Agilent N8974A Data Sheet

Agilent
N8973A, N8974A, N8975A
NFA Series Noise Figure Analyzers

Data Sheet

1. The N8974A and N8975A models have a mechanical switch fitted. This switch allows the analyzers to change between the 10 MHz to 3.0 GHz
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 3.0 GHz to

26.5 GHz frequency range. If the current measurement frequency range crosses the 3.0 GHz 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 3.0 GHz 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

-6

).

5. Tuning accuracy is dependent on measurement bandwidth.

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

N8973A 10 MHz to 3.0 GHz
N8974A 10 MHz to 6.7 GHz
N8975A 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz

Measurement bandwidth (nominal)

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 accuracy5(start, stop, center, marker)

4 MHz measurement bandwidth (default on all models of noise figure analyzer)

Frequency Error

10 MHz – 3.0 GHz ± < reference error + 100 kHz

3.0 GHz – 26.5 GHz ± < reference error + 400 kHz

< 4 MHz- measurement bandwidth (functionality not present in N8972A)

Frequency Error

10 MHz – 3.0 GHz < ± reference error + 20 kHz

3.0 GHz – 26.5 GHz < ± reference error + 20% of measurement bandwidth

2

Noise figure and gain

Performance is dependent on the ENR1of the noise source used:

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

Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.05 dB ± < 0.05 dB ± < 0.1 dB

Gain

2

Measurement range -20 to +40 dB
Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.17 dB

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

Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.15 dB ± < 0.15 dB ± < 0.2 dB

Gain

2

Measurement range -20 to +40 dB
Instrument uncertainty ± < 0.17 dB

For NFA models that either have a serial prefix less than GB4446 or are fitted with the
Noise Figure RF board, N8972-60001.

Instrument’s own noise figure

For NFA models that either have a serial prefix greater than GB4446 or are fitted with the
Noise Figure RF board, N8972-60101.

Instrument’s own noise figure

3

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.

Frequency Noise figure Noise figure over a limited

temperature range of 23° C ± 3° C

10 MHz to 3.0 GHz < 4.8 dB + (0.00124 * freq in MHz) < 4.4 dB + (0.00117 * freq in MHz)

> 3.0 GHz to 13.2 GHz < 12.0 dB < 10.5 dB

> 13.2 GHz to 26.5 GHz < 16.0 dB < 12.5 dB

Frequency Noise figure Noise figure over a limited

temperature range of 23° C ± 3° C

10 MHz to < 500 MHz < 4.9 dB + (0.0025 * freq in MHz) < 4.4 dB + (0.0025 * freq in MHz)

500 MHz to < 2.3 GHz < 7.4 dB + (0.00135 * freq in MHz) < 5.9 dB + (0.00135 * freq in MHz)

2.3 GHz to 3.0 GHz 4.9 dB + (0.0015 * freq in MHz) < 2.9 dB + (0.0015 * freq in MHz)

> 3.0 GHz to 13.2 GHz < 12.0 dB < 10.5 dB

> 13.2 GHz to 26.5 GHz < 16.0 dB < 12.5 dB

Characteristic1noise figure at 23° C ±3° C (10 MHz to 3.0 GHz)
For NFA models that have either a serial prefix of GB4446 or greater or are fitted with Noise Figure RF board, N8972-60101.

Characteristic

1

noise figure at 23° C ±3° C (3.0 GHz to 26.5 GHz)

Maximum external gain between noise source output and RF input

2

> 65 dB

Averaging

Up to 999 measurement results

Jitter

3

Jitter with no averaging

4

5 dB Y-factor standard deviation < 0.1 dB

4

1. Characteristic values are met or bettered by 90% of instruments with 90% confidence.

2. Subject to maximum operating input power.

3. Specified for a 4 MHz measurement bandwidth. Jitter in noise figure is equivalent to jitter in Y-factor to within 10% for ENR > 14 dB and F < 4 dB.
At minimum smoothing, jitter can limit accuracy; the small jitter at high smoothing does not.

4. For true Gaussian noise, jitter reduces with increased averaging typically by a factor of 1/√(number of averages).

5

RF input

Connector

N8973A N female, 50 Ω nominal
N8974A, N8975A APC 3.5 (m), 50 Ω nominal (ESD sensitive)

SWR (50 Ω reference)

For NFA models that have either a serial prefix less than GB4446 or are fitted with Noise Figure RF board, N8972-60001.

For NFA models that have either a serial prefix of GB4446 or greater or are fitted with Noise Figure RF board, N8972-60101.

