Agilent Technologies N9320A User manual

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Agilent N9320A
Spectrum Analyzer
User’s Guide

Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006
No part of this manual may be reproduced
in any form or by any means (including
electronic storage and retrieval or transla-
tion into a foreign language) without prior
agreement and written consent from Agi-
lent Technologies, Inc. as governed by
United States and international copyright
laws.
Manual Part Number
N9320-90001
Edition
First Edition, Dec. 2006
Printed in China
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (West
District)
Chengdu 611731, P.R.C
Warranty
The material contained in this docu-
ment is provided “as is,” and is sub-
ject to being changed, without notice,
in future editions. Further, to the max-
imum extent permitted by applicable
law, Agilent disclaims all warranties,
either express or implied, with regard
to this manual and any information
contained herein, including but not
limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a par-
ticular purpose. Agilent shall not be
liable for errors or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection
with the furnishing, use, or perfor-
mance of this document or of any
information contained herein. Should
Agilent and the user have a separate
written agreement with warranty
terms covering the material in this
document that conflict with these
terms, the warranty terms in the sep-
arate agreement shall control.
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Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a haz-
ard. It calls attention to an operat-
ing procedure, practice, or the like
that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage
to the product or loss of important
data. Do not proceed beyond a
CAUTION notice until the indi-
cated conditions are fully under-
stood and met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly per-
formed or adhered to, could result
in personal injury or death. Do not
proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fully understood and
met.
Software Revision
This guide is valid for A.01.00 revisions of
the Agilent N9320A Spectrum Analyzer
software.

In This User’s Guide…
This guide contains operation information for the N9320A
Spectrum Analyzer.
1 Overview
A quick overview of the front and rear panels.
2 Getting Started
Unpacking and setting up your analyzer.
3 Functions and Measurements
How to use the analyzer in the basic applications.
4KeyReference
Describe every front- panel hardkeys and the related softkeys’
functions in detail.
5 One-Button Measurements
Describe the key definition of one- button measurement.
6 Instrument Messages
This chapter give the instrument messages of the analyzer.
7 In Case of Difficulty
This chapter provides some information and tips when you
met some difficulties.
8MenuMaps
The overall list of the menu structure maps.
For more information about N9320A Spectrum Analyzer, see
www.agilent.com/find/n9320a.

Contents
1 Overview 1
Agilent N9320A at a Glance 2
Front Panel Overview 3
Display Annotations 6
Rear Panel Overview 8
Front and rear panel symbols 9
2 Getting Started 11
Check the Shipment and Order List 12
Power Requirements 13
Safety Notice 15
Electrostatic Discharge Protection 16
Environmental Requirements 17
Power on and Check 18
Some helpful Tips 20
Running Internal Alignments 20
Enable the Options 20
Using an External Reference 21
Firmware Revision 21
Remote Control 22
3 Functions and Measurements 23
Making a Basic Measurement 24
Measuring Multiple Signals 28

Contents
Comparing Signals on the Same Screen
Using Marker Delta 28
Comparing Signals not on the Same Screen
Using Marker Delta 30
Resolving Signals of Equal Amplitude 32
Resolving Small Signals Hidden by Large Signals 35
Measuring a Low-Level Signal 37
Reducing Input Attenuation 37
Decreasing the Resolution Bandwidth 39
Trace Averaging 40
Improving Frequency Resolution and Accuracy 41
Tracking Drifting Signals 43
Measuring a Source’s Frequency Drift 43
Making Distortion Measurements 45
Identifying Analyzer Generated Distortion 45
Third-Order Intermodulation Distortion 48
Measuring Phase Noise 51
Viewing Catalogs and Saving Files 52
4KeyReference 57
Amplitude 58
Auto Tune 60
Back <- 61
BW/Avg 62
Det/Display 65
Enter 71
File 72
Frequency 78

Contents
Marker 80
Marker-> 84
Meas 85
MODE 86
Peak Search 87
Preset/System 91
SPAN 97
Sweep/Trig 98
View/Trace 100
5 One-Button Measurements 101
Channel Power 102
Occupied BW 104
ACP 107
Intermod (TOI) 110
Spectrum Emission Mask 112
6 Instrument Messages 119
Overview 120
Command Errors 121
Execution Conflict 123
Device-Specific Errors 125
7 In Case of Difficulty 129
Check the Basics 130
Read the Warranty 131
Contact Agilent Technologies 132

