Agilent/Keysight 83486A-H48 High-Bandwidth Digital Communications Analyzer Plug-In

The Agilent/Keysight 83486A-H48 is a high-bandwidth plug-in module for the 83480A, 54750A, and 86100A/B/C mainframes, engineered for signal integrity analysis and characterization of high-speed digital communication systems. The module delivers dual-channel measurement capability with user-selectable electrical bandwidth (12.4 GHz or 20 GHz) and integrated optical measurement with 2.5 GHz bandwidth across 1000 nm to 1600 nm wavelengths.

Technical Specifications

• Electrical Channel Bandwidth: 12.4 GHz or 20 GHz (user-selectable)


• Optical Channel Bandwidth: 2.5 GHz


• Wavelength Range: 1000 nm to 1600 nm


• Optical Channel Filters: Switchable for 155/622/2488 Mb/s SONET/SDH and datacom applications


• Trigger Bandwidth: DC to 100 MHz (Limited Mode); DC to 2.5 GHz (Normal Mode); 2.0 GHz to 12 GHz (High Speed Mode, Option 100)


• Trigger Sensitivity (Normal Mode): 40 mVpp at 100 MHz, rising linearly to 200 mVpp at 2.5 GHz


• Trigger Sensitivity (High Speed Mode): 200 mVpp from 2.0 GHz to 12 GHz (sine wave input)


• Trigger Level Range: ±1 V


• Maximum Trigger Signal: <2 V dc + ac peak (+16 dBm)


• Trigger Jitter (Normal Mode): <2.5 ps rms + 5E-5×delay at 2.5 GHz with 200 mV source


• Trigger Jitter (High Speed Mode): <2 ps rms typical for delays <100 ns (1.3 ps typical)


• Pulse Width: 200 ps at 200 mV


• Maximum Safe Input Voltage: ±2 V + peak ac (+16 dBm)

Key Features

• 3.5 mm (m) connectors for electrical measurement and trigger channels


• Multimode fiber optical input (62.5/125 µm capable)


• Sub-2 ps trigger jitter in High Speed Mode


• Dual-slot installation (slots 1–2 or 3–4 only; slots 2–3 not supported)


• Remote operation via HP 11898A module extender (1.5 m maximum distance)


• ESD-protected inputs with defined overvoltage limits

Compatibility & Integration

• Direct plug-in compatibility with 83480A, 54750A, and 86100A/B/C mainframes


• Requires proper grounding between module and mainframe for optimal performance


• Extended reach operation supported via external module extender