Technical Characteristics and Application Analysis of the N9020B MXA Signal Analyzer from Shide Technology

Abstract

The N9020B MXA X series signal analyzer is a high-performance mid-range signal analysis platform launched by Keysight Technologies, with frequencies ranging from 10 Hz to 50 GHz and an analysis bandwidth of up to 160 MHz. This article is based on official technical documents and configuration guidelines, and systematically analyzes the core performance indicators of the instrument, including frequency range, dynamic range, analysis bandwidth, real-time spectrum analysis capability, phase noise, etc. It also explores its application prospects in fields such as 5G NR, WLAN, radar, and the Internet of Things. Research has shown that N9020B, with its modular design, rich measurement application software, and upgradable hardware architecture, has become the preferred solution in the field of wireless communication testing.

1. Introduction

With the rapid development of fifth generation mobile communication (5G), Internet of Things, satellite communication, and radar technology, higher requirements have been put forward for the performance of RF signal analyzers. On the one hand, the instrument needs to have extremely wide frequency coverage (millimeter wave frequency band) and instantaneous analysis bandwidth (≥ 100 MHz); On the other hand, it is also required to have a low noise, high linearity, and flexible testing software ecosystem.

The N9020B in the Mid Performance X-Series series from CATL Technology is designed as a neutral energy signal analysis platform to meet such requirements. This model inherits the multi touch operation interface and modular option architecture of the X series, and can upgrade frequency range, analysis bandwidth, real-time spectrum function, and various communication standard measurement applications according to needs in the later stage. This article aims to systematically review the key performance of N9020B from a technical specification perspective and evaluate its ability in typical testing scenarios.

2. Frequency range and hardware architecture

2.1 Frequency Options

N9020B provides 7 frequency range options, and users can choose according to their testing needs:

Among them, models with frequencies ≥ 32 GHz use 2.4mm precision connectors to ensure signal integrity in the millimeter wave frequency band, and no longer provide AC coupled mode. Through the option EXM (external mixing), the frequency can be extended to 1.1 THz to meet the requirements of submillimeter wave testing.

2.2 Preamplifier and Frequency Reference

To improve the small signal detection capability, N9020B offers a total of 7 preamplifiers from P03 to P50, covering the frequency range of 3.6 GHz to 50 GHz.

Its gain is about 20 dB below 3.6 GHz and 35-40 dB above 3.6 GHz. In terms of frequency reference, the standard reference aging rate is ± 1 × 10 ⁻⁶/year, while the optional PFR (Precision Frequency Reference) reduces the aging rate to ± 1 × 10 ⁻⁷/year, with temperature stability of ± 5 × 10 ⁻, suitable for measurement scenarios that require high long-term stability.

3. Dynamic range and sensitivity

3.1 Display Average Noise Level (DANL)

Low phase noise and high sensitivity are the key advantages of 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 frequency band; At 2.1-3.6 GHz, it is -152 dBm; In the millimeter wave frequency band (26.5-34 GHz), it is approximately -140 dBm.

After turning on the preamplifier, DANL can be as low as -166 dBm (typical value) between 10 MHz and 2.1 GHz. In addition, option NF2 (Noise Floor Extension) can further improve DANL by over 9 dB (95% confidence level).

3.2 Phase noise

At a carrier frequency of 1 GHz and a frequency offset of 10 kHz, the typical phase noise is -114 dBc/Hz; At a frequency offset of 100 kHz, it is -116 dBc/Hz (typical value). This indicator is crucial for evaluating the spectral purity of radar, local oscillator, and high-speed modulation signals.

The document also provides phase noise curves for different frequency bands, indicating that it can still maintain -112 dBc in millimeter wave frequency bands (such as 44 GHz)/ Hz@10 Performance around kHz.

