Agilent / Keysight N5242A PNA-X Microwave Network Analyzer, 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz

The Keysight N5242A PNA-X is a 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz microwave network analyzer engineered for characterization of active and passive components across R&D and production environments. It consolidates multiple test instruments into a single connection point, eliminating complex external setups. The instrument delivers up to 132 dB system dynamic range with trace noise as low as 0.002 dB rms, enabling precise measurements of S-parameters, noise figure, gain compression, and intermodulation distortion.

Technical Specifications

Frequency Range: 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz Port Configurations:

• 2-port standard test set (Option 200)


• 2-port with internal second source, combiner, and mechanical switches (Option 224)


• 4-port with internal dual-source and configurable test set (Option 400) Dynamic Range & Sensitivity:


• System dynamic range: 132 dB


• Receiver dynamic range: 130 dB


• General dynamic range: 127 dB


• Noise floor: −114 dBm at 10 Hz IFBW


• Trace noise: 0.002 dB rms at 1 kHz IF bandwidth; 0.005 dB rms at 100 kHz IFBW Output Power & Harmonic Performance:


• Maximum output power: +18 dBm


• Source harmonics: < −60 dBc


• Power sweep range: 38 dB Measurement Accuracy:


• Dynamic accuracy: 0.1 dB compression at +13 dBm input power to receiver

Key Features

• Built-in dual sources with internal signal-routing switches


• S-parameter measurement capability (CW and pulsed modes)


• Noise figure characterization (Option 029 for source-corrected measurements)


• Gain compression and intermodulation/harmonic distortion analysis


• Nonlinear waveform and X-parameter characterization (Option 510/514)


• Time-domain and pulsed-RF measurement modes


• Frequency offset measurements (Option 080)


• Frequency converter measurements (Option 083)


• Spectrum analyzer functionality (Option 090)


• Automatic fixture removal (Option 007)

Typical Applications

• Active and passive microwave device characterization


• Power amplifier and low-noise amplifier testing


• Nonlinear device behavior analysis


• Component validation in R&D and manufacturing quality control

Compatibility & Integration The analyzer accepts 2-port and 4-port configurations with optional internal components including pulse modulators, signal combiners, and mechanical switching matrices. Multiple application modules extend core measurement functionality across noise, conversion, gain compression, and spectrum analysis domains.