Atec Agilent-N8972A, Agilent-N8973A, Agilent-N8974A, Agilent-N8975A User Manual
Noise Figure Analyzers
10 MHz to 1.5 GHz, 3 GHz, 6.7 GHz and 26.5 GHz Noise Figure Analyzers
•A flexible and intuitive user interface
• Easy measurement setup
• Low instrument uncertainty
• Color graphical display of noise figure and gain versus frequency
• Enhanced PC and printer connectivity
•SNS, 346 and 347 Series noise source compatible
• Ability to automatically upload ENR calibration data from SNS
Series noise source
• Local oscillator control through second dedicated GP-IB
•3-year warranty as standard
Increase Measurement Throughput
In manufacturing environments, fast measurement speed and
repeatability are critical. The NFA series of Noise Figure Analyzers
now include many features that can reduce your measurement time
and increase throughput. The frequency list function allows you to
select specific points within a complete measurement span to make
your measurement. The Sweep averaging function allows a real-time
update to the screen during a measurement, as you adjust the performance of the DUT during a sweep. Both these functions, as well
as the limit line functionality for quick and easy pass/fail testing and
the additional ability to recall complete calibrated instrument
states, increase productivity and measurement throughput.
Enhanced Connectivity
The built-in floppy disk drive, GPIB, RS232 serial and Printer port
connectors allow quick and easy data transfer between the analyzer
and a PC or workstation. There is also a built-in VGA connector for
connecting a large-screen monitor.
Color Graphical Display
To enhance usability, the new Noise Figure Analyzers now come
with an integrated 17 cm full color LCD display, for simultaneous
viewing of noise figure and gain against frequency. There are three
different formats for viewing measurements, the two separate channel or combined graph format, a table format, and a spot frequency
noise figure and gain measurement “meter” format.
Ease of Automation
The NFA series of Noise Figure Analyzers include 2 industry-standard GPIB ports and an RS232 serial port, to aid in the automated
control of the instrument. The second GPIB port is dedicated to
Local oscillator control. The default control language is SCPI, but
users can also define custom LO commands.
N8972A
N8973A
N8974A
N8975A
N8973A
NFA Series
A Flexible and Intuitive User Interface
The user interface on the new NFA series of Noise Figure Analyzers
is intuitive and easy to use, with easy to find keys, which are sized
and then placed in the relevant key group according to function. The
soft-key depths have been kept to a minimum and there are clear
visual indicators on the screen showing the current machine state.
Easy Measurement Setup
The NFA series of Noise Figure Analyzers now takes the pain out of
complex measurement setups, with their simple but instructive
menus. The built-in help button gives key function and remote programming commands, that should eliminate the need to carry manuals when setting up measurements.
Low Instrumentation Uncertainty
When making noise figure measurements, a key parameter to be
aware of is measurement uncertainty. The NFA has a low instrumentation uncertainty to aid in accurate and repeatable measurement of manufacturers’ components. In addition, to aid customers
in setting their components/systems specifications, Agilent has produced a web-based uncertainty calculator that will give customers
information on how to improve and classify their measurement
specifications more accurately.
For more information, visit our web site at: www.agilent.com/find/nf
Ease of Integration
To aid with the integration of the new analyzer into manufacturing
environments, Agilent has produced a Programmers Reference
Manual containing example programs to help migrate to the new
system. The NFA is not code compatible with the 8970B, nor can it
control the 8971C.
Full Measurement Capability
Features present in all NFA series noise figure analyzers
• ENR data automatically loaded into NFA series noise figure
analyzer when using SNS noise source
• Floppy disk loading and saving of ENR data when used with a
346 or 347 noise source
• Enhanced analysis through Limit lines and Marker functions
• Enhanced PC and printer connectivity and VGA output
•Internal data storage capable of storing up to 30 different state,
trace, and setup files (dependent upon measurement complexity)
•4 MHz measurement bandwidth
•Frequency list mode, which enables the user to avoid known,
polluted frequencies during a measurement or, used tactically
to speed up a measurement
Features only Available on the N8973A, N8974A, N8975A
•Lower noise figure measurement uncertainty ±<0.05 dB
•Six user selectable bandwidths (100 KHz, 200 KHz, 400 KHz,
1 MHz, 2 MHz, and 4 MHz)
• Enhanced speed
Noise Figure Analyzers
10 MHz to 1.5 GHz, 3 GHz, 6.7 GHz and 26.5 GHz Noise Figure Analyzers (cont.)
N8972A
N8973A
N8974A
N8975A
NFA Series Key Specifications
Specifications 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 Range
NFA Series:
N8972A 10 MHz to 1.5 GHz
N8973A 10 MHz to 3 GHz
N8974A 10 MHz to 6.7 GHz
N8975A 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz
Measurement Speed (nominal)
N8972A: <100 ms/measurement <80 ms/measurement
N8973A: <50 ms/measurement <42 ms/measurement
N8974A: <70 ms/measurement <50 ms/measurement
N8975A: <70 ms/measurement <50 ms/measurement
Measurement Bandwidth (nominal)
N8972A:4 MHz
N8973A, N8974A, N8975A:4 MHz, 2 MHz, 1 MHz, 400 kHz, 200 kHz, 100 kHz
Noise Figure and Gain
(Performance is dependent upon ENR of noise source used)
N8972A Noise Source ENR
Noise Figure
Measurement range 0 to 20 dB 0 to 30 dB 0 to 35 dB
Instrument uncertainty ±<0.1 dB ±<0.1 dB ±<0.15 dB
Gain
Measurement range –20 to +40 dB
Instrument uncertainty ±<0.17 dB
8 Averages 64 Averages
4 – 7 dB 12 – 17 dB 20 – 22 dB
Characteristic1Noise figure at 23ºC ±3ºC (10 MHz to 3.0 GHz)
10
8
6
4
2
Noise Figure (dB)
0
10
Characteristic
Noise Figure (dB)
891011 12
3000
3883
500 1000
1500
Frequency (MHz)
1
Noise figure at 23ºC ±3ºC (3.0 GHz to 26.5 GHz)
4707
5651
7418
8303
8187
9187
10072
10956
11810
12724
13608
14492
15376
Frequency (MHz)
2000
16260
17145
18029
18913
2500
18797
10681
21565
22419
3000
23334
24210
25102
25986
26500
N8973A, N8974A and Noise Source ENR
N8975A
(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
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
Measurement range –20 to +40 dB
Instrument uncertainty ±<0.17 dB
Characteristic values are met or bettered by 90% of instruments with 90%
confidence.
Frequency Reference
Standard Opt.1D5
Aging ±<2 ppm
1
/year ±<0.1 ppm/year
Temperature stability ±<6 ppm ±<0.01 ppm
Settability ±<0.5 ppm ±<0.01 ppm
Tuning Accuracy (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
<4MHz 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
1
Parts Per Million (10e-6)
bandwidth
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