Keysight (Agilent) E4401A Spectrum Analyzer

The Keysight (Agilent) E4401A is a general-purpose spectrum analyzer for signal analysis and troubleshooting across 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz. It delivers wide dynamic range, flexible resolution bandwidth settings from 1 kHz to 5 MHz, and comprehensive marker functions including selectable counter resolution from 1 Hz to 100 kHz. The instrument supports zero span and frequency sweep configurations with up to 8192 trace points, enabling detailed spectral characterization and fault isolation across RF and microwave applications.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency range: 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz


• Frequency readout accuracy: ±(frequency indication × frequency reference error + span accuracy + 15% of RBW + 10 Hz + 1 Hz × N4)


• Span range: 0 Hz (zero span) to 1.5 GHz; span accuracy ±0.5% across 8192 sweep points


• Marker frequency counter accuracy: ±(marker frequency × frequency reference error + counter resolution)


• Counter resolution: 1 Hz to 100 kHz (selectable)


• Frequency reference stability: ±5×10⁻⁶ (Option 1D5) or ±1×10⁻⁸; aging ±2×10⁻⁶/year (Option 1D5) or ±1×10⁻⁷/year Amplitude Characteristics


• Displayed average noise level (DANL): Typically –130 dBm to –140 dBm or lower with pre-amplifier options


• 1 dB gain compression: ≥0 dBm at 50 MHz; –3 dBm at 6.7 GHz; –5 dBm at 13.2 GHz


• Overall amplitude accuracy: ±(0.54 dB + absolute frequency response)


• Peak pulse power capability: +30 dBm (1 W) with input attenuator ≥15 dB


• Amplitude range (Option 1DN, 50 Ω): 0 to –70 dBm


• Amplitude range (Option 1DQ, 75 Ω): +42.75 to –27.25 dBmV Bandwidth & Resolution


• Resolution bandwidth: 1 kHz to 5 MHz (–3 dB) in 1-3-10 sequence; EMI bandwidths 9 kHz and 120 kHz (–6 dB)


• Option 1DR: Adds 10, 30, 100, 300 Hz (–3 dB) and 200 Hz (–6 dB) EMI bandwidth


• Video bandwidth: 30 Hz to 3 MHz in 1-3-10 sequence


• Sweep points: 101 to 8192 (selectable) Optional Capabilities


• Tracking generator: 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz (Option 1DN); 1 MHz to 1.5 GHz (Option 1DQ); output 0 to –70 dBm (1DN) or +42.75 to –27.25 dBmV (1DQ)


• Pre-amplifier: Available (1.5/3.0 GHz fully calibrated)


• External mixing: Up to 325 GHz


• GPIB interface (Option 1AX includes RS-232 and parallel printer) Environment


• Operating temperature: 0 °C to +55 °C


• Warm-up time: 5 minutes before calibrated measurements