HP 8901A User manual

H
HP 8901A Modulation Analyzer
150 kHz to 1300 MHz
Technical Specifications Outstanding signal
characterization
All parameters describe performance in automatic operation or
properly set manual conditions. Specifications describe the
instrument’s warranted performance. Supplemental characteris-
tics (shown in italics) are intended to provide information useful
in applying the instrument by giving typical, but non-warranted,
performance parameters.
RF Input
Frequency Range: 150 kHz to 1300 MHz.
Operating Level:
150 kHz to 650 MHz: 12 mVrms (−25 dBm) to 7 Vrms
(1 Wpeak).
650 MHz to 1300 MHz: 22 mVrms (−20 dBm) to 7 Vrms
(1 Wpeak).
Supplemental Characteristics
Tuning: Automatic, track (frequencies >10 MHz),
manual frequency entry.
Acquisition Time (automatic operation): ~1.5
second.
Input Impedance: 50 Ω nominal.
Maximum Safe Input Level:
AC: 35 Vrms (25 W for source SWR <4)
DC: 40 V
Frequency Modulation
Rates:
150 kHz to 10 MHz: 20 Hz to 10 kHz.
10 MHz to 1300 MHz: 20 Hz to 200 kHz1.
Deviations:
150 kHz to 10 MHz: 40 kHz peak maximum.
10 MHz to 1300 MHz: 400 kHz peak maximum1.
Accuracy:2
250 kHz to 10 MHz: ±2% of reading ±1 digit, 20 Hz
to 10 kHz rates.
10 MHz to 1300 MHz: ±1% of reading ±1 digit, 50 Hz
to 100 kHz rates.
±5% of reading ±1 digit, 20 Hz to 200 kHz rates.
Demodulated Output Distortion:3
400 kHz to 10 MHz: <0.1% THD, deviations <10 kHz.
10 MHz to 1300 MHz: <0.1% THD, rates and
deviations <100 kHz.
AM Rejection (for 50% AM at 400 Hz and
1 kHz rates):2<20 Hz peak deviation measured
in a 50 Hz to 3 kHz BW.
Residual FM (50 Hz to 3 kHz BW): <8 Hzrms at
1300 MHz, decreasing linearly with frequency
to <1 Hzrms for 100 MHz and below.
Supplemental Characteristics
Maximum Deviation Resolution:
1 Hz, <4 kHz deviation.
10 Hz, 4 kHz to 40 kHz deviation.
100 Hz, 40 kHz to 400 kHz deviation.
Resolution: Is increased one digit with 750 µ s
de-emphasis and pre-display on.
Demodulated Output Distortion: 150 to 400 kHz;
<0.3% THD, deviations <10 kHz.
Detectors: + peak, -peak, and average (rms sine
wave calibrated).
Demodulated Output Across an Open Circuit
(600 Ω output impedance):4
1 mV/Hz when resolution is 1 Hz.
0.1 mV/Hz when resolution is 10 Hz.
0.01 mV/Hz when resolution is 100 Hz.
Stereo Separation (50 Hz to 15 kHz): >47 dB.
Phase Modulation
Carrier Frequency: 10 MHz to 1300 MHz.
Rates: 200 Hz to 20 kHz.
1 Maximum rate 20 kHz and peak deviation 40 kHz with 750 µs
de-emphasis filter.
2 Peak residuals must be accounted for in peak readings.
3 With 750 µs de-emphasis and pre-display “off,” distortion is not
specified for modulation autopilots >4 V peak. This can occur near
maximum deviation for a measurement range at rates <2 kHz.
4 For optimum flatness, cables should be terminated with their
characteristic impedance.

2
Demodulated Output Distortion: <0.3% THD for
≤50% depth, <0.6% THD for ≤95% depth.
FM Rejection (at 400 Hz and 1 kHz rates, 50 Hz
to 3 kHz BW): 2
250 kHz to 10 MHz: <0.2% AM for <5 kHzpeak
deviation.
10 MHz to 1300 MHz: <0.2% AM for <50 kHzpeak
deviation.
Residual AM (50 Hz to 3 kHz BW): <0.01%rms.
Supplemental Characteristics
Maximum Depth Resolution:
0.01% for depths ≤39.99%.
0.1% for depths ≥40%.
Detectors: peak [+ peak], trough [−peak],
average (rms sine wave calibrated).
Demodulated Output Across an Open Circuit
(600 Ω output impedance):4
0.1 V/percent when resolution is 0.01%.
0.01 V/percent when resolution is 0.1%.
Frequency Counter
Range: 150 kHz to 1300 MHz.
Sensitivity:
150 kHz to 650 MHz: 12 mVrms (−25 dBm).
