The information contained in this document is subject to change
without notice.
Agilent Technologiesmakesnowarrantyofanykindwithregard to this
material, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent
Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of this material.
The following safety symbols are used throughout this manual.
Familiarize yourself with the symbols and their meaning before
operating this instrument.
WARNINGWarning denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure
which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in
injury or loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a warning note
until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
WARNINGThis is a Safety Class 1 Product (provided with a protective
earthing ground incorporated in the power cord). The mains
plug shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a
protected earth contact. Any interruption of the protective
conductor inside or outside of the product is likely to make the
product dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.
WARNINGIf this product is not used as specified, the protection provided
by the equipment could be impaired. This product must be used
in a normal condition (in which all means for protection are
intact) only.
CAUTIONCaution denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or
destruction of the instrument. Do not proceed beyond a caution sign
until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
ii
WARNINGThis is a Safety Class 1 Product (provided with a protective
earthing ground incorporated in the power cord. The mains
plug shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a
protective earth contact. Any interruption of the protective
conductor inside or outside of the product is likely to make the
product dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.
WARNINGIf this product is not used as specified, the protection provided
by the equipment could be impaired. This product must be used
in a normal condition (in which all means for protection are
intact) only.
CAUTIONAlways use the three-prong ac power cord supplied with this product.
Failure to ensure adequate earth grounding by not using this cord may
cause product damage.
CAUTIONThis instrument has autoranging line voltage input, be sure the supply
voltage is within the specified range.
Warranty
This Agilent Technologies instrument product is warranted against
defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from date
of shipment. During the warranty period, Agilent Technologies
Company will, at its option, either repair or replace products which
prove to be defective.
For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a
service facility designated by Agilent Technologies. Buyer shall prepay
shipping charges to Agilent Technologies and Agilent Technologies
shall pay shipping charges to return the product to Buyer. However,
Buyer shall pay all shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products
returned to Agilent Technologies from another country.
Agilent Technologies warrants that its software and firmware
designated by Agilent Technologies for use with an instrument will
execute its programming instructions when properly installed on that
instrument. Agilent Technologies does not warrant that the operation
of the instrument, or software, or firmware will be uninterrupted or
error-free.
iii
LIMITATION OF WARRANTY
The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from
improper or inadequate maintenance by Buyer, Buyer-supplied
software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, operation
outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper
site preparation or maintenance.
NO OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. AGILENT
TECHNOLOGIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES
THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE BUYER’S SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES SHALL NOT
BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON
CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.
Where to Find the Latest Information
Documentation is updated periodically.For the latest information about
Agilent Spectrum Analyzers, including firmware upgrades and
application information, please visit the following Internet URL:
http//www.agilent.com/go/esa.
iv
Contents
1. Agilent E4401B Specifications and Characteristics
This chapter contains specifications and characteristics for the
E4401B spectrum analyzer. The distinction between specifications and
characteristics is described as follows.
• Specifications describe the performance of parameters covered by
the product warranty. (The temperature range is 0 °C to 55 °C,
unless otherwise noted.)
• Characteristics describe product performance that is useful in the
application of the product, but is not covered by the product
warranty.
• Typical performance describes additional product performance
information that is not covered by the product warranty. It is
performance beyond an indicated specification, that most units will
exhibit.
• Nominal values indicate the expected, but not warranted, value of a
parameter.
The following conditions must be met for the analyzer to meet its
specifications.
❏ The analyzer is within the one year calibration cycle.
❏ If
Auto Align All is selected:
— After 2 hours of storage within the operating temperature range.
— 5 minutes after the analyzer is turned on with sweep times less
than 4 seconds.
Auto Align Off is selected:
❏ If
— When the analyzer is at a constant temperature, within the
operating temperature range, for a minimum of 90 minutes.
— After the analyzer is turned on for a minimum of 90 minutes, and
Align Now All has been run.
— When
Align Now All is run:
• Every hour
• If the ambient temperature changes more than 3 °C
• If the 10 MHz reference changes
1-2Chapter1
Agilent E4401B Specifications and Characteristics
About This Chapter
❏ If Auto Align All but RF is selected:
— When the analyzer is at a constant temperature, within the
operating temperature range, for a minimum of 90 minutes.
— After the analyzer is turned on for a minimum of 90 minutes, and
Align Now RF has been run.
— When
Align Now RF is run:
• Every hour
• If the ambient temperature changes more than 3 °C
Chapter 11-3
Agilent E4401B Specifications and Characteristics
Frequency
Frequency
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
Frequency Range
50 Ω9 kHz to 1.5 GHz
50 Ω,Preamp On (Option 1DS)100 kHz to 1.5 GHz
75 Ω (Option 1DP)1 MHz to 1.5 GHz
75 Ω, Preamp On
/day, 7-day average
after being powered on for 7
days, characteristic
±1 × 10
–8
Temperature Stability
20 to 30 °C
0 to 55 °C
±1 × 10
±5 × 10
–8
–8
Warm-Up (Internal frequency
reference selected)
After 5 minutes
< ±1 × 10–7of final frequency,
characteristic
After 15 minutes
< ±1 × 10–8of final frequency,
characteristic
a. Final frequency is defined as frequency 60 minutes after power-on with analyzer set to internal
frequency reference.
