Noise Floor Performance Test

This test measures the absolute power level of the noise floor for the receivers on the PNA, and verifies the Test Port Input – Test Port Noise Floor specification. The noise floor is measured on each port across the full frequency range of the PNA. Measurements are made at many CW frequencies across the range of the PNA.

The specification for the noise floor is defined for 10 Hz and 1 kHz IFBWs for some models. Measurements during the test are taken only at 1 kHz IFBW. Both experimental and theoretical evidence indicate a 19.96 dB difference in noise floor when changing the IFBW from 1 kHz to 10 Hz. All measurements are taken at a 1 kHz IFBW but test results are shown for 10 Hz IFBW. This is done because the measurement uncertainty is greater for 10 Hz IFBW. (Worst case is reported.)

The measurement process corrects for offset inaccuracies in power measurements made by the PNA receivers. A power meter measures a "calibration power" at each measurement frequency. The PNA receiver then measures the same power. The difference in power measurements is used to correct the actual noise floor measurement. (See the table below for calibration power to be used.)

For troubleshooting help, see Noise Level Troubleshooting.

Required Test Equipment

Below is the required test equipment separated by connector type. Select the link that applies to the connector type for your model.

Type-N connector models
3.5 mm connector models
2.4 mm connector models
1.85 mm connector models

For Type-N Connector PNA Models E8356A, E8357A, E8358A E8801A, E8802A, E8803A N3381A, N3382A, N3383A
Test Equipment	Recommended Model	Alternate Model
Power meter1	N1914A	E4419A/B EPM-442A N1912A
Power sensor	N8482A	8482A
Power sensor (for > 3 GHz to 9 GHz models) (not required when testing 3 GHz models)	N8481A	8481A
Calibration kit (only loads and one adapter are needed)	85032F	none
Power sensor cable (Qty 2) (1 required when testing 3 GHz models)	11730A	none
RF cable Type-N (m) to Type-N (m)	N6314A	8120-8862
Adapter Type-N (f) to Type-N (f)	1250-0777	equivalent
1. When testing PNAs that have a frequency range up to 3 GHz, the E4418A/B power meter can be used; therefore the E4412A power sensor and power sensor cable will not be required.
For 3.5 mm Connector PNA Models E8362A, E8362B, E8362C
Test Equipment	Recommended Model	Alternate Model
Power meter	N1914A	E4419A/B EPM-442A N1912A
Power sensor	N8482A	8482A
Power sensor	N8485A	E9300A H25 8485A
Calibration kit 3.5 mm (only loads and one adapter are needed)	85052B	none
Power sensor cable (Qty 2)	11730A	equivalent
Cable RF 3.5 mm	85131-60013	85131-60010 (not for 4-port)
Adapter 3.5 mm (f) to 3.5 mm (f)	83059B	1250-1749
Adapter 3.5 mm (m) to Type-N (f)	1250-1750	equivalent
Adapter 3.5 mm (f) to Type-N (m) (for power sensor calibration)	1250-1744	08485-60005
For 2.4 mm Connector PNA Models E8363A, E8363B, E8363C E8364A, E8364B, E8364C
Test Equipment	Recommended Model	Alternate Model
Power meter	N1914A	E4419A/B EPM-442A N1912A
Power sensor	N8482A	8482A
Power sensor	N8487A	8487A
Calibration kit 2.4 mm (only loads and one adapter are needed)	85056A	none
Cable RF 2.4 mm	85133-60016 (more flexible)	85133-60002 (less flexible)
Power sensor cable (Qty 2)	11730A	equivalent
Adapter 2.4 mm (f) to 2.4 mm (f)	11900B	equivalent
Adapter 2.4 mm (m) to Type-N (f)	11903C	equivalent
Adapter 2.4 mm (f) to Type-N (m) (for power sensor calibration)	11903D	08487-60001
For 1.85 mm Connector PNA Models E8361A, E8361C
Test Equipment	Recommended Model	Alternate Model
Power meter	N1914A	E4419A/B EPM-442A N1912A
Power sensor	N8482A	8482A
Power sensor	N8487A	8487A
Power sensor	N8488A	V8486A with the V281A waveguide adapter1 (includes Option H67)2
Load 1.85 mm (f) 3 (qty 2)	85058-60112	85058-60124
Cable RF 1.85 mm	N4697-60100	none
Power sensor cable (qty 2)	11730A	equivalent
Adapter 1.85 mm (m) to 1.85 mm (m) (may come from 85058B cal kit)	85058-60113	none
Adapter 2.4 mm (m) to Type-N (f)	11903C	equivalent
Adapter 2.4 mm (f) to Type-N (m) (for power sensor calibration)	11903D	08487-60001
Combination of the V8486A power sensor and V281A adapter must be calibrated as a single unit—do not separate. For more information, click here. Option H67 is an ANSI Z540-1 calibration for the V8486A power sensor with a V281A connector adapter (connected together). May use loads with adapter from 85058B cal kit as an alternative.

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 model will be shown.
Some illustrations may differ than those in TME.
For procedures that apply to multiple ports, illustrations will show the setup on only one test port.

Power Sensor Calibration Setup

Source Calibration Setup

Thru Measurement Setup

Noise Floor Measurement Setup

Calibration Power for Noise Floor Test (dBm)
Model	Option	< 0.5 GHz	.05 to 10 GHz	10 to 20 GHz	20 to 40 GHz	40 to 45 GHz	45 to 50 GHz	50 to 67 GHz
RF Models		-5	-5	X	X	X	X	X
E8362A	std	-3	-3	-3	X	X	X	X
E8362A	UNL or 014	-8	-8	-8	X	X	X	X
E8363A/4A	std	-15	-15	-15	-15	-15	-15	X
E8363A/4A	UNL or 014	-20	-20	-20	-20	-20	-20	X
E8362B/63B/64B		-5	-5	-5	-8	-11	-17	X
E8361A/C		-3	-1	-2	-2	-7	-5	-5
E8361A/C	014	-3	-1	-3	-3	-8	-6	-7
E8361A/C	UNL or 014	-3	-1	-3	-5	-10	-10	-13