How to Measure RF Phase Noise

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+ Phase Noise Test System

+ Signal Source Analyzer (SSA)

+ Phase Noise Test System

+ Signal Source Analyzer (SSA)

Optimizing RF transmissions with direct spectrum measurement

Measuring phase noise is essential to optimizing narrow channel communications in RF transmissions. The instability of the oscillator causes phase noise, which appears as jitter in the time domain. Phase noise impacts the signal quality and increases error rates in communications links. Unlike other signal noise, phase noise is best understood in the spectral domain.

There are three common techniques for measuring phase noise: direct spectrum, phase detector, and two-channel cross-correlation. The direct spectrum technique measures the spectral energy of the broadband signal using an instrument like a spectrum / signal analyzer, but there are limitations due to the amplitude noise mimicking phase noise. Advanced applications use a dedicated phase noise instrument that employs a phase detector and two-channel cross-correlation techniques. Both techniques operate on the baseband signal and require a downconverter.

RF phase noise measurement solution

Measuring RF and microwave frequency phase noise requires a dedicated phase noise instrument. The Keysight RF phase noise measurement solution uses the Keysight N5511A phase noise test system, the Keysight E5055A SSA-X signal source and the Keysight E5053A microwave downconverter to deliver accurate phase noise measurements with an ultra-low noise floor. Both absolute and residual phase noise can be measured down to kT (-177 dBm/Hz).

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Explore products in our RF phase noise measurement solution

E5053A Microwave Downconverter

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E5055A SSA-X Signal Source Analyzer, 1 MHz to 8 GHz

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N5511A Phase Noise Test System

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Discover resources and insights

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How to Make Pulsed Carrier Phase Noise Measurements Using Phase Detectors
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Learn About Microwave Phase Noise Measurements Using the E5052B SSA and E5053A
Application note

Understand Phase Noise Needs and Choices in Signal Generation
Application note

Discover Different Phase Noise Measurement Methods and Techniques

Application note

How to Make Pulsed Carrier Phase Noise Measurements Using Phase Detectors
Application note

Learn About Microwave Phase Noise Measurements Using the E5052B SSA and E5053A
Application note

Understand Phase Noise Needs and Choices in Signal Generation
Application note

Discover Different Phase Noise Measurement Methods and Techniques

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Measurement Capabilities
Frequency Range
Offset Frequency Range
Phase Noise Sensitivity	-167 dBc/Hz (SPD, RF=3 GHz, @100 MHz offset) -151 dBc/Hz (SPD, RF=26.5 GHz, @100 MHz offset)
Reference Source
Transient/RF Transient Measurements
Additional Information
DC Sources for Oscillator Characterization

Measurement Capabilities	Phase noise, Baseband noise, AM noise, Transient, DC current, Spectrum monitor, VCO characterization, Full span spectrum analysis, Phase noise of pulsed RF signals
Frequency Range
Offset Frequency Range	1 mHz to >1 GHz
Phase Noise Sensitivity	-175 dBc/Hz (spec, RF=10 MHz, @1 MHz offset) -181 dBc/Hz (typical, RF=10 MHz, @1 MHz offset)
Reference Source	Built-in
Transient/RF Transient Measurements	Frequency, Power, Phase
Additional Information
DC Sources for Oscillator Characterization

Measurement Capabilities	Absolute or residual phase noise, AM noise, CW or pulsed carrier, low-level spurious signals. Single or dual-channel configurations available.
Frequency Range	50 kHz to 3.0, 26.5 or 40 GHz, or to 110 GHz with external mixers
Offset Frequency Range	0.01 Hz to 160 MHz. Wider offsets available using an external signal analyzer
Phase Noise Sensitivity	-200 dBc/Hz (with +23 dBm input signal)
Reference Source	Requires one or two external reference sources, depending on configuration (i.e., single- or dual- channel)
Transient/RF Transient Measurements	No
Additional Information	Flexible configuration and instrumentation
DC Sources for Oscillator Characterization	No

Welcome

How to Measure RF Phase Noise

Optimizing RF transmissions with direct spectrum measurement

RF phase noise measurement solution

Explore products in our RF phase noise measurement solution

E5053A Microwave Downconverter

E5055A SSA-X Signal Source Analyzer, 1 MHz to 8 GHz

N5511A Phase Noise Test System

E5053A Microwave Downconverter

Specs

E5055A SSA-X Signal Source Analyzer, 1 MHz to 8 GHz

Specs

N5511A Phase Noise Test System

Specs

Discover resources and insights

How to Make Pulsed Carrier Phase Noise Measurements Using Phase Detectors

Learn About Microwave Phase Noise Measurements Using the E5052B SSA and E5053A

Understand Phase Noise Needs and Choices in Signal Generation

Discover Different Phase Noise Measurement Methods and Techniques

How to Make Pulsed Carrier Phase Noise Measurements Using Phase Detectors

Learn About Microwave Phase Noise Measurements Using the E5052B SSA and E5053A

Understand Phase Noise Needs and Choices in Signal Generation

Discover Different Phase Noise Measurement Methods and Techniques

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