Agilent 8904A

Multifunction Synthesizer
dc to 600 kHz
Technical Specifications

Build complex waveforms

from common signals

The Agilent Technologies 8904A Multifunction separate signal for two channel applications.
Synthesizer uses VLSIC technology to create com- Option 003 adds fast hop and digital modulation
plex signals from six fundamental waveforms. The capability to the 8904A. Option 005 allows multiple
standard 8904A digitally synthesizes precise sine, 8904As to be phase synchronized for applications
square, triangle, ramp, white noise, and dc wave- which require the use of more than one 8904A.
forms and routes these signals to a single output. Option 006 changes output one of the 8904A from
Option 001 adds three more identical internal syn- a 50 Ω floating output to a 600 Ω, high-power bal-
thesizers (channels) which can either modulate the anced output. With this option, the 8904A can
first synthesizer or be summed to the output. Fre- deliver 10 volts rms into a 600 Ω load from 30 Hz
quency, amplitude, waveform, phase, and destina- to over 100 kHz. All this unique capability makes
tion can be independently set for each synthesizer. the Agilent 8904A a powerful new tool for demand-
Available modulation types for channel A include ing applications like VOR, ILS, FM stereo, and com-
AM, FM, F M, DSBSC, and pulse modulation. Option munications signaling.
002 adds a second 50 Ω output, providing a second
AGILENT 8904A SPECIFICATIONS Gaussian Noise
Specifications describe the instruments’ warranted perform- Spectral Characteristic: Equal energy per unit bandwidth
ance (<50 Ω output only unless noted) for automatic operation. (“white”)
Mathematically derived characteristics denote parameters Amplitude Range: 0 to 10 Vp-p into a 50 Ω load1
which can be derived from specifications and knowledge of the
digital generation methods used in the 8904A. Supplemental
Resolution: Three and a half digits
characteristics are intended to provide information useful in
applying the instrument by giving typical, but not warranted,
Mathematically Derived Characteristics
performance parameters. These are noted as “typical,” “nor- Noise Flatness (Amplitude >100 mVp-p into 50 Ω):
mal,” or “approximate.”
±0.5 dB, 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz
±1.0 dB, 100 kHz to 600 kHz
Frequency
Range: Supplemental Characteristics
Sine wave: 0 Hz to 600 kHz Number of Outputs: One standard; two with Option 002
Square, triangle, ramp: 0 Hz to 50 kHz Number of Internal Channels: One standard, two with
Resolution: 0.1 Hz Option 002; four with Option 001
Accuracy: Standard Waveforms: Sine, square, triangle, ramp, dc, and
Internal 10 MHz timebase: ±50 ppm Gaussian white noise
External 10 MHz timebase: Same as accuracy and stability AC Amplitude Accuracy: Typically:
of external timebase Square wave: <3% at 20 kHz
Triangle: <4% at 20 kHz
AC amplitude (sinewave) Gaussian white noise: <5%
Range: 0 to 10 Vp-p into a 50 Ω load Ramp: <7% at 20 kHz
Resolution: 31/2 digits Square Wave Rise-time/Fall-time: Typically <2.5 µs
Accuracy (Amplitude >40 mVp-p into 50 Ω): Spurious (Typically the higher of): –50 dBc or 500 µVp-p,
1%, 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz 100 kHz to 600 kHz, 20 MHz BW
3%, 100 kHz to 600 kHz Noise Crest Factor: Typically >4.4
Flatness (Amplitude >630 mVp-p into 50 Ω): Switching Speed (via GPIB): Typically <25 ms
±0.1% (±0.009 dB), 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz
±1.0% (±0.09 dB), 100 kHz to 600 kHz Typical THD+Noise in 80 kHz measurement BW (above 20 kHz,
in a 750 kHz measurement BW) at 5 Vp-p into a 50 Ω load
Spectral Purity (sine wave)
THD+N (Including spurs, amplitude >50 mV rms into 50 Ω):
–63 dBc rms (0.07%), 20 Hz to 7.5 kHz, 30 kHz BW
–63 dBc rms (0.07%), 7.5 kHz to 20 kHz, 80 kHz BW
–55 dBc rms (0.18%), 20 kHz to 100 kHz, 750 kHz BW

