Agilent N4985A

System Amplifiers

Operating and Service

Manual

Agilent Technologies
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2013 Warranty Safety Notices
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Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Compliance Notices and Regulatory Information

Compliance with Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC)

This product conforms with the protection requirements of
EMC Directive 2004/108/EC for Electromagnetic
Compatibility.
This product complies to the EMC Directive by assessment
according to the IEC/EN61326- 1:2005 EMC standard.
In order to preserve the EMC performance of this product,
any cable which becomes worn or damaged must be replaced
with the same type and specifications.

WEEE Compliance
This product complies with the WEEE Directive
(2002/96/EC) marking requirements. The affixed label
indicates that you must not discard this electrical/electronic
product in domestic household waste.
Product Category: With reference to the equipment types in
the WEEE Directive Annex I, this product is classed as a
"Monitoring and Control Instrumentation" product.
Do not dispose in domestic household waste.
To return unwanted products, contact your local Agilent
office, or see www.agilent.com for more information.

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 3

 Regulatory Markings

The CE mark shows that the product complies with all the
relevant European Legal Directives.

ICES/NMB-001 indicates that this ISM device complies with

Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareill ISM est conforme a la norme NMB-001 du Canada.

The C-Tick mark is a registered trademark of the Spectrum

Management Agency of Australia. This signifies compliance
with the Australian EMC Framework Regulations under the
terms of the Radio Communications Act of 1992.

This symbol indicates the time period during which no

hazardous or toxic substance elements are expected to leak or
deteriorate during normal use. Forty years is the expected
useful life of the product.

South Korean Class A EMC declaration:

This equipment is Class A suitable for professional use and is
for use in electromagnetic environments outside of the home.

4 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Contacting Agilent
For more information, please contact your nearest Agilent
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Or, go to www.agilent.com/find/assist for more information.

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 5

Declaration of Conformity
A copy of the Manufacturer’s European Declaration of
Conformity for these System Amplifiers can be obtained by
contacting your local Agilent Technologies sales
representative, or copies can be downloaded from the
Agilent Technologies, Inc. Web site at:
http://regulations.corporate.agilent.com/DoC/search.htm

6 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Contents
1 Introduction 9
Product Overview 10
Features of the Agilent N4985A Amplifiers 12
Applications 13

2 Installation 15
Initial Inspection 16
Service and Recalibration 17
Related Documentation 17
Operating and Safety Precautions 18
ESD Damage 18
Connector Care 19

3 Specifications 21
General Specifications 22
Specifications 22
Supplementary Specifications 37
Physical Specifications 37
Mechanical Dimensions 38

4 Operation Guide 39
Operating Instructions 40
Performance Verification 40
Example Application 41
Service and Maintenance 42
Service 42
Maintenance 42

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 7

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8 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers
Operating and Service Manual

1
Introduction

Product Overview 10
“Features of the Agilent N4985A Amplifiers" on page 12
“Applications" on page 13

This chapter provides an overview of the N4985A Amplifiers.

Agilent Technologies 9
Product Overview
High Performance Broadband RF Amplifier
The N4985A- S30 and N4985A- S50 system amplifiers are high
performance, broadband amplifiers featuring baseband RF
(<100 kHz) through millimeter wave frequency coverage.
These amplifiers, which have many uses in research,
development, or production- line environment, are a useful
addition to the laboratory where RF, microwave, or
millimeter wave measurements are made. Typical
applications include:
• RF Source Amplifier.
• Mixer LO Amplifier.
• Noise Figure LNA and Noise Figure System Amplifier.
• Pulse Amplifier and time domain applications.
• Digital communication systems.
• Antenna research and development.
• General purpose RF gain block.

N4985A-S30 Amplifier N4985A-S50 Amplifier

Figure 1-1 Agilent N4985A-S30/S50 amplifier

10 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

 High Performance System Amplifier
The N4985A- P15 and N4985A- P25 are high performance,
broadband amplifiers with excellent power and gain up to
50 GHz, which have many uses in research, development, or
production- line environment. These amplifiers are a useful
addition to the laboratory where RF, microwave, or
millimeter wave measurements are made. Typical
applications include:
• Driver for high power amplifiers such as TWT or linear
power amplifiers.
• Overcome system losses such as long transmission lines,
power dividers, etc.
• Antenna research and development; antenna
characterization systems.
• Broadband RF characterization.