650 MHz to 1300 MHz: 22 mVrms (−20 dBm).
Accuracy: Reference accuracy ±3 counts of least
significant digit.
Internal Reference:
Frequency: 10 MHz.
Aging Rate: <1x10−6/month.
(Optional: <1x10−9/day)6.
Supplemental Characteristics
Modes: Frequency, and frequency error (displays
the difference between the frequency entered
via the keyboard and the actual RF input
frequency).
Sensitivity in Manual Tuning Mode: Approximate
frequency must be entered from keyboard.
0.22 mVrms ( − 60 dBm).
Maximum Resolution:
10 Hz for frequencies <1 GHz.
100 Hz for frequencies ≥1 GHz.
Internal Reference Accuracy: Overall accuracy
is a function of time base calibration ±aging
rate ±temperature effects ±line voltage effects
±short term stability.
2 Peak residuals must be accounted for in peak readings.
4 For optimum flatness, cables should be terminated with their
characteristic impedance.
5 For peak measurements only, AM accuracy may be affected by
distortion generated by the modulation analyzer. In the worst
case this can decrease accuracy by 0.1% of reading for each 0.1%
of distortion
6 After 30-day warm-up
Standard Option 002
Aging Rate <1 x 10
-6
/mo. <1 x 10
-9
/day
Temperature Effects <2 x 10
-7
/° C <2 x 10
-10
/° C
Line Voltage Effects <1 x 10
-6
<6 x 10
-10
(+5%, − 10% line
voltage change)
Short term stability — <1 x 10
-9
for 1s average
Accuracy: 2 ±3% of reading ±1 digit.
Demodulated Output Distortion: <0.1% THD.
AM Rejection (for 50% AM at 1 kHz rates): 2
<0.03 radians, peak deviation.
Supplemental Characteristics
Modulation Rates: Usable from 20 Hz to 100 kHz
with degraded performance.
Detectors: + peak, − peak, average (rms sine wave
calibrated).
Demodulated Output across an Open Circuit
(600 Ω output impedance):4
1 V/rad when resolution is 0.001 radian.
0.1 V/rad when resolution is 0.01 radian.
0.01 V/rad when resolution is 0.1 radian.
Amplitude Modulation
Rates:
150 kHz to 10 MHz: 20 Hz to 10 kHz.
10 MHz to 1300 MHz: 20 Hz to 100 kHz.
Depth: to 99%.
Accuracy: 2, 5
150 kHz to 10 MHz: ±2% of reading ±1 digit,
50 Hz to 10 kHz rates, >5% depth.
±3% of reading ±1 digit, 20 Hz to 10 kHz rates.
10 MHz to 1300 MHz: ±1% of reading ±1 digit,
50 Hz to 50 kHz rates, >5% depth.
±3% of reading ±1 digit, 20 Hz to 100 kHz rates.
Flatness (variation in indicated AM depth for
constant depth on input signal):
10 MHz to 1300 MHz: ±0.3% of reading ±1 digit,
90 Hz to 10 kHz rates, 20 to 80% depth.
Deviation and Maximum Resolution:
0.1 Radian
Resolution
0.01 Radian
Resolution
0.001 Radian
Resolution
400
40
4
200 Hz 1 kHz 10 kHz 20 kHz
Modulation rate
Peak phase deviation (radians)

3
RF Level
(Peak voltage responding, rms sine wave power
calibrated).
Range: 1 mW to 1 W.
Accuracy: ±2 dB, 150 kHz to 650 MHz.
±3 dB, 650 MHz to 1300 MHz.
SWR: <1.5 in a 50 Ωsystem.
Supplemental Characteristics
Typical Accuracy:
150 kHz to 650 MHz: ±1.0 dB.
650 MHz to 1300 MHz: ±1.5 dB.
Resolution:
0.1 mW for levels 0.1 to 1 W.
0.01 mW for levels 0.01 to 0.1 W.
0.001 mW for levels <0.01 W.
Audio Filters
High Pass (3 dB cutoff frequency): 50 Hz and
300 Hz.
Low Pass (3 dB cutoff frequency except
>20 kHz filter): 3 kHz, 15 kHz, >20 kHz.
De-emphasis Filters: 25 µs, 50 µs, 75 µs, and 750 µs.
De-emphasis filters are single pole low pass
filters whose 3 dB frequencies are 6366 Hz for
25 µs, 3183 Hz for 50 µs, 2122 Hz for 75 µs, and
212 Hz for 750 µs.
Flatness:
50 Hz High Pass: <1% at rates ≥200 Hz.
300 Hz High Pass: <1% at rates ≥1 kHz.
3 kHz Low Pass: <1% at rates ≤1 kHz.
15 kHz Low Pass: <1% at rates ≤10 kHz.
>20 kHz Low Pass: <1% at rates ≤10 kHz.
