Atec Agilent-E8364A User Manual

Agilent
PNA Series Microwave
Network Analyzers

Data Sheet

This document describes the performance and features of the
Agilent Technologies PNA Series microwave vector network analyzers:

E8362A 45 MHz to 20 GHz

E8363A 45 MHz to 40 GHz

E8364A 45 MHz to 50 GHz

2

Some definitions

All specifications and characteristics apply over a
25°C ±5°C range (unless otherwise stated) and 90
minutes after the instrument has been turned on.

Calibration: The process of measuring known
standards to characterize a network analyzer’s
systematic (repeatable) errors.

Characteristic (char.): A performance parameter
that the product is expected to meet before it
leaves the factory, but that is not verified in the
field and is not covered by the product warranty.
A characteristic includes the same guardbands
as a specification.

Corrected (residual): Indicates performance after
error correction (calibration). It is determined
by the quality of calibration standards and how
well “known” they are, plus system repeatability,
stability, and noise.

Nominal (nom.): A general, descriptive term that
does not imply a level of performance. It is not
covered by the product warranty.

Specification (spec.): Warranted performance.
Specifications include guardbands to account for
the expected statistical performance distribution,
measurement uncertainties, and changes in perfor­mance due to environmental conditions.

Standard: When referring to the analyzer, this
includes no options unless noted otherwise.

Typical (typ.): Expected performance of an average
unit, which does not include guardbands. It is not
covered by the product warranty.

Uncorrected (raw): Indicates instrument perfor­mance without error correction. The uncorrected
performance affects the stability of a calibration.

3

Table of contents

Corrected system performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

System dynamic range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Receiver dynamic range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Corrected system performance

with 2.4 mm connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Corrected system performance

with 3.5 mm connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Uncorrected system performance . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Test port output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Test port input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Measurement throughput summary . . . . . . . . . .23

Cycle time vs. IF bandwidth . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Cycle time vs. number of points . . . . . . . . . .23

Cycle time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Data transfer time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

PNA Series simplified test set block diagram . . .25

Measurement capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Source control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Trace functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Data accuracy enhancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

System capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Automation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Information resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Corrected system performance

The specifications in this section
apply for measurements made
with the Agilent E836xA PNA
Series microwave network
analyzer with the following
conditions:

• 10-Hz IF bandwidth

• no averaging applied to data

• environmental temperature of
25°C ±5°C, with less than 1°C
deviation from the calibration
temperature

• isolation calibration with an
averaging factor of 8

1. The system dynamic range is calculated as the

difference between the noise floor and the source
maximum output power. The effective dynamic
range must take measurement uncertainties and
interfering signals into account.

2. The test port system dynamic range is calculated

as the difference between the test port noise
floor and the source maximum output power. The
effective dynamic range must take measurement
uncertainties and interfering signals into account.

3. The direct receiver access input system dynamic

range is calculated as the difference between the
direct receiver access input noise floor and the
source maximum output power. The effective
dynamic range must take measurement uncertainties
and interfering signals into account. This set-up
should only be used when the receiver input will
never exceed its damage level. When the analyzer
is in segment sweep mode, the analyzer can have
pre-defined frequency segments which will output
a higher power level when the extended dynamic
range is required (i.e. devices with high insertion
loss), and reduced power when receiver damage
may occur (i.e. devices with low insertion loss).
The extended range is only available in one-path
transmission measurements.

4. May be limited to 100 dB at particular frequencies

below 500 MHz due to spurious receiver residuals.
Methods are available to regain the full dynamic
range.