Contents
8MenuMaps 133
Amplitude Menu 134
BW/Avg Menu 135
Det/Display Menu 136
File Menu (1 of 2) 137
File Menu (2 of 2) 138
Frequency Menu 139
Marker Menu 140
Marker-> Menu 141
Measure Menu (1 of 2) 142
Measure Menu (2 of 2) 143
MODE Menu 144
Name editor Menu 145
Peak Search Menu 146
Preset/System Menu 147
SPAN Menu 148
Sweep/Trig Menu 149
View/Trace Menu 150
Index 151

s
Agilent N9320A Spectrum Analyzer
User’s Guide
1
1
Overview
Agilent N9320A at a Glance 2
Front Panel Overview 4
Rear Panel Overview 9
Front and rear panel symbols 10
This chapter describes the general features and functions of
the Agilent N9320A spectrum analyzer and provides an
introduction of the front and rear panels.

2N9320A Spectrum Analyzer
1Overview
Agilent N9320A at a Glance
An Agilent N9320A spectrum analyzer is a swept portable
spectrum analyzer with afrequency range of 9kHz to
3.0 GHz. It can be a fundamental component of an
automated system, and be widely used in electronic
manufacturing functional/final/QA test systems.
An Agilent N9320A spectrum analyzer provides features and
functions as below:
• High sensitive measurement
The spectrum analyzer includes a pre- amplifier for signal up
to 3 GHz, enabling highly sensitive measurements. This helps
in analysis of weak signals.
• Pass/fail limits
Upper and lower limits can be set on the screen, thereby
enable the user to make PASS/FAIL judgments on trace data.
• Four-trace detection display
The spectrum analyzer displays up to four independent
traces simultaneously.
• SSB Phase Noise Measurement
The analyzer provides the automatic single- sideband phase
noise measurement capability (dBc/Hz). The display includes
frequency offset and the noise value.
• Frequency counter with 0.1 Hz resolution
The built- in counter allows the user to measure the signal
frequency with 0.1 Hz resolution.
•USBinterface
Using this interface allows the operator to save and transfer
a screen shot (in JPG format) to a USB storage device. This
feature enables measurement data to be gathered and pasted
into reports in a PC environment.

Overview 1
N9320A Spectrum Analyzer 3
Front Panel Overview
This section provides the information of the front panel.
1Screenshows information of the current function, including
the signal traces, status indicators, and instrument messages.
Labels for softkeys are located on the right-hand side of the
screen.
2Softkeysare the unlabeled keys next to the screen. They
activate functions displayed to the left of each key.
3 Amplitude activates the reference level function and
accesses the amplitude softkeys, with which you set
functions that affect data on the vertical axis.
4SPANsets the frequency range symmetrically about the
center frequency. The frequency- span readout describes the
total displayed frequency range.
5Frequencyactivates the center- frequency function, and
accesses the menu of frequency functions.
6 Function keys relate directly to the following main functions:
Remote
Standby
On
TG SOURCE CAL OUT
50MHz 10dBm
7
·
4
1
0
2
5
89
6
3Back
Enter
Marker
Peak
Search
Marker
Auto
Tune
Det/
Display
File/
Print
BW/
Avg
View/
Trace
MeasMODE
Sweep/
Trig
Local
Save
N9320A SPECTRUM ANALYZER 9 kHz - 3.0 GHz
PROBE POWER
RF IN 50
5 0VDC MAX
30dB m 1W MAX
CAT Ⅱ
Frequency
SPAN
Amplitude
Preset/
System
123456
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16

