Agilent

N5183A MXG Microwave

Analog Signal Generator

Data Sheet
Table of Contents Definitions ......................................................................................... 3
Frequency .......................................................................................... 4
Amplitude .......................................................................................... 5
Spectral Purity .................................................................................. 8
Analog Modulation .......................................................................... 10
Frequency bands .......................................................................... 10
Frequency modulation .................................................................. 10
Phase modulation ........................................................................ 11
Amplitude modulation .................................................................. 11
Pulse modulation ......................................................................... 12
Narrow pulse modulation ........................................................... 13
Internal analog modulation source ............................................. 14
External modulation inputs ......................................................... 14
Simultaneous modulation ............................................................ 14
General Characteristics .................................................................. 18
Ordering Information ....................................................................... 18
Related Literature ........................................................................... 18
Application literature .................................................................. 18
Product literature ........................................................................ 18

2
Definitions Specification (spec): Represents warranted performance of a calibrated instrument
that has been stored for a minimum of 2 hours within the operating temperature range
of 0 to 55 °C, unless otherwise stated, and after a 45 minute warm-up period. The
specifications include measurement uncertainty. Data represented in this document
are specifications unless otherwise noted.

Typical (typ): Represents characteristic performance, which 80% of the instruments

manufactured will meet. This data is not warranted, does not include measurement
uncertainty, and is valid only at room temperature (approximately 25 °C).

Nominal (nom): The expected mean or average performance, or an attribute whose

performance is by design, such as the 50 Ω connector. This data is not warranted and
is measured at room temperature (approximately 25 °C).

Measured (meas): An attribute measured during the design phase for purposes of
communicating expected performance, such as amplitude drift vs. time. This data is
not warranted and is measured at room temperature (approximately 25 °C).

Note: All graphs contain measured data from several units at room temperature unless
otherwise noted.

3
Frequency Range
Option 520 100 kHz to 20 GHz
Option 532 100 kHz to 31.8 GHz
Option 540 100 kHz to 40 GHz

Minimum frequency 100 kHz1

Resolution 0.01 Hz

Phase offset Adjustable in nominal 0.01° increments

Frequency switching speed2, 3

Type Standard Option UNZ
SCPI mode ≤ 5 ms ≤ 1.15 ms, 750 µs (typ)
List/Step sweep mode ≤ 5 ms ≤ 900 µs, 600 µs (typ)

Stability ± aging rate

± temperature effects
± line voltage effects

Internal time base < ±1 ppm/yr

reference oscillator
aging rate

Temperature effects ± 1 ppm (typ) (0 to 55 °C)

Line voltage effects ± 0.1 ppm (nom)

Line voltage range 5% to –10% (nom)

Reference output
Frequency 10 MHz
Amplitude ≥ +4 dBm (nom) into 50 Ω load

External reference input

Fixed Variable (Option 1ER)
Input frequency 10 MHz 1 to 50 MHz
Lock range ± 10 Hz
Amplitude > –3.5 to 20 dBm (nom)
Impedance 50 Ω (nom)

Digital sweep
Operating modes Step sweep (equally or logarithmically spaced
frequency steps)
List sweep (arbitrary list of frequency steps)
Can also simultaneously sweep amplitude. See
amplitude section for more detail.
Sweep range Within instrument frequency range
Dwell time 100 µs to 100 s
Number of points 2 to 65535 (step sweep)
1 to 1601 (list sweep)
Step change Linear or logarithmic
Triggering Free run, trigger key, external, timer, bus (GPIB, LAN,
USB)

1. Performance below 250 kHz is unspecified, except as indicated.

2. Time from receipt of SCPI command or trigger signal to within 0.1 ppm of final frequency or within
100 Hz, whichever is greater, and amplitude settled to within 0.2 dB.
3. Specification does not apply when switching to or from frequencies < 500 kHz, when ALC level is
< –5 dBm for Option 540 or < 0 dBm for Option 520, or when frequency crosses 0.002, 0.02, 0.1, 2.0, 3.2,
20.0, 25.6, or 32.0 GHz.

