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The Agilent E8247C and E8257C are PSG-series signal generators covering 250 kHz to 20 GHz (Option 520) or 250 kHz to 40 GHz (Option 540), useable down to 100 kHz. The E8247C is the CW-only model; the E8257C adds analog modulation. Both deliver synthesized continuous-wave output with 0.001 Hz CW frequency resolution.
As a stimulus source, these generators integrate into automated test systems: the SCPI 1997.0 command set emulates earlier Agilent 836xxB, 837xxB, and 8340/41B signal generators for general ATE compatibility. The instruments support two-tone (master/slave) measurements, in which two PSG units synchronously track each other with independent control of start/stop frequencies, and they are fully compatible with the Agilent 8757D scalar network analyzer for swept measurements.
ValueTronics stocks and holds its own inventory in a 20,000 square foot secure warehouse at 1675 Cambridge Drive in Elgin, Illinois. Every pre-owned unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house before it ships, while new units ship factory-sealed exactly as received from the manufacturer.
Agilent Technologies originated as the test-and-measurement business of Hewlett-Packard, which spun the unit off as Agilent in 1999. In 2014, Agilent's electronic measurement business was transferred to a newly formed company, Keysight Technologies.
The PSG CW and analog signal generators are offered in two model variants distinguished by modulation capability: the E8247C provides continuous-wave (CW) output only, while the E8257C adds analog modulation. Each model is further configured by frequency option, with Option 520 covering 250 kHz to 20 GHz and Option 540 extending coverage to 40 GHz.
Both models share the same synthesized core, sweep capabilities, leveling architecture, and remote-programming interfaces; the differences between them center on whether analog modulation is included and how far the frequency range extends. A vector signal generator, the E8267C, is documented separately.
Each pre-owned model below is its own product page with condition-matched pricing. Select the frequency option and the CW or analog configuration that matches your application, and the corresponding pre-owned unit can be reviewed on its own listing.
The primary difference across the family is modulation: the E8247C is CW-only, whereas the E8257C adds frequency, phase, amplitude, and pulse modulation along with internal modulation and pulse generators. Buyers needing only a clean carrier select the E8247C, while those requiring stimulus modulation select the E8257C.
The second axis is frequency coverage. Option 520 reaches 20 GHz and Option 540 reaches 40 GHz, with connector type varying accordingly: 20 GHz models use precision APC-3.5 connectors and 40 GHz models use precision 2.4 mm connectors. The comparison table below details the per-model frequency range, modulation, and output specifications.
| Model | Frequency Range | Modulation | Max Output Power (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|
| E8257C | 250 kHz to 20 GHz (Option 520) / 250 kHz to 40 GHz (Option 540) | AM, FM, ΦM, Pulse | +13 dBm (≤20 GHz), +9 dBm (20–40 GHz) |
| E8247C | 250 kHz to 20 GHz (Option 520) / 250 kHz to 40 GHz (Option 540) | CW only | +13 dBm (≤20 GHz), +9 dBm (20–40 GHz) |
Additional differences in specifications beyond the few shown above are not listed here — see each model's full specifications below.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency Modulation (E8257C only) | |
| Maximum deviation | N x 8 MHz |
| Resolution | 0.1% of deviation or 1 Hz, whichever is greater |
| Deviation accuracy | < ± 3.5% of FM deviation + 20 Hz (1 kHz rate, deviations < N x 800 kHz) |
| Modulation frequency response, FM 1 (1 dB BW) | dc/20 Hz to 100 kHz |
| Modulation frequency response, FM 1 (3 dB BW, typical) | dc/5 Hz to 10 MHz |
| Modulation frequency response, FM 2 (1 dB BW) | dc/20 Hz to 100 kHz |
| Modulation frequency response, FM 2 (3 dB BW, typical) | dc/5 Hz to 1 MHz |
| dc FM carrier offset | ±0.1% of set deviation + (N x 8 Hz) |
| Distortion | < 1% (1 kHz rate, deviations < N x 800 kHz) |
| Sensitivity | ±1 Vpeak for indicated deviation |
| Phase Modulation (E8257C only) | |
| Maximum deviation | N x 80 radians (N x 8 radians in high-bandwidth mode) |
| Resolution | 0.1% of set deviation |
| Deviation accuracy | < ±5% of deviation + 0.01 radians (1 kHz rate, normal BW mode) |
| Modulation frequency response, Normal BW | N x 80 rad, dc to 100 kHz |
| Modulation frequency response, High BW | N x 8 rad, dc to 1 MHz (typical) |
| Distortion | < 1 % (1 kHz rate, THD, dev < N x 80 rad, normal BW mode) |
| Sensitivity | ±1 Vpeak for indicated deviation |
| Amplitude Modulation (fc > 2 MHz) (typical) (E8257C only) | |
| Depth, Maximum (Linear mode) | > 90% |
| Depth, Maximum (Exponential/log mode, downward modulation only) | > 20 dB |
| Settable, Linear | 0 to 100 % |
| Settable, Exponential | 0 to 40 dB |
| Resolution, Linear | 0.1% |
| Resolution, Exponential | 0.01 dB |
| Accuracy, Linear (1 kHz rate) | < ±(6 % of setting + 1 %) |
| Accuracy, Exponential (1 kHz rate) | < ±(2% of setting + 0.2 dB) |
| Ext sensitivity, Linear | ±1 Vpeak for indicated depth |
| Ext sensitivity, Exponential | –1 V for indicated depth |
| Rates (3 dB bandwidth, 30% depth) | dc/10 Hz to 100 kHz (typical) (useable to 1 MHz) |
| Distortion (1 kHz rate, linear mode, THD), 30% AM | < 1.5% |
