Keysight (Agilent) 4396B RF Network Spectrum Impedance Analyzer

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

• 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.