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Practical Solutions for Measuring Phase Noise

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Practical Solutions for Measuring Phase Noise - RF CafeAugust 11, 2020 - Vista, California - Axiom Test Equipment, an electronic test equipment rental and sales company has published a new blog post entitled "Practical Solutions for Measuring Phase Noise" that examines phase noise, what it is, why too much noise and frequency instability can be a problem in testing, and how to find the right method and equipment for measuring it.

Phase noise can often be measured directly using different measurement approaches such as residual and cross-correlation techniques, which are explored more in-depth in the blog. Most importantly, the blog explains what specifications to look for in a spectrum or signal analyzer to ensure the best fit for the job. A few equipment examples are given as guides. Click the link below to read the full blog post.

Practical Solutions for Measuring Phase Noise

August 03, 2020

It is part of the performance of almost every signal source, even active components, such as amplifiers. It is phase noise, and, at sufficiently high levels, it can prevent a radar or communications system from operating effectively. Fortunately, it can be measured quickly and accurately constant improvements in test hardware and software are making the task of determining a high-frequency source's phase noise easier even as signal bandwidths continue to reach into millimeter-wave frequency bands.

What is phase noise?

Phase noise consists of fluctuations in the phase of an oscillator, frequency synthesizer, or other signal source as measured in the frequency domain. It is also known as jitter when it is associated with timing deviations in a system clock. A sine wave without noise or change in frequency would go from one period to the next without variations in phase or amplitude. However, real-world signals exhibit some deviations in phase and amplitude which can occupy more of the spectrum than originally intended. Too much noise can be problematic, for example, in a crowded communications spectrum or an operating environment with many closely spaced channels or communication signals, where the noise can block or obscure some signals from reaching an intended receiver. The phase/frequency instability can also cause errors in communication systems that transmit and receive signals based on phase or frequency modulation.

How can it be measured?

Fortunately, the phase noise of a signal source can often be measured directly, with one of the most versatile of high-frequency instruments, the spectrum analyzer. The phase noise of a source is usually expressed as the amount of signal power within a 1-Hz bandwidth at some offset frequency from the carrier frequency (dBc/Hz). Because a real-world signal will deviate above and below a nominal tuned carrier frequency with some variations in amplitude and phase, it can fill more of the frequency spectrum than intended. On a spectral plot, phase noise appears as sidebands above and below the carrier and is measured and calculated as the single-sideband phase noise—the amount of noise contained within a 1-Hz bandwidth lying at a specific spectral distance from the carrier frequency.

 

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Whatever your project requires testing of, rent or buy quality test equipment from Axiom Test Equipment. For over 15 years Axiom Test Equipment has rented, sold, repaired and accepted trade-in of test equipment to support your test & measurement needs. If you would like help selecting any type of test equipment for your next project, contact Axiom Test Equipment's sales department at sales@axiomtest.com, call 760-806-6600, or browse Axiom Test Equipment's inventory online at www.axiomtest.com.

If you would like help selecting any type of test equipment for your project, contact Axiom Test Equipment's sales department at sales@axiomtest.com, call 760-806-6600, or browse Axiom Test Equipment's inventory online at www.axiomtest.com.

 

About Axiom Test Equipment

Josh Shilts Axiom Test Equipment July 2020 - RF CafeGet Exactly What You Need. Rent - Buy - Repair - Trade-In

Established in 2005, Axiom Test Equipment strives to continually improve itself and offer the best value for its customers. We offer our customers several practical, efficient and cost effective solutions for their business or projects' test equipment needs. Whether you need to rent & buy test equipment, repair test equipment, sell or trade equipment, we are committed to providing superior customer service and high quality electronic test equipment.

At Axiom Test Equipment we provide several services. We rent electronic test and measurement equipment. We also sell test equipment. If you have a piece of malfunctioning or broken test equipment we also have an in-house repair lab. For anyone seeking a way to offload their surplus or obsolete equipment, we offer a trade-in program or we can buy the equipment from you.

We stock a comprehensive inventory of equipment and can use our extensive network to find you those hard to get items. We believe in getting equipment to you quickly and at a competitive price.

Contacts

Axiom Test Equipment

2610 Commerce Way 

Vista, CA  92081

Phone: (760) 806-6600

Web: www.axiomtest.com

 

 

Posted August 13, 2020