Agilent E4420B 2 GHz ESG-A Series RF Signal Generator (Pre-Owned)

Key Features At A Glance

• Frequency range 250 kHz to 3 GHz with 0.01 Hz resolution
• Digital and analog modulation capabilities including PSK, QAM, FSK, MSK, AM, FM, ΦM, and pulse
• Standard output power +10 dBm to -136 dBm (with Option UNB), with electronic or mechanical attenuator
• Broadband analog I/Q inputs with internal calibration and adjustable DC offset, I/Q gain ratio, and quadrature
• GPIB, RS-232 remote programming with SCPI 1992.0 control language
• Coherent carrier output (250 MHz to maximum carrier frequency) standard on digital series
• Built-in function generator with sine, square, ramp, triangle, pulse, and noise waveforms
• Expandable architecture supporting optional real-time I/Q baseband generator, dual arbitrary waveform generator, and standard-specific personalities (W-CDMA, cdma2000, EDGE, CDMA, GSM/EDGE BERT)

The Agilent E4432B is a 3 GHz ESG-D series RF signal generator covering 250 kHz to 3 GHz, designed for testing both analog and digital communications systems. As part of the ESG family, it incorporates a broad array of capabilities and accepts flexible option additions, providing a test solution that addresses the requirements of numerous current and proposed air interface standards. The instrument's expandable architecture allows it to be configured for a wide variety of tests, from altering aspects of a digital signal or signal operating environment to creating experimental signals.

The E4432B is applied across analog and digital communications system testing, including transmitter and receiver evaluation for wireless protocols. The datasheet identifies digital modulation formats for DECT, GSM, NADC, PDC, PHS, and TETRA, and option-enabled personalities support multichannel CDMA, W-CDMA, cdma2000, EDGE, and GSM/EDGE base station bit error rate testing. The instrument supports CDMA base station amplifier testing, GSM transmitter measurements for base transceiver stations and mobile stations, and component testing for wireless and proprietary nonstandard wireless protocols.

Brand Heritage

Hewlett-Packard's test and measurement division was spun out as Agilent Technologies in 1999. In 2014, Agilent's electronic measurement business was transferred to Keysight Technologies, which is the current corporate successor for instruments originally branded as HP or Agilent in the test and measurement product lines.

Compare Other Models in This Series

The ESG family of RF signal generators consists of four series spanning the same 250 kHz to 4 GHz frequency range: the ESG-A series (analog only), the ESG-AP series (analog with high spectral purity), the ESG-D series (digital and analog), and the ESG-DP series (digital and analog with high spectral purity). Within each series, four frequency-ceiling models are offered (1 GHz, 2 GHz, 3 GHz, and 4 GHz), enabling buyers to match the instrument's top frequency to their application.

All four series share the same core architecture — expandable design, choice of electronic or mechanical attenuator, superior level accuracy, wideband FM and ΦM, step sweep modes, built-in function generator, and lightweight rack-mountable form factor. The series differ in two primary dimensions: whether digital modulation capability (broadband analog I/Q inputs, coherent carrier output, and option-enabled digital communications personalities) is included, and whether the high spectral purity configuration is selected for improved SSB phase noise and reduced residual FM.

Each pre-owned model below is its own dedicated product page with condition-matched pricing and individually verified specifications. Compare the headline specs across the family on the comparison table, then navigate to the specific model page that matches your application's frequency range and modulation requirements.

The E4432B is the 3 GHz model in the ESG-D series, providing digital and analog modulation capabilities across 250 kHz to 3 GHz. It supports the option-enabled real-time I/Q baseband generator (Option UN8), dual arbitrary waveform generator (Option UND), multichannel CDMA and W-CDMA personalities, real-time 3GPP W-CDMA and cdma2000 personalities, real-time EDGE personality, and internal bit-error-rate analyzer (Option UN7).

The four ESG series differ primarily in modulation capability and spectral purity. The ESG-A and ESG-AP series provide analog modulation only (FM, ΦM, AM, and pulse), while the ESG-D and ESG-DP series add digital modulation with broadband analog I/Q inputs, I/Q adjustment and internal calibration, and coherent carrier output. The high spectral purity series (ESG-AP and ESG-DP) provide improved SSB phase noise — for example, less than -120 dBc/Hz at 3 GHz (20 kHz offset) on the ESG-DP versus less than -104 dBc/Hz typical on the ESG-D — and reduced residual FM (less than N × 1 Hz versus N × 2 to 4 Hz on the standard series).

Within each series, the four frequency-ceiling models (1 GHz, 2 GHz, 3 GHz, and 4 GHz) share the same modulation architecture but differ in maximum operating frequency. The comparison table below reflects the frequency range, output power range, and key spectral performance differences across the family. Select the frequency model that exceeds your highest test signal frequency with appropriate headroom, then select the series that matches your modulation needs (analog only or digital plus analog) and spectral purity requirements.

Model	Frequency Range	Series Type	Spectral Purity
E4420B	250 kHz to 2 GHz	ESG-A (Analog)	Standard
E4400B	250 kHz to 1 GHz	ESG-A (Analog)	Standard
E4421B	250 kHz to 3 GHz	ESG-A (Analog)	Standard
E4422B	250 kHz to 4 GHz	ESG-A (Analog)	Standard

Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.

