The Keysight (Agilent) 83712A is a synthesized continuous wave (CW) generator delivering stable, spectrally pure signals across 0.01 to 20 GHz. Purpose-built for local oscillator and exciter functions, it combines fundamental oscillators with switched low-pass filtering to suppress harmonics below -55 dBc and spurious signals below -60 dBc. The instrument features 1 kHz frequency resolution standard, optional 1 Hz resolution, and 0.01 dB power resolution across a dynamic range exceeding 100 dB. Front-panel functions are fully HP-IB programmable and SCPI compatible, enabling integration into automated test environments. Phase noise performance ranges from -103 dBc/Hz at 500 MHz (10 kHz offset) to -73 dBc/Hz at 20 GHz (10 kHz offset), with noise floor decreasing 6 dB/octave below 500 MHz.
Technical Specifications
Frequency
• Range: 0.01 to 20.0 GHz
• Resolution: 1 kHz (standard); 1 Hz with Option 1E8
Output Power
• Maximum leveled: +13 dBm (0.01–1 GHz); +11 dBm (1–20 GHz)
• Minimum leveled: 0 dBm (standard); -90 dBm with Option 1E1
• Optional attenuator (1E1) enables -90 to +10 dBm range
• Resolution: 0.01 dB
• Accuracy: ±1.0 dB
• Flatness: ±0.5 dB
• Output impedance: 50 Ω nominal
Spectral Purity
• Harmonics: <-55 dBc
• Spurious signals: <-60 dBc
• Phase noise (10 kHz offset): -103 dBc/Hz @ 500 MHz; -91 dBc/Hz @ 1 GHz; -73 dBc/Hz @ 20 GHz
• Harmonic distortion: <-50 dBc
– Key Features
• Dynamic range exceeding 100 dB
• Fundamental oscillators eliminate sub-harmonics
• High stability timebase option (1E5) for phase noise measurements below 100 Hz offset
• 50 Ω output impedance
– Typical Applications
• Local oscillator (LO) sources
• Exciter functions
• Out-of-channel signal testing
• Automated RF/microwave test systems
– Compatibility & Integration
Full HP-IB programmability and SCPI command set support enable direct integration with automated test platforms and measurement systems.
