Technical Characteristics and Application Analysis of Keysight Technologies N9020B MXA Signal Analyzer

Abstract

The N9020B MXA X-Series Signal Analyzer is a high-performance mid-tier signal analysis platform launched by Keysight Technologies, with frequency coverage from 10 Hz to 50 GHz and a maximum analysis bandwidth of 160 MHz. Based on official technical documents and configuration guides, this paper systematically analyzes the core performance specifications of this instrument, including frequency range, dynamic range, analysis bandwidth, real-time spectrum analysis capability, and phase noise, and discusses its application prospects in 5G NR, WLAN, radar, Internet of Things and other fields. Research shows that with its modular design, rich measurement application software and upgradable hardware architecture, the N9020B has become a preferred solution in the field of wireless communication testing.

1. Introduction

With the rapid development of 5th generation mobile communication (5G), Internet of Things, satellite communication and radar technologies, higher performance requirements have been put forward for RF signal analyzers. On one hand, instruments need to provide extremely wide frequency coverage (millimeter-wave band) and instantaneous analysis bandwidth (≥100 MHz); on the other hand, they are required to deliver low noise, high linearity and a flexible test software ecosystem.

The N9020B, part of Keysight Technologies' MXA (Mid-Performance X-Series) portfolio, is exactly a mid-performance signal analysis platform designed to meet these requirements. This model inherits the X-Series' multi-touch user interface and modular option architecture, allowing users to upgrade frequency range, analysis bandwidth, real-time spectrum functionality and various communication standard measurement applications later according to requirements. This paper aims to systematically sort out the key performance of the N9020B from the perspective of technical specifications, and evaluate its capabilities in typical test scenarios.

2. Frequency Range and Hardware Architecture

2.1 Frequency Options

The N9020B offers 7 frequency range options for users to choose from based on their test requirements:

Among all models, those with frequency ≥32 GHz adopt 2.4 mm precision connectors to ensure signal integrity in millimeter-wave bands, and AC coupled mode is no longer available. With the EXM (external mixing) option, the frequency can be extended to 1.1 THz to meet sub-millimeter wave testing requirements.

2.2 Preamplifiers and Frequency Reference

To improve small signal detection capability, the N9020B provides 7 preamplifier models from P03 to P50, covering the 3.6 GHz to 50 GHz frequency range.

The gain is approximately 20 dB below 3.6 GHz, and 35–40 dB above 3.6 GHz. In terms of frequency reference, the standard reference has an aging rate of ±1×10⁻⁶/year. The optional PFR (precision frequency reference) reduces the aging rate to ±1×10⁻⁷/year, with temperature stability of ±5×10⁻⁸, suitable for measurement scenarios requiring high long-term stability.

3. Dynamic Range and Sensitivity

3.1 Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL)

Low phase noise and high sensitivity are key advantages of the N9020B. Under the conditions of 1 Hz resolution bandwidth, 0 dB attenuation and preamplifier off, the typical DANL is –154 dBm in the 10 MHz–2.1 GHz band; –152 dBm in 2.1–3.6 GHz; and approximately –140 dBm in the millimeter-wave band (26.5–34 GHz).

When the preamplifier is enabled, DANL can be as low as –166 dBm (typical) in 10 MHz–2.1 GHz. In addition, the NF2 (noise floor extension) option can further improve DANL by more than 9 dB (95% confidence level).

3.2 Phase Noise

At 1 GHz carrier and 10 kHz frequency offset, the typical phase noise is –114 dBc/Hz; at 100 kHz offset, it is –116 dBc/Hz (typical). This specification is critical for evaluating the spectral purity of radar, local oscillator and high-speed modulated signals.

The document also provides phase noise curves for different frequency bands, which shows that a performance around –112 dBc/Hz@10 kHz can still be maintained in the millimeter-wave band (e.g. 44 GHz).

3.3 Third-Order Intermodulation (TOI) and 1 dB Compression Point

In RF/microwave bands (≤26.5 GHz), the typical TOI value ranges from +18 dBm to +20 dBm; in the millimeter-wave band (34.4–50 GHz), the typical TOI is approximately +18 dBm. The 1 dB gain compression point (two-tone) is +1 dBm in the range of 500 MHz–3.6 GHz (typical value +5 dBm), which ensures measurement accuracy under high-power input conditions.

4. Analysis Bandwidth and Real-Time Spectrum

4.1 Analysis Bandwidth Options

N9020B is equipped with 25 MHz analysis bandwidth as standard (option B25), which can be expanded step by step through upgrading options:

B40: 40 MHz

B85: 85 MHz

B1A: 125 MHz

B1X: 160 MHz

When the operating frequency is >3.6 GHz and a bandwidth of ≥40 MHz is required, the option MPB (Microwave Preselector Bypass) must be installed. MPB also improves measurement repeatability and sweep speed, but it will introduce additional spurious responses (such as image rejection elimination, LO harmonic response, etc.).

4.2 Real-Time Spectrum Analysis (RTSA)

Options RT1 (Basic Detection) and RT2 (Optimal Detection) provide a maximum real-time analysis bandwidth of 160 MHz.

For RT2, the minimum signal duration with 100% probability of intercept (POI) is 3.57 µs (full amplitude accuracy), while that of RT1 is 17.3 µs. Frequency Mask Trigger (FMT) and Time Qualified Trigger (TQT) enable the capture of burst, frequency-hopping and transient interference signals.

According to the documentation, with a 160 MHz span, the minimum detectable signal (StM>60 dB) of RT2 can be as low as 5 ns (nominal value), which is suitable for radar pulse analysis.

