Keysight NFA Series Use and care manual

Noise Figure Analyzers
NFA Series
Performance Verification and
Calibration Guide
Manufacturing Part Number: N8972-90083
January 2019
Supersedes: December 2001
© Copyright 2001-2019 Keysight Technologies

ii
Safety Notices
The information contained in this document is subject to change without
notice.
Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this
material, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent
Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for
incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing,
performance, or use of this material.
The following safety symbols are used throughout this manual.
Familiarize yourself with the symbols and their meaning before
operating this instrument.
WARNING Warning denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure
which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in
injury or loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a warning note until
the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
CAUTION Caution denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or
destruction of the instrument. Do not proceedbeyond a cautionsign until
the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
NOTE Note calls out special information for the user’s attention. It provides
operational information or additional instructions of which the user
should be aware.

iii
General Safety Information
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all
phases of operation, service, and repair of this instrument. Failure to
comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in
this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and
intended use of the instrument. Agilent Technologies assumes no
liability for the customer’s failure to comply with these requirements.
DO NOT operate the product in an explosive atmosphere or in the
presence of flammable gasses or fumes.
DO NOT use repaired fuses or short-circuited fuseholders: For continued
protection against fire, replace the line fuse(s) only with fuse(s) of the
same voltage and current rating and type. Disconnect product from
mains supply voltage before replacing fuse.
DO NOT perform procedures involving cover or shield removal unless
you are qualified to do so: Operating personnel must not remove
equipment covers or shields. Procedures involving the removal of covers
and shields are for use by service-trained personnel only.
DO NOT service or adjust alone: Under certain conditions, dangerous
voltages may exist even with the equipment switched off. To avoid
dangerous electrical shock, service personnel must not attempt internal
service or adjustment unless another person, capable of rendering first
aid and resuscitation, is present.
DO NOT operate damaged equipment: Whenever it is possible that the
safety protection features built into this product have been impaired,
either through physical damage, excessive moisture, or any other reason,
REMOVE POWER and do not use the product until safe operation canbe
verified by service-trained personnel. If necessary, return the product to
an Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Office for service and repair to
ensure the safety features are maintained.
DO NOT substitute parts or modify equipment: Because of the danger of
introducing additional hazards, do notinstall substitute parts or perform
any unauthorized modification to the product. Return the product to an
Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Office for service and repair to
ensure the safety features are maintained.

iv
WARNING This is a Safety Class 1 Product (provided with a protective
earthing ground incorporated in the power cord). The mains
plug shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a
protected earth contact. Any interruption of the protective
conductor inside or outside of the product is likely to make the
product dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.
WARNING If this product is not used as specified, the protection provided
by the equipment could be impaired. This product must be used
in a normal condition (in which all means for protection are
intact) only.
Safety Symbols
The following symbols on the instrument and in the manual indicate
precautions which must be taken to maintain safe operation of the
instrument.
The Instruction Documentation Symbol. The product is
marked with this symbol when it is necessary for the
user to refer to the instructions in the supplied
documentation.
This symbol indicates that the input power required is
Alternating current (AC).
This symbol indicates the position of the operating
switch for ‘On’ mode
This symbol indicates the position of the operating
switch for ‘Stand-by’ mode. Note, the instrument is
NOT isolated from the mains when the switch is in this
position.
To isolate the instrument, the mains coupler (mains
input cord) should be removed from the power supply.

v
Trademark Acknowledgement
Microsoftis a US registered trademark of Microsoft Corp.
This symbol indicates that a device, or part of a device,
may be susceptible to electrostatic discharges (ESD)
which can result in damage to the product. Observe
ESD precautions given on the product, or its user
documentation, when handling equipment bearing this
mark.
The CE mark shows that the product complies with all
relevant European Legal Directives.
The C-Tick mark is a registered trademark of the
Australian Communications Authority. This signifies
compliance with the Australian EMC Framework
Regulations under the terms of the Radio
communications Act of 1992.
ISM 1-A This is a symbol of an Industrial, Scientific, and
Medical Group 1 Class A product.
ICES/NMB-001 This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareil ISM est conforme à la norme NMB-001 du
Canada.
The CSA mark is a registered trademark of the
Canadian Standards Association, and indicates
compliance to the standards laid out by them.

vi
Warranty
This Agilent Technologies instrument product is warranted against
defects in material and workmanship for a period of three years from
date of shipment. During the warranty period, Agilent Technologies
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 Agilent Technologies. Buyer shall prepay shipping
charges to Agilent Technologies and Agilent Technologies shall pay
shipping charges to return the product to Buyer. However, Buyer shall
pay all shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products returned to
Agilent Technologies from another country.
Agilent Technologies warrants that its software and firmware designated
by Agilent Technologies for use with an instrument will execute its
programming instructions when properly installed on that instrument.
Agilent Technologies 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 maintenance 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. AGILENT
TECHNOLOGIES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

vii
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES
THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE BUYER’S SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES SHALL NOT
BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL,
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON
CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.
Where to Find the Latest Information
Documentation is updated periodically. For the latest information about
the NFA Noise Figure Analyzer Series, including firmware upgrades and
application information, please visit the following Internet URL:
http://www.agilent.com/find/nf/
Lifting and Carrying
Use the handle for lifting or carrying the unit.
Before attempting to lift or carry the instrument consider the following
basic lifting techniques to help avoid personal injury.
Using one arm to lift instrument.
• BRACE your body with the opposite arm, if possible.
• Reach for the instrument - bend your knees and waist, and keep your
back straight.
• GRASP the instrument firmly - using the handle.
• LIFT with your legs, using the free arm for balance.
• KEEP your shoulders level - switch hands regularly.

viii
Electromagnetic Compatibility
This product conforms with the protection requirements of European
Council Directive 89/336/EEC for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC).
The conformity assessment requirements have been met using the
technical Construction file route to compliance, using EMC test
specifications EN 55011:1991 (Group 1, Class A) and EN 50082-1:1992.
In order to preserve the EMC performance of the product, any cable
which becomes worn or damaged must be replaced with the same type
and specification.
See the Declaration of Conformities on page ix, page x, page xi, page
xii.
Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Field
Immunity
When a 3 Vm-1 radio-frequency electromagnetic field is applied to the
Noise Figure Analyzer according to IEC 61000-4-3:1995, degradation of
performance may be observed. When the frequency of the incident field
matches the frequency of a measured noise figure or gain, the values
displayed will deviate from those expected. This phenomenon will only
affect that specific frequency, and the Analyzer will continue to perform
to specification at all other frequency sample points.
The Noise Figure Analyzer may be unable to calibrate a chosen
frequency sample point, if the frequency matches that of an incident
electromagnetic field.

ix
Declaration of Conformity — N8972A

x
Declaration of Conformity — N8973A