4
 Maximum output power1
Amplitude
Range Standard2 Option 1EA3
Option 520
100 to 250 kHz +11 +14
> 250 kHz to 3.2 GHz +11 +15
> 3.2 to 20 GHz +11 +18
Options 532 and 540
100 to 250 kHz +11 +14
250 kHz to 3.2 GHz +7 +14
> 3.2 to 17 GHz +7 +15
> 17 to 31.8 GHz +7 +13
> 31.8 to 40 GHz +7 +12

Minimum output power

Standard –20 dBm
Option 1E1 –90 dBm4

Maximum available power Option 520 with Option 1EA (measured)

27

26

25

24

23
Amplitude (dBm)

22

21

20

19

18

17

16

15
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000
Frequency (MHz)

Maximum available power Option 540 with Option 1EA (measured)

25

24

23

22

21
Amplitude (dBm)

20

19

18

17

16

15
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000
Frequency (MHz)

1. Quoted specifications between 15 and 35 °C. Maximum output power typically decreases by 0.2 dB/ °C
for temperatures outside this range.
2. Settable power +2 dB higher than specified.
3. Settable power +30 dBm.
4. Settable to –130 dBm.

5
Resolution 0.01 dB

Step attenuator 0 to 115 dB in 5 dB steps

(Option 1E1)

Amplitude –15 to maximum specified output power with step attenuator

hold range in 0 dB. Can be offset using Option 1E1 mechanical attenuator.

Amplitude switching speed1, 2

Type Standard
SCPI mode 2 ms (typ)
List/Step sweep mode 2 ms (typ)

Absolute level accuracy [dB]3, 4

Frequency range –20 to < –10 dBm –10 to +10 dBm > +10 dBm
250 kHz to 2 GHz ±1.4 ±0.6 ±0.6
2 to 20 GHz ±1.3 ±0.9 ±0.9
20 to 40 GHz ±1.3 ±0.9 ±1.0

Absolute level accuracy with Option 1E1 (dB)4

Frequency range –90 to < –75 dBm –75 to < –10 dBm –10 to +10 dBm > +10 dBm
250 kHz to 2 GHz ±1.4 ±0.7 ±0.6 ±0.6
2 to 20 GHz ±1.6 ±1.0 ±0.9 ±0.9
20 to 40 GHz ±2.0 ±1.1 ±0.9 ±1.0

Measured level accuracy Options 520 & 540 at –90 dBm

0.8

0.6

0.4
Level accuracy (dB)

0.2
mean
0 +STD Dev
–STD Dev
–0.2

–0.4

–0.6

–0.8

–1
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000
Frequency (MHz)

1. Time from receipt of SCPI command or trigger signal to amplitude settled within 0.2 dB.
2. Specification does not apply when switching from and to amplitudes where ALC levels are < –5 dBm
for Option 540 or < 0 dBm for Option 520.
3. Level accuracy applies from –20 dBm to maximum output power between 15 °C and 35 °C.
4. For temperatures outside this range, absolute level accuracy degrades by 0.01 dB/degree C for
frequencies ≤ 4.5 GHz and 0.02 dB/degree C for frequencies > 4.5 GHz. For instruments with Type-N
connectors (Option 1ED), specifications are degraded typically 0.2 dB above 18 GHz. Specifications
do not apply above the maximum specified power.

6
Temperature stability 0.01 dB/°C (typ) for temperatures < 20 °C or > 30 °C

User flatness correction

Number of points 2 to 1601
Number of tables 10000 maximum; dependent on available free memory in
instrument
Entry modes USB/LAN direct power meter control, LAN to GPIB and
USB to GPIB, remote bus and manual USB/GPIB power
meter control

SWR 100 kHz to 20 GHz 1.6:1 (typ)

> 20 to 40 GHz 1.8:1 (typ)

Leveling modes Internal, external detector, ALC off, search

External detector leveling1

Range –0.2 mV to –0.5V (nom)
Bandwidth 10 kHz (typ)

Digital sweep modes

Operating modes Step sweep (evenly spaced amplitude steps)
List sweep (arbitrary list of amplitude steps)
Can also simultaneously sweep frequency. See frequency
section for more detail.
Sweep range Within instrument amplitude range
Dwell time 100 µs to 100 s
Number of points 2 to 65535 (step sweep)
1 to 1601 (list sweep)
Step change Linear
Triggering Free run, trigger key, external, timer, bus (GPIB, LAN, USB)