5. Amplitude Accuracy and Interfaces

5.1 Total Absolute Amplitude Accuracy

Under the conditions of 50 MHz reference frequency, 10 dB attenuation, and 20–30°C operating temperature, the absolute amplitude accuracy is ±0.33 dB; the 95th percentile accuracy across the full frequency band (10 Hz–3.6 GHz) is ±0.23 dB (preamplifier off).

After adding the frequency response error, the total absolute amplitude accuracy across the full frequency band is ±(0.33 dB + frequency response). For millimeter-wave models (34.4–50 GHz), the typical frequency response is ±3.2 dB, while the 95th percentile is approximately ±1.4 dB.

5.2 Input/Output Interfaces

The front panel provides an RF input (N-type or 2.4 mm), three USB 2.0 host ports (one high-current port), a headphone jack, and probe power.

The rear panel includes 10 MHz reference input/output, external reference input, trigger input/output, GPIB, LAN (1000Base-T), VGA monitor output, noise source drive (+28 V), analog output, and a USB 3.0 port.

Options CR3 (Second IF Output) and CRP (Programmable IF Output) deliver flexible IF signal extraction capabilities. Option BBA provides analog I/Q baseband input via BNC connectors, with switchable impedance of 50 Ω/1 MΩ and a maximum bandwidth of 40 MHz (requires B40 option).

6. Measurement Applications and Software Ecosystem

The N9020B supports over 50 measurement applications covering cellular communications, wireless connectivity, aerospace/defense, and general test industries. Typical applications include:

5G NR (E9085EM0E): One-click downlink/uplink measurement supporting FR1 and FR2 frequency bands, with an EVM measurement noise floor as low as 0.47% (100 MHz bandwidth, 5 GHz carrier, typical value).

WLAN (E9077EM1E): Supports 802.11ac/ax, with an EVM noise floor of approximately 0.35% at 80 MHz bandwidth (5.21 GHz, MCS8).

LTE/LTE-Advanced (E9080EM0E): Supports FDD/TDD with an EVM noise floor below 0.4%.

Phase Noise (E9068EM0E): Supports frequency-domain logarithmic plot and time-domain fixed-frequency measurement, compatible with external mixing.

Noise Figure (N9069EM0E): Built-in uncertainty calculator, compatible with 346 series and SNS series noise sources.

Analog Demodulation (E9063EM0E): AM/FM/PM demodulation, including FM stereo and RDS decoding.

In addition, the 89600 VSA software (option 89601200C) provides in-depth vector signal analysis, supports over 40 modulation formats, and can connect to hardware from multiple vendors.

7. Upgradeability and Maintainability

Both the hardware and software of the N9020B can be upgraded after purchase. Users can add analysis bandwidth (e.g., upgrade from B25 to B40 or B85), frequency range (e.g., upgrade from 32 GHz to 50 GHz), real-time spectrum analysis (RT1/RT2) and various measurement applications by purchasing licenses.

Some upgrades require hardware replacement (for example, a frequency upgrade requires replacement of the front-end component and 2.4 mm connector). The processor and operating system are also upgradable: the standard configuration is a 6-core high-performance processor, 32 GB RAM, M.2 NVMe SSD and Windows 11. Security enhancements are available via options SF1, SF2, and SF3 (disable Windows program launch, disable result saving, secure RAM disk boot). The instrument calibration interval is 2 years, and the warranty period is 3 years.

8. Typical Application Scenarios

Based on the performance outlined above, the N9020B is mainly used for the following test tasks:

5G Base Station and Terminal RF Testing: Leverages 160 MHz analysis bandwidth and 5G NR measurement application to evaluate transmitter power, ACLR, EVM and spectrum emission mask.

Millimeter-wave Radar and Satellite Communications: Extends frequency coverage to over 110 GHz via external mixing, and combined with its low phase noise performance, enables analysis of FMCW radar signals or modulation quality in Q/V bands.

IoT Device Certification: Works with NB-IoT, LoRa, ZigBee, and Bluetooth measurement applications to complete compliance testing of transmitter parameters.

EMC Pre-compliance Testing: The EMC option (N90EMEMCB) provides CISPR 16-1-1 detectors (quasi-peak, RMS average) and time-domain scanning to accelerate the product rectification process.

Automated Production Testing: Leverages Fast Power (N90EMFP2B) and high-speed sweeping capabilities to enable high-speed measurement of parameters such as ACPR and improve test throughput.

Conclusion

The Keysight Technologies N9020B MXA Signal Analyzer is a test platform that balances high performance and scalability. Its frequency coverage from 10 Hz to 50 GHz, maximum 160 MHz instantaneous analysis bandwidth, DANL of -166 dBm (preamp on, 1 Hz RBW), and a rich set of measurement applications allow it to meet the full lifecycle requirements from R&D verification to production testing.

The modular option design and post-purchase upgrade capability effectively protect users' initial investment. With the rise of 6G research and millimeter-wave applications, the N9020B, especially the 50 GHz model (N9020B-550), will become an important tool for cutting-edge wireless technology exploration.

References

[1] Keysight Technologies. N9020B MXA Signal Analyzer Data Sheet, 2024-2025. Literature Number 5992-1255EN.

[2] Keysight Technologies. N9020B MXA X-Series Signal Analyzer Configuration Guide, 2025. Literature Number 5992-1254EN.

[3] Keysight Technologies. N9020B MXA Signal Analyzer Specification Guide, 2025. Part Number N9020-90276.

[4] 3GPP TS 38.141-1, NR; Base Station (BS) conformance testing, 2024.

[5] IEEE Std 802.11ax-2021, IEEE Standard for Information Technology – Telecommunications and Information Exchange between Systems.

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