Single-Sideband Phase Noise

 

 

1. Connect all test equipment as shown.

2. Connect GPIB cables to all GPIB-controlled test equipment.

3. Preset all test equipment and the DUT.

4. Change the following parameters in the N5510A PNTS user interface:

1. Select the View pull-down menu.

2. Select Display Preferences and un-check the Spurs box.

3. Select OK to close Display Preferences.

4. Select the System pull-down menu and select Server Hardware Connections.

5. Select or ensure the following:

   1. Test Set has Keysight M9550A selected.

   2. FFT Analyzer has Keysight M9551A selected.

6. Select Close to close Server Hardware Connections.

7. Select the Define pull-down menu, select Measurement, and select the following settings:
    

Parameter	Setting
Type and Range Tab
Measurement Type	Absolute phase noise (using a phase locked loop)
Measurement Method	Fast
Start Offset Resolution Expansion	10
Channel Setup	Single
Start Offset Frequency	0.9 Hz (must be < first specified offset frequency)
Stop Offset Frequency	110 MHz (must be > last specified offset frequency) Limited to: 200 kHz offset at 1 MHz 2 MHz offset at 10 MHz 20 MHz offset at 100 MHz 100 MHz offset at ≥250 MHz
FFT Analyzer Minimum Number of Trace Averages	40
RBW %	7.84 (256 point FFT)
FFT Overlap %	75
FFT Window Type	Flat Top
Sources Tab
Carrier Source Frequency	Obtain tested frequencies from the TME data entry form.
Carrier Source Power	The carrier source power should be set to the power for which the phase noise specification applies. Phase noise is specified at +10 dBm or maximum specified output power, whichever is less. Low Phase Noise Mode The low phase noise mode is specified at +16 dBm (+13 dBm for E8663D Option HY2) or maximum achievable power, whichever is less. If the power is unleveled at +16 dBm (+13 dBm for E8663D Option HY2), the power is decremented in steps of 0.1 dB until it is leveled, then tested at this power.
Detector Input Frequency	Same as Carrier Source Frequency
Reference Source Power	+15 dBm to 3 GHz +10 dBm for > 3 GHz
VCO Nominal Tune Constant	Based on the reference source:   866xA 5e-9 x carrier source frequency Example: 1.25 Hz/Volt at a carrier frequency of 250 MHz PSG 0.1 ppm x carrier source frequency Example: 25 Hz/Volt at a carrier frequency of 250 MHz PSG-D 0.12 Hz/V when measuring Low Phase Noise @ 1 MHz 0.1 ppm x carrier source frequency all other measurements
VCO Tune Range	Based on the reference source:   866xA 10 Volts   PSG 5 Volts   PSG-D 5 Volts when measuring Low Phase Noise @ 1 MHz 1 Volt all other measurements
VCO Input Resistance	Based on the reference source:   866xA 1 Mohm   PSG 50 ohms   PSG-D 1 Mohm when measuring Low Phase Noise @ 1 MHz 50 ohms all other measurements
Center Voltage	0
Cal Tab
Phase Detector Constant	Derive detector constant from measured beat note
VCO Tune Constant	Measure VCO Tune Constant
Verify calculated phase lock loop suppression	Blank
Block Diagram Tab
Carrier Source	Manual
Reference Source	Model number of reference source
Phase Detector	Automatic Detector Selection
Test Set Tune Voltage Output	Front Panel
Test Set Tune Voltage Destination	Reference Source
VCO Tune Mode	Based on the reference source:   866xA EFC   PSG DCFM   PSG-D EFC when measuring Low Phase Noise @ 1 MHz DCFM all other measurements
Test Set Tab
LNA Low Pass Filter	Internal — Selected Auto — Checked
LNA Gain	Auto Gain — Selected Minimum Auto Gain — 14 dB
PLL Integrator Attenuation	0 dB
Use Channel #2	Unchecked
Graph Tab
Title	User specified
Graph Type	Single-sideband phase noise (dBc/Hz)
X Scale minimum	Same as start offset frequency
X Scale maximum	Same as stop offset frequency
Y Scale maximum	0 dBc/Hz
Y Scale minimum	–170 dBc/Hz
Normalize Trace Data	1 Hz bandwidth
Trace Smoothing Amount	0

Making the Measurement

1. Set the DUT frequency to the first carrier frequency and power in the TME data entry form.

2. Set the DUT RF Output to On.

3. Ensure that the 10 MHz reference of the DUT is set to internal. (The EXT REF annunciator should not be displayed. If it is, check for a signal going to the 10 MHz IN connector.)

