DATA SHEET

AP5001A RF Analog Signal Generator

9 kHz to 2, 4, or 6.1 GHz
Definitions and Conditions
The specifications in the following pages describe the warranted performance of the instrument for
23 ± 5 °C after a 30-minute warm-up period (unless otherwise stated).

Min/Max: Parameter range that is guaranteed by product design, and/or production tested. Warranted
performance specifications include guard-bands to account for the expected statistical performance
distribution, measurement uncertainties, and changes in performance due to environmental conditions.

Typical: Expected mean values, not warranted performance.

Specifications
Frequency parameters / range
Parameter Min Typical Max Note
Frequency range 9 kHz 2.0 GHz AP5001A-502
9 kHz 4.0 GHz AP5001A-504
9 kHz 6.1 GHz AP5001A-506
Resolution 0.001 Hz
Phase resolution 0.1 deg
Settling time 20 μs 200 μs
Frequency update rate 400 μs Time from receipt of
List/Sweep mode SCPI command
firmware
Total jitter 68 fs RMS 10 Hz to 1 MHz BW
Reference frequency input 8 MHz 200 MHz User programmable
Reference input level -5 dBm 0 dBm +13 dBm
Lock Range +/- 1.0 ppm
Reference input impedance 50 Ω
Internal reference frequency output 10 MHz
Initial accuracy of internal reference ± 40 ppb Calibrated at 23 ± 3 °C
at the time of
calibration
Temperature stability (0 to 50 °C) ±100 ppb
Aging 1st year 0.5 ppm
Aging per day (after 30 days of 5 ppb
operations)
Warm-Up time 5 min
Output of internal reference +0 dBm, 50 Ω

2
Level performance
Parameter Min Typical Max Note

Power level
Standard -30 dBm +15 dBm > 5.8 GHz and ≤ 6.1 GHz
+16 dBm > 2.5 GHz and ≤ 5.8 GHz
+17 dBm > 50 MHz and ≤ 2.5 GHz≤ 50 MHz
+10 dBm
Option 1E1 -120 +15 dBm > 5.8 GHz and ≤ 6.1 GHz
dBm +16 dBm > 2.5 GHz and ≤ 5.8 GHz
+17 dBm > 50 MHz and ≤ 2.5 GHz
+10 dBm ≤ 50 MHz
Resolution 0.01 dB
Level uncertainty ± 0.3 dB ± 0.8 dB -20 to + 10 dBm
± 0.5 dB ± 1.3 dB -70 to -20 dBm
± 0.8 dB < -70 dBm

Figure 1. Typical maximum output power

3
Reverse power protection and VSWR
Parameter Min Typical Max Note

Reverse Power Protection

DC Voltage 5V
RF power +27 dBm
Output impedance 50 Ω
VSWR 2.0

Phase noise
Parameter Min Typical Max Note
SSB Phase noise 500 MHz to 1 GHz, -130 dBc/Hz -124 dBc/Hz
at 20 kHz from carrier

Figure 2. Typical phase noise

4
Spectral purity
Parameter Min Typical Max Note
Output harmonics -40 dBc -30 dBc Pout = +10 dBm
Sub-harmonics -80 dBc -70 dBc
Non-harmonic spurious
< 1 MHz -70 dBc -60 dBc Pout = +10 dBm
1 MHz to 4.8 GHz -65 dBc -55 dBc Pout = +10 dBm
4.8 GHz to 6.1 GHz -60 dBc Pout = +10 dBm
Residual FM at 1 GHz○
1 3 Hz 0.3 kHz to 3 kHz, weighted
12 Hz (ITU-T)
0.03 kHz to 23 kHz

Figure 3. Typical harmonics, at +10 dBm

5
Sweeping capability
Sweeps can be performed with combined internal or external AM/FM/PM/pulse modulation running. With
modulation enabled, the minimum step time increases to 2 ms.

Parameter Min Typical Max Note

Frequency sweep (Sweep type: linear, logarithmic, random)

Step time (tstep) 400 μs 19998 s
Dwell time (tdwell) 50 μs 9999 s
Off-time (incl. transient time) (toff) 0 / 50 μs 9999 s
Timing accuracy per point 1 μs
Generalized list sweep (allows individual setting of frequency, power, dwell-time, and off-time for each point)
List size 2 20.000
Step time (tstep) 200 μs 19998 s
Dwell time (tdwell) 50 μs 9999 s
Off-time (incl. transient time) (toff) 0 / 50 μs 9999 s
Time resolution 0.1 μs
Timing accuracy per point 1 μs

6
Modulation capabilities
All modulation types (FM, PM, AM, and pulse modulation) may be enabled simultaneously except that FM
and phase modulation cannot be combined. For example, AM and FM can run concurrently and will
modulate the output RF.

Parameter Min Typical Max Note

Pulse modulation
On/off ratio 70 dB
Repetition frequency DC 33 MHz
Pulse width 30 ns 20 s ALC hold
50 μs 20 s ALC on
Pulse rise/fall time 25 ns

