Agilent 87405B
Preampliﬁer 10 MHz to 4 GHz
Technical Overview

Features• 22 dB Gain
• 5 dB Noise Figure• Probe-power bias connection via•

probe port from Agilent’s spectrum
analyzers
Compact Size

Benchtop/General
Purpose Use
Used alone on the bench, the Agilent
87405B Preamplifier can be added to any
application in which additional gain andlow noise are required.
The Agilent 87405B preamplifier brings
reliable gain and low noise figure tomeasurement systems to improve overallsystem performance and reduce systematic errors. With its compact and portablesize, this preamplifier can be powered
directly from the instrument’s probe-port
which eliminates the need for a separate
power supply and makes it an excellent
choice for use in the field. The 87405B isdesigned for use with a variety of Agilent
instruments such as the PSA, ESA, and
MXA spectrum analyzers. The 87405B isthe recommended preamplifier for use
with the 8594E noise figure measurement
solution. The rugged Type-N connectors
stand up to the multiple connect and disconnects needed in field applications forreliable, repeatable measurements.

Improve Noise Figure
Measurements
Add a preamplifier to noise figure
measurement systems to significantly
lower system noise figure. The noise
figure of the system is dominated by
the noise figure of the preamplifier.
Fnew = F pa + Fsys - 1
Gpa
Where F and G are noise figure andpreamplifier gain, both in linear terms.

Gain(dB)
Speciﬁcation

28272625
24
23
22
21
200.01

2.0

1.0

NFsys = 10 log (Fsys) in dB
For systems having a single preamplifier, where the gain of the preamplifieris greater than or equal to thespectrum analyzer noise figure, thesystem noise figure approximately
equals the noise figure of the
pre-amplifier.

Typical

3.0
4.0
Frequency (GHz)

5.0

6.0

Noise Figure(dB)Speciﬁcation

6

Typical5432

Increase Sensitivity
and Speed
Adding preamplifiers to measurement
systems can improve sensitivity
for measuring low-level signals.
Boost the sensitivity of your Agilent
spectrum analyzer 15 to 25 dB
by using the 87405B preamplifier.
Alternatively, better sensitivity canbe traded for measurement speed.
Spurious tests often require narrow
resolution bandwidths to reduce thenoise floor of the analyzer, allowing
low-level signal detection. An analyzer with low noise figure allows you touse a wider resolution bandwidth, yetachieve the same sensitivity. Sweeptimes can improve one hundred times
for each decade increase in bandwidth. The 87405B preamplifier has
gain and noise figure characteristics
that optimize dynamic range andsensitivity.

1
0
0.01

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

5.5

5

6

Frequency (GHz)
Output Power(dBm) @ 1 dB compression(dB)
Speciﬁcation

12

Typical111098765432
0.01 0.512

1.52

2.5 3 3.5 4Frequency (GHz)4.555.56

87405B ProductSpeciﬁcations
Frequency range

10 - 4000 MHz

Small signal gain

22 - 27 dB min-max

Gain flatness±1.5 dB 10 - 4000 MHz

Output power
8 dBm at 4 GHz(1 dB compression pt.)
Noise figure

5 dB 10 - 4000 MHz

Third order intercept 15 dBm typical(TOI)
Harmonics
30 dBc typical(@ +4 dBm output power)
Input VSWR

1.5:1 10 - 1000 MHz
1.7:1 1000 - 2000 MHz
2.1:1 2000 - 3000 MHz
2.2:1 3000 - 4000 MHz

Output VSWR 1.9:1 10 - 4000 MHz
Impedance

50 ohms nominal

Reverse isolation

40 dB typical

Survival input
power (max)+10 dBm typicalPower dissipation

1.6 W nominal

General Speciﬁcations
Bias voltage and current
15 ±6% Vdc @ 105 mA nominal
Connectors RF Type N(f) in, N(m) out
DC Probe Power Connector (f)WeightTemperature (operating) 0 to +55 °C(storage) –40 to +70 °C

EMC
IEC 61326:1997
EN 61326:1997
CISPR 11:1997
This ISM device complies withCanadian ICES-001.
AC line harmonic current emissions
IEC/EN 61000-3-2
Line voltage interrupt (1 cycle, 100%)
IEC/EN 61000-4-11
Surge test (1.2 x 50 us, 0.5/1 kV)
IEC/EN 61000-4-5
Electrical fast transients
IEC/EN 61000-4-4
Radiated emissions
CISPR 11, Class A
Radiated immunity (3 V/m, 80-1000 MHz)
IEC/EN 61000-4-3
Conducted emissions CISPR 11, Class A
Conducted immunity (3 V, 0.15-80 MHz)
IEC/EN 61000-4-6
ESD (4 kV contact, 8 kV air discharge)
IEC/EN 61000-4-2

net 233 g, shipping 546 g

Environmental
Information
Moisture resistance 65 °C at 95% RH for
10 days per Mil-Std883C method 1004.5
Altitude,non-operating