10 MHz to 500 MHz to 1.5 GHz to 3 GHz to 6.7 GHz to 20 GHz to
500 MHz 1.5 GHz 3 GHz 6.7 GHz 20 GHz 26.5 GHz

SWR < 1.5:1 < 1.7:1 < 1.8:1 < 1.3:1 < 2.1:1 < 2.4:1

Characteristic1SWR at 23° C ±3° C (10 MHz to 3.0 GHz)
For NFA models that have either a serial prefix of GB4446 or greater or are fitted with Noise Figure RF board, N8972-60101.

1. Characteristic values are met or bettered by 90% of instruments with 90% confidence.

10 MHz to 500 MHz to 1000 MHz to 1500 MHz to 3000 MHz to 6700 MHz to 20000 MHz to
500 MHz 1000 MHz 1500 MHz 3000 MHz 6700 MHz 20000 MHz 26500 MHz

Input VSWR Test Record ≤ 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 (3.0 Ghz to 26.5 Ghz)

Maximum operating input power

2

-10 dBm

Maximum protected input level

±20 Vdc; +15 dBm peak (or average) at RF

1. Characteristic values are met or bettered by 90% of instruments with 90% confidence.

2. This is the total wide-band noise power. Contributing factors are: Noise source ENR, external gain, noise figure and bandwidth (including DUT).

6

7

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 speed1 (nominal)

8 averages 64 averages

N8973A ( 10 MHz to 3.0 GHz) < 50 ms/measurement < 42 ms/measurement

8 averages 64 averages

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.

Instrument capable of controlling an external
LO via dedicated 'LO GPIB' connector

Upconverter in DUT With fixed or variable IF.

Instrument capable of controlling an external
LO via dedicated 'LO GPIB' connector

System downconverter Allows the use of an external downconverting

mixer as part of the measurement system.
Instrument capable of controlling an external
LO via dedicated 'LO GPIB' connector

Loss compensation Table of values vs. frequency for losses between

noise source and DUT, and between DUT
and analyzer

SNS Series noise source ENR tables automatic upload. Continuous upload

of T

cold

1. Corrected Noise Figure and Gain measured on a 3 dB 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 3 dB pad with a repetitive sweep of 101 points from 4.0 GHz to 6 GHz with a 4 MHz measurement bandwidth.

Display

Type 17 cm 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

1

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. 31.5 kHz horizontal, 60 Hz vertical sync rates, non-interlaced, analog RGB 640 x 480.

8

9

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)

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

Electromagnetic Compatibility

This product conforms with the protection requirements of European Council Directive
89/336/EEC for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC).

The conformity assessment requirements have been met using the technical construction
file route to compliance, using EMC test specifications EN 55011:1991
(Group 1, Class A) and EN 50082-1:1992.

In order to preserve the EMC performance of the product, any cable which becomes
worn or damaged must be replaced with the same type and specification.

Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic
Field Immunity

When a 3 Vm-1 radio-frequency electromagnetic field is applied to the noise figure
analyzer according to IEC 61000-4-3:1995, degradation of performance may be observed.
When the frequency of the incident filed matches the frequency of a measured noise
figure or gain, the values displayed will deviate from those expected. This phenomenon
will only affect that specific frequency, and the analyzer will continue to perform to
specification at all other frequency sample points.

The noise figure analyzer may be unable to calibrate a chosen frequency sample point,
if the frequency matches that of an incident electromagnetic field.

1

1. Radiated immunity testing. When tested at 3 V/m, according to IEC 801-3/1984, the displayed average noise level will be within specifications over the full
immunity test frequency range of 27 MHz to 500 MHz except at the immunity test frequencies of 223.5714 MHz +/- selected resolution bandwidth, and

437.1429 MHz +/- selected resolution bandwidth, where the displayed average noise level can be up to -45 dBm. When the noise figure analyzer
tuned frequency is identical to these immunity test frequencies, the measurements could be corrupted and there may be signals of up to -70 dBm
displayed on the screen.

10

11

For further information

Key literature:

Please visit the Agilent noise figure analysis web site for on-line
access to literature or contact your local Agilent sales office or
representative.

Noise Figure Analyzers - NFA Series - Brochure,

literature number 5980-0166E

Noise Figure Analyzers - NFA Series - Configuration Guide,
literature number 5980-0163E

Fundamentals of RF and Microwave Noise Figure Measurements,
Application Note 57-1, literature number 5952-8255E

Noise Figure Measurement Accuracy, Application Note 57-2,

literature number 5952-3706E

10 Hints for Making Successful Noise Figure Measurements;
Application Note 57-3, literature number 5980-0288E

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Revised: May 7, 2007

Product specifications and descriptions in
this document subject to change without
notice.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2001- 2007
Printed in USA, November 5, 2007
5980-0164E

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