3.3 Third order intermodulation (TOI) and 1 dB compression point

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

4. Analyze bandwidth and real-time spectrum

4.1 Analyzing bandwidth options

N9020B is equipped with a default 25 MHz analysis bandwidth (B25), which can be gradually expanded through upgrading options:

B40：40 MHz

B85：85 MHz

B1A：125 MHz

B1X：160 MHz

When the operating frequency is greater than 3.6 GHz and a bandwidth of ≥ 40 MHz is required, an optional MPB (microwave pre selector bypass) must be installed. MPB can also improve measurement repeatability and scanning speed, but it may introduce additional spurious responses (such as image suppression disappearance, LO harmonic response, etc.).

4.2 Real time Spectrum Analysis (RTSA)

The options RT1 (basic detection) and RT2 (optimal detection) provide a real-time analysis bandwidth of up to 160 MHz.

The minimum signal duration for RT2 to achieve a 100% probability of interception (POI) is 3.57 µ s (full amplitude accuracy), while RT1 is 17.3 µ s. The frequency template trigger (FMT) and time limited trigger (TQT) functions make it possible to capture burst, hopping, and transient interference signals.

The document states that at a span of 160 MHz, 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 interface

5.1 Total absolute amplitude accuracy

At a reference frequency of 50 MHz, 10 dB attenuation, and an environment of 20-30 ° C, the absolute amplitude accuracy is ± 0.33 dB; the 95th percentile accuracy for the entire frequency band (10 Hz-3.6 GHz) is ± 0.23 dB (pre turn off).

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

5.2 Input/Output Interface

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

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

Options CR3 (second IF output) and CRP (programmable IF output) provide flexible IF signal extraction capabilities. Option BBA provides analog I/Q baseband input (BNC interface), with switchable impedance of 50 Ω/1 M Ω and a maximum bandwidth of 40 MHz (B40 option required).

6. Measurement Applications and Software Ecology

N9020B supports over 50 measurement application software, covering cellular communication, wireless connectivity, aerospace/defense, and general testing fields. Typical applications include:

5G NR (E9085EM0E): One click downlink/uplink measurement, supporting FR1 and FR2 frequency bands, with EVM measurement noise 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 EVM noise floor below 0.4%.

Phase noise (E9068EM0E): frequency-domain logarithmic plot and time-domain point frequency measurement, supporting external mixing.

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

Analog demodulation (E9063EM0E): AM/FM/PM demodulation, 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. Upgrade capability and maintainability

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

Partial upgrades involve hardware replacement (such as frequency upgrades requiring replacement of front-end components and 2.4mm connectors). The processor and operating system can also be upgraded: the standard configuration includes a six core high-performance processor, 32 GB RAM, M.2 NVMe SSD, and Windows 11. Security can be enhanced through options SF1, SF2, and SF3 (prohibiting Windows program startup, prohibiting result saving, and secure RAM disk startup). The calibration cycle of the instrument is 2 years, with a warranty period of 3 years.

8. Typical application scenarios

Based on the above performance, N9020B is mainly suitable for the following testing tasks:

5G base station and terminal RF testing: Using 160 MHz to analyze bandwidth and 5G NR measurement applications, evaluate transmitter power, ACLR, EVM, and spectrum transmission templates.

Millimeter wave radar and satellite communication: Using external mixing to extend the frequency above 110 GHz, combined with low phase noise characteristics, analyze the FMCW radar signal or Q/V band modulation quality.

IoT device certification: In conjunction with NB IoT, LoRa, ZigBee, and Bluetooth measurement applications, complete transmitter parameter compliance testing.

EMC pre compatibility testing: Provide CISPR 16-1-1 detector (quasi peak, RMS average) and time-domain scanning through EMC option (N90EMEMCB) to accelerate the rectification process.

Production automation testing: Utilizing Fast Power (N90EMFP2B) and fast frequency scanning capability to achieve high-speed measurement of parameters such as ACPR and improve throughput.

Conclusion

The N9020B MXA signal analyzer from Qide Technology is a testing platform that balances high performance and scalability. Its frequency coverage from 10 Hz to 50 GHz, maximum instantaneous analysis bandwidth of 160 MHz, DANL of -166 dBm (pre release, 1 Hz RBW), and rich measurement application software enable it to meet the full lifecycle requirements from research and development verification to production testing.

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

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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