Discover Your Next Research Breakthrough in Device Characterization, RF to THz

Keysight Solutions for Academic Researchers

Your research is crucial for the discovery of new sciences, new solutions for real-world problems, and innovation that accelerates technological breakthroughs. As you perform iterative characterization, simulation, and measurement to confirm your hypotheses, confidence in every measurement is paramount.

Keysight Technologies advances research by professors around the globe through close university-industry collaboration and industry-leading hardware instrumentation for highly accurate and reliable measurements. Researchers of radio frequency (RF) / microwave and high-speed digital circuit designs can also speed development and reduce costly prototyping errors through simulation with Keysight’s leading electronic design automation (EDA) software.

No matter what breakthrough you are working on next, you can count on Keysight’s wide range of robust test solutions and technical support expertise.

This brochure covers Keysight solutions for research in RF, microwave, mmWave, and Terahertz device characterization. Keysight also offers solutions for:

• Advanced materials science and engineering
• Key industry verticals such as 5G, biomedical sciences, energy, optical and photonics, and quantum engineering

RF, Microwave, mmWave, and Terahertz Device Characterization

Wireless communications standards continue to evolve, as do new applications that enter the millimeter-wave (mmWave) and terahertz realm. Insight into your device’s performance is critical to ensure that it behaves as expected. Do you see noise from the device, or is that noise from your equipment? How sure are you that the bandwidth and sampling rate of your equipment can effectively capture the elusive glitch in your device under test?

Keysight offers a broad range of hardware and software solutions that address the various challenges faced by researchers working on their next breakthrough in medical, automotive, radar, and wireless communications applications. From 3D simulation and modeling software to high-performance signal generators and analyzers in various forms, our solutions help you perform accurate device design, measurement, and validation.

In addition to our high-performing solutions, Keysight continues to be at the forefront of developing wireless communications standards such as 5G. Keysight actively participates in the development of test processes and measurement methods in many other wireless connectivity standards. Your Keysight test equipment is always updated to the latest requirements, so you can focus on your research.

Hardware solutions

Keysight offers a wide range of test and measurement instruments for RF and microwave to mmWave and terahertz applications. From handheld spectrum analyzers to highly dense PXIe signal generators, we have a solution to fit your application specifications, budget, and form factor need.

Vector network analyzer (VNA)

Solution for terahertz measurements: Keysight PNA-X network analyzer + frequency extenders

Frequency extenders directly connect to a dual-source, two- or four-port PNA-X network analyzer front panel. There is no need for a test set controller. This configuration enables banded S-parameter measurements up to 1.5 THz.

The N5290A / N5291A PNA-based broadband mmWave solution is a single-sweep solution based on Keysight PNA or PNA-X network analyzers. The N5290A mmWave solution operates from 900 Hz to 110 GHz. The N5291A operates up to 120 GHz (125 GHz with over-range capability). The solution includes:

• a select PNA / PNA-X network analyzer
• N5292A mmWave test set controller
• N5293AX / N5293AX frequency extender module
• cables to make either two- or four-port measurements over the entire frequency range

The N5290A / N5291A mmWave solution is a key component in the wafer-level measurement solution that Keysight and solution partner Cascade Microtech created.

Keysight USB VNAs offer compact forms with zero compromise in functionality

• wide range up to 53 GHz
• lightweight and portable form factor
• wide range of measurement applications available for greater insight
• the same intuitive GUI as a benchtop VNA

Drive down the size of test with Keysight PXI VNAs:

• 9 kHz to 90 GHz
• two-port or multiport configuration on one PXI VNA
• high throughput with minimal manual intervention and connections
• best performance for dynamic range, measurement speed, and trace noise
• multiple VNAs in a compact bench space (achieve up to 50 ports in a single M9019A PXI chassis)
• easily scalable to your needs

X-Series signal analyzers are Keysight’s most advanced benchtop signal analyzers. Choose from a wide range of models to suit your research requirements — from wide-open, real-time analysis to low-cost essential measurements.

• 2 Hz to 110 GHz
• UXA, PXA, MXA, and EXA Series
• multi-touch user interface
• real-time spectrum analysis for capturing elusive signals — known or unknown
• VDI frequency extension modules for analysis of mmWave signals up to 1.1 THz

N9041B mmWave signal analyzer

• built to capture and analyze challenging millimeter-wave signals: 5G, 802.11, satellite, radar
• continuous sweeps up to 110 GHz

Basic spectrum analyzers (BSA) provide enough capabilities for straightforward and efficient operations, including spectrum analysis, signal monitoring, and transmission / reflection measurements.

• 9 kHz to 3 GHz with N9320B
• 9 kHz to 7 GHz with N932C

FieldFox spectrum analyzers are ideal spectrum analysis solutions for the field:

• your choice of precision or value spectrum analysis at RF or microwave frequencies up to 50 GHz
• completely sealed, rugged, and weather-resistant (tested to MIL specs)
• clear screen and backlit keys for all lighting situations
• spaced-out keypad for easier operation with gloves on

Keysight’s PXI vector signal analyzers are ideal for design validation applications that require fast, high-quality measurements where quality control, product conformance, and test optimization are essential:

• high throughput with the capability to pack more analyzers in a compact footprint
• scalable to your needs

M9391A PXIe vector signal analyzer

• 1 MHz to 3 or 6 GHz
• optimized for RF device design validation
• fast amplitude and frequency switching

M9393A PXIe performance vector signal analyzer

• 9 kHz to 27 GHz (extendable to 50 GHz)
• ideal for microwave measurements
• hardware speed and accuracy with stepped FFT-based spectrum analysis for harmonics and spur measurements to 27 GHz