1. Not intended for pulsed operation.

7
Spectral Purity Single sideband phase noise (at 20 kHz offset from carrier)

Frequency range dBc/Hz dBc/Hz (typ)

250 kHz to < 250 MHz –113 –116
250 to < 375 MHz –125 –128
375 to < 750 MHz –119 –122
750 MHz to < 1.5 GHz –113 –116
1.5 to < 3.0 GHz –107 –110
3.0 to < 6.0 GHz –101 –104
6.0 to < 12.0 GHz –95 –98
12.0 to < 24.0 GHz –89 –92
24.0 to 40.0 GHz –83 –86

SSB Phase Noise

0
–10
–20
–30
–40
–50
–60 40 GHz
–70 20 GHz
–80
10 GHz
–90
–100 1 GHz
–110
–120
–130
–140
–150
–160
–170
10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1E+07 1E+08

L(f) [dBc/Hz] vs. f [Hz]

AM noise at 10 GHz
–20
–30
–40
–50
–60
–70
–80
–90
–100
–110
–120
–130
–140
–150
–160
–170
10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1E+07 1E+08
M(f) (dBc/Hz) vs. f(Hz)

8
Residual FM (CW mode, 0.3 to 3 kHz bandwidth, CITT, RMS)
< N*5Hz (typ)

Broadband noise CW mode at +10 dBm or maximum specified output

power, whichever is lower for offsets > 10 MHz
0.25 to 10 GHz –145 dBc/Hz (typ)
10 to 20 GHz –135 dBc/Hz (typ)
20 to 40 GHz –130 dBc/Hz (typ)

Harmonics (dBc)1
250 kHz to 2 GHz –28 (–30 typ)
> 2 to 20 GHz –54 (–60 typ)
> 20 to 40 GHz –56 (typ)

Non-harmonics (dBc)1
250 kHz to 250 MHz –54 (–89 typ)
> 250 to 375 MHz –61 (–86 typ)
> 375 to 750 MHz –55 (–74 typ)
> 750 MHz to 1.5 GHz –48 (–70 typ)
> 1.5 to 3.2 GHz –47 (–68 typ)
> 3.2 to 6 GHz –40 (–63 typ)
> 6 to 12 GHz –33 (–57 typ)
> 12 to 24 GHz –50 (typ)
> 24 to 40 GHz –45 (typ)

Subharmonics (dBc)1
250 kHz to 1.5 GHz None
> 1.5 GHz to 20 GHz –53
> 20 to 40 GHz –50

1. CW mode at +10 dBm or maximum specified output power, whichever is lower.

9
Analog Modulation Frequency bands1
Frequency N
250 kHz to < 250 MHz 1
250 to < 375 MHz 0.250
375 to < 750 MHz 0.500
750 to < 1.5 GHz 1
1.5 to < 3.0 GHZ 2
3.0 to < 6.0 GHz 4
6.0 to < 12.0 GHz 8
12.0 to < 24.0 GHz 16
24.0 to 40 GHz 32

Frequency modulation
(Option UNT)
Maximum deviation N x 10 MHz (nom)
Resolution 0.1% of deviation or 1 Hz, whichever is
greater (nom)
Deviation accuracy < ± 2% + 20 Hz
1 kHz rate, deviation is N x 100

Modulation frequency response (at 100 kHz deviation)

1 dB bandwidth 3 dB bandwidth
DC coupled DC to 3 MHz (nom) DC to 7 MHz (nom)
AC coupled 5 Hz to 3 MHz (nom) 5 Hz to 7 MHz (nom)

Carrier frequency accuracy2 < ±0.2% of set deviation + (N x 1 Hz)

Distortion < 0.4%
1 kHz rate, deviation is N x 100 kHz
Sensitivity when using
external input +1V peak for indicated deviation (nom)

1. N is a factor used to help define frequency and phase modulation specifications within the document.
2. Specification valid for temperature changes of less than ± 5° C since last DCFM calibration.

