Agilent / Keysight E8257C PSG Analog Signal Generator, up to 40 GHz

The Agilent/Keysight E8257C PSG is a high-performance analog signal generator spanning 250 kHz to 40 GHz, engineered for precision RF and microwave system validation. It delivers output power from -145 dBm to +13 dBm with 0.1 dB resolution and frequency accuracy of ±1 ppm aging with optional frequency references. Phase noise reaches -110 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset (10 GHz), improving to -116 dBc/Hz with performance options. The instrument supports AM, FM, and PM modulation with internal or external sources, pulse modulation with >80 dB on/off ratio, and digital modulation including BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, and 16QAM formats. Spectral purity specifications include <-60 dBc non-harmonic spurious content and <0.1 Hz RMS residual FM. Frequency switching completes in <150 ms for 1 GHz steps. List mode enables arbitrary sequencing of frequency, amplitude, and dwell time. Harmonic distortion remains below -50 dBc at +10 dBm output (10 GHz), with sub-harmonic content <-60 dBc. The E8257C serves aerospace, defense, and telecommunications sectors requiring deterministic signal generation for component characterization, system integration testing, and manufacturing validation.

– Technical Specifications

• Frequency Range: 250 kHz to 40 GHz
• Frequency Resolution: 0.001 Hz (with Option UNX or UNY)
• Frequency Switching: <150 ms typical for 1 GHz change
• Frequency Accuracy: ±1 ppm aging (1 year), ±5 ppm temperature stability 0–55 °C (with UNX/UNY)
• Output Power: -145 dBm to +13 dBm (typical, at RF connector)
• Power Accuracy: ±1.0 dB at 10 GHz, +5 dBm output (typical)
• Power Resolution: 0.1 dB
• Level Settling Time: <450 ms for 1 dB change (typical)
• Phase Noise: -110 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset/10 GHz; -116 dBc/Hz (with H51 or H75)
• Harmonic Distortion: <-50 dBc at +10 dBm, 10 GHz (typical)
• Non-Harmonic Spurious: <-60 dBc at 10 GHz (typical)
• Residual FM: <0.1 Hz RMS (typical)
• Residual AM: 80 dB on/off ratio, 50 ns to CW pulse width
• Digital modulation: BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM up to 50 Msps (with Option 401 or 403)
• Internal and external modulation sources
• Frequency and amplitude step or list sweep
• Internal, external, and manual triggering

– Typical Applications

• RF/microwave component characterization
• System integration and validation testing
• Manufacturing and production test
• Receiver and transceiver validation