HP / Agilent 3586A Selective Level Meter

The HP/Agilent 3586A Selective Level Meter is a microprocessor-based instrument for precise signal analysis across telecommunications, audio, sonar, and HF radio applications. Operating from 50 Hz to 32.5 MHz, it delivers selective level measurements, wave analysis, and FDM voice-grade and carrier measurements with exceptional frequency selectivity and amplitude accuracy.

Technical Specifications

Frequency Range: 50 Hz to 32.5 MHz Amplitude Measurement Range: +25 dBm to −120 dBm Wideband Power Accuracy:

• ±1.0 dB (20 kHz to 10 MHz)


• ±2.0 dB (200 Hz to 32.5 MHz) Selective Level Accuracy: ±0.3 dB passband flatness; up to ±0.2 dB depending on range and calibration Frequency Resolution: 0.1 Hz Amplitude Resolution: 0.01 dB Filter Bandwidths: 20 Hz to 3100 Hz with shape factors to 1.2 Center Frequency Accuracy: ±1 × 10⁻⁵/year; ±2 × 10⁻⁷/year with Option 004

Key Features

• Carrier frequency and voice channel measurements


• SSB demodulation with speaker or headphone output


• Transmission Impairments option: phase jitter, weighted noise, noise-with-tone, signal-to-noise-with-tone ratio, and single level impulse noise measurements


• 10 dB auto-range capability with ±0.3 dB accuracy after calibration


• 100 dB measurement range after calibration


• Multiple input impedance options: 50Ω/75Ω/10kΩ unbalanced; 124Ω/135Ω/150Ω balanced; 600Ω bridged


• 3586A variant meets CCITT requirements with 800 Hz reference tone and 75Ω option availability

Typical Applications

• FDM voice-grade and carrier level measurements


• Transmission line and network analysis


• Wave analysis and signal characterization


• HF radio and sonar system testing


• Telecommunications equipment design and maintenance

Compatibility & Integration HP-IB (Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus) interface standard enables remote operation and programmability. Compatible with HP 9800 series desktop computers and HP 1000 mainframe computers.