The Agilent/Keysight 8642B is a synthesized signal generator delivering precise RF signal generation across 100 kHz to 2115 MHz. Built for high-performance receiver measurements, it combines broad frequency coverage with exceptional spectral purity and output stability, serving research, development, and manufacturing applications requiring demanding signal fidelity.
Technical Specifications
Frequency
• Range: 100 kHz to 2115 MHz in one continuous span
• Resolution: 1 Hz (0.1 Hz with special function)
• Stability: ±2 ppm/year standard; Option 001 provides <10e-9/day aging rate after 8-day warmup
Output Level
• Range: −140 dBm to +20 dBm (band-dependent; Band 8 reaches +19 dBm, higher bands down to +16 dBm)
• Resolution: 0.01 dB
• Absolute Accuracy: ±1 dB down to −127 dBm
• Flatness: ≤±0.75 dB at +10 dBm
• Impedance: 50 ohms nominal
• VSWR: <1.5:1 below 0 dBm; <2.0:1 at or above 0 dBm
• Reverse Power Protection: 25 W from 50 ohm source, 50 Vdc
Spectral Purity
• SSB Phase Noise: −144 dBc/Hz @ 125 MHz; −141 dBc/Hz @ 200 MHz; −137 dBc/Hz @ 500 MHz; −134 dBc/Hz @ 1 GHz; −125 dBc/Hz @ 2 GHz (all at 20 kHz offset)
• Non-Harmonic Spurious: <−100 dBc to 1 GHz; <−94 dBc above 1 GHz
• Harmonics: −30 dBc ≤+10 dBm (−25 dBc above 1057.5 MHz)
• Subharmonics: −45 dBc above 1057.5 MHz carrier
• Third-Order IMD: <−50 dBc @ +10 dBm (two signals 25 kHz apart into resistive combiner)
• Residual FM: <1.2 Hz @ 500 MHz (0.3–3 kHz BW); <2 Hz @ 1 GHz (0.3–3 kHz BW); <5 Hz @ 2 GHz (0.3–3 kHz BW)
• Residual AM: <0.01% rms (0.3–3 kHz BW)
Modulation
• Types: AM, FM, Phase Modulation, Pulse Modulation across full frequency range
• Internal Modulation Oscillator: 20 Hz to 100 kHz rates with low distortion
– Key Features
• 1 Hz frequency resolution enables precise carrier and offset tuning
• Output span from −140 dBm to +20 dBm supports both low-noise and high-power testing
• Phase noise performance ensures confident automated receiver spurious rejection testing
• Multiple modulation types support complex signal simulation
– Typical Applications
• RF receiver sensitivity and selectivity characterization
• Spurious response validation
• Intermodulation and harmonic distortion testing
• Modulation quality assessment
– Compatibility & Integration
50 ohm output impedance matches standard RF test system configurations. Reverse power protection to 25 W and 50 Vdc guards against load impedance variations.