Supplemental Characteristics
50 Hz and 300 Hz High Pass: Two pole.
3 kHz and 15 kHz Low Pass: Five pole.
>20 kHz Low Pass: Nine pole bessel (typically
3 dB at 100 kHz).
High and Low Pass 3 dB Frequency Accuracy: ±3%.
De-emphasis Filter Time Constant Accuracy: ±3%.
Overshoot on Square Wave Modulation (>20 kHz
low pass filter 7): <1%.
Rear Panel Inputs/Outputs
Supplemental Characteristics
FM Output: 10 k Ω impedance, − 9 V to 6 V into an
open circuit: ~6 V/MHz, dc coupled, 16 kHz
bandwidth (one pole).
AM Output: 10 k Ω impedance, − 4 V to 0 V into an
open circuit, ~8 mV/%, dc coupled, 16 kHz
bandwidth (one pole).
Recorder Output: DC voltage proportional to peak
voltage of the modulation output, 1 k Ω imped-
ance, 0 V to 4 V for each resolution range into
an open circuit.
IF Output: 50 Ω impedance, 150 kHz to 2.5 MHz,
− 27 dBm to − 3 dBm.
10 MHz Reference Output: 50 Ω impedance,
TTL levels (0 V to >2.2 V into an open circuit),
available only with Option 002 1x10
− 9/day
internal reference, outputs internal reference
only.
10 MHz Reference Input: 8 >500 Ω impedance,
0.5 Vpeak-to-peak minimum input level.
LO Input (Option 003): 50 Ω impedance,
~1.27 MHz to 1301.5 MHz, 0 dBm.
Calibrators (Option 010)
AM Calibrator Depth and Accuracy: 33.33%
depth nominal, internally calibrated to an
accuracy of ±0.1 % .
FM Calibration Deviation and Accuracy:
34 kHz peak deviation nominal, internally
calibrated to an accuracy of ±0.1%.
Supplemental Characteristics
Carrier Frequency: 10.1 MHz.
Modulation Rate: 10 kHz.
Output Level: − 25 dBm.
General
Temperature:
Operating 0° to 55 °C.
Storage: −55 °C to 75 °C.
Remote Operation: HP-IB; all functions except the
line switch are remotely controllable.
HP-IB compatibility; as defined in IEEE 488-1978
is: SH1, AH1, T5, TE0, L3, LEO, SR1, RL1, PP0,
DC1, DT1, C0.
EMI: Conducted and radiated interference is within
the requirements of methods CE03 and RE02 of
MIL STD 461A (for inputs <10 mW), VDE 0871
(Level B), and CISPR publication 11.
7 The >20 kHz low pass filter is intended for minimum overshoot
with square wave modulation.
8 External reference accuracy affects accuracy of all measure-
ments.

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ã1982 Hewlett-Packard Co.
Data subject to change
Printed in U.S.A. 7/98
5968-1286E
Warranty Information
This Hewlett-Packard instrument product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship
for a period of one year from date of shipment. During the warranty period, Hewlett-Packard
Company will at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective.
For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service facility designated by HP.
Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to HP and HP shall pay shipping charges, duties, and taxes for
products returned to HP from another country.
HP warrants that its software and firmware designated by HP for use with an instrument will execute
its programming instructions when properly installed on that instrument. HP does not warrant that
the operation of the instrument, or software, or firmware will be uninterrupted or error free.
Limitation Of Warranty
The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper or inadequate mainte-
nance by buyer, buyer-supplied software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse,
operation outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper site preparation
or maintenance. No other warranty is expressed or implied. Hewlett-Packard specifically disclaims
the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Conducted and Radiated Susceptibility: Meets requirements of
methods CS01, CS02, and RS03 (1 volt/meter) of MIL STD 461A, 1968.
Power: 100, 120, 220, or 240 V (+5, −10%); 48 to 66 Hz; 200 VA max.
Weight: Net 20 kg. (44 lb.); shipping 25 kg. (55 lb.).
Dimensions: 190 mm H x 425 mm W x 468 mm D
(7.5 in. x 16.8 in. x 18.4 in.).
Options
HP 8901A Modulation Analyzer
Option 001: Rear panel instead of front panel connections
for input, modulation output, calibrators.
Option 002: lx10−9/day internal reference oscillator.
Option 003: Rear panel connections which allow use
with an external local oscillator.
Option 004: Operation from 48 to 440 Hz power line.
Option 010: AM and FM calibrators.
Option 907: Front panel handle kit.
Option 908: Rack mounting flange kit.
Option 909: Front panel handle plus rack mounting flange kit.
Option 910: Extra manual.
Option 915: Service manual.
Related Literature:
Product Overview .............................. 5968-1287E
Price List ......................................... 5968-1285EUS