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N5241A PNA-X Microwave Network Analyzer, 10MHz-13.5GHz

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Network analyzer

Desktop network analyzer


  • Product Description
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    • Brand: 是德科技
    • Commodity name: N5241A PNA-X Microwave Network Analyzer, 10MHz-13.5GHz
    • Brand: Keysight Technologies
     


     

    High-Performance Vector Network Analyzer N5241A: A 26.5 GHz precision test platform, a core tool for high-frequency component and system-level characterization

    The N5241A is a high-frequency model in Keysight's PNA-X series, specifically designed for high-precision testing of millimeter-wave bands and complex RF systems. Its ultra-wide frequency coverage from 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz, combined with industry-leading dynamic range and multi-parameter synchronous measurement capabilities, is widely used in 5G millimeter wave, satellite communication, radar systems, and semiconductor R&D fields, providing engineers with a comprehensive testing solution from components to systems.

    I. Core Technical Indicators and Performance Advantages

    Ultra-wide Frequency Coverage and High-Resolution Measurement
    The N5241A supports 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz continuous frequency scanning, covering Sub-6GHz, C-band, X-band, and parts of the K-band applications, meeting the full-band characteristic analysis of high-frequency filters, power amplifiers, phased array antennas, and other components. Its built-in dual-source configuration supports signal excitation and synchronous reception up to 26.5 GHz, and with 32,001 measurement points and 200 independent channels, it achieves fine modeling of complex networks.
    Excellent Dynamic Range and Low-Noise Performance
    • 130 dB system dynamic range (26.5 GHz) : Maintains high signal resolution capability over a wide frequency band, capable of clearly capturing weak signals at the -110 dBm level, suitable for noise coefficient testing of sensitive devices such as low-noise amplifiers (LNAs).
    • <28 microseconds/point measurement speed : Supports fast frequency sweeping and multi-port synchronous measurement, significantly improving the efficiency of batch testing on production lines, especially suitable for amplitude-phase consistency calibration of large-scale MIMO antenna arrays.
    • -114 dBm background noise (10 Hz intermediate frequency bandwidth) : Maintains an extremely low noise base even at high frequencies, ensuring accurate characterization of the distortion characteristics of nonlinear devices (such as mixers and frequency converters).
    Intelligent Calibration and Multi-parameter Fusion Testing
    • Full-scenario calibration technology : Supports TRL/LRM, electronic calibration components (ECal), and non-insertion calibration, adapting to complex testing environments such as wafer probe stations, waveguide fixtures, and system-on-chip (SoC) packaging, eliminating errors introduced by mechanical connections and dielectric losses. For example, for millimeter-wave wafer testing, TRL calibration combined with probe parasitic parameter compensation can reduce measurement uncertainty to below 0.05 dB.
    • Multi-domain Synchronous Analysis : Can simultaneously obtain key indicators such as S-parameters (continuous wave and pulse modes), gain compression (P1dB), third-order intermodulation (IMD3), harmonic distortion (HD2/HD3), and noise figure (NF), without switching test modes, comprehensively simplifying the multi-characteristic characterization process of active devices.

    II. Typical Application Areas

    5G Millimeter Wave and 6G Technology R&D
    The N5241A's 26.5 GHz coverage perfectly matches the 5G millimeter-wave band (such as 24.25-29.5 GHz), supporting:
    • Linear and nonlinear characteristic analysis of millimeter-wave front-end modules (such as power amplifiers and switch arrays)
    • Amplitude/phase consistency calibration and beamforming testing of phased array antenna units
    • Precision measurement of the dielectric constant and loss tangent of high-frequency PCB materials (such as Rogers and LCP)
    Satellite Communication and Radar System Testing
    In X-band (8-12 GHz) and K-band (12-18 GHz) applications, the N5241A's wide dynamic range and high stability assist in:
    • Gain flatness and out-of-band suppression testing of satellite transponders and low-earth orbit (LEO) payload components
    • Time-domain response analysis of pulse radar front ends (with time-domain gating function)
    • Amplitude-phase error calibration of phased array radar T/R components to ensure system-level beam pointing accuracy
    Semiconductor and High-Frequency Device R&D
    For wide-bandgap devices such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC), and high-frequency integrated circuits (ICs), the N5241A provides:
    • Small-signal S-parameter and large-signal load-pull testing of wafer-level devices (requires external load-pull system)
    • Extraction of high-frequency parasitic parameters of passive components such as on-chip spiral inductors and MIM capacitors
    • Loss characteristic analysis of on-chip interconnect structures (such as microstrip lines and coplanar waveguides) in process verification

