HP's New Family of General-purpose Spectrum Analyzers Reduces Test Time With Best-in-class Measurement Speed.

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 1999--

Upgradable Analyzers Provide Greater Accuracy and Dynamic Range

than Comparably Priced Products

Hewlett-Packard Company today introduces a family of general-purpose, portable spectrum analyzers that offer engineers in R&D, manufacturing and field service faster measurement speed, greater accuracy and better dynamic range than comparably priced products.

The new products, the HP ESA-E series spectrum analyzer family, which includes five analyzers with frequency ranges from 1.5GHz to 26.5GHz, can help users spend less time testing and more time designing, building and trouble-shooting components and products.

"Low-speed spectrum analyzers create major bottlenecks in the design, manufacture and service of electronic equipment," said Duane Hartley, general manager for HP's Microwave Instruments Division. "HP's new spectrum analyzers offer the best speed in their price class and will help customers significantly improve their productivity."

The HP ESA-E series' flexible platform allows users to enhance performance as their requirements change. Each analyzer, which comes with a card cage for adding future capabilities, can be expanded to include application-specific measurement personalities such as GSM and CDMA, which are slated to be available in the future.

Reduced Manufacturing Test Time, Accelerated Production

The HP ESA-E series can help reduce manufacturing test time, time to market and costs. The spectrum analyzers provide 5-millisecond full-span RF sweep time, up to 28 measurements per second and up to 19 when transferred over HP-IB (HP Interface Bus). As a result, manufacturing engineers can obtain virtually real-time responses when performing tests, a valuable capability in an automated environment in which literally every millisecond counts.

The analyzers operate with a continuously phase-locked synthesizer that can produce a span accuracy of +/- one percent and frequency accuracy of +/-101Hz. The overall amplitude accuracy of +/-1dB provides measurement confidence, improved yield and reduced test margins.

Fast, Accurate Research and Development

R&D engineers can count on the same best-in-class speed and accuracy to verify their designs. By choosing the optional 10Hz digital narrow-resolution bandwidth (RBW) filters, users can obtain better resolving power to measure closely spaced signals and a narrower shape factor (5:1) for ultimate resolution. The filters enhance the excellent dynamic range by helping to lower the noise floor to -151dBm. HP also offers an optional, built-in preamplifier (up to 3GHz) that combines with the analyzers' speed to set a new standard for the examination of low-level signals, (for example, spur searching).

Rapid, Flexible Field Service

HP ESA-E series spectrum analyzers are protected by the most rugged case on the market and offer an intuitive user interface; a large, high-resolution color display; and built-in help function. The new analyzers can make calibrated measurements in just five minutes, whereas comparably priced products can take up to an hour to stabilize. The automatic, internal background-alignment feature gives consistently accurate results over varying temperatures, without manual calibration. An optional, rechargeable snap-on battery provides up to 1.9 hours of cordless operation.

HP ESA-L -- Low-cost Alternative

HP also has added additional frequency ranges to its ESA-L series of portable spectrum analyzers, a low-cost alternative to the HP ESA-E series. These affordable, fully synthesized analyzers provide quick and accurate results, from RF to microwave. Enhancements include a floppy-disk drive, improved display and an overall increase in amplitude accuracy. -0-

U.S. Pricing and Availability

HP ESA-E Series

 HP E4401B                          1.5GHz                  $11,950

 HP E4402B                          3.0GHz                   14,750

 HP E4404B                          6.7GHz                   19,950

 HP E4405B                         13.2GHz                   24,950

 HP E4407B                         26.5GHz                   28,550

HP ESA-L Series

 HP E4411B                          1.5GHz                   $7,500

 HP E4403B                          3.0GHz                   11,250

 HP E4408B                         26.5GHz                   22,950

-0-

Delivery is estimated at eight weeks from receipt of order.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 124,600 employees and had revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

Information about HP and its products can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

Note to Editors: Sales information may be obtained by calling 800/452-4844 ext. 6340. Please do NOT use editor-contact or corporate telephone numbers for sales information.

Information in this release applies specifically to products available in the United States. Product availability and specifications may vary in non-U.S. markets.

If you choose to review this item, your readers will receive the quickest response to their inquiries by mailing them to Hewlett-Packard Company, Test and Measurement Organization, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., MS 54LAK, Santa Clara, Calif. 95052.