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Noise Figure Measurement Using A Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Generator

This procedure demonstrates how a Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Generator can be used to measure the Noise Figure of low-noise RF amplifiers. This demonstration is on product that operates in the 2 to 3 GHz area. Equipment hook-up and necessary calculations to compute NF are also shown. Note: This technique does *not* require a calibrated Noise Diode. .

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Jim
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2K views

Noise Figure Measurement Using A Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Generator

This procedure demonstrates how a Spectrum Analyzer and Signal Generator can be used to measure the Noise Figure of low-noise RF amplifiers. This demonstration is on product that operates in the 2 to 3 GHz area. Equipment hook-up and necessary calculations to compute NF are also shown. Note: This technique does *not* require a calibrated Noise Diode. .

Uploaded by

Jim
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
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Procedure, General: Tune Signal generator and Spectrum analyzer to frequency where

measurement is to be performed; adjust Sig Gen for a signal approximately 3 dB above the
noise as displayed on the S/A and input this Sig Gen reading into equation below.

Spectrum Analyzer Set Up (Rohde & Schwarz FSEB30 used here):

RBW = 1 MHz Gives us plenty of noise power to work with


VBW = 1 KHz or 500 Hz Smooth out some of the detected noise
SPAN = 10 MHz Noise cursor will be placed at +- 4.5 MHz
Trace(1-4)  Clear/Write Write fast initially; see the peak easier
Trace(1-4)  Detector  RMS RMS seems to be slightly more pessimistic
Trace(1-4)  Sweep Count  100 Set count for random variation averaging
Trace(1-4)  Average Begin to average the readings
Marker  Search  Peak Look for the signal peak
Marker  Delta  Dial +- 4.5 MHz Dial second cursor away from peak in center

Procedure, Detailed: With two markers set, one at the signal peak and the other riding the
output noise at approximately +- 4.5 MHz or so and adjust the Sig Gen for a 3 dB ratio
between the two cursors. This yields a 3 db S/N ratio and Sig Gen power = noise power.

Note: One marker indicates the DUT’s output noise power level, NO = FGkTOB and the other marker indicates
So + No for double the power (+ 3dB) indication or 2*NO of the noise-only marker.

(Equation derivation is from ref. 1 slide #36: G*Si = NF*G*k*TO*BW and NF = Si / k*TO*BW)

Procedure, Calculation: Using this equation input the Sig Gen reading to calculate DUT NF:

NF (in dB) = Si + 114 - 10*Log (BW) (where Si is in dBm and BW = S/A RBW in MHz)

Example calculation (538 product):

BW = 1.0 MHz (3 dB bandwidth of the selected spectrum analyzer’s RBW)


Si = -110.12 dBm (Sig Gen power corrected for any line loss. This is important!)

Calculated NF (in dB) = -110.12 + 114 - 0 = 3.88 dB


Detailed equipment set up, High-Gain (~40 dB) DUT. This set up is suitable for measuring
the higher gain DUTs like the 538 product that exhibit on the order of 40 dB of gain.

Test Equipment:
• Sig Gen - Agilent E4437B
• Spec Ana - R&S FSEB 30
• Attenuator - MiniCircuits VAT-6

The S/A RF Attenuation level may be left at 10 dB in this set up.

Detailed equipment set up, Low-Gain (~20 dB) DUT. This setup is suitable for measuring
the lower gain DUTs like the 438 product that exhibit on the order of 20 dB of gain. The
addition of an amplifier after the DUT assures us that the noise of the DUT will sufficiently
override the inherent noise floor of the Spectrum Analyzer.

Test Equipment:
• As above, plus
• Test amplifier - MiniCircuits model ZHL-42, 36 dB 700 – 4200 MHz, NF < 10 dB

The S/A RF Attenuation may be left at 10 dB in this set up.


Measurement of 438 Product

Gain: 19 – 23 dB
NF: < 6 dB
Freq: 2400 – 2483 MHz

Test measurement set up


for measuring a low gain
DUT as described earlier.

The input loss to the DUT


has been compensated for
via an offset input into the
Sig Gen; a power meter
was used to obtain an
absolute power value out of
the Sig Gen then an offset
value was input to the
Agilent ESG Sig Gen 4437.
The value was -7.86 dB
includes 6 dB pad and
cable loss and also offsets
any Sig Gen output power
level error at this freq.

Also notice the Test Amp with the black heat sink fins fed by the DC power supply in the
lower right corner.

The power from the generator is


adjusted until a 3 dB ratio is had
between the noise (marker on the
right) and the Signal plus Noise
(marker in the left/center).

Notice the RBW (1 MHz), VBW


(1 KHz), RF Att (10 dB) and
delta cursor reading (-3.00 dB).

The amplitude value is then read from the signal


generator and used in the equation described earlier
resulting in this calculation:

NF (in dB) = -109.20 + 114 - 0 = 4.72 dB


Full size view of S/A
screen

Screen shows as 3 dB
S/N ratio

(The bump in center is


radio’d against the flat
noise level on the
right.)

Full size view of Sig


Gen screen

This screen shows the


absolute power value
level (of the CW signal)
that is required to
achieve the same
power level as the noise
in a 1 MHz bandwidth.

This is the equivalent


‘strength’ of the noise
present in our 1 MHz
wide sample (our IF
bandwidth, RBW, is set
for 1 MHz).

References:

1. Mohr on Receiver Noise


Characterization, Insights & Surprises
Richard J. Mohr, PE

www.ieee.li/pdf/viewgraphs_mohr_noise.pdf

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