Keysight (Agilent) 5071A Primary Frequency Standard

The Keysight 5071A Primary Frequency Standard is a high-precision cesium beam instrument engineered to deliver exceptional frequency accuracy and stability for telecommunications, metrology, and research applications. Built on Cesium II technology with an improved beam tube, it provides ±1 × 10⁻¹² accuracy and ≤5 × 10⁻¹⁴ long-term stability at 5-day averaging. The unit reaches full operational specifications within 30 minutes and maintains performance across challenging environmental conditions—a defining feature among cesium standards. Optional high-performance configurations achieve ±5 × 10⁻¹³ accuracy with enhanced long-term stability of ≤1 × 10⁻¹⁴. All outputs are fully offset-capable to 1 part in 10⁹ without compromising stability or output specifications.

– Technical Specifications

Cesium Beam Performance
• Standard Tube: ±1 × 10⁻¹² accuracy; ≤1 × 10⁻¹³ environmental stability; ≤5 × 10⁻¹⁴ long-term stability (5-day average)
• High-Performance Tube: ±5 × 10⁻¹³ accuracy; ≤8 × 10⁻¹⁴ environmental stability; ≤1 × 10⁻¹⁴ long-term stability (5-day average)
• Warm-up Time: ≤30 minutes to full specifications
• Frequency Offset: Up to 1 part in 10⁹ in steps of ~6.3 parts in 10¹⁵

Electrical Output
• Standard Frequencies: 10 MHz, 5 MHz, 1 MHz, 100 kHz
• Output Level: ≥1 Vrms into 50 Ω (adjustable)
• Harmonic Distortion: ≤-40 dBc
• Non-Harmonic Distortion: ≤-80 dBc

Environmental & Power
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 50°C
• Humidity: 0 to 85% (40°C max)
• Magnetic Field Tolerance: DC, 55/60 Hz, 2 G peak (any orientation)
• Shock/Vibration: 100 mm drop resistance
• Power: AC or DC; internal battery provides 45-minute backup

– Key Features

• Extended averaging specifications—first cesium standard rated for 30-day averaging periods
• Menu-driven front panel with message display and logical structure
• Fully programmable controls; SCPI remote command capability
• Predictable time and phase maintenance over extended periods

– Typical Applications

• Primary frequency reference for metrology labs and calibration facilities
• Telecommunications network synchronization
• GPS signal averaging and long-term stability verification
• Scientific research requiring sub-picosecond frequency stability

– Compatibility & Integration

Remote operation via SCPI command language. Adjustable output levels accommodate various measurement and distribution architectures.