Atec Agilent-N432A User Manual

Agilent N432A

Key features

• Frequency range: 100 kHz to
18GHz (sensor dependent)

• Power range: –30 dBm (1 μW)
to +10 dBm (10 mW)

• High accuracy ± (0.1% of
reading + 0.5 μW), excellent
for 1 mW transfer calibration
(with 478A-H75)

Thermistor Power Meter

Data Sheet

• Built in 6.5 digit ADC
eliminates the need of
external DMM

• Selectable bridge resistance
(100/200/300/400 Ω)

• Remote interface flexibility

• DC substitution measurement,
traceable to the U.S. National
Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST)

Agilent’s only power meter that supports
thermistor mount with useful enhancements for
metrology and calibration lab environments.

Why Agilent’s Power Meters and Sensors?

Reliable, high-performing solutions

Every power meter and sensor from Agilent consistently delivers great results.

A sure investment for many years to come

Code-compatibility between power meters reduces the need for re-coding. Not
only that, all Agilent power meters are backward-compatible with most legacy
power sensors.

One specific application: One right solution

Agilent offers a wide selection of power meters and sensors for practically
all application needs—wireless communications, radar pulse measurements,
component test, and more.

Global network support

No matter where you are, Agilent is committed to giving you the 24-hour
support you need regarding our products, applications, or services.

Agilent’s power meters have long been
recognized as the industry standard for
RF and microwave power measurements.

2

We Listened to the Industry, Then Delivered a Better and Easier
Replacement Solution for the Legacy 432A Analog Power Meter

LXI Class-C compliant N432A

As today’s power measurements
become more complex, it is increas­ingly difficult to make reliable, accu­rate power measurements. For more
than 40 years, you’ve depended on
Agilent’s 432A analog power meter,
used with temperature compensated
thermistor sensors to provide high
accuracy over a wide temperature
range.

Today, the Agilent N432A digital
thermistor power meter, loaded with
enhancements, including a color
digital display, and intuitive front
panel interface will continue support
your measurement needs with greater
capability and expanded functionality.
Best of all, you can get these extras
at just a fraction of the price of the
legacy 432A.

The N432A is a single-channel, aver­age RF power measurement meter
that supports thermistor sensors. The
N432A has the capability to measure
and display average power, RF bridge
voltages (V
bridge voltages (V

and V

RF0

), compensation

RF1

and V

COMP0

COMP1

),
V0, and V1. It is also provided with a
set of features such as zeroing and a
built-in self-test.

Developed using LXI technology,
the N432A is an LXI Class-C compli­ant instrument.1 The N432A basic
configuration consists of two key
sections: bridge and meter logic.
When a compatible thermistor sensor
is connected to the N432A, the RF
and compensation bridge circuits
are formed in the bridge section. VRF,
which is the voltage at the top of the
RF bridge, is responsive to both input

RF power and ambient temperature
changes. On the other hand, V

COMP

,
which is the voltage at the top of the
compensation bridge, is responsive
only to ambient temperature changes.
The VRF and V

values are used in

COMP

calculating the RF power. Meanwhile,
the meter logic section processes VRF
and V

to produce a meter current

COMP

proportional to RF power.

In general, the N432A is an
easy-to-use instrument, especially
with the availability of an integrated
Web browser that provides a con­venient way to view and modify the
instrument network configuration.
Besides the LAN interface, the N432A
also supports industry standard GPIB
and USB interfaces for measurement
automation.

1. LXI, an acronym for LAN eXtension for Instrumentation, is an instrument standard for devices that use the Ethernet (LAN) as their primary
communication interface.

3

High accuracy—no
thermoelectric error

The high accuracy ± (0.1% of reading
+ 0.5 μW) over a wide temperature
range featured in the legacy 432A
power meter is also included in the
N432A, making it excellent for 1 mW
transfer calibration (with 478A-H75/
H76*). Accuracy can be maintained
on even the most sensitive range as
the error due to thermoelectric effect
is reduced to a negligible level.

* 478-H75/H76 has a maximum SWR of

1.05 at 50 MHz

Sensor compatibility

The N432A is compatible with the Agilent 478A and 8478B thermistor sensors.
The following table lists the frequency range and operating resistance for these
two sensors:

Thermistor sensor model Frequency range (GHz) Operating resistance (Ω)

478A 0.01 to 10 200

478A Option H63 0.000001 to 1 200

478A Option H75 0.001 to 1 200

478A Option H76 0.001 to 1 200

8478B 0.01 to 18 200

For further information on the thermistor sensors, refer to the respective manuals.

