The Keysight 4396B is an RF network, spectrum, and impedance analyzer that combines three measurement domains into a single instrument. It delivers network analysis from 100 kHz to 1.8 GHz with 1 mHz resolution, spectrum analysis from 2 Hz to 1.8 GHz, and impedance characterization via equivalent circuit analysis. Engineers use it to measure gain, phase, group delay, distortion, spurious responses, and noise across RF components and systems.
Technical Specifications
Network Analysis:
• Frequency range: 100 kHz to 1.8 GHz with 1 mHz resolution
• Dynamic range: 120 dB @ 10 Hz IFBW
• Magnitude accuracy: ±0.05 dB; phase accuracy: ±0.3 degrees
• Source output power: -60 dBm to +20 dBm (0.1 dB resolution)
• Ratio accuracy (A/R, B/R): ±0.9 dB @ -20 dBm input, 23 ±5 °C; ±0.6 dB for IFBW ≤ 3 kHz (100 kHz–1 MHz); ±0.3 dB for IFBW ≤ 3 kHz (≥1 MHz)
• Supports return loss, SWR, and S-parameters with external test set
Spectrum Analysis:
• Frequency range: 2 Hz to 1.8 GHz
• Resolution bandwidth: 1 Hz to 3 MHz (1-3-10 sequence)
• Level accuracy: ±1.0 dB
• Sensitivity: -150 dBm/Hz @ 10 MHz; -147 dBm/Hz @ 1 GHz
• Noise sidebands: <-105 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset (carriers <1 GHz)
• Signal processing: Stepped FFT with 400 ms sweep time (30 Hz RBW, 10 kHz span)
• Time-gated spectrum analysis available (Option 4396B-1D6)
Impedance Analysis (Option 4396B-010):
• Frequency range: 100 kHz to 1.8 GHz
• Equivalent circuit analysis capability
Source & Frequency Reference (Option 4396B-800):
• Frequency range: 100 kHz to 1.8 GHz
• Frequency reference accuracy: <±5.5 ppm/year (23 ±5 °C)
• Frequency aging: Typically ±2.5 ppm/year
• Spurious responses (second harmonic): <-70 dBc @ ≥10 MHz, -35 dBm mixer input
Display:
• Color TFT display with built-in disk drive and RAM storage
– Key Features
• Single-unit integration of network, spectrum, and impedance measurement modes
• Phase and expanded phase formats with linear phase deviation measurement
• Broadband source spanning 100 kHz to 1.8 GHz with fine 0.1 dB power resolution
• FFT-based narrowband spectrum analysis for rapid measurement speed
• Reflection measurement support via S-parameters and return loss
– Typical Applications
• Gain and phase response characterization of RF filters and amplifiers
• Distortion and spurious emission testing of transmitter chains
• Impedance profiling and equivalent circuit determination
• Group delay and phase linearity validation in analog RF circuits
• Broadband noise figure and noise sidebands assessment
– Compatibility & Integration
The 4396B accepts external test sets for advanced reflection measurements and integrates optional impedance analysis and frequency reference modules to extend measurement capability across diverse RF design workflows.
