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July 2025
E4438C
Keysight/Agilent E4438C, 250 kHz - 6 GHz Frequency, ESG Vector Signal Generator
Actual item may vary if no part number is provided on quote request.
✔ 2 Year Warranty Included
✔ Free Domestic Ground Shipping
✔ NIST Calibration Available
Andrew Gar**** Verified Buyer
" Amazing to work with and had my order within 1 week after purchasing with all NI certs and data that were needed. "
March 2025
Said Sai**** Verified Buyer
" Competent contact for highly specialized components. The support team is very knowledgeable. Many thanks for the help and the fast shipping! "
January 2025
Bob C**** Verified Buyer
" Jason was able to get our emergency situation taken care of quickly and professionally. "
May 2025
Gregg Flecki**** Verified Buyer
" Great service and great products. This is my 2nd time using Apex Waves, truly impressed. "
January 2025
Carol Zimme**** Verified Buyer
" Very responsive and helpful, competitive pricing. Good source! "
July 2025
Andrew Gar**** Verified Buyer
" Amazing to work with and had my order within 1 week after purchasing with all NI certs and data that were needed. "
March 2025
Said Sai**** Verified Buyer
" Competent contact for highly specialized components. The support team is very knowledgeable. Many thanks for the help and the fast shipping! "
January 2025
Bob C**** Verified Buyer
" Jason was able to get our emergency situation taken care of quickly and professionally. "
May 2025
Gregg Flecki**** Verified Buyer
" Great service and great products. This is my 2nd time using Apex Waves, truly impressed. "
January 2025
Keysight/Agilent E4438C ESG Vector Signal Generator
The Keysight/Agilent E4438C ESG Vector Signal Generator is a general-purpose instrument for testing analog and digital communications systems, including emerging and existing wireless standards. It provides full signal simulation capability, with real-time and arbitrary waveform generation, thereby being suitable for testing wireless network components, transceivers, and base stations. The frequency range on the generator is from 250 kHz to 6 GHz and can be expanded with options 501 (1 GHz), 502 (2 GHz), 503 (3 GHz), 504 (4 GHz), and 506 (6 GHz with the Option UNJ). Other performance options offered include the Option UNJ to minimize phase noise and the Option UNB to provide higher-level output power, up to +17 dBm depending on configuration and frequency.
The E4438C ESG Vector Signal Generator is more accurate, with 0.01 Hz resolution in frequency and 0.5 dB accuracy in the output power under given conditions. It accommodates a wide acceptance to a variety of modulation formats, from FM and AM to phase modulation and complex digital formats like QPSK, QAM, and FSK. The built-in baseband generators (Erasable and Zero-span options 601 and 602) support arbitrary waveform playback up to 64 MSa memory, and optional personality software allows standards conformance testing in 3GPP W-CDMA, GSM, EDGE, and CDMA2000. With the N5106A PXB module, real-time channel emulation up to 4x2 MIMO can be realized. The phase noise performance required in cases with fidelity applications includes an SSB phase noise of –138 dBc/Hz at 500 MHz (with Option UNJ). High-switching rates in frequency and amplitude functions have to be used to perform agile signal testing and are offered in the instrument. Analog modulation functions offer wideband AM with 40 MHz bandwidth and pulse modulation with 150 ns minimum rise and fall times. Digital modulation accuracy includes low EVM values up to ≤1.8% in cases with W-CDMA signals.
Designed to be used in production and laboratory settings, the E4438C provides interfaces including GPIB, LAN, and RS-232 to enable automation. Its rack-mount, lightweight, and robust design meets requirements for shock/vibration per MIL-STD-28800E. It can be used in applications from RF component testing and protocol conformance tests to impairment simulation in wireless systems. Featuring modular architecture and backward-compatible control languages, the E4438C provides a reliable solution to changing communication needs.
| Model | E4438C |
|---|---|
| Part Type | ESG Series Vector Signal Generator |
| Frequency Range | 250 kHz – 6 GHz |
| Maximum Output Power | Up to +17 dBm (with Option UNB at specific frequencies) |
| Phase Noise Performance | <–138 dBc/Hz @ 20 kHz offset (500 MHz, Option UNJ) |
| Modulation Capabilities | AM, FM, ΦM, Pulse, Digital (QPSK, QAM, FSK, MSK, etc.), Multi-Carrier (up to 100) |
| Arbitrary Waveform Memory | 64 MSa/channel (Option 602), 8 MSa/channel (Option 601) |
| Signal Integrity Metrics | EVM ≤1.8% (W-CDMA), ACLR ≤–65 dBc (adjacent channel) |
| Interfaces & Control | GPIB, LAN, RS-232, External I/Q, Baseband Digital Input/Output (N5102A compatible) |
| Frequency Switching Speed | <9 ms (digital modulation off, hops <5 MHz within band) |
| Manufacturer | Keysight/Agilent |
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