Receiver Noise Figure Performance Test

This test applies to the following models:

Before running this test, certain settings must be set in TME and the PNA.

For TME:

Be sure that ClosedPause on test point fail is not selected for this test.

For the PNA:

Enable power sensor setting when using USB power sensor. ClosedClick here for instructions.

  1. From the PNA menu, go to: Instrument > Setup > External Hardware > Power Meter Setup …

  2. From the Power Meter Settings dialog, select USB. From the drop-down list, find the connected USB sensor, then press Sensors.

  3. In the Power Sensor Settings dialog, select Use this sensor only (no frequency checking)

 

This test takes advantage of the noise calibration available in the PNA firmware which characterizes the “noise parameters” of the noise receiver (similar to how a standard S-parameter cal characterizes the “error terms” of the receiver). A new type of calibration, one which utilizes a power sensor calibration (instead of using a noise source), has been implemented into the 50 GHz noise calibration and this calibration calculates error various noise parameters directly related to the noise figure of the receiver.

Thus, the test procedure for determining the noise figure contains two parts. The first part performs a noise (power meter) calibration and the second part reads the noise parameters resulting from this calibration and calculates the noise figure.

For the measurement part of this test (Normal Variant), the PNA will control the power meter. Therefore the operator will need to switch the power meter's GPIB connection from the main bus to the PNA's controller. Follow the steps in the Connection Setups section below.

For troubleshooting help, see Receiver Noise Figure Troubleshooting.

Required Test Equipment

Test Equipment1

Recommended Model

Alternate Model

Power meter2

N1914B

  • Not allowed in Normal Variant test plans.

N1914A
N1912A
E4419A/B

Power sensor
(for Normal Variant)

N8487A

N8487A CFT
8487A

Power sensor3
(for Factory Recommended Variant)

U8488A

U8487A

Calibration kit

See selection tables below.
  1. Refer to the main test equipment table for available cables and adapters listed by connector type.
  2. Not required in the Factory Recommended Variant test plan.
  3. Only USB sensors can be used for this test when running the Factory Recommended Variant.

Calibration Kit Selection Tables

  • This test allows the calibration kit to be either an ECal module or a mechanical kit. The model of the ECal module will vary depending on the test plan variant being run in TME.

  • TME requires the ECal serial number to be entered. Depending on the model of the ECal, the serial number can be either a 5-digit number or 10-digit alphanumeric string. Some modules will have both numbers on the label. To identify the correct number to enter into TME, refer to the E-Cal Module Troubleshooting page for more information.

Calibration Kits for
2.4 mm Connector Models1

 

ECal Modules

Mechanical3

Test Plan Variants

N4693D2 Options 0DC, M0F

N4693-61001

N4693-60001

(order as N4693A Opt. M0F)

85056A

Factory Recommended

X

X

X

Normal

 

X

X
  1. Uses RF cable 2.4 mm (f) to 2.4 mm (f): 85133-60016 (more flexible) or 85133-60002
    (less flexible).

  2. Firmware requirements:

    • PNA A/AS-models require minimum firmware version A.10.60.04 or above
    • PNA B/BC-models require minimum firmware version A.12.85.00 or above
  3. When a calibration may be done with or without sliding loads, using sliding loads improves the accuracy and decreases the measurement uncertainty of the test results.

 

Calibration Kits for
1.85 mm Connector Models1

 

ECal Modules

Mechanical3

Test Plan Variants

N4694D2 Options 0DC, M0F

N4694-60001
(order as N4694A Opt. M0F)

85058B

Factory Recommended

X

X

X

Normal

 

X

X
  1. Uses RF cable 1.85 mm (f) to 1.85 mm (f): 8121-2921 or N4697-60100.

  2. Firmware requirements:

    • PNA A/AS-models require minimum firmware version A.10.60.04 or above
    • PNA B/BC-models require minimum firmware version A.12.85.00 or above
  3. When a calibration may be done with or without sliding loads, using sliding loads improves the accuracy and decreases the measurement uncertainty of the test results.

Connection Setups

Due to the complexity of the PNA family of analyzers, the following notes apply to illustrations in the PNA Help:

  • Only a single representative PNA model will be shown. Therefore, port locations may differ in older PNA models than what is shown in the illustration. Refer to the port labels on the UUT.
  • Some illustrations may differ than those in TME.
  • If the test procedure applies to multiple ports, illustrations may show the setup on only one test port.
  • Setups for some option configurations may not appear in the Help.

Receiver Noise Figure Test Setup,
Factory Recommended Variant

Receiver Noise Figure Test Setup,
Normal Variant

For the measurement part of this test, the PNA will control the power meter. Therefore the operator will need to switch the power meter's GPIB connection from the main bus to the PNA's controller. There are two different GPIB ports on the rear of the PNA: GPIB(0) CONTROLLER and GPIB(1) TALKER/LISTENER. It is important to make the correct connections to the appropriate GPIB port as detailed in the instructions below.

The illustrations below show details of the GPIB connections of the power meter and the UUT. After the power sensor calibration, the UUT will directly control the power meter through the GPIB cable. In order for this to occur, follow the steps below.

How to change the GPIB connections:

  1. Leave the power meter's GPIB cable connected to the power meter.
  2. Disconnect the other end of the power meter's GPIB cable from the GPIB bus.
  3. Now take that disconnected end of the GPIB cable and connect it to the GPIB(0) CONTROLLER on the rear of the UUT. Refer to the Rear Panel Detail in the illustration below.

  4. Make sure that power meter's GPIB cable is only connected to the GPIB(0) CONTROLLER of the UUT and that the UUT's GPIB(1) TALKER/LISTENER is connected to the GPIB bus of the PC.

To verify that the PNA is controlling the power meter, follow the steps below ().
  1. Preset the PNA.
  2. From PNA menu, press Response > Cal > Source Power Cal.
  3. In the Source Power cal window, press Power Meter Config...
  4. From the Power Meter setting window, press Sensors.

  5. From the Power Sensor window, press OK.

If the GPIB and power sensor connections are correct, the test will proceed with the power measurement. If something is not correct, an error message such as Unable to recognize the power meter... will be displayed. Review the connection steps above.

Receiver Noise Figure with Ecal
(all variants)

Because of the variations possible with mechanical calibration setups, illustrations in TME and the Help will only show ECal setups.

Receiver Noise Figure Thru
(all variants)