'Flagship' signal analyser from Agilent

The test and measurement specialist's analyser includes code compatibility features that it says make existing Agilent or HP high performance signal analysers easier to replace. The Agilent PXA is said to reduce measurement uncertainty and reveal high levels of signal detail, starting with up to 75dB dynamic range at 140MHz analysis bandwidth. Further specifications include 128dBc/Hz phase noise at 10kHz offset (1GHz), 0.19dB absolute amplitude accuracy and sensitivity of –172dBm displayed average noise level (DANL) at 2GHz (with preamplifier and noise floor extension technology). According to Agilent, the library of X-Series measurement applications ensures consistent results when transitioning from legacy or current generation analysers. The applications are transportable across many of the Agilent X-Series and the Agilent 89600 vector signal analysis (VSA) software can run inside the instrument. Guy Séné, vice president and general manager, Agilent's Microwave & Communications Division, said: "In real world signal analysis, the ability to keep test assets up to date equals success. The PXA provides that ability today and tomorrow with architecture that supports new measurement applications, future hardware add ons, wider analysis bandwidths, and possible upgrades to the instrument CPU, memory, disk drives and I/O ports."