Phase (sine wave)

Range: 0 to 359.9° Typical level flatness (1 kHz reference) at 5 Vp-p into a
Resolution: 0.1° or 0.001 radians 50 Ω load
Increment Accuracy (Relative to 0° for a fixed frequency):
±0.05°, 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz

DC Amplitude
Range: 0 to ±10 V open circuit
Resolution: Three and a half digits
Accuracy: ±20 mV or ±2.1%, whichever is greater

1.

2
Typical SSB phase noise at 500 kHz Summation (with Option 001)
Two, Three, or Four Channels may be summed into a single
output. Two or three channels may be summed for modula-
tion of channel A. All combinations of channels are accept-
able, EXCEPT FOR: {A+C and B+D} or {A+D and B+C} at
the same time.
Channel-to-Channel Phase Accuracy (Equal amplitude,
sinewave signals summed into one output): +0.1 degrees
or 30 ns, 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz, whichever is greater

Mathematically Derived Characteristics

AM Accuracy (The higher of): ±0.024% AM or ±0.20% of
setting, up to 20 kHz modulation rate and 100 kHz carrier,
1% to 99% depth
OPTION 001 SPECIFICATIONS FM Accuracy (The higher of): ±0.1 Hz or ±0.28% of setting,
(50 Ω outputs only) up to 20 kHz modulation rate, 20 kHz deviation, and where
Fcarrier + Fdeviation ≤100 kHz
Modulation
F M Accuracy (The higher of): ±0.1° or ±0.28% of setting,
Modulation for channel A ONLY, and specified for up to 20 kHz modulation rate, where:
sinewave carrier and modulation. Internal channels
B, C, and D can be used to either collectively mod-
ulate channel A with one modulation type, or can
provide simultaneous modulation of channel A with
any of the available modulation types. External
modulation is NOT possible.
DSBSC Peak Envelope Accuracy: Same as amplitude
Amplitude Modulation (with Option 001) accuracy, up to 20 kHz modulation rate
Rate: 0 Hz to 600 kHz Phase Accuracy when One Channel is used to Modulate
Depth Range: 0% to 100% of carrier amplitude Channel A (sinewave): ±0.15° or 30 ns, whichever is
Resolution: 0.1% of carrier amplitude greater, 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz frequency

Frequency Modulation (with Option 001) Supplemental Characteristics

VOR Bearing Accuracy: Typically ±0.05°
Rate: 0 Hz to 600 kHz
AM Accuracy (At a 1 kHz rate and 600 kHz carrier):
Deviation Range: 0 Hz up to 600 kHz; however
Typically <±0.2%
Fcarrier + Fdeviation ≤600 kHz
FM Accuracy (At a 1 kHz rate, 20 kHz deviation, and
Resolution: 0.1 Hz or 31/2 digits, whichever is less
600 kHz carrier): Typically <±0.2% of setting
Pulse Modulation Level Accuracy: Typically 5% up to 20
Phase Modulation (with Option 001) kHz pulse rate
Rate: 0 Hz to 600 kHz DSBSC Carrier Suppression: Typically >72 dB
Range: 0° up to 179.9° per channel, however: Intermodulation (Two equal signals summed into one
output): Typically:
<–70 dBc, for frequencies up to 100 kHz
<–60 dBc, for frequencies 100 to 600 kHz
Resolution: 0.1° or 0.001 radians
Specifications for level accuracy, modulation
Pulse or DSBSC Modulation (with Option 001) accuracy, and spectral purity are all referenced
Rate: 0 Hz to 50 kHz (up 600 kHz for DSBSC) to the peak of the composite signal less 3 dB.
When signals are summed the specification for
each individual signal is degraded by its ampli-
tude relative to the peak of the composite signal.