4. If testing a DUT with Option UNX, UNY, or HNY, ensure that the Optimize φ Noise is set to Optimize φ Noise Offset < 150 kHz (Mode 1). To do this, press Frequency > More > More > Optimize φ Noise and select Optimize φ Noise Offset < 150 kHz (Mode 1).

5. If testing a DUT in Standard mode:

   1. If the DUT has Option HY2, set the DUT's Optimize Signal Noise mode to OFF. (Presetting the DUT turns Optimize Signal Noise mode to ON.) To do this, perform the following steps in order:

      1. Press Amplitude > More > More > Optimize S/N Off On and select Off.

      2. Press Frequency > More > RF Path and select Normal.

      3. Press Frequency > More > Low Pass Filter Below 2 GHz and select Off.

6. If testing a DUT in Low Phase Noise mode:

   1. If testing Option UNX, UNY, or HNY, turn on Low Phase Noise Below 250 MHz. Select Frequency > More > More > RF Path and select Low Phase Noise Below 250 MHz.

   2. If testing Option HAR, turn on Optimize Noise Below 500 MHz. Select Frequency > More > More > Optimize noise below 500 MHz and select On.

7. If testing a DUT in SNR mode, set the DUT's Optimize Signal Noise mode to ON. To do this, perform the following steps in order:

   1. Press Amplitude > More > More > Optimize S/N Off On and select On.

   2. Press Frequency > More > RF Path and select Low Phase Noise Below 250 MHz.

   3. Press Frequency > More > Low Pass Filter Below 2 GHz and select Off.

8. Select the Measure pull-down menu and select New Measurement.

9. When the measurement completes, select the Markers icon and place markers at specified offsets to determine the measured phase noise. When specifying a marker offset, the marker will be set to the closest frequency on the graph as indicated in the following table:

   Nominal Offset	Actual Offset
   1 Hz	1.0245 Hz
   10 Hz	10.058 Hz
   100 Hz	99.838 Hz
   1 kHz	1.0014 kHz
   10 kHz	9.9182 kHz
   20 kHz	19.836 kHz
   100 kHz	100.71 kHz
   1 MHz	1.001 MHz
   10 MHz	10.059 MHz
   100 MHz	100 MHz

10. For carrier frequencies above 3 GHz, the following connection changes are required:

    1. Connect the UUT RF Output to the 1.2 GHz to 40 GHz Sig/RF Input of the M9550A Phase Detector module in the N5511A PNTS.

    2. Connect the Reference Source Output to the 1.2 GHz to 40 GHz Ref/LO Input of the M9550A Phase Detector module in the N5511A PNTS.

11. If a failure occurs, a three-source comparison measurement should be performed at the same carrier frequency to identify a true failure.

