Keysight 8601A Generator/Sweeper

The Keysight 8601A Generator/Sweeper is a precision RF test instrument that combines signal generation with versatile sweep capabilities across 100 kHz to 110 MHz. This discontinued product delivers calibrated output power from +20 dBm to -110 dBm into 50 Ω, with flatness better than ±0.25 dB across the entire band. The 8601A supports multiple sweep modes—full sweep, video sweep, symmetrical sweep, and continuous wave—with independently configurable low (0.1 to 11 MHz) and high (1 to 110 MHz) ranges. Sweep widths reach 1 MHz on the low range and 10 MHz on the high range, with width accuracy of ±2% or ±10 kHz (high) and ±2% or ±1 kHz (low). Frequency settability achieves ±0.01% vernier precision over a 10.1% range, with coarse steps of 5 kHz (low) and 50 kHz (high). The instrument offers internal 1 kHz AM (30% modulation) and FM (75 kHz deviation) as well as external AM and FM capabilities. Sweep speeds vary from 3 to 60 sweeps per second in fast mode or 3 to 60 seconds per sweep in slow mode, with manual, line-synchronized, and free-running trigger options. Output flatness maintains ±0.1 dB over any 10 MHz segment from 1 to 110 MHz, and calibrated power levels are accurate to ±1 dB from +13 dBm to -110 dBm. Residual AM noise (10 kHz bandwidth) measures -50 dB typical, improving to -60 dB at 25 °C. Frequency stability is specified as 300 ppm plus 300 Hz/°C on the low range and 300 ppm plus 8 kHz/°C on the high range.