N4985A-P15 Amplifier N4985A-P25 Amplifier

Figure 1-2 Agilent N4985A-P15/P25 amplifier

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 11

 Features of the Agilent N4985A Amplifiers
The N4985A is a high performance amplifier featuring
broadband frequency coverage.

Model Frequency Range Gain

N4985A-S30 100 kHz to 30 GHz 30 dB

N4985A-S50 100 kHz to 50 GHz 30 dB

N4985A-P15 10 MHz to 50 GHz 25 dB

N4985A-P25 2 GHz to 50 GHz 27 dB

N4985A-S30 and N4985A-S50

• The amplifier is designed to be a multi- use laboratory RF
amplifier as a gain block for frequency domain
applications or as a time domain pulse amplifier.
• The amplifier’s small size and versatile performance make
it an excellent selection as a general purpose gain block
with moderate power output in a single package
potentially replacing two or three narrower band
amplifiers.

N4985A-P15 and N4985A-P25

• The amplifier is designed to be easily used in laboratory
and test applications.
• It is small in size and has built- in bias power supplies
allowing close placement to the measurement or source
reference plane. Its high gain helps to compensate for
system losses such as long transmission lines and system
components.

12 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

 Applications
The N4985A- S30 and N4985A- S50 system amplifiers are an
often needed companion to synthesized signal generators
and microwave sources. The small size of the amplifiers
allows close placement to the DUT or test fixture. High gain
and greater than 20 dBm output power will overcome long
cable losses from the signal source and provide the
additional output power needed in many development and
test applications.
The N4985A- P15 and N4985A- P25 are test amplifiers
designed for broadband power and gain applications. It is
ideally suited for saturated RF amplifier testing, driving TWT
amplifiers, or as an antenna system amplifier. High gain and
typically 22 dBm output power at 50 GHz will overcome long
cable losses from the signal source, and will provide
additional power required in many development and test
applications.

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 13

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14 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers
Operating and Service Manual

2
Installation
Initial Inspection 16
Service and Recalibration 17
Related Documentation 17
Operating and Safety Precautions 18
“ESD Damage" on page 18
“Connector Care" on page 19

This chapter provides you important information on how to

check and prepare your instrument for operation.

Agilent Technologies 15
Initial Inspection
1 Unpack and inspect the shipping container and its
contents thoroughly to ensure that nothing was damaged
during shipment. If the shipping container or cushioning
material is damaged, the contents should be checked both
mechanically and electrically. Check for mechanical
damage such as scratches or dents. Procedures for
checking electrical performance are given under
“Performance Verification" on page 40.
2 If the contents are damaged or defective, contact your
nearest Agilent Technologies Service and Support Office.
Refer to “Contacting Agilent’’ in the front matter of this
manual. Agilent Technologies will arrange for repair or
replacement of the damaged or defective equipment. Keep
the shipping materials for the carrier’s inspection.
3 If you are returning the instrument under warranty or for
service, repackaging the instrument requires original
shipping containers and materials or their equivalents.
Agilent Technologies can provide packaging materials
identical to the original materials. Refer to “Contacting
Agilent’’ in the front matter of this manual for the Agilent
Technologies nearest to you. Attach a tag indicating the
type of service required, return address, model number,
and serial number. Mark the container FRAGILE to insure
careful handling. In any correspondence, refer to the
instrument by its model number and serial number.

16 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Service and Recalibration
If your N4985A amplifiers require service or repair, contact
the nearest Agilent office for information on where to send
it. Refer to “Contacting Agilent’’ in the front matter of this
manual. The performance of the N4985A can only be verified
by specially- manufactured equipment and calibration
standards from Agilent. The recommended interval for
recalibration is 12 months.

Related Documentation
This Operating and Service Manual is shipped with the
product. It is also available at
http://www.agilent.com/find/N4985A.

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 17

Operating and Safety Precautions
Observe the following guidelines before connecting or
operating the N4985A System Amplifiers.