Pulse train length (pulses) 2 4,192

Video crosstalk -40 dB
External input threshold 0.85 V 0.9 V 0.95 V TTL compatible
External input voltage range -0.5 V +5.5 V TTL compatible
External input hysteresis 60 mV
Delay (to RF) 20 ns 40 ns
Frequency modulation
Maximum Frequency deviation (peak) 0 0.05 x f < 0.25 GHz
0 N x 200 0.5 to 2.5 GHz (N=0.125)
MHz 2.5 to 5 GHz (N=0.25)
5 to 6.1 GHz (N=0.5)
Modulation waveforms Sine, triangle, FSK
Deviation accuracy 0.5% 2% < 100 kHz rate
2% 5% > 100 kHz rate
Modulation rate 1 Hz/DC 800 kHz -3 dB frequency response
Max. phase deviation degrades
above 20 kHz modulation rate
External input sensitivity < N x 100 MHz for 1 Vpp Settable in AC mode
Discrete values in DC mode
Total harmonic distortion < 1% 1 kHz rate and N x 100 kHz
deviation
Frequency chirps (linear ramp, up/down)
Span 10%
Dwell time (tchirp) 10 ns 60 s
Slope 100 MHz/μs
Total duration of finite repeated chirps 64.1 s
(tchirp x repetitions)
Number of frequencies 20,000
Phase modulation
Phase deviation (peak) 0 N x 300 0.5 to 2.5 GHz (N=0.125)
rad 2.5 to 5 GHz (N=0.25)
5 to 6.1 GHz (N=0.5)

7
 Deviation accuracy 0.5% 2% < 100 kHz rate
2% 5% > 100 kHz rate
Modulation rate 1 Hz 800 kHz > -3 dB frequency response
Modulation waveforms Sine, triangle, FSK
External Input sensitivity N x 40 rad for 1 Vpp
Total harmonic distortion < 1% 1 kHz rate and N x 20 rad deviation
Amplitude modulation
Modulation rate 10 Hz 50 kHz Applies to internal and external
Modulation depth 0% 95 %
Modulation waveforms Sine, triangle, square
Accuracy (f<10 MHz) 1.3 % 4% f-carrier, modulation depth = 80%
Distortion (f<10 MHz) 1.6 % 4% and 1 kHz modulation rate, power
0 dBm
Accuracy (f>10 MHz) 1.6 % 4%
Distortion (f>10 MHz) 1% 4%
External input sensitivity X % per 1 Vpp Settable

Multi-purpose output (FUNC OUT)

Parameter Min Typical Max Note

Multifunction generator (sine, triangle, square wave)

Frequency range 10 Hz 3 MHz Sine
10 Hz 1 MHz Triangle
10 Hz 50 kHz Square
Frequency resolution 0.6 Hz
Output voltage amplitude peak-peak 10 mV 2V Sine, triangle
5V Square (CMOS output)
Harmonic distortion 1% < 100 kHz, 1 Vpp
Output impedance 50 Ω Sine, triangle
CMOS Square wave
Video output (of internal pulse modulator)
Output CMOS
Period 30 ns 50 s
Pulse Width 15 ns 50 s
RF delay 10 ns
Trigger out (Synchronization mode for multiple sources)
Modes Trigger on sweep start
Trigger on each point
Trigger waveform pulse width 100 ns

8
Trigger (TRIG IN)
Parameter Min Typical Max Note
Trigger types Continuous, single, gated, gated direction
Trigger source RF key, external, bus (LAN, USB)
Trigger modes Continuous free run, trigger and run, reset and run
Trigger latency 2 µs
Trigger uncertainty 5 µs
External trigger delay 50 µs 40 s
External delay resolution 15 ns
Trigger modulo 1 255 Execute only on the Nth trigger
event
Trigger polarity Rising, falling
External trigger input threshold 0.85 V 0.9 V 0.95 V TTL compatible
External trigger input voltage range -0.5 V +5.5 V TTL compatible
External trigger input hysteresis 60 mV

Connectors
Front

1. RF output N female

2. Rotary knob

9
Rear

1. Trigger input BNC female

2. Function output BNC female

3. External reference input BNC female

4. Internal reference output BNC female

5. FM/PM modulation input BNC female

6. AM and Pulse modulation BNC female

7. LAN connection RJ-45

8. USB 2.0 device

9. DC Power plug (6V, 6 A)

10. DC power switch

11. Ground Screw

12. Fan Holes The air intake of the fan

13. Fan Holes The holes by which the air is extruded

10
General Characteristics
Remote programming interfaces
Ethernet 100BaseT LAN interface
USB 2.0 host and device
Control language SCPI Version 1999.0
Power requirements: 6 VDC; 20 W maximum
Mains adapter supplied: 100-240 VAC in/ 6 V 6.0 A DC out
Storage temperature range –40 to 70 °C
Operating temperature range 0 to 45 °C
Operating and storage altitude Up to 15,000 feet

Safety/EMC complies with applicable Safety and EMC regulations and directives.
Weight ≤ 2.5 kg (6 lbs) net, ≤ 4 kg (8 lb.) shipping
Dimensions:
Excluding connectors: W x L x H = 172 x 250 x 106 mm [6.83 x 9.84 x 4.60 in]
Including connectors: W x L x H = 172 x 273 x 106 mm [6.83 x 10.66 x 4.60 in]
Recommended calibration cycle 24 months
Compatibility languages supporting commonly used commands
Keysight N5171B EXG, N5173B EXG, N5181A/B MXG, N5183A/B MXG
Rohde & Schwarz SMB100A, SMB100B, SMC100A, SMCV100B, SMA and SML models

Ordering Information
Model/Option Description Additional information

AP5001A RF Analog Signal Generator

AP5001A-502 Frequency range, 9 kHz to 2 GHz
AP5001A-504 Frequency range, 9 kHz to 4 GHz
AP5001A-506 Frequency range, 9 kHz to 6.1 GHz
AP5001A-1E1 Step attenuator
AP5001AU-F01 Frequency upgrade from 2 GHz to 4 GHz License key only
AP5001AU-F02 Frequency upgrade from 2 GHz to 6.1 GHz License key only
AP5001AU-F03 Frequency upgrade from 4 GHz to 6.1 GHz License key only
AP5001AU-1E1 Add step attenuator License key only

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This information is subject to change without notice. © Keysight Technologies, 202 4,

Published in USA, November 27, 2024, 3124-1566.EN