System dynamic range

1

Description Specification (dB) Typical (dB) at direct

at test port

2

receiver access input

3

Dynamic range

Standard configuration and standard power range (E836xA)

45 to 500 MHz

4

94 N/A

500 MHz to 2 GHz 119 N/A

2 to 10 GHz 122 N/A

10 to 20 GHz 123 N/A

20 to 30 GHz 114 N/A

30 to 40 GHz 110 N/A

40 to 45 GHz 109 N/A

45 to 50 GHz 104 N/A

Extended configuration and standard power range (E836xA-Option 014)

45 to 500 MHz

4

94 132

500 MHz to 2 GHz 119 138

2 to 10 GHz 122 137

10 to 20 GHz 121 136

20 to 30 GHz 111 123

30 to 40 GHz 107 119

40 to 45 GHz 105 116

45 to 50 GHz 100 111

Standard configuration and extended power range and bias-tees (E836xA-Option UNL)

45 to 500 MHz

4

92 N/A

500 MHz to 2 GHz 117 N/A

2 to 10 GHz 120 N/A

10 to 20 GHz 121 N/A

20 to 30 GHz 112 N/A

30 to 40 GHz 108 N/A

40 to 45 GHz 105 N/A

45 to 50 GHz 99 N/A

Extended configuration and extended power range and bias-tees

(E836xA-Option UNL and Option 014)

45 to 500 MHz

4

92 130

500 MHz to 2 GHz 117 136

2 to 10 GHz 120 135

10 to 20 GHz 119 134

20 to 30 GHz 109 121

30 to 40 GHz 105 117

40 to 45 GHz 101 112

45 to 50 GHz 95 108

4

5

Receiver dynamic range

1

Description Specification (dB) Typical (dB) at direct

at test port

2

receiver access input

3

Dynamic range

Standard configuration and standard power range (E836xA) or standard configuration

and extended power range and bias-tees (E836xA-Option UNL)

45 to 500 MHz

4

94 N/A

500 MHz to 2 GHz 119 N/A

2 to 10 GHz 122 N/A

10 to 20 GHz 125 N/A

20 to 30 GHz 114 N/A

30 to 40 GHz 111 N/A

40 to 50 GHz 111 N/A

Extended configuration and standard power range (E836xA) or extended configuration

and extended power range and bias-tees (E836xA-Option 014 and Option UNL)

45 to 500 MHz

4

94 132

500 MHz to 2 GHz 119 138

2 to 10 GHz 122 137

10 to 20 GHz 124 139

20 to 40 GHz 113 125

40 to 45 GHz 110 122

45 to 50 GHz 109 120

1. The receiver dynamic range is calculated as the
difference between the noise floor and the receiver
maximum input level. The effective dynamic range
must take measurement uncertainties and interfering
signals into account.

2. The test port receiver dynamic range is calculated as
the difference between the test port noise floor and the
receiver maximum input level. The effective dynamic
range must take measurement uncertainties and
interfering signals into account.

3. The direct receiver access input receiver dynamic
range is calculated as the difference between the
direct receiver access input noise floor and the receiver
maximum input level. The effective dynamic range
must take measurement uncertainties and interfering
signals into account. This set-up should only be used
when the receiver input will never exceed its damage
level. When the analyzer is in segment sweep mode,
the analyzer can have pre-defined frequency segments
which will output a higher power level when the
extended dynamic range is required (i.e. devices with
high insertion loss), and reduced power when receiver
damage may occur (i.e. devices with low insertion
loss). The extended range is only available in one-path
transmission measurements.

4. May be limited to 100 dB at particular frequencies
below 500 MHz due to spurious receiver residuals.
Methods are available to regain the full dynamic range.

6

Corrected system performance with 2.4 mm connectors

Standard configuration and standard power range (E8363/4A)

Applies to E8363/4A PNA Series analyzer, 85056A (2.4 mm) calibration kit, 85133F flexible test port
cable set, and a full two-port calibration. (Specifications apply over environmental temperature of 23°
±3°C, with less than 1°C deviation from calibration temperature.)

