Understanding Noise Figure: Practical Aspects of Measuring Noise Figure on a VNA using the Cold Source Technique

This webinar covers the practical aspects of measuring noise figure on a vector network analyzer (VNA) using the cold source technique.  It builds on the concepts that were introduced in earlier in this noise figure series. First, we review the technique of the of the cold source noise figure measurement, pointing out the various parameters the VNA needs to measure in order to calculate noise figure. This leads naturally to a discussion of measurement challenges, where we find some things are easy to control and measure, while others are more difficult. For each task, we introduce best practices and techniques to improve the noise figure measurement results. Demonstrations follow, where the instrument is configured for a noise figure measurement, then calibrated, and finally noise figure of low noise amplifier is measured.

What you will learn:

• How to adapt the noise figure measurement to the gain of the device under test (DUT)
• How to adapt the noise figure measurement to the expected noise figure of the DUT
• How to handle and compensate for the source impedance and the source temperature of the VNA
• How to calibrate a VNA for a noise figure measurement