# Agilent 8642B Synthesized Signal Generator, 100 kHz to 2100 MHz (Pre-Owned) # Agilent 8642B Synthesized Signal Generator, 100 kHz to 2100 MHz (Pre-Owned) ## Key Features At A Glance - Frequency range from 100 kHz to 2115 MHz covered in one continuous span - SSB phase noise of -144 dBc/Hz at 20 kHz offset on a 125 MHz carrier (CW, AM, or FM/PhiM <1/60 max deviation) - Maximum output level up to +20 dBm in bands 1 through 7, with output settable down to -140 dBm - Absolute output level accuracy of ±1 dB for output levels at or above -127 dBm - AM, FM, Phase Modulation, and Pulse Modulation with internal and external modulation sources - Internal modulation oscillator covering 20 Hz to 100 kHz with 1% frequency resolution - HP-IB (IEEE-488-1978) interface for remote programming and automated test integration - Reverse power protection rated to 25 W from a 50 ohm source (50 Vdc) The Agilent 8642B is a synthesized signal generator covering 100 kHz to 2115 MHz in a single continuous span. The instrument segments its operating range into ten frequency bands plus a HET band so that band-dependent specifications — phase noise, harmonic and subharmonic suppression, and maximum FM deviation — can be precisely characterized across the carrier range. Frequency resolution is 1 Hz standard, with 0.1 Hz resolution available via a special function. A synthesized signal generator of this class is used as a precision RF stimulus source. Typical applications include providing a clean carrier for receiver sensitivity measurements, characterizing the response of RF components such as filters and amplifiers, and serving as a calibrated source in automated test setups via HP-IB. The 8642B supports AM, FM, phase modulation, and pulse modulation, and includes an internal modulation oscillator covering 20 Hz to 100 kHz, allowing the same instrument to act as both carrier source and modulating signal source for many bench applications. ValueTronics International has specialized in new and used test and measurement equipment since 1992. Every instrument in our catalog is housed and tested in our 20,000 sq ft secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois — not drop-shipped from a distant broker. That in-house handling is what lets us stand behind the condition grade on every used unit, document its measured performance, and answer specific technical questions about the actual instrument rather than a generic listing. ## Brand Heritage Hewlett-Packard's test and measurement business was spun out as Agilent Technologies in 1999, then the electronic measurement portion transferred to Keysight Technologies in 2014. The 8642B was originally introduced under Hewlett-Packard and is encountered in the field under both HP and Agilent badging depending on the manufacturing date. ## Product Core & Specifications Specification Value Frequency Specifications Range 100 kHz to 2115 MHz Bands Full range covered in one continuous span. Band 10: 1057.500001 to 2115 MHz; Band 9: 528.750001 to 1057.5 MHz; Band 8: 264.375001 to 528.75 MHz; Band 7: 132.187501 to 264.375 MHz; Band 6: 66.093751 to 132.1875 MHz; Band 5: 33.046876 to 66.09375 MHz; Band 4: 16.523438 to 33.046875 MHz; Band 3: 8.261719 to 16.523437 MHz; Band 2: 4.130860 to 8.261718 MHz; Band 1: 0.1 to 4.130859 MHz; Band HET: 0.1 to 132.1875 MHz Sweep Modes Start-stop, span, and phase continuous X-Axis Output 0 to 10 Vdc, ±10% Y-Axis Output TTL positive true for display blanking during retrace Resolution 1 Hz, 0.1 Hz with special function Stability (Standard) Aging rate: ±2 ppm/year Stability (Option 001) <10e-9/day aging rate after 8 days warmup Spectral Purity Specifications Residual FM @ 500 MHz (CW, AM or Angle Mod <1/3 max dev) <1.2 Hz (0.3 to 3 kHz BW), <2 Hz (0.05 to 15 kHz BW) Residual FM @ 1000 MHz <2 Hz (0.3 to 3 kHz BW), <5 Hz (0.05 to 15 kHz BW) Residual FM @ 2000 MHz <5 Hz (0.3 to 3 kHz BW), <9 Hz (0.05 to 15 kHz BW) SSB Phase Noise @ 20 kHz Offset, 125 MHz \-144 dBc/Hz SSB Phase Noise @ 20 kHz Offset, 200 MHz \-141 dBc/Hz SSB Phase Noise @ 20 kHz Offset, 500 MHz \-137 dBc/Hz SSB Phase Noise @ 20 kHz Offset, 1000 MHz \-134 dBc/Hz SSB Phase Noise @ 20 kHz Offset, 2000 MHz \-125 dBc/Hz Residual AM <0.01% AM rms, 0.3 to 3 kHz BW Spurious - Harmonics \-30 dBc at <= +10 dBm (-25 dBc fc > 1057.5 MHz) Spurious - Subharmonics None, fc <=1057.5 MHz (-45 dBc fc > 1057.5 MHz) Spurious - Nonharmonics (>10 kHz offsets) \-100 dBc (-94 dBc fc > 1057.5 MHz) Third Order Intermodulation < -50 dBc at +10 dBm, 2 generators 25 kHz apart into a resistive combiner. Typically decreases 10 dB for every 5 dB of combined level decrease. Output Specifications