Description Specification (dB)

0.045 kHz to 2 GHz 2 to 10 GHz 10 to 20 GHz 20 to 40 GHz 40 to 50 GHz

Directivity 42 42 42 38 36
Source match 41 38 38 33 31
Load match 42 42 42 37 35
Reflection tracking ±(0.001 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.008 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.008 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.020 + 0.3/°C) ±(0.027 + 0.4/°C)
Transmission tracking ±(0.014 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.033 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.039 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.105 + 0.3/°C) ±(0.200 + 0.4/°C)
Crosstalk (reflection port to < -85 (to 500 MHz)

transmission port: short < -100 (from 500 MHz) < -110 < -110 < -110 < -110
circuits at both ports;
isolation calibration
applied)

Transmission uncertainty (specifications)

Reflection uncertainty (specifications)

Magnitude

0.01

0.1

1

10

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (dB)

E8363/4A full 2-port cal using 85056A

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -12 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Phase

0.1

1

10

100

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (degrees)

E8363/4A full 2-port cal using 85056A

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -12 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Magnitude

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (linear)

E8363/4A with 85056A

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -12 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Phase

0

2

4

6

8

10

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (deg)

E8363/4A with 85056A

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -12 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

7

Extended configuration and standard power range (E8363/4A-Option 014)

Applies to E8363/4A PNA Series analyzer, 85056A (2.4 mm) calibration kit, 85133F flexible test port
cable set, and a full two-port calibration. (Specifications apply over environmental temperature of 23°
±3°C, with less than 1°C deviation from calibration temperature.)

Description Specification (dB)

0.045 kHz to 2 GHz 2 to 10 GHz 10 to 20 GHz 20 to 40 GHz 40 to 50 GHz

Directivity 42 42 42 38 36
Source match 41 38 38 33 31
Load match 42 42 42 37 35
Reflection tracking ±(0.001 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.008 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.008 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.020 + 0.3/°C) ±(0.027 + 0.4/°C)
Transmission tracking ±(0.019 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.039 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.053 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.114 + 0.3/°C) ±(0.215 + 0.4/°C)
Crosstalk (reflection port to < -85 (to 500 MHz)

transmission port: short < -100 (from 500 MHz) < -110 < -110 < -110 < -110
circuits at both ports;
isolation calibration
applied)

Transmission uncertainty (specifications)

Reflection uncertainty (specifications)

Magnitude

0.01

0.1

1

10

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (dB)

E8363/4A 014 full 2-port cal using 85056A

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Phase

0.1

1

10

100

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (degrees)

E8363/4A 014 full 2-port cal using 85056A

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Magnitude

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (linear)

E8363/4A 014 with 85056A

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Phase

0

2

4

6

8

10

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (deg)

E8363/4A 014 with 85056A

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

8

Corrected system performance with 2.4 mm connectors continued

Standard configuration and extended power range and bias-tees (E8363/4A-Option UNL)

Applies to E8363/4A PNA Series analyzer, 85056A (2.4 mm) calibration kit, 85133F flexible test port
cable set, and a full two-port calibration. (Specifications apply over environmental temperature of 23°
±3°C, with less than 1°C deviation from calibration temperature.)

Description Specification (dB)

0.045 kHz to 2 GHz 2 to 10 GHz 10 to 20 GHz 20 to 40 GHz 40 to 50 GHz

Directivity 42 42 42 38 36
Source match 41 38 38 33 31
Load match 42 42 42 37 35
Reflection tracking ±(0.001 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.008 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.008 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.020 + 0.3/°C) ±(0.027 + 0.4/°C)
Transmission tracking ±(0.019 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.039 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.053 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.114 + 0.3/°C) ±(0.215 + 0.4/°C)
Crosstalk (reflection port to < -85 (to 500 MHz)

transmission port: short < -100 (from 500 MHz) < -110 < -110 < -110 < -110
circuits at both ports;
isolation calibration
applied)

Transmission uncertainty (specifications)

Reflection uncertainty (specifications)

Magnitude

0.01

0.1

1

10

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (dB)

E8363/4A UNL full 2-port cal using 85056A

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Phase

0.1

1

10

100

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (degrees)

E8363/4A UNL full 2-port cal using 85056A

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Magnitude

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (linear)

E8363/4A UNL with 85056A

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Phase

0

2

4

6

8

10

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (deg)

E8363/4A UNL with 85056A

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

9

Extended configuration and extended power range and bias-tees (E8363/4A-Options UNL and 014)

Applies to E8363/4A PNA Series analyzer, 85056A (2.4 mm) calibration kit, 85133F flexible test port
cable set, and a full two-port calibration. (Specifications apply over environmental temperature of 23°
±3°C, with less than 1°C deviation from calibration temperature.)

