The Agilent/Keysight 11729C Carrier Noise Test Set is a specialized instrument for measuring phase noise and AM noise in RF and microwave signals across 1.28 GHz to 18 GHz. It functions as a downconverter and phase detector module within noise measurement systems, converting test signals to intermediate frequencies for analysis via Phase Detector or Frequency Discriminator methods.
Technical Specifications
Frequency Coverage
• Downconverter Input: 1.28 GHz to 18 GHz (8 bands)
• Test Signal: 10 MHz to 18 GHz
• IF Output: 5 MHz to 1280 MHz
• IF Bandwidth: 10 Hz to 10 MHz (3 dB typical to 15 MHz)
Input Power Specifications
• Downconverter Input (1.28–18 GHz): +7 dBm to +18 dBm
• Test Frequencies Below 1.28 GHz: −5 dBm to +10 dBm (−2 dBm to +3 dBm optimal)
• RF Signal Nominal: +3 dBm
Output Power
• IF Output Level: +7 dBm minimum
Phase Noise Floor (Residual Noise)
• At <1.28 GHz input: −115 dBc/Hz (10 Hz), −126 dBc/Hz (100 Hz), −135 dBc/Hz (1 kHz), −142 dBc/Hz (10 kHz), −151 dBc/Hz (100 kHz), −156 dBc/Hz (1 MHz)
• At 10 GHz input: −90 dBc/Hz (10 Hz), −105 dBc/Hz (100 Hz), −115 dBc/Hz (1 kHz), −127 dBc/Hz (10 kHz), −137 dBc/Hz (100 kHz), −142 dBc/Hz (1 MHz)
AM Noise Floor (Option 130)
• −138 dBc/Hz at 1 kHz offset
• −145 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset
• −155 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz offset
• −160 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset
– Key Features
• Dual demodulation methods: Phase Detector and Frequency Discriminator
• Up-converts external reference signals; down-converts test signals to IF
• Selectable IF bandwidth from 10 Hz to 10 MHz
• Accommodates external drive signals (640 MHz fixed or 5 MHz to 1280 MHz variable)
• AM noise measurement with Option 130
– Typical Applications
• Communication system signal integrity analysis
• Radar and aerospace oscillator characterization
• Microwave component phase noise evaluation
• Critical RF signal performance assessment
– Compatibility & Integration
The 11729C integrates into phase noise measurement systems as a dedicated downconverter and demodulation module, requiring externally supplied drive signals for operation.
