Noise Figure X-Series Measurement App, Traditional UI N9069EM0D

Noise Figure

X-Series Measurement App, Traditional UI N9069EM0D

• Characterize noise figure and gain of connectorized devices and system blocks with graphic, meter, and table views
• User-definable sweep time and noise source settling time
• Fully-specified measurements with optional internal preamp; improved specifications with external USB preamp
• 50 GHz internal uncertainty calculator
• Noise figure measurements to 110 GHz (Option 526 or greater required) with Keysight Technologies, Inc. K-Series block downconverters
• Flexible licensing provides the option of using perpetual or time based licenses with one or multiple signal analyzers

Noise Figure Measurement Application

Noise figure is one of the fundamental parameters that differentiates one system, amplifier, or transistor from another. To minimize the problems resulting from noise generated in receiver systems, engineers can either make a weak signal stronger, or reduce the noise of that system or its individual components. Keysight’s N9069EM0D noise figure measurement application offers development engineers a simple tool to make accurate and repeatable noise figure measurements. Pair this measurement application with an Keysight X-Series signal analyzer for fully specified results up to 26.5 GHz on the CXA, CXA-m MXA and MXE, up to 44 GHz on the EXA, and up to 50 GHz on the PXA. The speed of this application also allows manufacturing engineers to rapidly measure any one of the following in their test racks:

– Noise figure/factor

– Gain

– Effective temperature

– Y-factor

– Hot/cold power density

The noise figure application utilizes the Y-factor method for calculating noise figure. By using a noise source, X-Series signal analyzers or the MXE EMI receiver can quickly determine the noise of the device under test. This method is very simple, as it utilizes a ratio of two noise power levels: one measured with the noise source ON and the other with the noise source OFF.

The U7227A/C/F USB preamps are available to reduce the uncertainty of Y-factor noise figure measurements to 44 GHz. With these preamps and an X-Series signal analyzer, you can obtain better noise figure measurements than with a dedicated noise figure analyzer such as the N8973/ 4/5A.

When using this application on an X-Series signal analyzer or MXE EMI receiver, engineers will also benefit from full RF signal analysis capabilities in one instrument. In addition, the noise figure measurement application is code-compatible with previous Keysight noise figure solutions where hardware and measurements are the same. The application can be configured for remote programming via USB, LAN, or GPIB—all of which are standard for X-Series.

Key Specifications

Definitions:

– Specifications describe the performance of parameters covered by the product warranty.

– 95th percentile values indicate the breadth of the population (≈2 ) of performance tolerances expected to be met in 95% of cases with a 95% confidence. These values are not covered by the product warranty.

– Typical values are designated with the abbreviation "typ." These are performance beyond specification that 80% of the units exhibit with a 95% confidence. These values are not covered by the product warranty.

– Nominal values are designated with the abbreviation "nom." These values indicate expected performance, or describe product performance that is useful in the application of the product, but is not covered by the product warranty.