Product Core & Specifications

Category	Specification	Value
Frequency	Underrange	100 kHz
Resolution	0.01 Hz
Accuracy	Same as timebase
Switching speed (ESG-A/D, modulation off)	<40 ms typical
Switching speed (ESG-AP/DP, modulation off)	<55 ms typical
Phase offset	Adjustable via GPIB or front panel in nominal 0.1° increments
Sweep Modes	Operating modes	Frequency step, amplitude step and arbitrary list
Dwell time	1 ms to 60 s
Number of points	2 to 401
Internal Reference Oscillator (Standard)	Aging rate (ESG-A/ESG-D std)	<±1 ppm/yr
Aging rate (ESG-AP/ESG-DP std, ESG-A/D Opt 1E5)	<±0.1 ppm/yr or <±0.0005 ppm/day after 45 days
Temperature (0 to 55 °C, std)	<±1 ppm, typical
Line voltage (+5%, –10%, std)	<±0.1 ppm, typical
Timebase Reference Output	Frequency	10 MHz
Amplitude	>0.35 Vrms into 50 Ω load
External Reference Input	Frequency	1, 2, 5, 10 MHz ± typical 10 ppm
Amplitude	>0.15 Vrms
Input impedance	50 Ω
Output - Amplitude	Resolution	0.02 dB
Output impedance	50 Ω
Amplitude switching speed (without power search)	<30 ms, typical
Amplitude switching speed (with power search)	<300 ms, typical
Reverse Power Protection	250 kHz to 2 GHz	50 watts
>2000 MHz to 4 GHz	25 watts
Max DC voltage	50 V
Spectral Purity - Harmonics	Harmonics (≤+4 dBm; ≤+7.5 dBm Opt UNB)	<–30 dBc (typical below 1 GHz)
Subharmonics (ESG-AP/DP)	None
Frequency Modulation	Max deviation (ESG-A/ESG-D)	N × 10 MHz
Max deviation (ESG-AP/ESG-DP)	N × 1 MHz
Resolution	0.1% of deviation or 1 Hz, whichever is greater
FM1 3 dB bandwidth, typical	dc/5 Hz to 10 MHz
FM2 3 dB bandwidth, typical	dc/5 Hz to 1 MHz
Deviation accuracy (1 kHz rate, dev < N × 100 kHz)	<±(3.5% of FM deviation + 20 Hz)
Amplitude Modulation (fc > 500 kHz)	Range	0 to 100%
Resolution	0.1%
Rates (3 dB bandwidth)	dc/10 Hz to 10 kHz
Accuracy (1 kHz rate)	<±(6% of setting + 1%)
Distortion (30% AM, 1 kHz rate, THD)	<1.5%
Pulse Modulation	On/off ratio (≤3 GHz)	>80 dB
On/off ratio (>3 GHz)	>60 dB
Rise/fall times	150 ns, typical
Pulse repetition frequency (ALC On)	10 Hz to 250 kHz, typical
Internal Modulation Source	Waveforms	Sine, square, ramp, triangle, pulse, noise
Rate range (sine)	0.1 Hz to 50 kHz
Resolution	0.1 Hz
Frequency accuracy	0.005%, typical
General	Power requirements	90 to 254 V; 50, 60, or 400 Hz; 200 W maximum
Operating temperature range	0 to 55 °C
Storage temperature range	–40 to 71 °C
Shock and vibration	Meets MIL-STD-28800E Type III, Class 3
Weight	<13.5 kg (28 lb.) net, <19.5 kg (42 lb.) shipping
Dimensions	133 mm H × 426 mm W × 432 mm D (5.25 in H × 16.8 in W × 17 in D)
Remote Programming	Interface	GPIB (IEEE-488.2-1987) with listen and talk, RS-232
Control languages	SCPI version 1992.0, also compatible with 8656B and 8657A/B/C/D/J mnemonics
Functions controlled	All front panel functions except power switch and knob
IEEE-488 functions	SH1, AH1, T6, TE0, L4, LE0, SR1, RL1, PP0, DC1, DT0, C0, E2

Important: Reverse power protection triggers at nominally 1 watt; maximum reverse RF power is 50 watts (250 kHz to 2 GHz) and the maximum DC voltage on the RF output is 50 V.Important: This is a legacy Agilent product line; many configuration options and personalities require specific hardware revisions or other options to be installed (e.g., Option 300 requires Option UN8 revision C or better; Option 200 requires Option UN8). Verify option compatibility before ordering.Important: Specifications describe the instrument's warranted performance and apply after a 45 minute warm-up. All specifications are valid over the signal generator's entire operating/environmental range while in phase noise mode 2, unless otherwise noted.Important: With high performance pulse modulation (Option 1E6) installed, all maximum power specifications drop by 4 dB.Important: Level accuracy specification maintained only with return to calibration.Important: Conducted and radiated interference meets MIL-STD-461C CE02 Part 2 and CISPR 11.Recommended pairing: the 83300A remote interface (auxiliary 9-pin RS-232 connector on the rear panel) supports remote keypad sequencer operation as described in the datasheet.

About this used unit

• Warranty included
• Functional verification included
• Standard Calibration Upgrade Options: No Calibration Required, NIST Traceable, Z540.1 or ISO 17025 with Data, Z540.3 Guardbanding with Data.
• Note that unnecessary accessories may not be included (contact Test Architect to confirm).

Please review the Manufacturer's Data Sheet to verify published specifications. Feedback on this webpage is always welcome — please reach out to your Test Architect at any time for questions or concerns. Thank you, we truly appreciate you being our customer.