10
Phase modulation
(Option UNT)
Modulation deviation and frequency response:
Max deviation 3 dB bandwidth
Nominal bandwidth N x 5 radians (nom) DC to 1 MHz (nom)
High bandwidth mode N x 0.5 radians (nom) DC to 4 MHz (nom)
Resolution 0.1% of deviation

Deviation accuracy < +0.5% + 0.01 rad (typ)

1 kHz rate, normal bandwidth mode
Distortion < 0.2% (typ)
1 kHz rate, deviation normal bandwidth mode
Sensitivity when using
external input +1V peak for indicated deviation (nom)

Amplitude modulation1
(Option UNT)

AM Depth Linear Exponential

Maximum settable 90% 20 dB
Resolution 0.1% of depth (nom) 0.01 dB (nom)
Accuracy (1 kHz rate) < ±4% of setting <±(4% of setting
+ 1% (typ) + 0.2 dB) (typ)

Modulation rate (3 dB bandwidth, 30% depth)

DC coupled 0 to 10 kHz (typ)
AC coupled 5 Hz to 10 kHz (typ)
Distortion (1 kHz rate, 30% depth) < 2.0% (typ)
Sensitivity when using
external input +1V peak for indicated depth (nom)

1. AM is specified at carrier frequencies > 2 MHz, ALC on, and when AM envelope does not exceed max
power or go below –15 dBm for Option 520 or –20 dBm for Option 540.

11
Pulse modulation1
(Option UNU)
On/Off ratio > 80 dB (typ)2
Rise time < 50 ns (typ)
Fall time < 50 ns (typ)
Minimum width
ALC on ≥ 2 µs (typ)
ALC off ≥ 500 ns (typ)
Resolution 20 ns (nom)
Pulse repetition frequency
ALC on DC to 500 kHz
ALC off DC to 2 MHz
Level accuracy < 1 dB (typ)
(relative to CW, ALC on or off)
Video feedthrough < 350 mV (typ)
Pulse overshoot < 15% (nom)
Pulse compression 15 ns (typ)
Pulse delay
RF delay (video to RF output) 10 ns (nom)
Video delay (ext input to video) 30 ns (nom)
External input
Input impedance 50 ohm (nom)
Level +1 Vpeak = ON (nom)
Internal pulse generator
Modes Free-run, square, triggered, adjustable doublet,
trigger doublet, gated, and external pulse
Square wave rate 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz, 0.1 Hz resolution (nom)
Pulse period 500 ns to 42 seconds (nom)
Pulse width 500 ns to pulse period – 10 ns (nom)
Resolution 10 ns (nom)
Adjustable trigger delay – pulse period + 10 ns to pulse period to pulse
width –10 ns
Settable delay Free run –3.99 to 3.97 µs
Triggered 0 to 40 s
Resolution 10 ns (nom)
(delay, width, period)
Pulse doublets
1st pulse delay 0 to 42 s – pulse width – 10 ns
(relative to sync out)
1st pulse width 500 ns to 42 s – delay – 10 ns
2nd pulse delay 0 to 42 s – (delay1 + width2) – 10 ns
(relative to pulse 1)
2nd pulse width 20 ns to 42 s – (delay1 + delay2) – 10 ns

1. Pulse specifications apply to frequencies > 500 MHz. Operable down to 10 MHz.
2. Applies to power levels > –5 dBm for Option 1E1.

12
Narrow pulse modulation1
(Option UNW)
500 MHz to 3.2 GHz Above 3.2 GHz
On/Off ratio > 80 dB (typ) > 80 dB (typ)
Rise/Fall times (Tr, Tf) < 10 ns (7 ns) < 10 ns (7 ns)
Minimum pulse width
Internally leveled ≥ 2 us ≥ 2 us
ALC off2 ≥ 20 ns ≥ 20 ns
Repetition frequency
Internally leveled 10 Hz to 500 kHz 10 Hz to 500 kHz
ALC off2 DC to 5 MHz DC to 10 MHz
Level accuracy relative to CW
Internally leveled < ±1.0 dB (typ) < ±1.0 dB (typ)
ALC off2 ±1.0 dB (typ) ±1.0 dB (typ)
Width compression < 5 ns (typ) < 10 ns (typ)
RF width relative to video out
Video feed-through3 < 300 mV (typ) < 10 mV (typ)
Video delay - 30 ns (nom) 30 ns (nom)
ext input to video
RF delay -video to 10 ns (nom) 20 ns (nom)
RF output
Pulse overshoot < 15% (nom) < 15% (nom)
Input level +1 Vpeak = RF On +1 Vpeak = RF On
Input impedance 50 Ω (nom) 50 Ω (nom)