4

Take a Closer Look

N432A front panel

High-resolution color LCD display
for easy viewing of test results

Display key allows
selection of the
display format for
the active window
(single/split screen)

Display key
allows selection
of the display
mode (windowed,
expanded, or full­screen) of numeric
measurements

Soft keys provide
menu selection

Hard keys provide quick access to the
most frequently used functions, such as
System, Trigger, and Acquisition, etc.

Arrow keys enable navigation of parameter entry
screens, values selection, and entering of text

Numeric keypad
for easy entry of
numeric values

Power reference
of 1 mW (0 dBm)

Channel sensor connector

N432A back panel

and V

V

RF

output terminals
for calibrating the
N432A and for
precision power
measurements

COMP

DC recorder outputs (DC voltage corresponds

Ground connector

to the power level of the channel input)

Go beyond GPRB with USB and LAN/LXI-C interface

Line power accepts
voltage with
automatic range
selection

5

Specifications and Characteristics

Specifications describe the instrument’s warranted performance and apply after a 30 minute warm-up.

These specifications are valid over its operating/environmental range unless otherwise stated and after performing a zero
and calibration procedure.

Supplemental characteristics (shown in italics) are intended to provide additional information, useful in applying the instru­ment by giving typical (expected), but not warranted performance parameters. These characteristics are shown in italics or
labeled as “typical”, “nominal” or “approximate”.

General specifications

Frequency range 100 kHz to 18 GHz, sensor dependent

Power range –30 to +10 dBm (1 μW to 10 mW), thermistor-sensor dependent

Compatible power sensors • Agilent 478A thermistor sensor (100 kHz to 10 GHz, with option H63)

• Agilent 8478B thermistor sensor (10 MHz to 18 GHz)

Meter power accuracy
Power absolute accuracy ± (0.1% of reading + 0.5 μW)

Meter voltage accuracy
(1-year reference specifications)
VRF and V
V0 and V

COMP

1

Bridge resistance 100, 200, 300, or 400 Ω (user selectable)

Display units
Power
Relative
V

, V

, V0, and V

RF

COMP

1

Bridge resistance

Display resolution
Power

Default resolution
Voltage
Bridge resistance

23 °C ± 5 °C: ± (0.0035% + 50 µV) [reading + range]
23 °C ± 5 °C: ± (0.0040% + 25 µV) [reading + range]

Watts (W) or dBm
Percent (%) or dB
VDC and mVDC
Ohm

Selectable resolution of: 1.0, 0.1, 0.01 and 0.001 dB in logarithmic mode, or 1, 2, 3, and 4
significant digits in linear mode

0.01 dB in logarithmic mode or three digits in linear mode

6.5-digit resolution

6.5-digit resolution

6

Specifications and Characteristics (continued)

Power meter functions

Accessed by key entry Either hard keys, or soft key menu, and programmable

Zero Zeros the meter. (Power reference calibrator is switched off during zeroing)

Frequency Entered frequency range is used to interpolate the calibration factors table. Frequency range from

1 kHz to 999.9 GHz

Bridge resistance type Setting the bridge resistance, user-selectable Rmeasure (factory set) or Ruser (measured by user)

Cal factor Sets the cal factor versus frequency for the calibration factor for power sensor. Range: 1.00% to

150.00%, in 0.01% increments. Cal factor can be set from either CF table or single entry CF

Relative Displays all successive measurements relative to the last displayed value

Offset Allows power measurements to be offset by –100 to +100 dB, settable in 0.001dB increments, to

compensate for external loss or gain. Offset table can be set from either CF table or single entry
CF

Save/recall Store up to 10 instrument states via the save/recall menu

Measurement averaging Selectable from 4 to 128

Duty cycle Duty cycle values between 0.001 to 99.999%, in 0.001% increments, can be entered to display a

peak power representation of measured power. The following equation is used to calculate the
displayed peak power value: peak power = measured power/duty cycle

Limits High and low limits can be set in the range –150.000 to +230.000 dBm, in 0.001 dBm increments

Preset default values dBm mode, relative off, power reference off, duty cycle off, offset off, frequency 50 MHz,

measurement averaging 16, free run

Display Color display with selectable single and split screen formats are available. User selectable on

digital measurement type or analog scale presentation

1 mW (0 dBm) power reference

1.0 mW (0.0 dBm), 50 MHz from type N (f) connector on the front panel, for power meter/sensor
function check.

