AgilentNoise Figure AnalyzersNFA Series

The new standard for today’s fast-paced

measurement environments

If you design or manufacture subsystems or components fortoday’s complex RF systems youare likely to have a growing needto specify your product’s noisefigure. In a competitive market,that noise figure specification can be an essential means of differentiating your product.

But measurement requirementsare changing. Noise figure specifications are becomingtighter, requiring ever-greatermeasurement accuracy.Frequencies are moving higher,particularly in the fast-growing RFand microwave communications market. Competition among manufacturers is fierce, calling forfaster, more efficient instrumentsand processes in design and production test.

To boost your productivity in thisfast-paced environment, AgilentTechnologies offers the NFA seriesnoise figure analyzer family—thenext-generation solution for noisefigure measurement.

As the successor to our industry-standard 8970 noise figure family,the NFA series provides all thefunctionality and reliability you’vecome to expect from the leader in noise figure measurement—andthen takes a giant leap forward inaccuracy, speed, flexibility, andease of use.

The new standard for noise figure measurement

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Whether you are working withsystems, subsystems, subassem-blies, or discrete devices, each ofyour components adds noise thataffects the overall performance of the receiver. By measuring and reducing noise figure, youcan give your products a competitive edge.

The NFA series is a family of dedicated noise figure analyzers,designed to provide comprehen-sive characterization of yourdevice under test at a reasonablecost. These analyzers offer thetraditional benefits of a noise-figure meter, plus the added features and functions most often requested by R&D and production-test engineers andtechnicians.

Easy measurement of amplifiers and frequency converting devices• Flexible and intuitive user interface• Color graphical display with markers

and limit lines

Frequency range to 26.5 GHz and beyond...• One-box analyzers to 26.5 GHz• Custom solutions to even higher

frequencies

Accurate and repeatable results• Low instrument uncertainty• Compatible with new, improved

noise sources

Achieve more in less time

With the NFA series, you’ll make better measurements, more quickly. Ease-of-use features make it easier for anyengineer or technician to set upmeasurements correctly, viewmeasurements in different formats, and print the results orsave them to disk. On-screen limitlines simplify pass/fail testing.

Perform your measurements to the latest and most exactingspecifications with extended frequency coverage, high per-formance features, and selectablemeasurement bandwidths.Repeatable, reliable measurementsprovide results that you can trust.You will be able to produce morerobust designs and prototypes in the lab, and achieve higheryields and throughput in manufacturing.

Improve the design and manufacture of your receiver components—and gain a competitive edge

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The Agilent NFA series is a family of dedicated noise figure analyzersthat make the measurements you need, the way you want to makethem. The following standard features help simplify the measurementprocess, save time, and reduce the chance of measurement error.

Take a giant step forward in ease of use

Integrated, 17-cm color display

Real-time clock for time-stamping of datafiles and printouts

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Simultaneous measurementof noise figure and gain

Single or split-screenviewing

Input protected against DC bias

Compatible with existing346 and 347 series noise sources

Comprehensive built-in help

Easy measurement setupusing simple front-panel key presses

3.5-inch floppy disk drive for easy data transfer and storage and easyuploading of noise-sourcecalibration data

RS232 port and GPIB ports,which enable automated control of the instrument

LO GPIB port for controlling alocal oscillator if used as partof the measurement set-up

Parallel printer port for connection to standard PCprinters and quick printouts of measurement results

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Limit lines for simple pass/fail testing

Comprehensive marker functions

VGA output port that lets you connect a VGAmonitor to view a larger representation of your graphical measurement results—and even project theimage on a screen

10 MHz referencein and out

View the results you need, the way you want to see them

For some applications, the entrylevel performance of the N8972ANFA is sufficient. But if yourmeasurement applicationdemands frequency coverageabove 1.5 GHz, or a higher level ofmeasurement performance, youwill want the added capabilities ofthe N8973A (3 GHz), N8974A (6.7GHz) or N8975A (26.5 GHz) noisefigure analyzers. These productsset the standard for noise figure measurement.

The NFA series provide a real-time display of noise figure andgain versus frequency and can beused to measure devices such asamplifiers or frequency convert-ing devices such as mixers orLNBs. The NFA has a dedicated“LO-GPIB” port for controlling a signal generator if used in themeasurement set-up. Users canmake measurements at specificfrequencies using the “FrequencyList” mode, and can apply correc-tion for losses before or after theDUT using “Loss Compensation”modes.

For applications at frequenciesabove 26.5 GHz Agilent can providecustom block-downconvertorswhich extend the frequency rangeof the N8975A even higher.Contact your Agilent representa-tive for further information.

SNS-series noise sourcesimprove measurement integrity

The SNS-series of noise sourcesare designed specifically to complement the NFA, simplifyingmeasurement set-up and improv-ing measurement accuracy.