    III. Design Highlights and User Value

    Modular Configuration and Flexible Expansion
    The instrument supports upgrades to various functional modules to meet differentiated testing needs:
    • Pulse test module : Achieves transient characteristic analysis of nanosecond-level pulse signals, suitable for radar pulse device testing
    • Multi-port expansion (4/6/8 ports) : Supports multi-channel parallel measurement of MIMO antenna systems, improving testing efficiency by more than 50%
    • Time-domain analysis function : Locates internal discontinuities in devices (such as solder joint defects and dielectric layering) through frequency-domain-time-domain transformation
    Intelligent Operation and Data Management
    • Graphical user interface : Supports touch operation and customized measurement processes, reducing engineer training costs
    • PathWave automation software Built-in template testing sequence, which can generate professional reports including measurement data, curves, and statistical analysis with one click, and supports seamless integration with tools such as LabVIEW and MATLAB to achieve digital management of the R&D process
    Long-term reliability and technical compatibility
    Keysight's hardware design uses temperature compensation technology and high-stability synthesizers to ensure that the instrument maintains ±0.01 dB amplitude stability over the long term in an environment of -10°C to 50°C. In addition, the modular architecture supports future frequency band expansion (such as compatibility with higher-frequency modules through software upgrades), protecting users' long-term investment.

    IV. Replacement Models and Technological Evolution

    The N5241A has been gradually replaced by N5241B and the new generation of PNA-X series (such as N5242B, N5244B), and the new generation of products have made breakthroughs in the following aspects:


     

    • Higher frequency coverage The N5241B supports up to 43.5 GHz, meeting the early R&D needs of the 6G terahertz band
    • Dynamic range improvement At 26.5 GHz, the system dynamic range reaches 135 dB, and the noise figure measurement accuracy is improved by 15%
    • AI-assisted calibration Introducing machine learning algorithms to optimize the calibration process, reducing calibration time by 40% in complex scenarios


     

    With its excellent performance in the 26.5 GHz band, the N5241A was once a benchmark device in the high-frequency RF testing field. Whether it is device-level R&D or system-level integration, its precise measurement capabilities and flexible configuration options continue to provide key support for technological innovation in cutting-edge fields such as wireless communication and radar remote sensing.
  • Hardware Configuration and Expansion

    Option Type Specific Option Function Description Application Scenarios
    Basic Configuration N5241A-200 Frequency range 10 MHz to 13.5 GHz, supports 2-port S-parameter measurement, dynamic range 126 dB, output power +16 dBm 21 Basic radio frequency device testing, low-frequency component evaluation.
    Port Expansion N5241A-400 Upgrade to 4-port configuration (including 2 built-in signal sources), supports multi-port device synchronous measurement 21 Multi-port networks (such as filters, duplexers), differential devices, antenna array testing.
    Power Expansion N5241A-219 Expands the power range and integrates a bias T-junction, supporting active device testing (such as amplifier gain compression, harmonic analysis) 21 Nonlinear characteristic evaluation of high-power amplifiers, mixers, and frequency converters.
     N5241A-419 Expands the power range in the 4-port configuration and integrates a bias T-junction, suitable for complex multi-port active device testing 21 Multi-port radio frequency front-end modules, multi-channel amplifier array testing.