Accuracy (for two years)

SWR

± 0.4% (25 ± 10 ºC)
± 1.2% (0 to 45 ºC)

1.06 maximum

7

Specifications and Characteristics (continued)

Power meter general specifications

Dimensions The following dimensions exclude

front and rear protrusions:

212.6 mm W x 88.5 mm H x 348.3 mm D
(8.5 in x 3.5 in x 13.7 in)

Weight Model Net Shipping

N432A 3.6 kg (8.0 lb) 8.2 kg (18.1 lb)

Rear panel connectors

VRF output VRF BNC terminal outputs the RF bridge voltage, used to connect to external DMM for more

precise power measurement

V

output V

COMP

Recorder output Analog 0 to 1 V, 1 kΩ output impedance, BNC connector

GPIB, USB 2.0 and 10/100BaseT LAN Interfaces to allow communication with an external controller

Ground Binding post, accepts 4 mm plug or bare wire connection

Line power
Input voltage range

Input frequency range

Power requirement 70 VA

BNC terminal outputs the compensation bridge voltage, used to connect to external

COMP

DMM for more precise power measurement

100 – 240 VAC, automatic selection
220 – 240 V ±10%
50 – 60 Hz, 400 Hz
400 Hz (100 – 120 Vac)

8

Specifications and Characteristics (continued)

Environmental characteristics

Electromagnetic compatibility Complies with the essential requirements of EMC Directive (2004/108/EC) as follows:

• IEC61326-1:2005 / EN61326-1:2006

• CISPR11:2003 / EN55011:2007 (Group 1, Class A)

The product also meets the following EMC standards:

• Canada: ICES/NMB-001:2004

• Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS CISPR 11:2004

Product safety This product conforms to the requirements of the following safety standards:

• IEC 61010-1:2001 / EN 61010-1:2001

• CAN/CSA-C22.2 No.61010-1-04

• ANSI/UL61010-1:2004

Low voltage directive This product conforms to the requirements of European Council Directive “2006/95/EC”

Operating environment
Temperature
Maximum humidity
Minimum humidity
Maximum altitude

Storage conditions
Non-operating storage temperature
Non-operating maximum humidity
Non-operating maximum altitude

Remote programming
Interface
Command language
GPIB compatibility

0 °C to 45 °C
95% at 40 °C (non-condensing)
15% at 40 °C (non-condensing)
4,600 m (15,000 ft)

–40 °C to +70 °C
90% at 65 °C (non-condensing)
4,600 m (15,000 ft)

GPIB, USB, and LAN interfaces operates to IEEE 488.2 standard
SCPI standard interface commands
SH1, AH1, T6, TE0, L4, LE0, SR1, RL1, PP1, DC1, DT1, C0

9

Ordering Information

Standard product

N432A Thermistor power meter

Standard shipped accessories • Thermistor sensor adaptor cable 1.5 m* (5 ft)

• Power cord (country dependant)

• USB adaptor cable

• Agilent N432A thermistor power meter product reference CD-ROM

• Envelope—calibration certificate

• IO libraries media suite

Warranty • Standard 1-year, return-to-Agilent warranty and service plan

• 3 months for standard shipped accessories

Power sensors, accessories, calibration, and documentation options

478A-H13 Frequency range 100 kHz to 1 GHz, with maximum SWR 1.8 to 300 KHz, 1.3 to 1 GHz. Include 13

frequency points Standard Lab calibration

478A-H55 Frequency range 1 MHz to 1 GHz, with maximum SWR 1.3

478A-H63 Frequency range 100 kHz to 1 GHz, max SWR 1.8 to 300 kHz, 1.3 to 1 GHz

478A-H72 Frequency range 1 MHz to 1 GHz, with maximum SWR 1.2

478A-H73 Frequency range 1 MHz to 100 MHz, with maximum SWR 1.1, except 1.05 at 50 MHz