ESD Damage
Protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) is important
while handling and operating the N4985A.
Static electricity can build up on your body and can easily
damage sensitive components when discharged.
Static discharges too small to be felt can cause permanent
damage to the unit.
To prevent damage from ESD:
• Use a grounded antistatic mat in front of your test
equipment and wear a grounded wrist strap attached to it
when handling or operating the N4985A.
• Wear a heel strap when working in an area with a
conductive floor.
• Ground yourself before you clean, inspect, or make a
connection to the N4985A. You can, for example, grasp
the grounded outer shell of the analyzer test port or cable
connector briefly.
• Avoid touching the exposed connector pins.

18 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

 Connector Care
Because connectors can become defective due to wear during
normal use, all connectors should be inspected and
maintained to maximize their service life.
• Inspect the mating surface each time a connection is
made. Metal particles from connector threads often find
their way onto the mating surface when a connection is
made or disconnected.
• Clean dirt and contamination from the connector mating
surface and threads. This simple step can extend the
service life of the connector and improve the quality of
your calibration and measurements.
• Gage connectors periodically. This not only provides
assurance of proper mechanical tolerances and thus
connector performance, but can also indicate situations
where the potential for damage to another connector may
exist.

The N4985A can be damaged if excessive torque is applied to the

CAUTION
connectors.
The recommended torque value is 8 lb-in torque for 2.4 mm and
2.92 mm, 5 Ib-in torque for 1.85 mm DCA sampling head.

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 19

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20 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers
Operating and Service Manual

3
Specifications
General Specifications 22
“Specifications" on page 22
Supplementary Specifications 37
Physical Specifications 37
Mechanical Dimensions 38

This chapter provides the specifications of the N4985A

Amplifiers.

Agilent Technologies 21
General Specifications

Specifications
Specifications refer to the performance standards or limits
against which the N4985A is tested.
Typical characteristics are included for additional
information only and they are not specifications. These are
denoted as "typical", "nominal", or "approximate", and are
printed in italic.

Table 3-1 N4985A-S30 and N4985A-S50 specifications

Model Agilent N4985A-S30 Agilent N4985A-S50

Frequency 100 kHz to 30 GHz 100 kHz to 50 GHz

Gain (dB) 30 dB 30 dB

Small signal gain 27 (min), 30 (typ) 1 GHz to 26 GHz 27 (min), 30 (typ) 1 GHz to 26 GHz

24 (min), 27 (typ) 26 GHz to 45 GHz

Output power (at Psat) (dB) 20 (min), 22 (typ) 100 kHz to 26 GHz 20 (min), 22 (typ) 100 kHz to 26 GHz

20 (typ) 26 GHz to 40 GHz

17 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Input match S11 (dB) –10 (typ) 1 GHz to 26 GHz –10 (typ) 1 GHz to 26 GHz

–8 (typ) 26 GHz to 45 GHz

Output match S22 (dB) –10 (typ) 1 GHz to 26 GHz –10 (typ) 1 GHz to 26 GHz

–8 (typ) 26 GHz to 45 GHz

Noise figure (dBm) 5 (typ) 2 GHz to 30 GHz 5 (typ) 2 GHz to 3 GHz

6 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz

2nd harmonics H2 (dBc) @P1 –30 (typ) 2 GHz to 25 GHz –30 (typ) 2 GHz to 25 GHz

22 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Table 3-2 Additional specifications for N4985A-OA3

Description Minimum Typical Maximum

S21 (V) Output eye amplitude 7 7.5 —

Input eye amplitude — 0.5 —

S21 (ps) Jitter additive (rms) — < 0.5 <1

Tr/Tf (ps) Rise/fall time — <8 < 10

Table 3-3 Additional specifications for N4985A-OA5

Description Minimum Typical Maximum

S21 (V) Output eye amplitude 7 7.5 —

Input eye amplitude — 0.5 —

S21 (ps) Jitter additive (rms) — < 0.5 <1

Tr/Tf (ps) Rise/fall time — <8 < 10

Figure 3-1 Small signal parameters versus frequency (for N4985A-S30)

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 23

 Figure 3-2 Gain versus output power (P1dB indicated with *) [for
N4985A-S30]

Figure 3-3 Saturated output power (for N4985A-S30)

24 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

 Figure 3-4 N4985A-OA3 (231 – 1) EYE: >7 V output (1.5 V/div)