4N9320A Spectrum Analyzer
1Overview
•Preset/System (Local) accesses the softkeys to reset the
analyzer to a known state, if the analyzer is in the remote
mode, pressing this key returns the analyzer to the local
mode and enables front- panel control.
•Auto Tune search the signal automatically and locate the
signal to the center of the graticule. see “Auto Tune” on
page 60.
•BW/Avg activates the resolution bandwidth function and
accesses the softkeys that control the bandwidth functions
and averaging.
•Sweep/Trig accesses the softkeys that allow you to set the
sweep time, select the sweep mode and trigger mode of
the analyzer.
•View/Trace accesses the softkeys that allow you to store
and manipulate trace information.
•Det/Display accesses the softkeys that allow you to
configure detector functions and control what is displayed
on the analyzer, including the display line as well as the
testing of trace data against entered limits.
•MODE selects the measurement mode of your analyzer.
•Meas accesses the softkeys that let you make transmitter
power measurements such as adjacent channel power,
occupied bandwidth, and harmonic distortion, etc. Please
refer to “One- Button Measurements” on page 101.
•Marker accesses the marker control keys that select the
type and number of markers and turns them on and off.
•Marker-> accesses the marker function softkeys that help
you with the measurement.
•Peak Search places a marker on the highest peak.
•File/Print accesses the softkeys that allow you to
configure the file and printing system of the analyzer.
7 Data Control Keys including the arrow keys, back key, Enter
key, knob, and numeric keypad, change the numeric value of
an active function such as center frequency, start frequency,
resolution bandwidth, and marker position.

Overview 1
N9320A Spectrum Analyzer 5
8RFINconnectoris the signal input for the analyzer. The
maximum damage level is average continuous power
+40 dBm, DC voltage 50 VDC. The impedance is 50 W.
(N- type female).
9 PROBE POWER connector provides power for high- impedance
AC probes or other accessories (+15 V, –12 V, 150 mA
maximum).
10 CAL OUT connector provides an amplitude reference signal
output of 50 MHz at –10 dBm (BNC female).
11 TG SOURCE connector N- type female, is the source output for
the built- in tracking generator. The impedance is 50 W. (for
Option TG3)
12 Standby Switch switches on all functions of the analyzer. To
switch the analyzer off, press the switch for at least 2
seconds. This deactivates all the functions but retains power
to internal circuits so long as the analyzer is connected to
line power.
13 On LED (green) lights when the analyzer is switched on.
14 Standby LED (orange) lights when the analyzer is connected
to the line power.
15 Remote LED (red) lights when the analyzer is remotely
controlled by a PC via the USB host interface on the rear
panel.
16 USB connector (DEV) provides a connection between external
USB devices and the analyzer, such as a USB memory
device.
CAUTION If the tracking generator output power is higher than the maximum power
that the device under test can tolerate, it may damage the device under
test. Do not exceed the maximum power of DUT.

6N9320A Spectrum Analyzer
1Overview
Display Annotations
Item Description Notes (Associated function key)
1 Amplitude scale [Amplitude] > Scale Type
2 Detector mode [Det/Display] > Detector
3 Reference level [Amplitude] > Rel Level
4 Active function block The function in use
5 Time and date display [Preset/System] > Time/Date
6 RF attenuation [Amplitude] > Attenuation
7 Marker frequency [Marker] or
[Marker] > Function > Frequency Counter
8 Uncal indicator The readout of amplitude is uncalibrated.
9 Marker amplitude [Marker]
10 External reference An external frequency reference is in use.
11 Remote mode The analyzer is in remote mode
12 Key menu title Dependent on key selection.
12
11
10
8
5
13
14
15
3
2
1
26
25
22
24
17 16
23
21
20
69
7
1819
4
Span
1.000000 MHz
OPT
27

Overview 1
N9320A Spectrum Analyzer 7
a. Optimized Phase is only available when SPAN doesn’t exceed 50 kHz.
13 Softkey menu Refer to “Key Reference” for details.
14 Frequency span [SPAN]
15 Sweep time [Sweep/Trig] > Sweep Time
16 Video bandwidth [Bw/Avg] > Video BW
17 Display status line Display status and instrument messages.
18 Resolution bandwidth [Bw/Avg] > Res BW
19 Center frequency [Frequency] > Center frequency
20 Continuous peak [Peak Search] > Continuous pk
21 Signal track [Frequency] > Signal Track
22 Internal preamplifier [Amplitude] > Int Preamp
23 Trigger/Sweep
F- free run trigger
V- video trigger
E- external trigger
C- continuous sweep
S- single sweep
[Sweep/Trig]
24 Trace mode
W- clear write
M- maximum hold
m- minimum hold
V- view
S- store blank
[Trace]
25 Average
VAvg - video average
PAvg - power average
[Bw/Avg] > Average On Off
26 Display line [Det/Display] > display Line On Off
27 Optimized Phase a[Marker] > Function > Optimize Phase Noise