    Calibration and Measurement Enhancement

    Option Type Specific Option Function Description Application Scenarios
    Calibration Kit N7552A Electronic Calibration (ECal) Module Supports fast automated calibration for 3.5 mm or N-type connectors, reducing calibration time and complexity 21 High-frequency devices, fast calibration for production lines, field testing.
      HP85052B Calibration Kit 3.5 mm calibration kit, supports TRL/LRM calibration technology, suitable for high-precision scenarios such as wafers, fixtures, and waveguides 21 Wafer-level testing, high-precision laboratory environments, waveguide device measurement.
    Calibration Function N5241A-551 Supports N-port calibration measurement, suitable for accurate calibration of multi-port networks 21 Multi-port devices (such as 4-port filters), complex system integration testing.
     N5241A-015 Dynamic uncertainty analysis, evaluates the error range of measurement results, and improves data reliability 21 Metrology-certified laboratories, high-precision R&D testing.

    Function Expansion and Advanced Measurement

    Option Type Specific Option Function Description Application Scenarios
    Nonlinear Measurement N5241A-086 Built-in gain compression analysis algorithm, supports amplifier characteristics. Nonlinear behavior testing of power amplifiers and RF transistors.
     N5241A-087 Intermodulation distortion (IMD) measurement, supports multi-tone signal analysis. Spurious suppression evaluation of radio frequency front-end modules and mixers.
    Time Domain Analysis N5241A-010 Time domain reflectometry (TDR) measurement, used for filter tuning, fault location, and material property analysis. Transmission line fault diagnosis, material dielectric constant measurement, filter debugging.
    Spectrum Analysis N5241A-090 Integrated spectrum function, realizing integrated network and spectrum testing. Signal integrity analysis, spectrum purity evaluation, multi-device collaborative testing.
    Pulse RF Testing N5241A-008 Supports pulse signal measurement, analyzes the response characteristics of devices under pulse excitation. Pulse amplifier, radar component, communication equipment pulse response testing.
     N5241A-025 Adds 4 internal pulse generators to expand pulse testing flexibility. Complex pulse sequence generation, multi-channel synchronous testing.
    Noise Figure Measurement N5241A-028 Standard receiver noise figure measurement, supports frequency converter evaluation. Low-noise amplifier (LNA), mixer noise characteristic analysis.
     N5241A-029 Fully corrected noise figure measurement up to 50 GHz, requires N4691B ECal module and 346 series noise source. High-precision noise figure measurement, millimeter-wave device evaluation.

    Software and Automation

    Option Type Specific Option Function Description Application Scenarios
    Built-in Software N5241A-007 Automatic Fixture Removal (AFR) function, simplifies fixture calibration process. Fixture removal, wafer probe station testing, high-loss material measurement.
    Interface and Control GPIB/USB/LAN Interface Supports remote control and automated testing processes, standard configuration. Production line automated testing, multi-instrument collaborative experiments.

    Other Useful Options

    Option Type Specific Option Function Description Application Scenarios
    Bias T-junction Integrated into N5241A-219/N5241A-419 Provides DC bias capability, suitable for active device testing, no additional configuration required. Transistor, diode, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) testing.
    Rack Mounting 19-inch rack mount Suitable for standard rack deployment (specific code should refer to the official documentation). Laboratory environment, industrial test system integration.

    Key Tips

    Compatibility Verification
    • Options such as 4-port extension (N5241A-400), high-power test (N5241A-219), and pulse RF test kit (N5241A-008/025) require compatibility confirmation with the N5241A hardware version and firmware. 21
    • Some options (such as N5241A-089) require software activation. It is recommended to contact official technical support for detailed information.
    Calibration Kit Matching
    • Calibration components (such as HP85052B) must strictly match the test frequency range and connector type (such as 3.5 mm) to avoid affecting measurement accuracy.

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