How to Improve Radar System Sensitivity with Low-Phase-Noise LO Substitution

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Pro XG7 Analog Signal Generator
+ Pro XG7 Analog Signal Generator
Pro XG7 Analog Signal Generator
+ Pro XG7 Analog Signal Generator

Identify LO-Limited Radar Receiver Sensitivity

Local oscillator (LO) substitution establishes radar performance with the system’s normal LO, then replaces or bypasses it with a sufficiently low-phase-noise external RF source. Set the substitute source to the required LO frequency and level, preserve applicable reference and synchronization conditions, and repeat the same receiver measurement under equivalent test conditions.

Compare radar response using the internal and substitute LOs while holding receiver gain, bandwidth, signal level, frequency plan, filtering, stimulus, and other conditions constant. If performance improves with the cleaner substitute LO, the internal oscillator may be contributing to the limitation. Little change suggests other receiver or system factors may dominate.

Low-Phase-Noise Radar LO Substitution Solution

Perform the comparison by replacing or bypassing the radar's internal local oscillator (LO) with an external source at the required LO frequency and level, then repeat the same receiver measurement under controlled conditions. The Keysight SG6311A Pro XG7 analog signal generator covers 9 kHz to 20 GHz and provides low phase noise for LO-substitution measurements, including typical phase noise of -135 dBc/Hz at 10 GHz and 10 kHz offset and -153 dBc/Hz at 10 GHz and 20 kHz offset. By reducing the substitute source's phase-noise contribution, you can more clearly evaluate whether the radar's internal LO is contributing to weak-signal limitations near stronger responses or clutter. If performance improves with the substitute source, investigate the internal LO as one contributor; if it changes little, evaluate other system limitations. The technique characterizes potential radar performance — it does not permanently improve the radar simply by connecting an external source.
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See Block Diagram of Low-Phase-Noise Radar LO Substitution Solution

Block Diagram of Low-Phase-Noise Radar LO Substitution Solution

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