1. Connect all test equipment as shown.

2. Connect GPIB cables to all GPIB-controlled test equipment.

3. Preset all test equipment and the DUT.

4. When measuring Standard Mode, in the E5505A Phase Noise System user interface, change the following parameters:

1. Select the View pull-down menu.

2. Select Display Preferences and un-check the Spurs box.

3. Select OK to close Display Preferences.

4. Select the System pull-down menu and select Server Hardware Connections.

5. Select or ensure that the FFT Analyzer has NI PCI6111-1, 11 PCI20428W-1, or 89410A selected.

6. Select Close to close Server Hardware Connections.

7. Select the Define pull-down menu, select Measurement, and select the following settings:
    

Parameter	Setting
Type and Range Tab
Measurement Type	Absolute phase noise (using a phase locked loop)
Start Offset Frequency	1 Hz (must be ≤ first specified offset frequency)
Stop Offset Frequency	100 MHz (must be ≥ last specified offset frequency) Note: Can be no more than the carrier frequency/5. For example, for a carrier frequency of 10 MHz, this is limited to 2 MHz.
FFT Analyzer Minimum Number of Averages	1
FFT Quality	Custom
Define Custom Segment Table — FFT Note: the following parameters should be left at their default values for all segments: Overlap = 50% Window Type = Flat Top Number of Spectral Lines = 401	Display Start Offset Display Stop Offset Measure Start Offset Measure Stop Offset Minimum Number of Averages 1 Hz 30 Hz 1 Hz 30 Hz 40 30 Hz 500 Hz 0 Hz 500 Hz 100 500 Hz 1.5 kHz 500 Hz 1.5 kHz 200 1.5 kHz 12 kHz 0 Hz 12 kHz 500 12 kHz 125 kHz 0 Hz 125 kHz 1000 125 kHz 2 MHz 0 Hz 2 MHz 1000
Swept Quality	Custom
Define Custom Segment Table — Swept Note: the following parameters should be left at their default values for all segments: Minimum Average = 1 Detector Mode = Sample	Display Start Offset Display Stop Offset Measure Start Offset Measure Stop Offset Res BW Video BW Time 2 MHz 12 MHz 2 MHz 12 MHz 30 kHz 30 Hz 14.3 sec 12 MHz 100 MHz 12 MHz 100 MHz 100 kHz 100 Hz 11.4 sec
Sources Tab
Carrier Source Connected	Test Set
Carrier Source Frequency	Obtain tested frequencies from the TME data entry form.
Carrier Source Power	Obtain from the TME data entry form. When testing at +16 dBm or maximum achievable output power, first set the DUT power to +16 dBm (+13 dBm for E8663D Option HY2). If the power is unleveled at +16 dBm (+13 dBm for E8663D Option HY2), decrement the power in steps of 0.1 dB until it is leveled; test at this power.
Detector Input Frequency	Same as Carrier Source Frequency
Reference Source Power	+15 dBm for Carrier Source Frequency ≤ 1.6 GHz +10 dBm for Carrier Source Frequency > 1.6 GHz
VCO Tune Constant	Based on the reference source:   866xA 5e-9 x Carrier Source Frequency Example: 1.25 Hz/Volt at a carrier frequency of 250 MHz PSG 1e-7 x Carrier Source Frequency Example: 25 Hz/Volt at a carrier frequency of 250 MHz PSG-D (when measuring Low Phase Noise @ 1 MHz) 0.12 Hz/V
VCO Tune Range	Based on the reference source: 866xA 10 Volts PSG 5 Volts PSG-D 1 Volt
VCO Input Resistance	Based on the reference source: 866xA 1 Mohm PSG 50 ohms PSG-D (when measuring Low Phase Noise @ 1 MHz) 1 Mohm
Center Voltage	0
Cal Tab
Phase Detector Constant	Measure Phase Detector Constant
VCO Tune Constant	Measure VCO Tune Constant
Verify calculated phase lock loop suppression	Blank
Block Diagram Tab
Carrier Source	Manual
Down Converter	None
Reference Source	Model number of reference source
Phase Detector	Automatic Detector Selection
Test Set Tune Voltage Output	Front Panel
Test Set Tune Voltage Destination	Reference Source
VCO Tune Mode	Based on the reference source: 866xA EFC PSG DCFM PSG-D (when measuring Low Phase Noise @ 1 MHz) EFC
Test Set Tab
Input Attenuation	0 dB
LNA Low Pass Filter	Auto
LNA Gain	Auto Gain
Minimum Auto Gain	14 dB
PLL Integrator Attenuation	0 dB
Graph Tab
Title	User specific
Graph Type	Single-sideband phase noise (dBc/Hz)
X Scale minimum	Same as start offset frequency
X Scale maximum	Same as stop offset frequency
Y Scale minimum	0 dBm
Y Scale maximum	–170 dBm
Normalize Trace Data	1 Hz bandwidth
Trace Smoothing Amount	0

Making the Measurement

1. Set the DUT frequency to the first carrier frequency and power in the TME data entry form.

2. Set the DUT RF Output to On.

3. Ensure that the 10 MHz reference of the DUT is set to internal. (The EXT REF annunciator should not be displayed. If it is, check for a signal going to the 10 MHz IN connector.)

