Noise Figure Measurements - Theory and Application

This application note covers a few major themes. First, it reviews the generation of noise in electronic devices, leading to the theoretical treatment of noise in a more complex electronic system. The second section discusses the measurement of noise figure using the Y-factor measurement method is discussed. Next, the calculation of the measurement uncertainty of the Y-factor noise figure measurement is analyzed, showing sources of measurement uncertainties and best practices to minimize these uncertainties. The final section focuses on the cold-source noise figure measurement technique, by outlining a particular measurement method and its corresponding measurement uncertainty.