| Distortion, 90% AM | < 4 % |
| External Modulation Inputs (Ext1 & Ext2) (E8257C only) | |
| Modulation types | AM, FM, and ΦM |
| Input impedance | 50 or 600 Ω (nominal) switched |
| High/low indicator | Activated when input level error exceeds 3% (nominal) (100 Hz to 10 MHz BW, ac coupled inputs only) |
| Internal Modulation Source (E8257C only) | |
| Waveforms | Sine, square, positive ramp, negative ramp, triangle, Gaussian noise, uniform noise, swept sine, dual sine |
| Rate range, Sine | 0.5 Hz to 1 MHz |
| Rate range, Square/ramp/triangle | 0.5 Hz to 100 kHz |
| Resolution | 0.5 Hz |
| Accuracy | Same as timebase |
| LF out amplitude | 0 to 3 Vpeak (nominal) into 50 Ω |
| LF out output impedance | 50 Ω (nominal) |
| Swept sine frequency range | 1 Hz to 1 MHz |
| Swept sine sweep rate | 0.5 Hz to 100 kHz sweeps/s (sweep times 10 us to 2 s) |
| Swept sine resolution | 0.5 Hz (0.5 sweep/s) |
| Pulse Modulation (E8257C only) | |
| On/off ratio | Std >3.2 GHz: 80 dB (typical); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: 80 dB; Opt 1E6 10 MHz to 3.2 GHz: 80 dB |
| Rise/fall times (Tr, Tf) | Std >3.2 GHz: 10 ns (6 ns typical); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: 100 ns (typical); Opt 1E6: 10 ns (8 ns typical) |
| Pulse width, internally leveled | Std >3.2 GHz: ≥1 us; Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: ≥2 us (typical); Opt 1E6: ≥1 us |
| Pulse width, level hold (ALC Off with power search) | Std >3.2 GHz: ≥20 ns (typical); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: ≥0.5 us (typical); Opt 1E6: ≥20 ns (typical) |
| Repetition frequency, internally leveled | Std >3.2 GHz: 10 Hz to 500 kHz; Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: 10 Hz to 250 kHz (typical); Opt 1E6: 10 Hz to 500 kHz (typical) |
| Repetition frequency, level hold | Std >3.2 GHz: dc to 10 MHz (typical); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: dc to 1 MHz (typical); Opt 1E6: dc to 10 MHz (typical) |
| Level accuracy (relative to CW), internally leveled | Std >3.2 GHz: ±0.5 dB / ±0.15 (typical); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: ±0.5 dB; Opt 1E6: ±0.5 dB |
| Level accuracy, level hold (ALC Off with power search) | Std >3.2 GHz: ≤20 GHz ±0.8 dB / ≤40 GHz ±1.2 dB (typical); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: ±0.5 dB (typical); Opt 1E6: ±1.0 dB (typical) |
| Width compression | Std >3.2 GHz: ±5 ns (typical); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: ±50 ns (typical); Opt 1E6: ±5 ns (typical) |
| Video feed-through | Std >3.2 GHz: < 2 mV (typical); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: < 200 mV (typical); Opt 1E6: < 125 mV (typical) |
| Video delay (Ext input to Video) | 40 ns (nominal) all configurations |
| RF delay (Tm) (Video to RF output) | Std >3.2 GHz: 35 ns (nominal); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: 280 ns (nominal); Opt 1E6: 45 ns (nominal) |
| Pulse overshoot (Vor) | Std >3.2 GHz: < 10% (typical); Std 500 MHz to 3.2 GHz: < 10% (typical); Opt 1E6: <1 GHz 20% (typical), ≥1 GHz 10% (typical) |
| Input level | +1 Vpeak = RF On (all configurations) |
| Input impedance | 50 Ω (nominal) (all configurations) |
| Internal Pulse Generator (E8257C only) | |
| Modes | Free-run, triggered, triggered with delay, doublet, and gated (triggered with delay, doublet, and gated require external trigger source) |
| Period (PRI) (Tp) | 70 ns to 42 s (Repetition frequency: 0.024 Hz to 14.28 MHz) |
| Pulse width (Tw) | 10 ns to 42 s |
| Delay (Td), Free-run mode | 0 to ±42 s |
| Delay (Td), Triggered with delay and doublet modes | 75 ns to 42 s with ±10 ns jitter |
| Resolution | 10 ns (width, delay, and PRI) |
Important: Maximum reverse power into the RF output: 1/2 Watt (nominal).
Important: Maximum power specification is warranted from 15 to 35 °C, and is typical from 0 to 15 °C. Maximum power over the 35 to 55 °C range typically degrades less than 2 dB.
Important: Storage below –20 °C: instrument states may be lost (General Specifications, storage temperature footnote).
Important: For Master/Slave (two-tone) operation, the Agilent 8120-8806 Master/Slave interface cable is required and is ordered separately.
Important: GPIB system interface is supported only with the Agilent 8757D, not with the 8757A/C/E; with 8757A/C/E some features (frequency display, pass-through mode, alternate sweep) do not function with PSG signal generators.
Recommended pairing: connect Agilent 83550 Series millimeter-wave source modules (83554A-83558A) through the source module interface to extend the generator's frequency coverage to as high as 110 GHz.
This pre-owned unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house before it ships and is backed by our pre-owned warranty. To confirm its exact condition, firmware revision, installed options, or included accessories for your application before ordering, contact our Test Architects.
ValueTronics supplies both new and used test and measurement equipment. New units ship factory-sealed, exactly as received from the manufacturer; every used unit is inspected and functionally verified in-house at our 20,000 sq ft secure facility in Elgin, Illinois before it ships. Our Test Architects can help you select the condition, calibration, and configuration that fit your application.
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.
Model No
Agilent
Condition
Pre-Owned
Manufacturer
Agilent
Rf_gen_freq
250 kHz to 40 GHz
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