Description Specification (dB)

0.045 kHz to 2 GHz 2 to 10 GHz 10 to 20 GHz 20 to 40 GHz 40 to 50 GHz

Directivity 42 42 42 38 36
Source match 41 38 38 33 31
Load match 42 42 42 37 35
Reflection tracking ±(0.001 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.008 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.008 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.020 + 0.3/°C) ±(0.027 + 0.4/°C)
Transmission tracking ±(0.019 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.039 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.053 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.114 + 0.3/°C) ±(0.215 + 0.4/°C)
Crosstalk (reflection port to < -85 (to 500 MHz)

transmission port: short < -100 (from 500 MHz) < -110 < -110 < -110 < -110
circuits at both ports;
isolation calibration
applied)

Transmission uncertainty (specifications)

Reflection uncertainty (specifications)

Magnitude

0.01

0.1

1

10

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (dB)

E8363/4A 014 & UNL full 2-port cal using 85056A

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Phase

0.1

1

10

100

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (degrees)

E8363/4A 014 & UNL full 2-port cal using 85056A

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Magnitude

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0.05

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (linear)

E8363/4A 014 & UNL with 85056A

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Phase

0

2

4

6

8

10

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (deg)

E8363/4A 014 & UNL with 85056A

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -17 dBm

■

45 MHz to 2 GHz

◆ 2 GHz to 20 GHz

▲ 20 GHz to 40 GHz

● 40 GHz to 50 GHz

10

Corrected system performance with 3.5 mm connectors

Standard configuration and standard power range (E8362A)

Applies to E8362A PNA Series analyzer, 85052B (3.5 mm) calibration kit, 85131F flexible test port cable
set, and a full two-port calibration. (Specifications apply over environmental temperature of 23° ±3°C,
with less than 1°C deviation from calibration temperature.)

Description Specification (dB)

45 MHz to 500 MHz 500 MHz to 2 GHz 2 to 10 GHz 10 to 20 GHz

Directivity 48 48 44 44
Source match 40 40 31 31
Load match 48 48 44 44
Reflection tracking ±(0.003 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.003 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.006 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.006 + 0.2/°C)
Transmission tracking ±(0.014 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.014 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.057 + 0.2/°C) ±(0.065 + 0.2/°C)
Crosstalk (reflection port to < -85 < -100 < -110 < -100

transmission port: short
circuits at both ports;
isolation calibration
applied)

Transmission uncertainty (specifications)

Reflection uncertainty (specifications)

Magnitude

0.01

0.1

1

10

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (dB)

E8362A full 2-port cal using 85052B

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -12 dBm

■

45 MHz to 500 MHz

◆ 500 MHz to 2 GHz

▲ 2 GHz to 10 GHz

● 10 GHz to 20 GHz

Phase

0.1

1

10

100

-90-80-70-60-50-40-30-20-10010

Transmission coefficient (dB)

Uncertainty (degrees)

E8362A full 2-port cal using 85052B

S11 = S22 = 0
Source power = -12 dBm

■

45 MHz to 500 MHz

◆ 500 MHz to 2 GHz

▲ 2 GHz to 10 GHz

● 10 GHz to 20 GHz

Magnitude

0

0.01

0.02

0.03

0.04

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (linear)

E8362A with 85052B

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -12 dBm

■

45 MHz to 500 MHz

◆ 500 MHz to 2 GHz

▲ 2 GHz to 10 GHz

● 10 GHz to 20 GHz

Phase

0

2

4

6

8

10

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Reflection coefficient (linear)

Uncertainty (deg)

E8362A with 85052B

S21 = S12 = 0
Source power = -12 dBm

■

45 MHz to 500 MHz

◆ 500 MHz to 2 GHz

▲ 2 GHz to 10 GHz

● 10 GHz to 20 GHz