Measuring Low-level RF Signals in Wireless Medical Devices
Application Notes
Reducing the analyzer’s resolution bandwidth (RBW) to reduce its noise contribution is effective but can slow down the measurement significantly. It also doesn’t solve the problem if the goal is to measure the signal’s noise level, because reducing RBW reduces the noise level of the signal along with the analyzer’s DANL.
Another approach, reducing input attenuation, can improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the measurement, but attenuation at or near 0 dB can result in poorer source match and reduced amplitude accuracy. It can also expose the analyzer’s input mixer to potentially damaging signal power levels.