3
FM Stereo Mode (with Option 001) Digital Sequence (with Option 001)
Test Signal Modes: Left = Right, Left = – Right, Left only, User Definable: On level (±10 V open circuit),
and Right only Off level (±10 V open circuit), and period
Test Tone Frequency Range: 20 Hz to 15 kHz Sequence Entry: Binary, octal, or hexadecimal
Composite Signal Level: Up to 10 Vp-p into 50 Ω Sequence Length: Up to 3,000 bits
Pilot Tone Level: 0% to 100% of composite level Period Duration: 0.10 ms to 655.35 ms
Pilot Tone Level Resolution: 0.1% of composite level Period Resolution: 0.01 ms (10 µs)
Pilot Tone Frequency Range: 0.1 Hz to 600 kHz (default Period Accuracy: ±0.02 ms (±20 µs)
frequency 19 kHz) Control Modes (Applies to tone, DTMF and digital
Pilot Tone Phase Adjustment Range: 0.0 to 359.9° sequence modes): Manual sequence (allows stepping
Subcarrier Frequency Range: 0.1 Hz to 600 kHz (default through sequence), single sequence, and continuously
frequency 38 kHz) peat sequence. Sequence can also be triggered by exter
Pre-emphasis: 25 µsec, 50 µsec, and 75 µsec nal TTL pulse.

Supplemental Characteristics Hop Ram Sequence (with Option 001)

FM Stereo Multiplex Separation: Number of Different States: 16 user definable states each
L-R: Typically >65 dB, audio frequency 20 Hz to 15 kHz with an amplitude, frequency, and phase value
M-S: Typically >70 dB, audio frequency 20 Hz to 15 kHz Waveforms: Sine, square, ramp, triangle, dc, and white
Multiplex Subcarrier Suppression: Typically >70 dB Gaussian noise
Sequence Entry: Binary, octal, or hexadecimal
Tone Sequence (with Option 001) Sequence Length: Up to 3,000 tones in binary mode
Number of Different Frequencies: 16 user definable tones (two states used), or up to 750 tones in hex mode (all 16
each with an individual on time and off time states used)
On-time Duration: 0 ms, 0.80 ms to 655.35 ms Sequence Clock Frequency Range: 0.1 Hz to 10 kHz
Off-time Duration: 0 ms, 0.80 ms to 655.35 ms (zero off Sequence Clock Frequency Resolution: 0.1 Hz
time and zero on time NOT allowed) Sequence Burst Range: One repetition up to 127
Timing Resolution: 0.01 ms (10 µs) Control Modes: Manual sequence (allows stepping through
Timing Accuracy: ±0.02 ms (+20 µs) sequence), burst sequence (1 to 127), and continuously
Sequence Length: 750 tones, user definable from front repeat sequence. Sequence can be triggered by external
panel or GPIB programmable TTL pulse.

DTMF Sequence (with Option 001)

OPTION 002 SPECIFICATIONS
Number of Tone Pairs: 16 standard DTMF tone pairs (0-9, (50 Ω outputs only)
A-D, #, *). Frequencies per Bell Technical Reference
Publication 48005. Output 1 to Output 2 Phase Accuracy (Sine waves at the
On-time Duration: 0 ms, 1.00 to 655.35 ms same frequency): ±0.1 degrees or 30 ns, 0.1 Hz to
Off-time Duration: 0 ms, 1.00 to 655.35 ms (zero off time 100 kHz, whichever is greater
and zero on time NOT allowed)
Timing Resolution: 0.01 ms (10 µs) Supplemental Characteristics
Timing Accuracy: ±1 ms Output 1 to Output 2 Cross-talk (The higher of):
Sequence Length: 750 DTMF tones, user definable from Typically:
front panel or GPIB programmable –100 dB or 20 µVp-p, 0.1 Hz to 20 kHz
–95 dB or 20 µVp-p, 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz
–90 dB or 30 µVp-p, 0.1 Hz to 600 kHz