It is no longer necessary to manually load the unique excessnoise ratio (ENR) calibration factors into the noise figure analyzer. The unique ENR dataare now stored electronicallyinside the noise source and down-load automatically when connect-ed to the NFA. The SNS-seriesnoise sources also have the capa-bility to measure their own tem-perature so that compensationcan be applied to the ENR data.These features lead to more reliable measurements.

Have the highest performance available when you need it

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Our Promise

Our Promise means your Agilenttest and measurement equipmentwill meet its advertised perform-ance and functionality. When you are choosing new equipment,we will help you with productinformation, including realisticperformance specifications andpractical recommendations fromexperienced test engineers. Whenyou use Agilent equipment, wecan verify that it works properly,help with product operation, and provide basic measurementassistance for the use of specifiedcapabilities, at no extra cost uponrequest. Many self-help tools are available.

Support, services, and assistance

Agilent Technologies aims to maximize the value you receive,while minimizing your risk andproblems. We strive to ensurethat you get the test and measure-ment capabilities you paid forand obtain the support you need. Our extensive support resourcesand services can help you choosethe right Agilent products for your applications and apply themsuccessfully. The NFA series analyzers have a standard, one-year, return-to-Agilent warranty.Support is available for at leastfive years beyond the productionlife of the product. Two conceptsunderlie Agilent’s overall supportpolicy: “Our Promise” and “Your Advantage.”

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Your Advantage

Your Advantage means thatAgilent offers a wide range ofadditional expert test and measurement services, which you can purchase according to yourunique technical and businessneeds. Solve problems efficientlyand gain a competitive edge bycontacting us for calibration,extra-cost upgrades, out-of-warranty repairs, and on-site education and training, as well as design, system integration,project management, and otherprofessional services. ExperiencedAgilent engineers and techniciansworldwide can help you maximizeyour productivity and optimizeyour return on investment.

Key literature:Please visit the Agilent noise figure analysis web site for on-line accessto literature or contact your local Agilent sales office or representative.

Noise Figure Analyzers - NFA Series - Technical Specifications, literature number 5980-0164E

Noise Figure Analyzers - NFA Series - Configuration Guide, literature number 5980-0163E

10 Hints for Making Successful Noise Figure Measurements,Application Note 1341, literature number 5980-0288E

Fundamental of RF and Microwave Noise Figure Measurements,Application Note 57-1, literature number 5952-8255

Noise Figure Measurement Accuracy, Application Note 57-2, literature number 5952-3706

Agilent N4000A, N4001A, N4002A SNS Series Noise Sources,literature number 5988-0081EN

Key web resources:For the latest information on our noise figure solutions, see our web page at:

www.agilent.com/find/nf

For the latest news in the component test industry, see our web page at:

www.agilent.com/find/component_test

For the latest news in the aerospace industry, see our web page at:

www.agilent.com/find/aerospace

For further information

www.agilent.com/find/emailupdatesGet the latest information on the products and applications you select.

Agilent Technologies’ Test and Measurement Support,Services, and AssistanceAgilent Technologies aims to maximize the value youreceive, while minimizing your risk and problems. We strive to ensure that you get the test and measurementcapabilities you paid for and obtain the support you need.Our extensive support resources and services can help you choose the right Agilent products for your applicationsand apply them successfully. Every instrument and systemwe sell has a global warranty. Support is available for atleast five years beyond the production life of the product.Two concepts underlie Agilent’s overall support policy:“Our Promise” and “Your Advantage.”

Our PromiseOur Promise means your Agilent test and measurementequipment will meet its advertised performance and functionality. When you are choosing new equipment, wewill help you with product information, including realisticperformance specifications and practical recommendationsfrom experienced test engineers. When you use Agilentequipment, we can verify that it works properly, help with product operation, and provide basic measurementassistance for the use of specified capabilities, at no extracost upon request. Many self-help tools are available.

Your AdvantageYour Advantage means that Agilent offers a wide range of additional expert test and measurement services, which you can purchase according to your unique technicaland business needs. Solve problems efficiently and gain acompetitive edge by contracting with us for calibration,extra-cost upgrades, out-of-warranty repairs, and onsiteeducation and training, as well as design, system integration,project management, and other professional engineeringservices. Experienced Agilent engineers and techniciansworldwide can help you maximize your productivity, optimizethe return on investment of your Agilent instruments andsystems, and obtain dependable measurement accuracyfor the life of those products.

Agilent T&M Software and ConnectivityAgilent’s Test and Measurement software and connectivityproducts, solutions and developer network allows you totake time out of connecting your instruments to your computer with tools based on PC standards, so you canfocus on your tasks, not on your connections. Visit

www.agilent.com/find/connectivityfor more information.

By internet, phone, or fax, get assistance with all your test & measurement needs

Online Assistance:www.agilent.com/find/assist

Product specifications and descriptions in this document subject to change without notice.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2000, 2004Printed in USA, February 1, 20045980-0166E

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