15,000 meters per
Mil-Std-883C
method 1001-C

Reliability
Random vibration 5.2 G (rms) to 2000 Hzper Mil-Std-883C method 2026-11A
Shock 1500 G (peak), 0.5 ms per
Mil-Std-883C method 2002.3-B
Operating temperature (0 to +55 °C)
Class B2/B1 HPETM 757
Storage temperature (–40 to +70 °C)
Class B HPETM 757
5 Day Op. humidity cycle (40C/95% RH)
Class A2, B1, B2 HPETM 758, 4.6
Product safety evaluation
3CSA 61010-1

Speciﬁcations describe the instrument’s
warranted performance over the temperaturerange 0 °C to +55 °C (unless otherwisenoted). All speciﬁcations apply after the
instrument’s temperature has been stabilized
after one hour continuous operation. Typicalcharacteristics are intended to provide information useful in applying the instrument bygiving typical but nonwarranted performanceparameters. These are denoted as “typical”
or “nominal” and apply over the temperature
range 0 °C to +55 °C.
Caution: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can
damage or destroy electronic components.
It is recommended that this preampliﬁer, likeother electronic components, be installed andoperated at a static-free workstation or in anenvironment where precautions against ESD
have been implemented.

Mechanical Dimensions
87405B

Preampliﬁer 10 MHz to 4 GHz

28.0(1.1)
41.94(1.65)

28.0(1.1)

109.54(4.31)
General speciﬁcations
Weight: net 233 g, shipping 546 g.
Cable nominal length is 460 mm (18.11 inches).
Note: Dimensions are in mm (inches) nominal, unless otherwise speciﬁed.

Option 001

Cable-Power Probe Connector to Banana Plugs

Powering Up Your
Preampliﬁer
Preampliﬁer biasing connection
with Agilent E3620ASet V1 to +15V

Connects to Red
banana plug of thebiasing cable.

Set V2 to -12.6V

Connects to Green
banana plug of thebiasing cable.

Connects to Blackbanana plug of thebiasing cable.

Connect V1-, GND and V2+ together as shown in above green wires.
4Ordering Information
87405B Preamplifier 10 MHz to 4 GHz
87405B Option 001 Cable

Recommended PowerSupply
E3620A 50W Dual Output Power Supply
E3630A 35W Triple Output Power Supply
E3631A 80W Triple Output Power Supply
E3646A 60W Dual Output Power Supply
E3647A 60W Dual Output Power Supply
E3648A 100W Dual Output Power Supply
E3649A 100W Dual Output Power Supply

Related Literature
Noise Figure Measurement Accuracy,
Application Note 57-2, literature number5952-3706E

Agilent Email Updates

www.agilent.com/find/emailupdates
Get the latest information on theproducts and applications you select.

Remove all doubt
Our repair and calibration services will
get your equipment back to you, performing like new, when promised. You
will get full value out of your Agilent
equipment through-out its lifetime.
Your equipment will be serviced by Agilent-trained technicians using the latest factory calibration procedures, automated repair diagnostics and genuine
parts. You will always have the utmost
confidence in your measurements.
For information regarding self maintenance of this product, pleasecontact your Agilent office.
Agilent offers a wide range of additional expert test and measurement
services for your equipment, including
initial start-up assistance, onsite education and training, as well as design,
system integration, and project management.
For more information on repair andcalibration services, go to:www.agilent.com/find/removealldoubtAgilent Direct

www.agilent.com/find/agilentdirect
Quickly choose and use your test
equipment solutions with confidence.

www.agilent.com
www.agilent.com/find/mta
For more information on Agilent Technologies’
products, applications or services, pleasecontact your local Agilent office.
The complete list is available at:www.agilent.com/ﬁnd/contactus
Americas
CanadaLatin America
United States(877) 894-4414
305 269 7500
(800) 829-4444

Asia Paciﬁc
Australia
China
Hong Kong
India
Japan
Korea
Malaysia
Singapore
TaiwanThailand1 800 629 485
800 810 0189
800 938 693
1 800 112 929
0120 (421) 345
080 769 0800
1 800 888 848
1 800 375 8100
0800 047 866
1 800 226 008

Europe & Middle EastAustria
01 36027 71571
Belgium
32 (0) 2 404 93 40
Denmark
45 70 13 15 15Finland358 (0) 10 855 2100
France0825 010 700*
*0.125 €/minute

Germany
07031 464 6333
Ireland1890 924 204
Israel972-3-9288-504/544
Italy
39 02 92 60 8484
Netherlands
31 (0) 20 547 2111
Spain
34 (91) 631 3300
Sweden0200-88 22 55
Switzerland
0800 80 53 53
United Kingdom 44 (0) 118 9276201
Other European Countries:
www.agilent.com/ﬁnd/contactus
Revised: March 24, 2009

Product speciﬁcations and descriptionsin this document subject to change
without notice.
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2002,2003, 2009
Printed in USA, June 5, 20095988-8452EN