4
OPTION 003 SPECIFICATIONS OPTION 006 SPECIFICATIONS
(50 Ω outputs only) (Sine wave only)
Direct Addressing of Channel A: Up to 16 phase- All specifications for the standard 50 Ω 8904A are
frequency-amplitude states of channel A may degraded by the accuracy, flatness, and distortion
be preset and directly addressed with four TTL- specifications of the Option 006, 600 Ω transformer
compatible inputs. Timing for fast hopping must coupled output. Because the transformer output
be provided by an EXTERNAL source. was designed for passing sinewaves only, all speci-
fications apply to that waveform. The Option 006
Digital Modulation: By appropriately setting the 16 output will not pass digital sequences available
direct control registers, the Agilent 8904A may be with Option 001. In addition, phase accuracy is
used as a digital modulator. Examples of signals degraded and therefore not specified for Option 006.
which can be generated with this technique
include FSK or multilevel FM (up to 16 levels), Output Type: Fully floating/balanced transformer coupled
BPSK, QPSK, and QAM. output
Usable Output Frequency Range: 30 Hz to 200 kHz
Supplemental Characteristics
Switching Speed: AC Amplitude (sine wave only)
Via Digital Port: Typically <8 µs, <20 µs for full Range:
filter settling
Open circuit: 0 to 20 Vrms
Via GPIB: Typically <8 ms
600 Ω load: 0 to 10 Vrms
Maximum Switching Rate (via digital control port):
150 Ω load: 0 to 4 Vrms
Approximately 400 kHz
50 Ω load: 0 to 1.5 Vrms
Maximum Allowable Address Skew (via digital port):
Resolution: 31/2 digits
25 ns for valid results
Accuracy (amplitude >40 mVrms into a balanced
600 Ω load):
OPTION 005 SPECIFICATIONS 6% (0.5 dB) 30 Hz to 20 kHz
12% (1.0 dB) 30 Hz to 100 kHz
(50 Ω outputs only)
Flatness (amplitude >40 mV rms into a balanced
Unit to Unit Phase Accuracy: Additional 30 nsec error, 0.1 600 Ω load, 1 kHz reference):
Hz to 100 kHz. (Total phase error between units is then the +0.15 dB, –0.15 dB, 30 Hz to 20 kHz
greater of ±0.1° or 60 nsec, 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz.) +0.15 dB, –0.75 dB, 30 Hz to 100 kHz
Maximum Number of Synchronized Units: 8 units using
low-loss power splitters (for a total of 16 phase related out- Spectral Purity (sine wave only)
puts if all units have Option 002)
THD+N (including spurs, amplitude 140 mVrms to
Recommended Power Splitters:
10 Vrms into a balanced 600 Ω load):
≤4 units synchronized: Mini-circuits model ZSC-4-3
–46 dB (0.50%), 30 Hz to 300 Hz, 30 kHz BW, amplitude
or equivalent
<1 Vrms into a balanced 600 Ω load
≤8 units synchronized: Mini-circuits model ZFSC-8-1
–60 dB (0.10%), 300 Hz to 7.5 kHz, 30 kHz BW
or equivalent
–63 dB (0.07%), 7.5 kHz to 20 kHz, 80 kHz BW
–55 dB (0.18%), 20 kHz to 100 kHz, 750 kHz BW
Supplemental Characteristics
Unit to Unit Phase Accuracy: Typically <15 nsec additional
Supplemental Characteristics
error, 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz (Total typical phase error between
Balance: Typically >40 dB, 30 Hz to 50 kHz
units is then the greater of ±0.1 degree or 30 nsec, 0.1 Hz
Output Impedance: Nominally 600 Ω at 1 kHz
to 100 kHz)
Flatness (amplitude >40 mV rms into a balanced 600 Ω
load, 1 kHz reference): +0.15 dB, –4.0 dB, 30 Hz to 200 kHz
THD+N (including spurs, amplitude 140 mVrms to 1 Vrms
into a balanced 600 Ω load): <–50 dB (0.32%), 30 Hz to
300 Hz, 30 kHz BW

