HP 8901A Product Overview

HP 8901A Modulation Analyzer
150 kHz to 1300 MHz

Product Overview

Measurements
*
Frequency
Range: 150 kHz to 1300 MHz
Resolution:
10 Hz below 1000 MHz,
100 Hz above 1000 MHz
Input Level:
Automatic Mode: 20 dBm to
+30 dBm
Manual Mode: Typically
60 dBm to +30 dBm
Power
Display: Peak envelope power
Range: 1 milliwatt to 1 watt
Accuracy: Typically ±1.5 dB
Input Power Protection:
>25 watts
Modulation
Frequency Modulation
Rates: 20 Hz to 200 kHz
Deviations: to 400 kHz
Accuracy: ±1% of reading ±1 digit
for rates 30 Hz to 100 kHz
Amplitude Modulation
Rates: 20 Hz to 100 kHz
Depths: to 99%
Accuracy: ±1% of reading ±1 digit
for rates 50 Hz to 50 kHz and
depths >5%
Phase Modulation
Rates: 200 Hz to 20 kHz
Deviations: to 400 radians
Accuracy: ±3% of reading ±1 digit
Applications
Mobile Radio
The HP 8901A Modulation Analyzer combines all the capabilities
necessary for making accurate transmitter measurements. It
can be used in making all the tests listed below. It can also be
used to test modules and subassemblies from either the trans-
mitter or receiver. For reliability, input power protection reduces
the chance of accidentally damaging the modulation analyzer by
connecting it directly to a high power transmitter.
• Carrier power
• Carrier frequency and stability
• AM depth
• FM deviation
• Hum and noise
• Incidental AM or FM
• Modulation limiting
- Instantaneous
- Steady state
• Audio frequency response
Maintenance and Metrology
Accurately measuring modulation has long been a problem for
metrology laboratories. The HP 8901A Modulation Analyzer
helps solve this problem two ways. First, it provides an extremely
accurate method of measuring AM depth and FM deviation, and
it recovers the modulation with little degradation for making
measurements such as modulation distortion. Second, the optional
calibrators provide a precise modulation source for calibration.
There are many metrology and maintenance uses for the modula-
tion analyzer. They include:
• Signal generator calibration
• Modulation calibration standard
• VCO and VCXO characterization
*All parameters describe performance in automatic operation or properly set manual conditions. Specifications
describe the instrument's warranted performance. Supplemental characteristics (shown in italics) are intended to
provide information useful in applying the instrument by giving typical, but non-warranted, performance parameters.
H
Outstanding signal
characterization