Sync
Td Video delay (variable) Output
Tw Video pulse width Td
(variable) Video 50% 50%
Tp Pulse period (variable) Output
Tw
Tm RF delay Tp
Trf RF pulse width Tm

Tf RF pulse fall time RF Pulse 50% Vor Vf

Tr RF pulse rise time Output
Trf
Vor Pulse overshoot 10%

Vf Video feedthrough 90%

Tr Tf

1. Pulse specifications apply to frequencies > 500 MHz. Operable down to 10 MHz.
2. With power search on.
3. Applies to power levels < +10 dBm.

13
Internal analog modulation source
(Option UNT)
Waveform Sine
Rate range 100 MHz to 2 MHz
Resolution 1 MHz
Frequency accuracy Same as RF reference source (nom)

External modulation inputs

Modulation types FM, AM, phase mod, pulse mod
Input impedance 50 Ω (nom)

Simultaneous modulation1
All modulation types (FM, AM, φM and pulse modulation) may be simultaneously
enabled except: FM and phase modulation can not be combined; two modulation types
can not be simultaneously generated using the same modulation source. For example,
AM and FM can run concurrently and will modulate the output RF. This is useful for
simulating signal impairments.

1. If AM or pulse modulation are on, then phase and FM specifications do not apply.

14
General Characteristics Remote programming
Interfaces GPIB IEEE-488.2, 1987 with listen and talk
LAN 100BaseT LAN interface, LXI class C
compliant
USB Version 2.0
Control languages SCPI Version 1997.0

Compatibility languages supporting a subset of common commands

Agilent Technologies 8360 series, E8247C, E8257C, E8257D, E8241A,
E8244A, E8251A, E8254A, E4428C, E4438C,
E8267C/D, 8662A, 8663A, 83711B, 83712B,
83731B, 83732B, 83751B, 83752B, 8340B,
8341B

Power requirements 100 to 120 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz

220 to 240 VAC, 50 to 60 Hz
250 W maximum

Operating temperature range 0 to 55 °C

Storage temperature range –40 to 70 °C

Operating and storage altitude 15,000 feet

Environmental stress Samples of this product have been type tested in

accordance with the Agilent Environmental Test
Manual and verified to be robust against the
environmental stresses of Storage, Transportation
and End-use; those stresses include but are not
limited to temperature, humidity, shock, vibration,
altitude and power line conditions. Test Methods
are aligned with IEC 60068-2 and levels are
similar to MIL-PRF-28800F Class 3.

Safety Complies with European Low Voltage Directive

73/23/EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC
• IEC/EN 61010-1
• Canada: CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1
• USA: UL 61010-1

EMC Complies with European EMC Directive 89/336/

EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC
• IEC/EN 61326
• CISPR Pub 11 Group 1, class A
• AS/NZS CISPR 11:2002
• ICES/NMB-001

Memory Memory is shared by instrument states, sweep list

files, and other files. There is 512 MB of flash
memory available in the N5181A MXG. Depending
on how the memory is utilized, a maximum of
1000 instrument states can be saved.

15
Security (Option 006) Memory sanitizing, memory sanitizing on power
on, and display blanking.

Self test Internal diagnostic routines test most modules

in a preset condition. For each module, if its
node voltages are within acceptable limits, the
module “passes” the test.

Weight ≤ 13.8 kg (30 lb.) net,

≤ 28.4 kg (62 lb.) shipping

Dimensions 103 mm H x 426 mm W x 432 mm L

(4.07 in H x 16.8 in W x 17 in L)

Recommended calibration cycle 24 months

ISO compliant The Agilent N5181A MXG is manufactured in an

ISO-9001 registered facility in concurrence with
Agilent Technologies’ commitment to quality.