8N9320A Spectrum Analyzer
1Overview
Rear Panel Overview
1REFOUTconnectorprovides a frequency of 10 MHz, amplitude
of –10 dBm reference output. (BNC female)
2REFINconnectoraccepts an external timebase with a
frequency of 10 MHz, amplitude of –5 to +10 dBm (BNC
female).
3 Kensington Lock lock the instrument and keep its safety.
4LANport is reserved for future expansion.
5 EXT TRG IN (TTL) connector accepts an external voltage input,
the positive edge of which triggers the analyzer sweep
function (BNC female).
6Powerswitchisolates the analyzer from the AC line power.
After switch on, the analyzer enters into standby mode and
the orange standby LED on the front panel lights.
7 AC power receptacle accepts a three- pin line power plug.
8 VGA connector provides the video output signal to an
external monitor or projector (D- sub 15- pin female).
9 USB Host connector provides a connection between the
analyzer and an PC for remote control.
KLOCK
USB
LAN
TTL
HIPOT LABEL
ATTACH HERE
~100-240V
50-60Hz
100W MAX
SERIAL LABEL
ATTACH HERE
REF IN
REF OUT
EXT TRIG IN
VGA OUT
10MHz
10MHz
1
2
9
45
6
7
8
3

Overview 1
N9320A Spectrum Analyzer 9
Front and rear panel symbols
The CE mark: a registered trademark of the European Community.
The CSA mark: a registered trademark of the Canadian Standards
Association International.
The C-Tick mark: a trademark registered to the Australian
Communication Media Authority. It indicates compliance with all
Australian EMC regulatory information.
marks the “on/standby” position of the switch.
indicates that the instrument requires AC power input.
Shows that this is an Industrial Scientific and Medical Group 1 Class
A product. (CISPR 11, Clause 4)
The instruction manual symbol: indicates that the user must refer to spe-
cific instructions in the manual.
ISM1-A
N10149
CUS
ICES/NMB-001
The ISM device complies with Canadian Interference- Causing
Equipment Standard- 001.
Cet appareil ISM est conforme à la norme NMB- 001 du Canada.
indicates this product complies with the WEEE Directive(2002/96/EC)
marking requirements and you must not discard this equipment in
domestic household waste. Do not dispose in domestic household
waste. To return unwanted products, contact your local Agilent office,
or refer to http://www.agilent.com/environment/product/

10 N9320A Spectrum Analyzer
1Overview

s
Agilent N9320A Spectrum Analyzer
User’s Guide
11
2
Getting Started
Check the Shipment and Order List 12
Power Requirements 13
Safety Notice 15
Electrostatic Discharge Protection 16
Environmental Requirements 17
Power on and Check 18
Some helpful Tips 20
Remote Control 22
This chapter gives you the information to start using the
spectrum analyzer correctly.

12 N9320A Spectrum Analyzer
2 Getting Started
Check the Shipment and Order List
After receiving the shipment, first check the shipment and
your order list according to the following procedure.
• Inspect the shipping container for damage.
Signs of damage may include a dented or torn shipping
container or cushioning material that indicate signs of
unusual stress or compacting.
• Carefully remove the contents from the shipping container
and verify that your order is complete. Each spectrum
analyzer includes the following items as standard:
• Verify if that the shipment includes your ordered options
by checking the option label on the rear panel:
For any questions about your shipment, please Contact
Agilent Technologies for consulting and service.
Item Quantity Part number
N9320A Spectrum Analyzer 1 N9320A
USB cable 1 8121-1515
N-BNC adapter 1 1250-0780
BNC cable 1 8120-2682
Three-pin power cord 1 Specific to shipping location
User’s Guide 1 N9320-90001
Help kit CD-ROM 1 N9320-84500
Calibration certificate 1 5962-0476
Option Name Part number
PA3 3 GHz Preamplifier N9320A-PA3
TG3 3 GHz Tracking Generator N9320A-TG3
1HB Handle and bumpers N9320A-1HB
1CM Rackmount kit N9320A-1CM
1TC Hard transit case N9320A-1TC