Agilent/Keysight N9038B

The Keysight N9038B MXE EMI Receiver is a standards-compliant diagnostic signal analyzer purpose-built for EMC testing and regulatory compliance verification. Operating from 3 Hz to 44 GHz with configurable frequency options, the instrument delivers real-time spectrum analysis up to 160 MHz bandwidth and achieves exceptional sensitivity with DANL of -163 dBm at 1 GHz (-167 dBm with RF preselector enabled). Its upgradeable architecture supports CISPR 16-1-1:2019, MIL-STD-461G, ANSI C63.2, and FCC compliance workflows.

Technical Specifications

Frequency Coverage & Bandwidth

• Frequency range: 3 Hz to 44 GHz (configurable to 3.6 GHz, 8.4 GHz, or 26.5 GHz)


• Analysis bandwidth: 10 MHz, 25 MHz, 85 MHz, or 160 MHz maximum


• Real-time bandwidth: 25 MHz or 85 MHz options (up to 160 MHz ≤ 3.6 GHz; 40 MHz > 3.6 GHz)


• IF bandwidth: 10 Hz to 100 kHz; 200 Hz, 9 kHz, 120 kHz, 1 MHz standard


• Video bandwidth: 1 Hz to 8 MHz


• Resolution bandwidth: 1 Hz to 8 MHz Signal Sensitivity & Linearity


• DANL @ 1 GHz: -163 dBm (standard); -167 dBm (with RF preselector)


• Phase noise @ 1 GHz (10 kHz offset): -114 dBc/Hz


• Third-order intercept (TOI): +15 dBm @ 1 GHz; 20 dBm IP3


• Dynamic range: 76 dBc


• Amplitude accuracy: ±0.25 to 0.27 dB


• Spurious response: -108 to -60 dBc Real-Time & Measurement Performance


• Minimum signal duration (100% POI at full amplitude accuracy): 3.7 μs


• Spectrogram FFT rate: 292,969 scans/second


• Supported triggers: Level, Level with Time Qualified, Line, External, RF burst, Frame, Frequency Mask (with TQT option)


• Detection methods: Quasi-Peak, EMI-Average, Normal, Peak, Sample, Negative Peak, Log Power Average, RMS Average, Voltage Average

Key Features

• Real-time spectrum analysis (RTSA) with 100% probability of intercept


• Time domain scanning with FFT overlap for accelerated capture (Option N90EMTDSB)


• AM/FM one-button measurement via analog demodulation (Option N9063EM0E)


• Multi-touch display with intuitive interface optimized for operator efficiency


• EMI test receiver and spectrum analyzer measurement applications built-in


• Future upgrade pathways to extend instrument capability and operational life

Typical Applications

• CISPR 16-1-1 and MIL-STD-461G compliance testing


• Broadband and narrowband EMI characterization


• Rapid threat detection and signal classification in real-time monitoring


• Conducted and radiated emissions diagnostics


• Frequency domain and transient signal analysis

Compatibility & Integration The N9038B operates on Keysight's X-Series software ecosystem, enabling integration with existing test workflows and measurement automation frameworks.