Level Range From maximum available to -140 dBm (0.023 μV) Maximum Level Available (bands 1-7) +20 dBm (2.24 V) Maximum Level Available (band 8) +19 dBm (2.00 V) Maximum Level Available (band HET) +18 dBm (1.78 V) Maximum Level Available (band 9) +17 dBm (1.41 V) Maximum Level Available (band 10) +16 dBm (1.41 V) Resolution 0.01 dB Absolute Accuracy ±1 dB, output level >= -127 dBm Flatness <= ±0.75 dB, +10 dBm output level Impedance 50 ohm nominal SWR <1.5:1, level <0 dBm; <2.0:1, level >=0 dBm Reverse Power Protection 25W, from a 50 ohm source; 50 Vdc Amplitude Modulation AM Depth 0 to 99.9%, output level <= +10 dBm AM Resolution 0.1% AM Indicator Accuracy @ 1 kHz Rate, up to 90% AM (fc <=1057.5 MHz) ±(3.5% of setting + 1% AM) AM Indicator Accuracy @ 1 kHz Rate, up to 90% AM (fc >1057.5 MHz) ±(5% of setting + 1% AM) AM Distortion @ 1 kHz Rate, 0-30% AM (fc <=1057.5 MHz / >1057.5 MHz) <1% / <2% AM Distortion @ 1 kHz Rate, 30-70% AM <2% / <4% AM Distortion @ 1 kHz Rate, 70-90% AM <4% / <6% AM 3 dB Bandwidth, External DC/AC Coupling (fc: 0.1-4.13 MHz, 33.04-2115 MHz, HET) dc/20 Hz to 100 kHz AM 3 dB Bandwidth, External DC/AC Coupling (fc: 4.13-33.04 MHz) dc/20 Hz to 20 kHz AM Internal Same as external AC Incidental PhiM @ 1 kHz Rate, 30% AM <0.2 radians peak Frequency Modulation Max FM Deviation, Band 9 1.5 MHz (dc-coupled) / 1.5 MHz or f mod × 1080 (ac-coupled or internal) Max FM Deviation, Band 8 750 kHz / 750 kHz or f mod × 540 Max FM Deviation, Band 7 375 kHz / 375 kHz or f mod × 270 Max FM Deviation, Band 6 187 kHz / 187 kHz or f mod × 135 Max FM Deviation, Band 5 93.8 kHz / 93.8 kHz or f mod × 67.5 Max FM Deviation, Band 4 46.9 kHz / 46.9 kHz or f mod × 33.75 Max FM Deviation, Band 3 23.4 kHz / 23.4 kHz or f mod × 16.88 Max FM Deviation, Band 2 11.7 kHz / 11.7 kHz or f mod × 8.44 Max FM Deviation, Band 1 93.8 kHz / 93.8 kHz or f mod × 67.5 Max FM Deviation, Band HET 1.5 MHz / 1.5 MHz or f mod × 1080 FM Resolution 0.7% of setting or 0.0004% of maximum deviation, whichever is larger FM Indicator Accuracy, Rates <= 100 kHz ±(5% of setting + 10 Hz) FM Distortion, Rates 20 Hz to 100 kHz 4% for max. dev., 2% for 1/2 max. dev., 0.4% for 1/15 maximum dc-coupled deviation FM 3 dB Bandwidth (dc/ac coupling) dc/20 Hz to 200 kHz (external) Incidental AM 0.3%, 20 kHz peak dev., 1 kHz rate, fc >400 kHz Phase Modulation Max Phase Deviation, Band 9 100 radians Max Phase Deviation, Band 8 50 radians Max Phase Deviation, Band 7 25 radians Max Phase Deviation, Band 6 12.5 radians Max Phase Deviation, Band 5 6.25 radians Max Phase Deviation, Band 4 3.13 radians Max Phase Deviation, Band 3 1.56 radians Max Phase Deviation, Band 2 0.78 radians Max Phase Deviation, Band 1 6.25 radians Max Phase Deviation, Band HET 100 radians PhiM Accuracy ±(5% of setting + 0.09 radians), 1 kHz rate PhiM Resolution greater of 0.7% of setting or 0.0004% of max. dev. PhiM Distortion <0.4%, 1 kHz rate PhiM 3 dB Bandwidth DC/20 Hz to 15 kHz Pulse Modulation (for output levels <= +15 dBm) Pulse On/Off Ratio \>40 dB; >80 dB, fc >1057.5 MHz Rise/Fall Time <400 ns, 10% to 90% Maximum Repetition Frequency 100 kHz Minimum Pulse Width 2 μs Internal Modulation Oscillator Rates 20 Hz to 100 kHz Frequency Resolution 1% of setting Frequency Accuracy 2% of setting Output Level Range 0 to 3 V peak into 600 ohms Output Level Resolution 4 mV Output Level Accuracy ±(4% + 15 mV) within 1 second Distortion <0.02%, 0.02 kHz to 15.8 kHz; <0.15%, >15.8 kHz Output Impedance 600 ohms ±10% Remote Programming Interface HP-IB (IEEE-488-1978) HP-IB Functions Listener, talker, and controller. SH1, AH1, T5, TE0, L3, LE0, SR1, RL1, PP1, DC1, DT1, C1, C3, C28, E2 General Operating Temperature Range 0° to 55°C **Important:** Maximum reverse power protection: 25 W from a 50 ohm source, 50 Vdc. Pulse modulation specifications apply for output levels at or below +15 dBm.**Important:** This product is discontinued by the manufacturer; this datasheet is provided as support information only. ## 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.** ## Details - **Price:** 0.0 USD - **Vendor:** Agilent - **Type:** Rf Gen - **Tags:** Agilent, Agilent Keysight, Manufacturers, product_manual_group_1, Product_used, RF, Signal Generators ## Variants | Variant | Price | Available | |---------|-------|-----------| | None | 0.00 USD | In stock | | NIST Traceable | 0.00 USD | In stock | | NIST Traceable with Full Data | 0.00 USD | In stock | | ISO IEC 17025 Accredited | 0.00 USD | In stock | ## Images - 8642B Agilent RF Generator --- > Source: [ValueTronics](https://valuetronics.com/products/8642b-agilent-rf-generator-used) > Updated: 2026-08-25