This blog post is part of a collection, click here for links to the entire set, and a review of the products.
The review Keysight (was Hewlett-Packard, then Agilent, now Keysight) SA arrived today. I didn’t get much of a chance to try it out, but I did power it up and take a few photos (since they say a thousand words), until I examine it further. So this is not a review, just some glamour shots.
The 640x480 display has a lot of detail and is nice, sharp, and is viewable from most angles unless it is higher than head height. The screen is glossy however, which is unusual. The keys are rubber piano key style (I’ve seen rubber keys before on HP equipment, and it is still reliable after decades).
Here is the front view, next to a 330ml can and Post-It notes for size comparison (actual face is 132x320mm, depth is 400mm, i.e. 5.2x12.6x15.7 inches). Click to zoom!:
Rear view:
The fan always runs, and is as loud as any other rack based equipment of similar size. The fan is of a decent size (2 inch square on the back) and therefore I suspect it could be quieter. I wish it was! The SA ran unexpectedly cool in the space of an hour that I left it turned on, which was a nice surprise.
The SA is a lot lighter than expected. I have a personal Hewlett-Packard 8558B SA which has caused injury at the slightest carelessness, due to its immense weight (>20kg). The lab closest to me still uses the HP 8590 series, which are still heavy at 14.5kg (described as ‘small and lightweight’ in the late 90’s!):
The N9322C is slightly smaller than the 8590 series yet is far lighter at 7.6kg. It has the normal carrying straps at the sides, and comes with an elasticated plastic bag so I can cover it and carry it between home and the office if I need to. That’s important as people’s work methods always evolve.
I’m excited to begin examining the SA. I was part of the team that designed the product in this photo - I was lucky and grateful to work alongside some talented minds developing state-of-the-art transceivers:
HP spectrum analyzers formed part of the test equipment used to develop and test that product.
And finally, for a bit of fun (not trying to advertise it, although I may use it for some future parts of the review), here’s a light-hearted video showing a different wireless product being tested in an unusual way (kind-of like kicking a tyre I suppose).
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