5
GENERAL AGILENT 8904A ORDERING INFORMATION
Store Recall: 35 nonvolatile 8904A Multifunction Synthesizer
Output Type: Floating or grounded, GPIB programmable. (One 50 Ω output standard)
Maximum float voltage (signal + float): 10 V peak maximum Option 001: Add three internal channels, channel A modula-
from high or low side to chassis ground. tion, channel summation, and channel A sequence capability.
Zero-crossing Outputs (Available in channel configuration Option 002: Add second internal synthesizer and 50 Ω output
mode only): For each channel, a TTL-compatible zero-crossing Option 003: Add fast hop and digital modulation capability
output and polarity output are provided. The zero-crossing Option 004: Move outputs to rear panel (Not available with
output pulses high for approximately 600 ns each time the either Option 005 or 006)
channel phase goes through 0 or 180°. The polarity output is Option 005: Add unit to unit phase synchronization capability
high for phases of 0 to 180°s, low for 180 to 360°. These Option 006: Changes output 1 from a 50 Ω output to a
outputs do not reflect any user-specified phase offsets. transformer coupled, 600 Ω balanced output
External Timebase Input: 10 MHz accepted at a nominal Option 910: Provides a total of two sets of operation and
level of 0.1 to 5 V peak, automatic switching. calibration manuals (08904-90007) and service manuals
Timebase Output: Output level >0 dBm (0.3 V peak) into (08904-90008)
a 50 Ω load. Output signal will be the internal timebase Option 915: Add service manual (Does not come standard,
unless an external timebase is connected to the external part number 08904-90008)
timebase input. When an external timebase is connected, Option W30: Extended repair service
it will be routed to the timebase output connector. 08904-61024: Rack mount kit for a single 8904A (includes
Temperature: are required parts and hardware)
Operating: 0° C to 50° C 08904-61025: Rack mount kit for mounting two 8904As side
Storage: –20° C to 70° C by side (includes all required parts and hardware)
Humidity Range: 95% RH, 0° C to 40° C 9211-2682: Ruggedized transit case for one 8904A
Remote Operation: GPIB. A11 functions except the line
switch are remotely controllable Retrofit Kit Ordering Information
GPIB Compatibility: SH1, AH1, T6, TEO, L4, LEO, SR1, RL1,
PP1, DC1, DTO, CO 8904A Retrofit kits (all are customer retrofittable)
Power: 100/120 V (±10%); 48 to 440 Hz 11816A: Retrofit kit for Option 001
220/240 V (±10%); 48 to 66 Hz. 80 VA maximum 11817A: Retrofit kit for Option 002
Weight: Net 5.9 kg (12.8 lb.); Shipping 13 kg ( 28.6 lb.) 11818A: Retrofit kit for Option 003
Dimensions: 133 mm H x 213 mm W x 513 mm D 11827A: Retrofit kit for Option 005 (not available for units
(5.25 x 8.36 x 20.2 inches) with serial numbers less than 2948AXXXXX)
System II Size: 51/4 H x 51/2 W x 20 D 11837A: Retrofit kit for Option 006 (not available for units
EMI: Meets conducted and radiated interference of VDE with serial numbers prior to 2948AXXXXX)
0871/6.78 class B (radiated at 10 meters). Meets MIL 461B
conducted (CE03) and radiated (RE02) interference.

Supplemental Characteristics
Output Impedance: Typically 50 Ω ±3%, 0.1 Hz to 600 kHz

6
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