1-4Chapter1
a
a
Agilent E4401B Specifications and Characteristics
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
Frequency Readout
Accuracy
(Start, Stop, Center, Marker)±((frequency indication ×
frequency reference errora)
+ 0.5% of span
span
--------------------------------------- -
+
sweep points 1–
+ 15% of RBW
+ 10 Hz)
a. Frequency reference error = (aging rate × period of time since adjustment + settability + tempera-
ture stability).
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
Marker Frequency
Counter
Frequency
ResolutionSelectable from 1 Hz to
100 kHz
Accuracy
a
±(marker frequency ×
For RBW ≥ 1 kHz
frequency reference errorb +
counter resolution)
a. Marker level to displayed noise level > 25 dB, RBW/ Span ≥ 0.002, frequency offset = 0 Hz.
b. Frequency reference error = (aging rate × period of time since adjustment + settability + tempera-
ture stability).
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
Frequency Span
Range0 Hz (zero span), 100 Hz to
1.5 GHz
Resolution2 Hz
Accuracy±(0.5% of span
span
--------------------------------------- -
+ 2 ×)
sweep points 1–
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
Sweep Time
Range
Tracking Generator On
(Option 1DN or 1DQ )
Chapter 11-5
1 ms to 4000 s
a
sweep points 1–
--------------------------------------- 100 kHz
to 4000 s
50 ms is the minimum sweep
time
Agilent E4401B Specifications and Characteristics
Frequency
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
Fast Time-domain Sweep
5 µs to 4000 s
(Option AYX)
(For Span = 0 Hz,
RBW ≥ 1 kHz)
Accuracy
(Span = 0 Hz)
1 ms to 4000 s
(Option AYX)
5 µs to
sweep points 1–
--------------------------------------- 100 kHz
Sweep Trigger
a
cd
±1%
±1%
Free Run, Single, Line, Video,
External, Delayed, Offset
a. For firmware revisions prior to A.04.00, 5 ms to 2000 s.
b. For firmware revisions prior to A.04.00, 20 µs to 2000 s.
c. Gate cannot be used simultaneously with delayed or TV trigger.
d. Auto align is suspended in video, external, gate, and delayed trigger modes while waiting for a
trigger event to occur.
e. For firmware revision A.04.00 or later.
f. Delayed trigger is available with line, external trigger, and TV trigger (Option B7B).
SP 1–
SP 1–
1-6Chapter1
Agilent E4401B Specifications and Characteristics
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
Sweep (trace) Points
Range101 to 8192
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
Resolution Bandwidth
(RBW)
Range
–3 dB bandwidth1 kHz to 3 MHz, in 1-3-10
sequence, 5 MHz
–6 dB bandwidth (EMI)9 kHz and 120 kHz
Frequency
(Option 1DR)
–3 dB bandwidth
–6 dB bandwidth (EMI)
Adds 10, 30, 100, 300 Hz
Add 200 Hz
Only available in spans
≤ 5 MHz, sweep times
sweep points 1–
≥, and not
--------------------------------------- 100 kHz
usable with tracking
generator on. (Option 1DN orOption 1DQ)
Accuracy
1 kHz to 3 MHz RBW±15%
5 MHz RBW±30%
10 Hz to 300 Hz RBW
±10%
(Option 1DR)
Shape
1 kHz to 5 MHz RBWSynchronously tuned four
poles, approximately
Gaussian shape
10 Hz to 300 Hz RBW
(Option 1DR)
Digital, approximately
Gaussian shape
Selectivity (60 dB/3 dB
bandwidth ratio)
1 kHz to 5 MHz RBW<15:1, characteristic
10 Hz to 300 Hz RBW
Signals > +33 dBm (2 W)
nominal may trigger input
protection, which disconnects
the input path. (75 Ω: signals
> +79 dBmV (1 W))
momentarily trigger input
protection
Signals > +6 dBm (4 mW)
nominal may trigger input
protection, which
automatically increases input
attenuation to 15 dB. (75 Ω:
signals > +61 dBmV (15 mW))
input protection
1 dB Gain Compression
Total power at input mixer
50 MHz to 1.5 GHz
50 Ω0 dBm
1-10Chapter1
ab
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
Agilent E4401B Specifications and Characteristics
SpecificationsSupplemental Information
75 Ω (Option 1DP)+46.75 dBmV
Preamp On (Option 1DS)
Total power at the preamp
50 Ω
75 Ω
a. Mixer power level (dBm) = input power (dBm) – input attenuation (dB).
b. For resolution bandwidths 1 kHz to 30 kHz, the maximum input signal amplitude must be ≤ refer-
ence level +10 dB. (Option 1DP: For resolution bandwidths 1 kHz to 30 kHz, the maximum input
signal amplitude must be ≤ reference level +5 dB).
a. or when auto ranging is off: (:DISPlay:WINDow:TRACe:Y[:SCALe]:LOG:RANGe:AUTO OFF)
b. 0 to –50 dB for RBWs ≤ 300 Hz and span = 0 Hz, or when auto ranging is off.