478A-H75 Frequency range 1 MHz to 1 GHz, max SWR 1.3 except 1.05 at 50 MHz

478A-H76 Frequency range 1 MHz to 1 GHz, max SWR 1.3 except 1.05 at 50 MHz. Standard lab calibration at

50 MHz

478A-H83 Frequency range 1 MHz to 1 GHz, with maximum SWR 1.3, except 1.05 at 50 MHz Include 8

frequency points Standard Lab calibration

478A-H93 Frequency range 1 MHz to 1 GHz, with maximum SWR 1.3, except 1.05 at 50 MHz Include 2

frequency points Standard Lab calibration

8478B-H01 Frequency range 10 MHz to 18 GHz, with maximum SWR 1.05 at 50 MHz

8478B-H27 Frequency range 10 MHz to 18 GHz. Include Standard Lab calibration at 9 MHz

N4998A Thermistor sensor adaptor cable 1.5 m (5 ft)

N4998B Thermistor sensor adaptor cable 3 m (10 ft)

N4998C Thermistor sensor adaptor cable 6.1 m (20 ft)

N432A-908 Rackmount kit with 1 unit with blank filler included

N432A-909 Rackmount kit with 2 units side-by-side

N432A-OBK English language user guide and English programming guide

N432A-ABJ Japanese user guide and English programming guide

N432A-0B1 English language user guide and installation guide

N432A-0BF English language programming guide

N432A-A6J Certificate of compliance calibration - ANSI/NCSL Z540

N432A-1A7 Compliant calibration test data - ISO17025

* The 1.5 m (5 ft) standard cable can be replaced with a 3 or 6.1 m (10 or 20 ft) cable, charges apply

10

www.agilent.com

s

www.agilent.com/find/N432A

myAgilent

myAgilent

www.agilent.com/find/myagilent

A personalized view into the information most
relevant to you.

www.axiestandard.org

AdvancedTCA
Instrumentation and Test (AXIe) is an
open standard that extends the
AdvancedTCA for general purpose and
semiconductor test. Agilent is a founding

member of the AXIe consortium.

www.lxistandard.org

LAN eXtensions for Instruments puts the
power of Ethernet and the Web inside
your test systems. Agilent is a founding
member of the LXI consortium.

www.pxisa.org

PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation
(PXI) modular instrumentation delivers
a rugged, PC-based high-performance
measurement and automation system.

®

Extensions for

Agilent Channel Partners

www.agilent.com/find/channelpartners

Get the best of both worlds: Agilent’s
measurement expertise and product
breadth, combined with channel partner

convenience.

Three-Year Warranty

www.agilent.com/find/ThreeYearWarranty

Agilent’s combination of product reliability
and three-year warranty coverage is another
way we help you achieve your business goals:
increased confidence in uptime, reduced cost
of ownership and greater convenience.

Agilent Advantage Services

www.agilent.com/find/AdvantageServices

Accurate measurements throughout the
life of your instruments.

Agilent Electronic Measurement Group

DEKRA Certified

ISO 9001:2008

Quality Management SystemQuality Management Sy

www.agilent.com/quality

For more information on Agilent
Technologies’ products, applications or
services, please contact your local Agilent

office. The complete list is available at:

www.agilent.com/find/contactus

Americas

Canada [phone]
Brazil (11) 4197 3600
Mexico 01800 5064 800
United States [phone]

Asia Pacifi c

Australia 1 800 629 485
China 800 810 0189
Hong Kong 800 938 693
India 1 800 112 929
Japan 0120 (421) 345
Korea 080 769 0800
Malaysia 1 800 888 848
Singapore 1 800 375 8100
Taiwan 0800 047 866
Other AP Countries (65) 375 8100

Europe & Middle East

Belgium 32 (0) 2 404 93 40
Denmark 45 45 80 12 15
Finland 358 (0) 10 855 2100
France 0825 010 700*
*0.125 €/minute
Germany 49 (0) 7031 464 6333
Ireland 1890 924 204
Israel 972-3-9288-504/544
Italy 39 02 92 60 8484
Netherlands 31 (0) 20 547 2111
Spain 34 (91) 631 3300
Sweden 0200-88 22 55
United Kingdom 44 (0) 118 927 6201

For other unlisted countries:
www.agilent.com/find/contactus

(BP-3-1-13)

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

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2013
Published in USA, March 25, 2013
5990-5740EN