A)
Frequency Error
10MHz – 3.0 GHz <± Reference error + 20 kHz
3.0GHz – 26.5 GHz <± Reference error + 20% of measurement bandwidth
1. The N8974A and N8975A models have a mechanical switch fitted. This switch allows the analyzers to change between the 10 MHz to 3.0GHz
and the 3.0 GHz to 6.7 GHz frequency range on the N8974A. On the N8975A, the switch allows the change between the 10 MHz to 3.0 GHz and the 3.0GHz to
26.5 GHz frequency range. If the current measurement frequency range crosses the 3.0GHz point, the switch will operate. The mechanical switch has a limited
number of cycles over which it is reliable. To maximize the reliable life of the switch, switching over the 3.0GHz frequency point should be kept to a minimum.
2. Temperature stability on the standard frequency reference is achieved 60 minutes after the analyzer is turned on.
3. Option 1D5 recommended for applications requiring high frequency stability.
4. Parts Per Million (10
5. Tuning accuracy is dependent on measurement bandwidth.
-6
).
2
Noise figure and gain
Performance is dependent on the ENR1of the noise source used:
N8972A Noise source ENR
4-7 dB 12-17 dB 20-22 dB
Noise figure Measurement range 0 to 20 dB 0 to 30 dB 0 to 35 dB
2
Gain
N8973A, N8974A and N8975A Noise source ENR
(10 MHz to 3.0 GHz) 4-7 dB 12-17 dB 20-22 dB
Noise figure Measurement range 0 to 20 dB 0 to 30 dB 0 to 35 dB
2
Gain
N8974A and N8975A Noise source ENR
(>3.0 GHz) 4-7 dB 12-17 dB 20-22 dB
Noise figure Measurement range 0 to 20 dB 0 to 30 dB 0 to 35 dB
2
Gain
Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.1 dB ± < 0.1 dB ± < 0.15 dB
Measurement range -20 to +40 dB
Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.17 dB
Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.05 dB ± <0.05 dB ± < 0.1 dB
Measurement range -20 to +40 dB
Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.17 dB
Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.15 dB ± <0.15 dB ± < 0.2 dB
Measurement range -20 to +40 dB
Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.17 dB
Instrument’s noise figure
10 MHz to 500 MHz to 2.3 GHz to > 3 GHz to 13.2 GHz to
< 500 MHz < 2.3 GHz 3 GHz 13.2 GHz 26.5 GHz
< 4.9 dB + < 7.4 dB + < 4.4 dB + < 12 dB < 16 dB
Noise figure (0.0025 * (0.00135 * (0.0015 *
freq in MHz) freq in MHz) freq in MHz)
Noise figure < 4.4 dB + < 5.9 dB + < 2.9 dB + < 10.5 dB < 12.5 dB
over a limited (0.0025 * (0.00135 * (0.0015 *
temperature freq in MHz) freq in MHz) freq in MHz)
range of
23° C ± 3° C
1. Excess Noise Ratio
2. For measurement bandwidths below 4 MHz, and spacing between measurement points below 3 MHz,
gain uncertainty may increase to a maximum of ± 0.7 dB.
3
RF input
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8
2
500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Frequency (MHz)
SWR
10
Connector
N8972A, N8973A N female, 50 Ω nominal
N8974A, N8975A APC 3.5 (m), 50 Ω nominal (ESD sensitive)
SWR (50 Ω reference)
10 MHz to 500 MHz to 1 GHz to 1.5 GHz to 3 GHz to 6.7 GHz to 20 GHz to
500 MHz 1 GHz 1.5 GHz 3 GHz 6.7 GHz 20 GHz 26.5 GHz
SWR < 1.6:1 < 1.8:1 < 1.9:1 < 1.8:1 < 1.3:1 < 2.1:1 < 2.4:1
Characteristic1SWR at 23° C ±3° C (10 MHz to 3.0 GHz)
1. Characteristic values are met or bettered by 90% of instruments with 90% confidence.
5
Measurement
Sweep
Number of points 2 to 401, or fixed frequency
Setting Start/Stop, Center/Span,
Frequency list of up to 401 points
Sweep trigger Continuous or Single
Measurement speed
N8972A ( 10 MHz to 1.5 GHz) <100 ms/measurement <80 ms/measurement
N8973A ( 10 MHz to 3.0 GHz) <50 ms/measurement <42 ms/measurement
N8974A ( 10 MHz to 3.0 GHz) < 50 ms/measurement <42 ms/measurement
N8974A ( 3.0 GHz to 6.7 GHz) < 70 ms/measurement <50 ms/measurement
N8975A ( 10 MHz to 3.0 GHz) < 50 ms/measurement <42 ms/measurement
N8975A ( 3.0 GHz to 26.5 GHz) < 70 ms/measurement <50 ms/measurement
Modes
Amplifier
Downconverter in DUT With fixed or variable IF.
