Agilent N9340 Series Spectrum Analyzer

Agilent (Keysight) N9340 Series Handheld Spectrum Analyzers - Product Introduction

The Agilent N9340 series is a high-performance handheld spectrum analyzer (HSA) introduced by Agilent Technologies (now spun off as Keysight Technologies). This series is specifically designed for engineers and technicians who need to perform RF measurements and maintenance in the field, perfectly combining the performance of laboratory instruments with the portability and ruggedness of field instruments.

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I. Series Overview and Common Features

All models in this series share the following core advantages:

1. Portability and Ruggedness: Lightweight (approximately 4.4 kg), battery-powered (over 4 hours of battery life), designed for harsh environments such as the field, tower tops, and on-site, compliant with MIL-PRF-28800F ruggedness testing standards.
2. High Performance and Accuracy: Utilizes a superheterodyne structure similar to benchtop spectrum analyzers, providing excellent dynamic range, phase noise, and measurement accuracy, far surpassing general low-cost spectrum analyzers.
3. Ease of Use: Large color display, intuitive user interface, multiple one-touch preset functions (such as auto-tune and auto-scale), enabling even beginners to perform accurate measurements quickly.
4. Powerful Analysis Functions: Built-in multiple measurement applications, such as channel power, adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR), occupied bandwidth (OBW), harmonic distortion, carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N), greatly improving on-site work efficiency.
5. Data Logging and Transfer: Supports saving screenshots and measurement data to internal memory or an external USB drive, facilitating subsequent report generation and analysis.

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II. Detailed Differences Between Models and Selection Guide

The models you listed represent different performance levels within the series, primarily distinguished by frequency range and measurement capabilities.

| Model | Frequency Range | Core Features and Typical Applications |
| N9340A/B | 100 kHz ~ 3 GHz | Basic model, cost-effective choice. Covers most common RF bands, such as cellular networks (2G/3G), Wi-Fi, radio, broadcasting, etc. Ideal for general maintenance, interference troubleshooting, and signal discovery. The `A` and `B` models have essentially the same functions, with the `B` model being a minor upgrade. |
| N9342C | 100 kHz ~ 4 GHz / 7 GHz | Enhanced model, extended frequency. Increases the upper frequency limit to 7 GHz, perfectly covering 5.8 GHz Wi-Fi, C-band satellite communication (3.7-4.2 GHz), and many radar and microwave link bands. Broader application range. |
| N9343C | 100 kHz ~ 4 GHz / 7 GHz | Professional model, comprehensive functionality. Based on the N9342C, it comes standard with a preamplifier (Preamp) and tracking generator (TG) options. The Preamp significantly improves sensitivity for measuring small signals. The TG enables scalar network analysis (SNA) functions such as cable loss, antenna standing wave ratio (SWR), and filter frequency response. |
| N9344C | 100 kHz ~ 4 GHz / 13.6 GHz | Flagship model, entry into millimeter wave. Offers the widest frequency range in the series, up to 13.6 GHz, covering parts of the Ku-band (12-18 GHz). Used for the installation and maintenance of high-frequency applications such as satellite communication, point-to-point microwave relay, and advanced radar systems. Usually also comes standard with Preamp and TG. |

> Please note: The "4 GHz" in the model names of `N9342C/3C/4C` refers to their standard starting frequency range. By purchasing a software license key, they can be unlocked to higher frequencies (7 GHz or 13.6 GHz).

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III. Core Functions and Application Scenarios

Interference Analysis and Troubleshooting: Quickly locate and identify illegal signals, system intermodulation interference, spurious signals, etc.
Wireless Communication System Maintenance: Measure base station transmit power, ACLR (for WCDMA/LTE), channel power, OBW, etc., to maintain cellular network health.
Signal Characterization Analysis: Discover and analyze the frequency, amplitude, and modulation characteristics of unknown signals.
Component Testing (requires TG option): Test the performance of passive and active components such as antennas, cables, filters, and amplifiers.
Education and Research: Due to its portability and relative affordability (compared to high-end benchtop instruments), it is also commonly used for teaching demonstrations and field research projects.

IV. Summary

The Agilent N9340 series handheld spectrum analyzers are essential tools for field RF engineers. They fill the market gap between bulky benchtop instruments and functionally limited low-cost equipment.

If your work focuses below 3GHz (e.g., conventional radio, 2G/3G), the N9340B offers high cost-effectiveness.
If you need to measure 5.8GHz Wi-Fi or C-band satellite, the N9342C is the starting point.
If you also need to perform cable and antenna testing, the N9343C (standard with TG) is the best choice.
If you are involved in high-frequency applications such as microwave relays or satellite uplinks, you must choose the N9344C.