The Agilent 8590 E-Series is a family of portable spectrum analyzers designed as configurable test platforms that can be tailored to specific measurement needs. The series comprises five models — the 8591E (9 kHz to 1.8 GHz), 8594E (9 kHz to 2.9 GHz), 8595E (9 kHz to 6.5 GHz), 8596E (9 kHz to 12.8 GHz), and 8593E (9 kHz to 22/26.5 GHz) — sharing a common operating architecture, softkey-driven user interface, and internal cardcage that accepts up to four circuit-card options. The family is positioned as a flexible spectrum analysis solution where the base hardware can be combined with internal option cards and downloadable measurement personalities to address a wide range of RF and microwave test applications.

The datasheet identifies application areas the 8590 E-Series is built to address, including component test, cable TV and broadcast measurement, EMC precompliance, digital radio installation and maintenance, wireless communications transmitter testing, and general-purpose RF spectrum analysis. Within these applications, the analyzers support measurement scenarios such as transmitter verification for GSM, DCS1800, NADC-TDMA, CDMA, PDC, DECT, CT2-CAI, and PHS formats; microwave radio link measurements including group delay and amplitude flatness; cable TV system testing for FCC proof-of-performance; EMI precompliance with quasi-peak detection; and scalar transmission and reflection measurements with built-in tracking generators. The analyzers also serve research and development, manufacturing, field service, installation, and signal surveillance environments as documented in the datasheet.

Brand Heritage

The 8590 E-Series carries Agilent Technologies branding. Agilent's test and measurement business was spun off from Hewlett-Packard in 1999, and in 2014 the electronic measurement portion of Agilent became Keysight Technologies. Instruments branded HP, Agilent, and Keysight in this lineage share a continuous engineering heritage, and the 8590 E-Series sits in the Agilent-era portion of that history.

Compare Other Models in This Series

The Agilent 8590 E-Series is a five-model family of portable spectrum analyzers built on a shared operating platform and internal cardcage architecture. The models differ primarily in upper frequency limit, with all five sharing the same 9 kHz lower frequency limit, the same resolution bandwidth range, and the same 70 dB calibrated display range. Models in the family also share the same downloadable measurement personality ecosystem, the same softkey-driven user interface, and the same I/O architecture including GPIB or RS-232 and parallel printer port options.

Within the family, the 8591E, 8594E, and 8595E are described in the datasheet as RF spectrum analyzers, while the 8596E and 8593E are described as microwave spectrum analyzers. Each model has its own integrated tracking generator option coverage, and the 8595E, 8596E, and 8593E additionally offer tracking source coverage extending beyond the tracking generator range — the 8593E extends tracking source coverage out to 22 GHz with the appropriate option configuration.

Each model listed below is its own dedicated ValueTronics product page with pre-owned-matched pricing and inventory. Configuration, installed options, and accessory completeness vary by serial number, so the model-specific product pages are the authoritative source for what is included with the particular unit being quoted.

The principal differentiator across the 8590 E-Series is upper frequency limit, which steps from 1.8 GHz on the 8591E, to 2.9 GHz on the 8594E, to 6.5 GHz on the 8595E, to 12.8 GHz on the 8596E, to 22 GHz or 26.5 GHz on the 8593E. Several performance specifications scale with frequency coverage: average noise level at 30 Hz RBW with optional performance is -130 dBm on the 8591E and -127 dBm on the 8594E, 8595E, and 8596E, with the 8593E listed at -129 dBm; relative frequency response is ±1.0 dB on the 8591E and 8594E, ±1.5 dB on the 8595E, and ±2.0 dB on the 8596E and 8593E. Frequency accuracy is ±210 Hz on the three lower-frequency models and ±1.2 kHz on the 8596E and 8593E.

Optimum dynamic range figures (second-order and third-order, with optional performance) differ as well: the 8591E is listed at 77/90 dB, the 8594E at 78/88 dB, the 8595E at 77/86 dB, the 8596E at 102/80 dB, and the 8593E at 103/81 dB. The comparison table below summarizes these values alongside resolution bandwidth, calibrated display range, amplitude range, and phase noise so the model-to-model trade-offs are visible side by side.

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

Product Core & Specifications

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.