Figure 3-5 N4985A-OA3 (231 – 1) EYE: <500 fs added rms jitter (5 ps/div)

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 25

 Figure 3-6 N4985A-OA3 (231 – 1) EYE: <10 ps Tf/Tf (5 ps/div)

Figure 3-7 N4985A-OA3 (231 – 1) EYE: Input signal from PRBS generator

26 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

 Figure 3-8 Small signal parameters versus frequency (for N4985A-S50)

Figure 3-9 Gain versus output power (P1dB indicated with *) [for
N4985A-S50]

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 27

 Figure 3-10 Saturated output power (for N4985A-S50)

Figure 3-11 Input pulse = Ch3, 420 m Vppk, 10.4 pS rise time
Output pulse = Ch4, 6.5 Vppk, 11.0 pS rise time (for
N4985A-S50)

28 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

 Figure 3-12 N4985A-OA5 (231 – 1) EYE: >7 V output (1.5 V/div)

Figure 3-13 N4985A-OA5 (231 – 1) EYE: <500 fs added rms jitter (5 ps/div)

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 29

 Figure 3-14 N4985A-OA5 (231 – 1) EYE: <10 ps Tf/Tf (5 ps/div)

Figure 3-15 N4985A-OA5 (231 – 1) EYE: Input signal from PRBS generator

30 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Table 3-4 N4985A-P15 and N4985A-P25 specifications

Model Agilent N4985A-P15 Agilent N4985A-P25

Frequency 10 MHz to 50 GHz 2 GHz to 50 GHz

Gain (dB) 30 dB 30 dB

Small signal gain 20 (min), 25 (typ) 10 MHz to 2 GHz 25 (min), 29 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz

25 (min), 29 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz 24 (min), 28 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz

24 (min), 28 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz 21 (min), 25 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz

21 (min), 25 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz 17 (min), 24 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

17 (min), 24 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Output power (at Psat) (dB) 20 (min), 24 (typ) 10 MHz to 2 GHz 26 (min), 30 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz

26 (min), 30 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz 25 (min), 29 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz

25 (min), 29 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz 23 (min), 27 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz

23 (min), 27 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz 20 (min), 24 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

20 (min), 24 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Output power (P1dB) (dB) 17 (min), 22 (typ) 10 MHz to 2 GHz 24 (min), 28 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz

24 (min), 28 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz 23 (min), 27 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz

23 (min), 27 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz 21 (min), 25 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz

21 (min), 25 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz 17 (min), 22 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

17 (min), 22 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Input match S11 (dB) –15 (typ) 10 MHz to 2 GHz –15 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz

–15 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz –15 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz

–15 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz –10 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz

–10 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz –8 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

–8 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 31

Table 3-4 N4985A-P15 and N4985A-P25 specifications (continued)

Model Agilent N4985A-P15 Agilent N4985A-P25

Output match S22 (dB) –6 (typ) 10 MHz to 2 GHz –15 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz

–15 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz –10 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz

–10 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz –6 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz

–6 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz –6 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

–6 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Reverse isolation (dB) –60 (typ) 10 MHz to 2 GHz –60 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz

–60 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz –60 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz

–60 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz –50 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz

–50 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz –50 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

–50 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

Noise figure (dBm) 9 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz 9 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz

9 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz 9 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz

10.5 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz 10.5 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz

12 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz 12 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

2nd harmonics H2 (dBc) @P1 –40 (typ) 10 MHz to 2 GHz –40 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz

–40 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz –40 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz

–40 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz –35 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz

–35 (typ) 30 GHz to 40 GHz –30 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

–30 (typ) 40 GHz to 50 GHz

3rd harmonics H3 (dBc) @P1 –20 (typ) 10 MHz to 2 GHz –20 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz

–20 (typ) 2 GHz to 10 GHz –20 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz

–20 (typ) 10 GHz to 30 GHz — 30 GHz to 40 GHz

— 30 GHz to 40 GHz — 40 GHz to 50 GHz

— 40 GHz to 50 GHz

32 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

 Figure 3-16 Typical N4985A-P15 performance (S21)

Figure 3-17 Typical N4985A-P15 performance (group delay)

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 33

 Figure 3-18 Typical N4985A-P15 performance (S11, S22)

