The instability of the oscillator causes phase noise, which appears as jitter in the time domain. Unlike other signal noise, phase noise is best understood in the spectral domain. An ideal oscillator produces a very sharp spectral band. This characteristic is critical in RF transmission for optimizing narrow channel communication. In reality, all fixed frequency oscillators, and voltage-controlled oscillators (VCO) exhibit phase instability, as seen by the spectral spreading of the carrier frequency. How is phase noise measured?
The three most widely adopted techniques for measuring phase noise are: 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 some 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, so you will need a downconverter.
RF phase noise measurement solution
With Keysight RF phase noise measurement solutions, you can test your product with confidence and reliability.
Moving from SISO to MIMO, engineers need analysis tools that bridge the gap between signal / spectrum analysis and digital design. Discover how you can realize easier 5G NR MIMO test and debug at mmWave frequencies and speed your EVM measurements.
Cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), together with the evolution and deployment of 5G wireless technology will help enable higher levels of automation. Automotive OEMs need to perform functional, protocol, and RF measurements as they track along with the evolving C-V2X requirements.
Learn how to measure RF power reliably and accurately using Keysight's RF power measurement solution that includes power meters, sensors, and software support.
Moving from SISO to MIMO, engineers need analysis tools that bridge the gap between signal / spectrum analysis and digital design. Discover how you can realize easier 5G NR MIMO test and debug at mmWave frequencies and speed your EVM measurements.
Cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), together with the evolution and deployment of 5G wireless technology will help enable higher levels of automation. Automotive OEMs need to perform functional, protocol, and RF measurements as they track along with the evolving C-V2X requirements.
Learn how to measure RF power reliably and accurately using Keysight's RF power measurement solution that includes power meters, sensors, and software support.
