Agilent/Keysight M9485A

The Keysight M9485A is a PXIe multiport vector network analyzer purpose-built for high-volume manufacturing test of wireless components including front-end modules, filters, and switches. It delivers independent receiver channels at up to 24 ports, eliminating the speed penalties of traditional switch matrix architectures. Operating from 1 MHz to 9 GHz with dynamic range up to 142 dB, the M9485A executes full 2-port calibration sweeps of 201 points in 5 ms, directly accelerating production throughput.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency Range: 1 MHz to 9 GHz


• Dynamic Range: Up to 142 dB (100 MHz to 1 GHz); ranges from 129 dB (1–20 MHz) to 138 dB (7–9 GHz) across full band


• Measurement Speed: 5 ms for 201 points with full 2-port calibration


• Trace Noise: 0.001 dBrms at 10 kHz IF bandwidth


• Thermal Stability: 0.005 dB/°C


• Port Configuration: Up to 24 ports, 50 Ω impedance, 3.5 mm connectors

Key Features

• Multiport Architecture: Independent receivers at each port eliminate sequential switching and reduce measurement time versus matrix-based systems


• Multi-Site Measurement: Single instrument measures multiple DUTs simultaneously, lowering cost per test


• Calibration Suite: Guided calibration with full N-port support; Scalar Mixer Calibration (SMC) for conversion loss/gain; Vector Mixer Calibration (VMC) for phase and group delay


• Time Domain & Analysis: Time gating, equation editor with MATLAB function integration, external source synchronization via handshake trigger


• Adaptive Measurement: Segment sweep enables per-port IFBW and source power optimization for speed enhancement


• Power Monitoring: Power Meter as Receiver (PMAR) mode plots external power meter and sensor data


• Analysis Tools: Ripple, bandwidth, and point limit functions; fifteen markers per trace; multi-peak search; Max/Min hold

Typical Applications Mobile device front-end module characterization, wireless filter and switch validation, base station component testing, multi-DUT production environments requiring high throughput.

Compatibility & Integration Controlled via M9485A Soft Front Panel or remote commands (IVI, SCPI). Operates on latest Keysight VNA software platform, drawing heritage from ENA and PNA families. Recommended within M9018A chassis with M9037A embedded controller (8 GB memory minimum).