The Agilent/HP E4433A is a digital RF signal generator spanning 250 kHz to 4 GHz, engineered for wireless communication testing, digital receiver validation, and component characterization. This instrument delivers modulation accuracy and stability critical for sensitive receiver testing, with output levels ranging from +13 dBm to -136 dBm depending on frequency band. The E4433A supports analog I/Q inputs for complex modulation formats including BPSK, QPSK, and 16QAM via an internal quadrature modulator with 10 MHz bandwidth. Digital modulation options enable standards-based testing: DECT, GSM, NADC, PDC, PHS, and TETRA. Frequency resolution of 0.01 Hz and 0.02 dB level resolution enable precise stimulus generation. Multiple timebase stability options—standard at <±2 ppm/yr or Option 1E5 at <±0.1 ppm/yr—accommodate exacting frequency accuracy requirements. The instrument supports external reference inputs at 1, 2, 5, or 10 MHz and provides a 10 MHz timebase reference output. Analog modulation includes AM (wideband with 80 dB on/off ratio to 3 GHz. Optional baseband I/Q generators (UN3 with 1 Mbit RAM or UN4 with 8 Mbit RAM) incorporate premodulation filtering and PRBS generation for advanced signal synthesis.
Technical Specifications
• Frequency Range: 250 kHz to 4 GHz
• Output Level: +13 dBm to -136 dBm (frequency dependent)
• Level Resolution: 0.02 dB
• Level Accuracy (CW): ±0.5 dB (+7 to -127 dBm); ±1.5 dB to ±2.5 dB below -127 dBm
• Level Accuracy (Digital Modulation): ±0.5 dB typical (ALC on)
• Frequency Resolution: 0.01 Hz
• Reference Oscillator Stability: <±2 ppm/yr standard; <±0.1 ppm/yr with Option 1E5
• Temperature Stability: <±1 ppm standard; 80 dB (≤3 GHz); >60 dB (>3 GHz)
• Wideband AM Distortion: <1.5% THD (30% AM); 0.35 Vrms into 50 Ω
• Internal modulation sources: FM, Sine (0.1 Hz to 50 kHz), Square, Ramp, Triangle
• High stability option for frequency-critical applications
• Optional baseband I/Q generators with premodulation filtering
– Typical Applications
• Digital receiver testing and validation
• RF component characterization
• Local oscillator generation
• Standards-based wireless signal simulation
• Modulation accuracy verification
– Compatibility & Integration
External reference input impedance: 50 Ω. I/Q modulation bandwidth: 10 MHz (1 dB).
