Keysight / Agilent / HP 8648A-1E5-1EP Signal Generator

The Keysight/Agilent/HP 8648A-1E5-1EP is a synthesized signal generator engineered for RF testing in high-volume manufacturing environments including cordless phones, pagers, and two-way radios. This model combines precise frequency and amplitude control with Option 1E5 high stability timebase and Option 1EP pager signaling capability for POCSAG, FLEX, and FLEX-TD format testing.

Technical Specifications

Frequency range: 100 kHz to 1 GHz

Frequency resolution: 0.001 Hz steps with 10 Hz display resolution

Frequency accuracy (standard): Typically ±3×10⁻⁶ × carrier frequency (Hz)

Frequency accuracy (Option 1E5): Typically ±0.15×10⁻⁶ × carrier frequency (Hz) or ±0.092×10⁻⁶ × carrier frequency (Hz) within 90 days of calibration

Output power range: –136 dBm to +10 dBm (maximum +13 dBm)

Power resolution: 0.1 dB

Output accuracy: ±1 dB (typical)

Output impedance: 50 Ohm

Frequency switching speed: <75 ms below 1001 MHz; <100 ms at 1001 MHz and above

Harmonics (output ≤+4 dBm): <–30 dBc

Subharmonics (<1001 MHz, output ≤+4 dBm): <–60 dBc

Phase noise (typical at 500 MHz): –120 dBc/Hz to –110 dBc/Hz single-sideband

AM modulation accuracy: Typically ±7% of setting ±1.5% over 0°C to 50°C at <70% depth

DC FM accuracy: ±500 Hz carrier frequency accuracy below 1001 MHz

Key Features

Modulation modes: AM, FM, and phase modulation

Option 1E5 timebase: Aging <±0.1 ppm/year and <±0.0005 ppm/day; temperature stability <±0.01 ppm (typical); line voltage stability <±0.1 ppm (typical)

Standard timebase: Aging <±2 ppm/year; temperature stability <±1 ppm; line voltage stability <±0.5 ppm

Pager encoder (Option 1EP): POCSAG, FLEX, and FLEX-TD signaling support

Remote programming: GPIB (IEEE-488.2-1987) interface with Listen and Talk capabilities

Typical Applications

Cordless phone RF testing

Pager and two-way radio manufacturing test

Digital paging format validation (POCSAG, FLEX, FLEX-TD)

Compatibility & Integration GPIB remote programming enables automated test system integration for high-volume production environments.