Date: 23/09/2011

Agilents' PXA signal analyzer supports up to 900 MHz of IF bandwidth

Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced that its high-performance PXA signal analyzer supports up to 900 MHz of intermediate-frequency bandwidth, enabling it to act as a broadband down converter for analysis of wideband communications and radar signals in aerospace and defense applications.

Agilent explains that many digital communications and radar applications require demodulation and analysis of wideband signals in the microwave region and in some applications, this task can be accomplished using a modern wideband oscilloscope to directly digitize signals for analysis, the Agilent PXA provides a more convenient and economical solution.

The PXA acts as a broadband down converter, which translates the desired microwave or millimeter wave signal down to an IF frequency and then supplies it to an Agilent Infiniium 9000 or 90000 Series oscilloscope running 89600 VSA software where it is digitized and analyzed, PXA's wideband IF output extends the 89600 VSA's analysis bandwidth to 900 MHz for input signals with frequencies from 3.6 to 50 GHz, customers gain the cost advantage of using off-the-shelf instruments for their broadband applications, while avoiding the frustration and uncertainty of home-brew down converters, says Agilent.

With this 900-MHz solution, engineers now have both the advantage of a fully featured signal analyzer with high-resolution vector signal analysis software and a wideband measurement system to address wideband demodulation requirements for developing aerospace and defense systems.

"With the PXA and 89600 VSA software, we have assembled the necessary building blocks to measure signal quality and demodulate even the most demanding modulation formats," said Guy S?n?, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Microwave and Communications Division. "The PXA's new 900 MHz IF bandwidth capability now extends these capabilities to Infiniium Series oscilloscopes, creating a cost-effective wideband measurement system and allowing maximum reuse of existing equipment."

The PXA is the highest-performance member of the Agilent X-Series signal analyzers, with frequency coverage from 3 Hz to 50 GHz that spans instruments, measurements and software, including more than 25 measurement applications that cover cellular communication, wireless connectivity, digital video, and aerospace and defense, as per Agilent.

U.S. Pricing and Availability: The Agilent N9030A PXA signal analyzer is currently available worldwide. Base prices range from $51,900 for the 3.6-GHz option to $91,000 for the 50-GHz option. The PXA's new 900 MHz IF bandwidth capability (Options MPB and CR3) is available for $5,882. The 89600 VSA software and Infiniium oscilloscopes are also currently available worldwide with starting prices of $12,000 and $30,000, respectively.

For more information visit: www.agilent.com