Upconverter in DUT With fixed or variable IF.
System downconverter Allows the use of an external downconverting
Loss compensation Table of values vs. frequency for losses between
SNS Series noise source ENR tables automatic upload. Continuous upload
1
(nominal)
8 averages 64 averages
8 averages 64 averages
Instrument capable of controlling an external
LO via dedicated 'LO GPIB' connector
Instrument capable of controlling an external
LO via dedicated 'LO GPIB' connector
mixer as part of the measurement system.
Instrument capable of controlling an external
LO via dedicated 'LO GPIB' connector
noise source and DUT, and between DUT
and analyzer
of T
cold
1. Corrected Noise Figure and Gain measured on a 3dB pad with a repetitive sweep of 101 points from 600 MHz to 1.0 GHz with a 4 MHz measurement bandwidth.
2. Corrected Noise Figure and Gain measured on a 3dB pad with a repetitive sweep of 101 points from 4.0 GHz to 6 GHz with a 4 MHz measurement bandwidth.
7
Display
Type 17cm color LCD panel
Output format Graphical, table of values, or meter mode
Display channels 2
Number of markers 4 per display channel
Limit lines Upper and lower for each of 2 channels
Display units
Noise figure Noise figure (F dB), or as a ratio (F)
Gain Gain (G dB), or as a ratio (G)
Y-factor Y-factor (Y dB) or as a ratio (Y)
Effective noise temperature Effective input noise temperature in Kelvin, °C, °F
P
hot Relative power density in dB or as a ratio
P
cold Relative power density in dB or as a ratio
Connectivity
GPIB IEEE-488 bus connector
LO GPIB IEEE-488 bus connector dedicated to local
oscillator control (SCPI or custom command set)
Serial RS-232, 9-pin D-Sub male
Printer 25-pin parallel D-Sub female, for connection
with IEEE 1284 cable to a PCL3 or PCL5
compatible printer
VGA output 15-pin mini D-Sub female
Probe power (nominal) +15 Vdc, -12.6 Vdc at 150 mA max.
10 MHz Ref out 50 Ω nominal BNC (f), >0 dBm
10 MHz Ref in 50 Ω nominal BNC (f), -15 to +10 dBm
BNC Noise source drive output
Connector type 50 Ω-type BNC (f)
Output voltage On: 28.0 V ±0.1 V at up to 60mA peak
Off: <1 V
SNS Noise source connector For use with Agilent Technologies’
SNS Series noise sources
1
1. 31.5 kHz horizontal, 60 Hz vertical sync rates, non-interlaced, analog RGB 640 x 480
8
General specifications
Data storage (nominal)
Internal drive 30 traces, states or ENR tables
Floppy disk 30 traces, states or ENR tables
Power requirements
On (line 1) 90 to 132 V rms, 47 to 440 Hz
195 to 250 V rms, 47 to 66 Hz
Power consumption<300 W
Standby (line 0) <5 W
Dimensions
Without handle 222mm(H) x 410mm(D) x 375mm(W)
With handle (max) 222mm(H) x 515mm(D) x 409mm(W)
Weight (typical, without options)
N8972A 15.3 kg (33.7 lbs.)
N8973A 15.5 kg (34.2 lbs.)
N8974A 17.5 kg (38.61 lbs.)
N8975A 17.5 kg (38.61 lbs.)
Audible noise
<42 dBa pressure and <5.0 bels power (ISODP7779)
Temperature range
Operating 0° C to +55° C
Storage -40° C to +70° C
Humidity range
Operating Up to 95% relative humidity to 40° C
(non-condensing)
Altitude range
Operating to 4,600 meters
Calibration interval
1-year minimum recommended
9
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