Single Sideband Phase Noise — E4438C Option UNJ and E4428C Only
(Manual Performance Test)

This manual test verifies that the signal generator's single sideband phase noise meets specification. During this test, a phase noise system and a reference source are used to measure the single sideband phase noise of the signal generator. The phase noise is measured at 20 kHz offsets to different test frequencies and compared to specifications.

If a failure occurs, it may not be due to the signal generator. For some test conditions, the signal generator specifications are better than the reference source specifications. If a failure occurs, a three-source comparison should be performed at this carrier frequency to identify a true failure.

When mapping the Phase Noise Reference Source in TME, the sources you can choose from are prefixed with "PNRS_" (e.g., "PNRS_E8257D"). This prefix is used to distinguish these sources from the sources that must be on the GPIB bus (the Reference Source is not required to be on the bus). If you map the same device as a Reference Source and as something else, you will need to enter the serial number and calibration due date each time because TME treats each mapping as a different device.

 

Test Equipment

Recommended Models

Alternate Models

Phase Noise System

N5511A Options 540, CH21

E5505A
E5501A/B
E5502A/B
E5503A/B
E5504A/B

Reference Source2

E8257D3 Opt UNR, UNX, or UNY

8664A Opt 004,
8665A Opt 004,
8665B Opt 004,
E8247C Opt UNR,
E8257C Opt UNR,
E8267C Opt UNR,
E8267D Opt UNR, UNX, or UNY
E8663B
E8663D Opt UNX or UNY

Cable

8120-4921 APC 3.5 (m) to (m)

 

Cable

11500C Type-N (m) to (m)

 

Cable

8120-1840 BNC (m) to (m)
10503A BNC (m) to (m)

 

Adapter

E9625A BNC Tee (m) (f) (f)

 

Adapter

11901D 2.4 mm (f) to APC 3.5 (m)

 

Adapter

1250-1749 APC 3.5 (f) to (f)

 
  1. CH2 is not required but recommended for future capability.
  2. The reference source must have a frequency high enough based on the test points being tested. Note that test points are not the same as the frequency range of the DUT. Therefore, some alternative models may not be sufficient for all DUTs. The E8257D recommended model is sufficient for all DUT configurations.
  3. Option 1EA or 1EU is not required providing that the LO in use has leveled output power at each test frequency.

Connections and Setup Procedures for a 500 MHz Single-Sideband Phase Noise Measurement
  • All test equipment requires a 30 minute warmup period to ensure accurate performance.
  • In the following test setup, cables are designated as solid lines and direct connections are designated as dashed lines.

 

There are two sets of procedures depending on the model of the phase noise test system used:

Select from the links below according to the phase noise test system being used.

N5511A PNTS, standard method .

 

 

  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.

The ESG-C does not specify a power level. Historically it has been tested at +14 dBm up to 1 GHz, and +10 dBm at ≥ 2 GHz.

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

 

 

Spurious Tab

Mark Spur

Checked

Minimum Limit

4 dB

Maximum Limit

50 dB

 

 

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 > MoreOptimize φ Noise and select Optimize φ Noise Offset < 150 kHz (Mode 1).

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

  6. 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

  7. 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.

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

 

E550xA/B legacy phase noise test systems, .

 

  1. Connect all test equipment as shown.
  2. Connect GPIB cables to all GPIB-controlled test equipment.
  3. While performing this adjustment, follow all instructions on the controller display.

 

Setup with a carrier frequency of 500 MHz

  1. Connect all test equipment as shown.

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

  3. Preset all test equipment and the signal generator.

  4. Connect the E8257D RF output to the N5500A reference input.

  5. Connect the N5500A Tune Voltage Output to the E8257D Ext 1 input.

Table 1: E4438C and E4428C Carrier Test Frequencies and Power

Frequency (MHz)

DUT Power (dBm)

Reference Power (dBm)

500

14

12

1000

14

12

2000

10

5

3000

10

5

4000

10

5

6000

10

5

 

  1. In the Keysight N5505A Phase Noise System user interface, change the following parameters:

    1. Select the View pull down menu.

    2. Select Display Preferences and clear the Spurs box.

    3. Select OK to close Display Preferences.

    4. From the System pull down menu, select Server Hardware Connections.

    5. Ensure the correct FFT Analyzer is selected, either the 11 PCI20428W-1 or the 89410A.

    6. Connect the signal generator's RF OUTPUT to the N5500A signal input.

    7. Connect the 70420A or N5500A 50 kHz to 1600 MHz Reference Input to the Reference Generator RF Out.

    8. Connect the 70420A or N5500A Tune Voltage Output to either the FM input (8665B) or the Ext 1 (PSG) input of the Reference Source.

