Agilent / Keysight N5231A PNA-L Microwave Network Analyzer, 13.5 GHz

The Keysight N5231A PNA-L is a 2- or 4-port microwave network analyzer engineered for rapid, accurate S-parameter characterization of passive and active components from 300 kHz to 13.5 GHz. Built around a single integrated source architecture, this instrument delivers up to 133 dB system dynamic range and trace noise as low as 0.003 dB rms, making it well-suited for production test environments where throughput and measurement fidelity are equally critical.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency Range: 300 kHz to 13.5 GHz


• Ports: 2 or 4 ports with single built-in source


• System Dynamic Range: Up to 133 dB


• Trace Noise: 0.003 dB rms


• Output Power: +13 dBm maximum


• Noise Floor: −120 dBm (10 Hz IF bandwidth)


• IF Bandwidth: 15 MHz


• Measurement Points: 100,001 points per trace


• Channels: 200 available


• Sweep Speed: Optimized for fast acquisition without performance degradation

Key Features

• Pulsed-RF S-parameter testing down to 2 µs pulse widths with pulse profile measurement capability (300 ns sweep time, 30 data points)


• Built-in pulse modulators and pulse generators


• Electronic calibration (ECal) module support via direct USB control; full two-port calibration enabled


• USB, LAN, and GPIB connectivity


• Direct N5230C replacement with full backward compatibility

Typical Applications

• Passive and active component S-parameter measurements


• Gain compression and conversion gain/loss characterization


• Mixer and converter evaluation


• Material property measurements


• Signal integrity analysis with PLTS software integration


• On-wafer measurements with integrated probe station systems

Compatibility & Integration Fully compatible with the N5230C platform - no modification to existing test codes or system configurations required. Supports ECal module automation for accelerated calibration workflows.