Agilent / Keysight E8257C PSG Analog Signal Generator, up to 40 GHz
Agilent / Keysight RF Signal Sources. Frequency Range: 250 kHz to 40 GHz, Resolution: 0.001 Hz (with Option UNX or UNY), Accuracy: ±1 ppm aging (1 year).
- Model
- Agilent / Keysight E8257C
- Calibration
- Available on request
- Price
- $30,596
- Status
- In stock
- RFQ ref
- E8257C
This unit
The Agilent/Keysight E8257C PSG is a analog signal generator spanning 250 kHz to 40 GHz, engineered for precision RF and microwave system validation. It delivers output power from -145 dBm to +13 dBm with 0.1 dB resolution and frequency accuracy of ±1 ppm aging with optional frequency references. Phase noise reaches -110 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset (10 GHz), improving to -116 dBc/Hz with performance options.
The instrument supports AM, FM, and PM modulation with internal or external sources, pulse modulation with >80 dB on/off ratio, and digital modulation including BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, and 16QAM formats. Spectral purity specifications include <-60 dBc non-harmonic spurious content and <0.1 Hz RMS residual FM. Frequency switching completes in <150 ms for 1 GHz steps.
List mode enables arbitrary sequencing of frequency, amplitude, and dwell time. Harmonic distortion remains below -50 dBc at +10 dBm output (10 GHz), with sub-harmonic content <-60 dBc. The E8257C serves aerospace, defense, and telecommunications sectors requiring deterministic signal generation for component characterization, system integration testing, and manufacturing validation.
Technical Specifications
- Frequency Range: 250 kHz to 40 GHz
- Frequency Resolution: 0.001 Hz (with Option UNX or UNY)
- Frequency Switching: <150 ms typical for 1 GHz change
- Frequency Accuracy: ±1 ppm aging (1 year), ±5 ppm temperature stability 0–55 °C (with UNX/UNY)
- Output Power: -145 dBm to +13 dBm (typical, at RF connector)
- Power Accuracy: ±1.0 dB at 10 GHz, +5 dBm output (typical)
- Power Resolution: 0.1 dB
- Level Settling Time: <450 ms for 1 dB change (typical)
- Phase Noise: -110 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset/10 GHz; -116 dBc/Hz (with H51 or H75)
- Harmonic Distortion: <-50 dBc at +10 dBm, 10 GHz (typical)
- Non-Harmonic Spurious: <-60 dBc at 10 GHz (typical)
- Residual FM: <0.1 Hz RMS (typical)
- Residual AM: 80 dB on/off ratio, 50 ns to CW pulse width
- Digital modulation: BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM up to 50 Msps (with Option 401 or 403)
- Internal and external modulation sources
- Frequency and amplitude step or list sweep
- Internal, external, and manual triggering
Typical Applications
- RF/microwave component characterization
- System integration and validation testing
- Manufacturing and production test
- Receiver and transceiver validation
Agilent / Keysight E8257C — Repair & Calibration Service
Aumictech offers NIST-traceable calibration and repair for the Agilent / Keysight E8257C. Calibration covers output frequency accuracy, output power level accuracy across the full frequency range, AM/FM/PM/pulse modulation accuracy, harmonic and spurious output levels, and phase noise floor verification. All calibrations ship with a NIST-traceable certificate. Turnaround is typically 1–3 business days after receipt.
Common Agilent / Keysight E8257C faults: YIG oscillator failure (no output or loss of lock), step attenuator wear (output drops or steps at set attenuation), ALC loop failure (uncontrolled output power), I/Q modulator assembly failure. HP/Agilent 836xx series most common faults are YIG oscillator failure and step attenuator contact wear causing output steps or drops at specific attenuation settings. Keysight E4428C/E4438C units most commonly develop ALC loop failure and I/Q modulator assembly faults. YIG oscillator replacement and attenuator service are stocked repairs.
Agilent / Keysight E8257C price
This Agilent / Keysight E8257C is listed at $30,596.38. Calibration is available separately from $450. Contact us for volume pricing or if you need multiple units.
Agilent / Keysight E8257C calibration cost
NIST-traceable calibration for the Agilent / Keysight E8257C is $450 (standard — pass/fail certificate and calibration sticker) or $650 (full measured data at every test point, reference standards documented, traceability chain included). Calibration for this instrument covers output frequency accuracy, output power level accuracy across the full frequency range, AM/FM/PM/pulse modulation accuracy, harmonic and spurious output levels, and phase noise floor verification. Turnaround is 1 to 3 business days after receipt. See full calibration details →