4. If testing a DUT with Option UNX, UNY, or HNY, ensure that the Optimize φ Noise is set to Optimize φ Noise Offset < 150 kHz (Mode 1). To do this, press Frequency > More > MoreOptimize φ Noise and select Optimize φ Noise Offset < 150 kHz (Mode 1).

5. If testing a DUT in Standard mode:

   1. If the DUT has Option HY2, set the DUT's Optimize Signal Noise mode to OFF. (Presetting the DUT turns Optimize Signal Noise mode to ON.) To do this, perform the following steps in order:

      1. Press Amplitude > More > More > Optimize S/N Off On and select Off.

      2. Press Frequency > More > RF Path and select Normal.

      3. Press Frequency > More > Low Pass Filter Below 2 GHz and select Off.

6. If testing a DUT in Low Phase Noise mode:

   1. If testing Option UNX, UNY, or HNY, turn on Low Phase Noise Below 250 MHz. Select Frequency > More > More > RF Path and select Low Phase Noise Below 250 MHz.

   2. If testing Option HAR, turn on Optimize Noise Below 500 MHz. Select Frequency > More > More > Optimize noise below 500 MHz and select On.

7. If testing a DUT in SNR mode, set the DUT's Optimize Signal Noise mode to ON. To do this, perform the following steps in order:

   1. Press Amplitude > More > More > Optimize S/N Off On and select On.

   2. Press Frequency > More > RF Path and select Low Phase Noise Below 250 MHz.

   3. Press Frequency > More > Low Pass Filter Below 2 GHz and select Off.

8. Select the Measure pull-down menu and select New Measurement.

9. When the measurement completes, select the Markers icon and place markers at the offsets specified in the TME data entry form. To get these offsets, follow the steps below:

   1. Launch TME with the DUT connected to the test system.

   2. Start the Single-Sideband Phase Noise test.

   3. With the form selected, press Ctrl-A, Ctrl-C on the keyboard to collect the data in the form.

   4. Open an application such as Microsoft Notepad and press Ctrl-V to copy the test point data into this application.

   5. Print out this data and use it to complete this test.

10. Continue to the next carrier frequency and/or measurement mode and perform the measurement. Note the following frequency specific changes:

    • Above 1.6 GHz:

      • Move the reference source RF Output to the 1.2-26.5 GHz REF INPUT from the 50 kHz-1600 MHz REF INPUT.

      • The Reference Source Power is reduced from +15 dBm to +10 dBm.

      • If the Phase Noise test set is not equipped with Option 001 (which permits up to +30 dBm input power), then the signal from the DUT to the test set must be limited to +5 dBm. Insert a 6 dB attenuator between the DUT RF Output and the Phase Noise test set signal input if the Carrier (DUT) Source Power is set above +5 dBm.

11. If a failure occurs, a three-source comparison measurement should be performed at the same carrier frequency to identify a true failure.

 

The equipment is connected as shown below. These connections are identical to the Standard Method except for the two additional connections between the downconverter and the test set.

The procedure is identical to that for the Standard Method except for the following:

• Measurement settings

  Parameter	Setting
  Sources Tab:
  Carrier Source Connected	Downconverter
  Reference Source Power	+15 dBm (all frequencies)
  Block Diagram Tab:
  Down Converter	System Control
  Downconverter Tab:
  Input Attenuation	Auto
  IF Gain	Auto
  Microwave/Millimeter Band	Microwave (0–26.5 GHz)
  Reference Chain Reference	10 MHz
  External Tune Enable	Blank

 

• During the measurement, the reference source remains connected to the 50 kHz–1600 MHz Ref Input and is never connected to the 1.2–26.5 GHz Ref Input.

• Unlike the Standard Method, the three-source comparison measurement procedure does not produce valid results when using the downconverter method and therefore may not be used.