Figure 3-19 Typical N4985A-P15 performance (saturated output power)

34 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

 Figure 3-20 Typical N4985A-P25 performance (S21)

Figure 3-21 Typical N4985A-P25 performance (group delay)

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 35

 Figure 3-22 Typical N4985A-P25 performance (S11, S22)

Figure 3-23 Typical N4985A-P25 performance (saturated output power)

36 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Supplementary Specifications

Table 3-5 Supplementary specifications for the N4985A Amplifiers[1]

Model Agilent N4985A-S30 Agilent N4985A-S50 Agilent N4985A-P15 Agilent N4985A-P25

Bias voltage and current 9 Vdc at 500 mA 9 Vdc at 500 mA 9 Vdc at 1.5 A 9 Vdc at 1.5 A

RF connectors 2.92 mm (f) 2.92 mm (f) 2.4 mm (f) 2.4 mm (f)

Survival input power 20 dBm 20 dBm 26 dBm 26 dBm

Operating temperature 0 to +55 °C 0 to +55 °C 0 to +55 °C 0 to +55 °C

[1] Including the power supply and the DC power supply cable.

Physical Specifications

Table 3-6 Physical specifications for the N4985A Amplifiers

Model Agilent N4985A-S30 Agilent N4985A-S50 Agilent N4985A-P15 Agilent N4985A-P25

Net weight 0.26 kg 0.26 kg 1.03 kg 1.03 kg

Shipping weight 1.8 kg 1.8 kg 3.2 kg 3.2 kg

Shipping dimensions
• Length 90 mm 90 mm 114 mm 114 mm
• Width 90 mm 90 mm 140 mm 140 mm
• Height 25 mm 25 mm 70 mm 70 mm

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 37

Mechanical Dimensions[1]

Figure 3-24 Mechanical dimensions of the N4985A-S30/S50 amplifier

Figure 3-25 Mechanical dimensions of the N4985A-P15/P25 amplifier

[1] Dimensions in millimeters.

38 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers
Operating and Service Manual

4
Operation Guide
Operating Instructions 40
“Performance Verification" on page 40
“Example Application" on page 41
Service and Maintenance 42
“Service" on page 42
“Maintenance" on page 42

This chapter provides the operating instructions for the

N4985A Amplifiers.

Agilent Technologies 39
Operating Instructions

Performance Verification
The figures below show the setup used to verify the
performance of the N4985A Amplifiers.
A calibrated power splitter (or calibrated coupler) connected
to the amplifier input reference plane and to power sensor
A, as shown, establishes the input power level. The output
power is measured on power sensor B. Measurements of gain
versus output power at frequencies of interest establish the
amplifier performance.

Figure 4-1 Verification setup with a power splitter

Figure 4-2 Verification setup with a calibrated coupler

40 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers

 Example Application
The N4985A amplifies the RF Source output power to the
level needed to characterize DUT performance.
The small size of the N4985A is easy to place close to the
DUT input “Reference Plane”. The high gain of the amplifier
easily overcomes the cable losses from the remote RF
Source.
The figure below shows an amplified RF power measurement
system using the N4985A.

Figure 4-3 Example of an amplified RF power measurement system

The DUT is characterized by setting the power level at the

DUT input “Reference Plane” and measuring the output
power at various input power levels for each test frequency.
The RF Source, used in this example, is a laboratory grade
Synthesized Source or Signal Generator with precise
amplitude control (e.g. Agilent 83650L RF Source). The
power levels are measured using a power meter with two
measurement port sensors (A and B) (e.g. Agilent E4419B).
An RF power coupler provides a small, proportional amount
of the amplified power to power sensor A as shown in the
above figure.

Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers 41

Service and Maintenance

Service
The N4985A does not have internal adjustments and should
not be opened; it should only be repaired by service- trained
personnel. Should it become necessary to return the N4985A
for repair or service, contact your nearest Agilent Sales and
Service Center.

Maintenance
The connectors of the N4985A, particularly the connector
faces, must be kept clean. Agilent recommends that the
connectors be periodically inspected and cleaned if
necessary. For instructions on the connection and
maintenance of your connectors, refer to the Connector Care
Quick Reference Card (08510- 90360).

42 Agilent N4985A System Amplifiers