    9. From the Define pull down menu, select Measurement, and set the following:

Parameter

Setting

 

 

Type and Range Tab

Measurement Type

Absolute phase noise

Start Offset Frequency

1 Hz

Stop Offset Frequency

1 MHz

FFT Averages

4

FFT Quality

Normal

Swept Quality

Normal

 

 

Sources Tab

Carrier Source Connected

Test Set

Carrier Source Frequency

See Table 1.

Carrier Source Power

See Table 1.

Detector Input Frequency

See Table 1.

Reference Source Power

See Table 1.

VCO Tune Constant

1,000 Hz/Volt

VCO Tune Range

5 volts for PSG

VCO Input Resistance

50 ohms for PSG

 

 

Cal Tab

Measure Phase Detector Constant

Checkmark

Measure VCO Tune Constant

Checkmark

Verify calculated phase lock loop suppression

Blank

Phase Lock Loop Suppression

Use theoretical value.

 

 

Block Diagram Tab

Carrier Source

Manual

Down Converter

None

Reference Source

E8257D

Phase Detector Mode

Automatic

Test Set Tune Voltage Destination

Reference Source

VCO Tune Mode

DCFM

 

 

Test Set Tab

Input Attenuation

0 dB

LNA Low Pass Filter

Auto

LNA Gain

Auto

PLL Integrator Attenuation

0 dB

 

 

Downconverter Tab

Input Attenuation

Auto

IF Gain

Auto

Microwave/Millimeter Band

Microwave (0 – 26.5 GHz)

Reference Chain Reference

10 MHz

External Tune Enable

Checkmark

 

 

Graph Tab

Title

User specific

Graph Type

Single-sideband phase noise (dBc/Hz)

X Scale minimum

1 Hz

X Scale maximum

1E+6

Y Scale maximum

0

Y Scale minimum

–170

Normalize Trace Data

1 Hz bandwidth

Making the Measurement

  1. Set the signal generator frequency to the first carrier frequency and power in Table 1.

  2. Set the RF Output to on.

  3. Perform a phase noise measurement.

  4. From the Measure pull down menu, select New Measurement.

  5. Place a marker at 20 kHz offset.

  6. Compare the marker amplitude value to the specifications displayed by the software.

  1. Print out a phase noise plot.

 

Entering the Data

The measurement data must be entered into the following form displayed on-screen when the test is run. The specifications shown below may differ from those displayed by the software based on the internal hardware of the particular DUT.

Enter the measured value from the phase noise system into the "Measured Value" column for the appropriate frequency/offset frequency combination. All values must be entered for the test to complete. Entering a measured value and then clicking in the "Result" column in the form will cause the result to appear.

If the "Guardbanding On" checkbox is not selected, then the result will be of the form PASS/FAIL. Otherwise, the result will be calculated using the displayed uncertainty and will be in the form PASS/FAIL/INDETERMINATE. The specification against which the measured value is compared is displayed in the "< Specifications" column.

In Case of Difficulty

If this performance test fails, perform the following steps in order:

  1. Check the equipment setup (see above). If the setup is incorrect, make the necessary corrections and rerun the performance test.

  2. If this test fails with the equipment set up properly, refer to the troubleshooting section of the signal generator's service guide. If you do not have a printed copy of the service guide (Option OBW), one is available either on the CD-ROM that came with your signal generator shipment or on the Keysight Website.

  3. If you cannot correct the problem using the troubleshooting procedures in the Service Guide, obtain service from Keysight Technologies. Refer to Contacting Keysight Technologies.