Front panel connectors1

RF output Output impedance 50 Ω (nom)
Option 520 Precision APC-3.5 male, or Type-N with
Option 1ED
Option 532/540 Precision 2.4 mm male; plus 2.4 – 2.4 mm and
2.4 – 2.9 mm female adapters
USB 2.0 Used with a memory stick for transferring
instrument states, licenses and other files into
or out of the instrument. Also used with U2000
series USB average power sensors. For a
current list of supported memory sticks, visit
www.agilent.com/find/MXG, click on Technical
Support, and refer to FAQs: WaveformDownloads
and Storage.

Rear panel connectors1

RF output Outputs the RF signal via a precision N type
(Option 1EM) female connector.
Sweep out Generates output voltage, 0 to +10 V when the
signal generator is sweeping. This output can
also be programmed to indicate when the source
is settled or output pulse video and is TTL and
CMOS compatible in this mode. Output
impedance < 1 Ω, can drive 2k Ω. Damage
levels are ±15 V.
AM External AM input. Nominal input impedance is
50 Ω. Damage levels are ±5 V.
FM External FM input. Nominal input impedance is
50 Ω. Damage levels are ±5 V.
Pulse External pulse modulation input. This input is
TTL and CMOS compatible. Low logic levels are
0 V and high logic levels are +1 V. Nominal input
impedance is 50 Ω. Input damage levels are
≤ –0.3 V and ≥ +5.3 V.

1. All connectors are BNC unless otherwise noted.

16
Trigger in Accepts TTL and CMOS level signals for
triggering point-to-point in sweep mode. Damage
levels are ≤ –0.3 V and ≥ +5.3 V. Nominal input
impedance is 50 Ω.
Trigger out Outputs a TTL and CMOS compatible level
signal for use with sweep mode. The signal is
high at start of dwell, or when waiting for point
trigger in manual sweep mode; low when dwell
is over or point trigger is received. This output
can also be programmed to indicate when the
source is settled, pulse synchronization, or pulse
video. Nominal output impedance is 50 ohms.
Input damage levels are ≤ –0.3 V and ≥ +5.3 V.
Reference input Accepts a 10 MHz reference signal used to
frequency lock the internal timebase. Option 1ER
adds the capability to lock to a frequency from
1 MHz to 50 MHz. Nominal input level –3.5 to
+20 dBm, impedance 50 Ω.
10 MHz out Outputs the 10 MHz reference signal used by
internal time base. Level is nominally +3.9 dBm.
Nominal output impedance 50 Ω. Input damage
level is +16 dBm.
USB 2.0 The USB connector provides remote programming
functions via SCPI.
LAN (100 BaseT) The LAN connector provides the same SCPI
remote programming functionality as the GPIB
connector. The LAN connector is also used to
access the internal web server and FTP server.
The LAN supports DHCP, sockets SCPI, VXI-11
SCPI, connection monitoring, dynamic host name
services, TCP keep alive. This interface is LXI
class C compliant.
GPIB The GPIB connector provides remote
programming functionality via SCPI.

17
Ordering Information N5183A MXG microwave analog signal generator
Frequency
520 Frequency range from 100 kHz to 20 GHz
532 Frequency range from 100 kHz to 31.8 GHz
540 Frequency range from 100 kHz to 40 GHz

Performance enhancements
UNZ Fast frequency switching
1E1 Step attenuator
1EA High power
UNU Pulse modulation
UNW Narrow pulse modulation
UNT AM, FM, phase modulation
006 Instrument security
1ER Flexible reference input (1-50 MHz)
1EM Move RF output to rear panel
1ED Type N RF output connector

Accessories
1CM Rackmount kit
1CN Front handle kit
1CP Rackmount and front handle kit
1CR Rack slide kit
AXT Transit case

Related Literature Application literature

RF Source Basics, a self-paced tutorial (CD-ROM), literature number 5980-2060E

Product literature
Agilent MXG Signal Generator, Configuration Guide, literature number 5989-5485EN

See the Agilent MXG web page for the latest information. Get the latest news, product
and support information, application literature, firmware upgrades and more at
www.agilent.com/find/MXG

18